If there's one thing we've got in Shanghai, it's bars. From warehouses to holes-in-the-wall, from decadent to dive, each bar has its own flavour and appeal. But sometimes, just sometimes, a bar stands out from the crowd, either due to its crazy décor or funky drink concoctions. Here is a list of some of Shanghai's most unique bars, which are perfect for impressing guests or if you're just in the mood for a change of scenery.

1) The Rabbit Hole
One of the city's newer offerings, The Rabbit Hole is, in case you couldn't tell based on the name, inspired by Lewis Carrol's “Through the Looking Glass” (better known to movie-goers as “Alice in Wonderland”). As you might expect from a bar with this sort of theme, things can get pretty weird around here – but without going overboard. The black and white checkered floors and ceilings contrast nicely with the broken picture frames featuring illustrations from the bar's namesake tale. Menus are displayed on playing cards, while The Rabbit Hole's monthly “Mad Hatter's Tea Party” sessions showcase unique cocktails, like The White Queen and The Mad Hatter, served in – what else? - tea pots. The food offerings tend towards the Mediterranean persuasion (and yes, in case you were wondering – they do serve rabbit stew), but don't kid yourself. This is mainly a drink lounge - and with such a unique atmosphere, a fun drink lounge at that.

The Rabbit HoleView In Map
Add: 408 Shaanxi Bei Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市陕西北路408号, 近北京西路
Tel: 021 3230 2778
Opening hours: Tue-Thurs, 18:00-01:00; Fri-Sat, 18:00-late; Sun, 18:00-01:00

2) People 7
The fun and strangeness of People 7 starts before you even walk through the door. In order to get through the door, in fact, you'll have to solve a bit of a conundrum. With no door handle – just multiple indentations big enough to fit your hand into – you have to guess the right slot that will magically open the door. Its location changes every day just to keep you on your toes. Once you step inside, you're greeted by a dim lit lounge drenched in white. Take a seat by the window to enjoy the private bamboo garden just outside, or sit at the bar to watch the bartenders skillfully employ ingredients like egg whites and sake. If you're feeling adventurous, try their “drink for two,” a monstrous frozen free-for-all that comes in a 2 ½ foot tall martini glass (which you get to keep!). Head to the bathrooms for another neat surprise – which I won't give away here! These quirky touches and unusual drinks always keep things fun.

People 7View In Map
Add: 805 Julu Lu, near Fumin Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市巨鹿路805号, 近富民路
Tel: 021 5404 0707
Opening hours: Daily, 11:30-02:00, 18:00-24:00

3) The Alchemist
By now, chances are that you've at least heard of The Alchemist. Whether you love the drinks or think it's all just a gimmick, it is impossible to deny that this bar is nothing if not unique. The bar's décor is nothing to write home about, but the drinks – oh, the drinks. Ever wondered what it would taste like to sip on a white wine “fog” (literally – they put a dry ice capsule in a small carafe from which you add it to your drink)? Or how well a cocktail topped with sesame-glazed carrot foam would pair with a snack of pig brain popcorn? Well, wonder no more – all these questions and much, much more can be answered just by perusing the food and beverage menu here.

The AlchemistView In Map
Add: Sinan Mansions, Block 32, 45 Sinan Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市思南路45号32号楼, 近复兴西路
Tel: 021 6426 0660
Opening hours: Daily, 18:00-02:00

4) Salon de Ning
The Peninsula Hotel is not exactly known for its rockin' good nightlife scene, but hidden inside you'll find the Salon de Ning, the kind of place for which the word “unique” was invented. Imagine the private lodgings of an eccentric old lady living in the colonial era – now imagine she had her flamboyant neighbour help her decorate. This will help you envision a tiny fraction of the craziness that is Salon de Ning. The space is divided into four separate rooms, of which each gets its own theme: the cinema room, the submarine room, the blue room, and, my personal favourite, the upside down room – where bookcases and fireplaces are literally hanging from the ceiling. Go there during the week for a laid back drink, or on the weekends when live bands and DJ's perform on stage. Either way, this place is a trip.

Salon de NingView In Map
Add: The Peninsula, B/F, 32 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Beijing Dong Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市中山东一路32号B楼, 近北京东路
Tel: 021 2327 6731
Opening hours: Tue-Sat, 20:00-01:00

5) Rhumerie Bounty
Ahoy, matey! If you've ever thought that the only thing missing from your life was a pirate-themed bar, you'll be happy to know that your world is now complete. In fact, now everyone's favourite rum bar has not just one, but two locations! Decked out (no pun intended) in plenty of wood, netting, and fishing buoys, this bar is most likely the closest we'll come to stepping foot on a real pirate ship. Combine the charming and whimsical atmosphere with their jaw dropping selection of freshly infused rum (think passion fruit, guava, etc.), and you've got a combination that basically guarantees a wild night out. It gets particularly rowdy around Halloween time, when everyone's inner pirate comes out and seasonal rum-based cocktails come out served in blood bags.

Rhumerie Bounty (branch)View In Map
Add: 550 Wuding Lu, near Xikang Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市武定路550号, 近西康路
Tel: 021 2661 9368
Open: Mon-Thurs, 11:00-01:00; Fri-Sat, 11:00-late; Sun, 16:00pm-01:00

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Keywords: Shanghai’s most unique bars strangest bars Shanghai Shanghai’s most unusual bars