18 Best Nightlife in Pearl River Delta, China

A revamped industrial space with, cool studios, and shops, the leafy OCT Loft promenade is peppered with trendy alfresco cafés that are popular for evening drinks. For a relaxed night out, look for La Patisserie or LSD Party, which is an Italian café-cum-gallery (not a drug den). Bettet yet, for a memorable musical experience, time your visit with the annual Jazz Festival, usually in October.

This Bavarian-themed bar is known for its decent selection of imported wheat beers, ale (there are about a dozen), and beverages like Champagne, wine, and cocktails that are best enjoyed on the lovely, spacious outdoor patio. The atmosphere inside is chic but cozy, with a long bar and warm lighting.

Bingjiang Xi Lu is the street for barhopping. Very popular with a younger crowd, it has great views of the Pearl River. You can always cross the bridge to Yanjiang Xi Lu and pay a visit to some of the venues on that side.

One of the only craft breweries in Shenzhen, Bionic Brewery serves up its own batches of pale ales and wheat beers, alongside guest taps from other local brewers. The taproom is a lot of fun, with plenty of seating, colorful decor, and reasonable prices—drafts cost about Y30–40. It's only open on weekends, so plan ahead.

The Café Lounge has a mellow vibe, big comfortable bar stools, quiet tables for two, live music on weekends, and a fine selection of cigars.

This cool dance club is located in a building that was a theater back in the days of Sun Yat-sen. Lounge lizards and history buffs will enjoy sipping a beer here.

It's more of a stylish craft beer store than a bar, but Fool Heaven sells more than 100 types of craft beers from all over the world at great prices, ranging from about Y12 to Y60. It's self-serve, so you can take your purchases outside and enjoy the spacious outdoor seating area. If beer's not your jam, you can also find under-the-radar vodkas, wines, and whiskeys, along with coffee and tea.

Inspired by New Zealand's friendly restaurant and bar culture, Social & Co is one of the most cosmopolitan bars in Guangzhou. Indoors, there's an eclectic feel—as evidenced by kitschy garden gnomes, plump leather furniture, and polished-concrete walls—while outdoors, a spacious seating area fills up quickly for Sunday brunch (11:30 am–3 pm). On the menu, you'll find a carefully selected list of bottled beers and wine, as well as a handful of modern Aussie and New Zealand sharing plates.

The biggest and hippest dance and live music venue in Guangzhou, Soho Bar lets you get your jive on to house and electronica. When the sound gets to be too much, chill out on the outdoor terrace. Admission is Y50 to Y100, depending on the night.

The Filipino house band rocks the joint almost every night at the Terrace, but you can also find blues, reggae, and other music here all week. If you need a rest from dancing, slip outside to the balcony for a cocktail and a view over Sea World Square. To sit near the band, expect to pay a weekend mininum charge of Y500 per table.

If you're looking for a low-key atmosphere and outdoor seating, head to The Happy Monk. On the drinks menu, you'll find a mix of fruity cocktails and a decent wine selection, as well as the likes of Guinness and Stella Artois on tap. The basic pub grub here isn't going to blow your mind, but the friendly ambience, tucked-away location and funky copper-and-wood interiors make it a popular choice among locals and expats.

It doesn't get much classier than the low-lit surrounds, rare whiskeys, crystal glassware, cigars and private booths at The Loft in the Mandarin Oriental. The extensive and informative whiskey list is impressive, as is the service staff's encyclopedic knowledge of each pour. The food is a draw too, with talked-about wagyu beef tataki, chocolate wontons, and big, fat burgers.

For one of the private booths, be sure to make a reservation.

The games of darts, pints of Guinness and Kilkenny, and football matches on a massive screen make you long for Ireland. It's a popular gathering spot for Guangzhou's expat community.

One of the coolest party scenes in Shenzhen, True Color attracts international DJs. Music is generally trance or house, and the party usually doesn't break up until dawn.

Without a doubt the hottest nightspot in the OCT, V Bar boasts a holographic globe hovering over a circular bar. It's the only bar in town with an attached swimming pool.

From salsa to hip-hop, you can dance the night away inside this hot spot or enjoy a drink on the outdoor patio while you mingle with Shenzhen's young professional crowd. Tell your taxi driver "Gòuwù gōngyuán, 购物公园" (Coco Park).