Three hours can change your night.

This Shanghai bar hopping tour in the former French Concession is built for maximum nightlife time: you hop through a series of bars and tastings with an English-speaking guide, ending right back near where you started.

What I like most is the setup: a small group (up to 10) and an English guide named Jill Saarm, which makes it easier to talk to people and order without the usual China-night stress. I also like that the stops are aimed at more local-feeling drinking spots, not just the loud, overpriced tourist boxes.

The one drawback to plan around: food isn’t included. You might get some snack-style bites with tastings, but you should still eat a real meal before you go if you want to pace your drinks comfortably.

Key things that make this tour work

• Small group size (limited to 10) keeps conversations from turning into chaos
• English guide Jill Saarm helps with ordering and navigating bar-by-bar
• Multiple tasting styles: craft beer, wine, cocktails, and shots, not just one drink type
• French Concession nightlife atmosphere without you having to map it yourself
• Fun “mix and chat” moments, including places where you can make your own cocktails
• Local craft beer flavors you likely won’t find at home, like lychee IPA and tea-based beers

Former French Concession nightlife, minus the guesswork

The former French Concession is one of Shanghai’s best areas for an evening out. You get that mix of tree-lined lanes, bar-front energy, and side-street discoveries. For a bar crawl, it’s useful because the vibe is consistent while the venues still feel different.

This tour leans into that. Instead of you spending your night bouncing between random spots, you get a guided route designed to keep the flow going. You’re tasting different drinks across several places, which is the fastest way to understand what Shanghai nightlife tastes like.

And because you’re in a small group, you can actually talk to people. For solo travelers, that matters. For couples and friend groups, it matters too because you can still choose to chat without feeling trapped in a crowd.

Meeting at Chicken&egg, then starting at Funkadeli

Your night begins at Chicken&egg (NO291 Fuming Road), at the crossing of Fumin Road and Changle Road. It’s also near Metro Line 2 (Jing’an Shi station), exit 8.

Then you start the crawl at Funkadeli. That first stop is important because it sets the tone. You arrive, get oriented, and settle into the group rhythm before you move into the deeper bar zone.

Practical tip: arrive a bit early. The tour sends details by email ahead of time, including where to check in and register. If you’re late, you can lose your spot in the flow of the evening.

Stop 1 at Funkadeli: kickoff drinks and social momentum

Funkadeli is where the group gets rolling. This is the moment where the guide helps everyone line up for the night’s plan, especially if you’re new to the area or just don’t want to figure it out alone.

You’ll also get early drink momentum: the tour includes shots of Chinese strong liquor and tequila shots. Even if you don’t want to go hard, these are part of the tasting experience. The bigger value is that you’re learning what to order later, because you’ve already had the guide’s direction on how the night will taste.

The best way to think about the first stop: it’s not just a bar. It’s the social “warm start” so that by the time you reach the more interesting venues, you’re ready to chat, compare drinks, and feel comfortable.

The main crawl: craft beer, wine tastings, cocktails, and more

After the kickoff, the tour becomes the classic bar-hopping loop in Shanghai’s French Concession. The structure is simple: you visit at least 3 bars and work your way through different styles like craft beer, wine, cocktails, and whiskey tasting, plus spirits and local snacks.

Here’s what makes that mix feel smart instead of random:

Craft beer you can actually taste as Shanghai

One highlight is getting to try locally brewed flavors that go beyond the standard lagers. You may come across craft options like seasalt lychee IPA, mango spicy beer, jasmine-flavored beer, and Longjing tea beer. That’s the kind of range that tells you the city’s nightlife palate is playful, not just heavy.

If you’re a beer person, you’ll like the chance to compare flavors in a single night instead of hunting one specific brewery on your own.

Wine and cocktail stops that keep things varied

The tour includes wine tasting and also moves into cocktails and spirits. That matters because a pub crawl can sometimes get stuck on one lane. Here, you get enough variety that you can choose what feels good as the night progresses.

There’s also a fun style reported on some stops: a venue where you can mix your own cocktails. If you like interactive drinking (and you’re in the mood for a bit of play), this kind of stop can be the memory you talk about later.

One more angle: whiskey tasting

You don’t only get beer-and-bubbles. There’s also whiskey tasting, which gives the crawl a more layered “grow through the evening” feel. Even if you’re not a whiskey fan, tasting a small flight is a low-stakes way to explore a new category.

The food situation (what to expect)

The tour does not list a full meal as included. Still, the tasting plan may include local snacks along the route. Just don’t plan your night like food is guaranteed. Eat before you go, then treat any snacks as bonus, not dinner.

Jill Saarm: the guide factor that changes everything

This is one of those tours where the guide isn’t just background. Jill Saarm stands out because she’s described as outgoing, friendly, and good at getting the group talking.

That matters for two reasons:

1. Language and ordering gets easier. Going into smaller bars can be tough without help. With an English-speaking guide, you can focus on the experience instead of guessing menus.
2. The route feels tuned to the group’s vibe. The crawl isn’t just the same script every time. Jill can tailor the night toward a more chill hangout style or keep it lively depending on what the group wants.

Also, an advantage of having a real local guide is cost control. The tour aims to avoid tourist-trap pricing in the most tourist-heavy spots. You’ll still find bars that fit the neighborhood, but without the “pay extra because you’re lost” penalty.

A nice detail from experiences on the crawl: one of the venues has a second-floor secret-feeling space and a balcony, which can give you a quieter, more laid-back Shanghai night view while the group stays in the action.

Pacing a 3-hour crawl without killing tomorrow

A bar crawl can be fun and social, but it’s also easy to rush. This one is 3 hours, so you’ll feel the schedule. That’s not bad. Just plan smart so the last stop is as enjoyable as the first.

Here’s how to survive it (and get the most out of it):

• Eat first. Don’t show up on empty. A substantial meal before the crawl helps you avoid getting too drunk too fast.
• Pace yourself. You’ll be tasting different drink styles and some strong liquor shots are included. Take breaks between stops.
• Stay hydrated. Water helps you stay present for conversation and the final bar.
• Wear comfortable shoes. Even without heavy walking details listed, bar crawls typically involve moving around a neighborhood.
• Stick with the group. Your best night is the one where you keep the plan, not the one where you wander off and miss the next stop.

One more practical point: because check-in details come by email, keep an eye on your inbox before you leave. It’s the simplest way to avoid awkward delays at the start.

Price and value: $29 for drinks, shots, and guidance

At $29 per person for a 3-hour guided crawl, the value is all about what you get inside that window.

You’re paying for:

• A guided bar hopping tour
• Included shots (Chinese strong liquor)
• Included tequila shots
• Access to a sequence of tastings across at least 3 bars

What you don’t pay for:

• Food (no full meal included)

So the “math” is basically: you’re buying time, drink variety, and local navigation. If you’re trying to do nightlife solo, the cost can still feel fair because the alternative is paying entry drinks one by one while figuring out where to go next.

If you’re the type who only wants one or two drinks and calls it a night, then this kind of crawl might feel too fast. But if you want a guided sampler across styles, it’s a strong way to get your evening to work harder.

One reason people rate this so highly is simple: you get a guide who knows where to send you, and you get multiple bar styles instead of one stop with extra walking.

Who should book this Shanghai bar crawl, and who should skip it

You’ll probably love it if:

• You want an organized way to enjoy Shanghai nightlife in the French Concession
• You’re okay with a tasting-style night (craft beer, wine, cocktails, shots)
• You want a small group and an English-speaking guide so you can socialize without stress
• You prefer value over wandering around guessing what’s worth it

You might skip it if:

• You want food to be a big part of the plan (meals aren’t included)
• You want a relaxed, slow evening with no schedule pressure (it’s built for a 3-hour sprint)
• You’re under 18 (it’s not suitable for children under 18)

If your goal is to walk into Shanghai after dark, get a local-feeling route, taste different drink styles, and meet people without doing all the planning yourself, this tour fits the bill.

Should you book this Shanghai bar hopping tour?

Yes, consider booking if you want a guided drinking sampler that saves you time and language headaches. The biggest advantage is the combination of Jill Saarm’s local hosting, a small group size, and a route built around variety rather than just one bar.

Book it especially if you’re arriving in Shanghai and want a fast way to understand what nightlife here feels like in the former French Concession. Just eat beforehand, pace the shots, and treat the 3 hours as your curated taste-test of the city.

FAQ

How long is the Shanghai bar hopping tour?

It runs for 3 hours.

How much does it cost?

The price is $29 per person.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is limited to 10 participants, and it’s a small group.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included (though the experience may include snacks alongside tastings).

What drinks and tastings are included?

You’ll have tastings that can include craft beer, wine, cocktails, spirits, plus wine tasting and whiskey tasting. The tour also includes shots of Chinese strong liquor and tequila shots.

What language is the guide?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Where do I meet and where does it end?

Meet at Chicken&egg, NO291 Fuming Road (near Metro Line 2 Jing’an Shi station exit 8). The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

You Might Also Enjoy

Authentic Local Food Tour in Central ShanghaiSmall-Group Mutianyu Great Wall Tour With lunch And TicketGuangzhou Full Day City Tour with Old and New HighlightsBeijing 2-Day Tours: Great Wall, Forbidden City & Top Highlights