This small bar is fairly new in Shenyang, and attracts mostly Chinese customers. The place has a lot of potential: it has really cool décor, the drinks are reasonably priced, and there’s a pool table. The major downside however is there’s constant music and live singers who are excessively loud and seem out of place in such a small pub. Bring a group of friends and you can manage to have a good time. 

  

Beers from 10元

Cocktails from 20元

This is a small, little-known bar tucked away in what seems like a forgotten section of Shenyang. Although not far from the center of the city, the area feels somewhat abandoned because many of the buildings are scheduled for demolition to make room for a to-be-announced development.  

   

ZB is quite small, but has inexpensive drinks and often has live music. 

  

Location: Near the corner of Wen yi lu (文艺路) and Jian yuan jie (建院街) just south of Qingnian Park (青年公园) and just north of Xin Hong Ji Restaurant (新洪记饭店). Ask a taxi driver for the south gate of Qingnian Park (青年公园南门  qīngnián gōngyuán nánmén) then go south on Jian yuan jie. The bar is on the east side of the road.

  

Lucky Star is a pretty average Chinese night club.  The environment is not bad if you like loud techno music and dancing. 

         

Location: On Shisan wei lu (十三纬路) a few blocks east of San jing jie (三经街). On the south side of Shisan wei lu there is a large archway with a sign that says “Lucky Star Bar (幸运星酒吧)”. Go through the arch and go 100 metres. The club is on the right. 

 

 

The West Beer Town is not particularly well-known among Shenyang’s foreigners, but it’s one of the more interesting places you will find here; and it’s worthwhile giving it a try for a night out with your friends. 

 

The theme of the large, two-level club is supposed to be western (‘western’ as in Wild West--cowboys and Indians, John Wayne, etc.), so the atmosphere is quite different from most nightclubs. Customers sit at large wooden tables on large wooden chairs, and the walls are lined with wagon wheels, saddles, and other ‘western’ memorabilia. The club’s main attraction however, an on-stage variety show, is very Chinese and has nothing ‘western’ about it. The show includes singing (possibly including lip-syncing), dancing, Er ren zhuan (二人转)—a popular style of comedy routine, an auction, and other miscellaneous acts. The performance is more grandiose and well-choreographed than most bar-shows and includes professional stage lighting, laser effects, pyrotechnics, and elaborate costumes. Many foreigners however, may find parts of the show to be a bit too hokey for their taste—e.g. a “strong man” performance that involves tearing apart a plastic bowl with his hands, and drilling himself with an electric drill. Also, most of the male performers are constantly guzzling beer while performing. 

     

Even though parts of the show may make you roll your eyes, the atmosphere of the place is fun and interesting enough to keep you amused for a few hours. Note that West Beer Town is really more of a theater than a bar, so don’t come here expecting to hang out and meet people. If you bring a group of your own friends, however, you should have a good time. 

  

Prices:

Bottled beer: 25 yuan

Full bottles of liquor: from 240 yuan

Wine: from 150 yuan

   

Limited food selection includes ròu chuàr 肉串 (barbecue meat on sticks), popcorn, fruit, and other snacks. 

Note: It’s best to call in advance and reserve a table.  If you make a reservation by 6:00pm, there is no door ticket; if you don’t have a reservation you may have to pay 20 yuan to enter (ladies enter free). 

   

The bar is only open from 8pm to shortly after midnight, so don’t plan on going too late. 

Location: On Bei Si Ma Lu (北四马路), just one block west of Zhongshan Square (中山广场). The bar is on the second floor of a complex called David Camp, which also has spa/massage, swimming pool, and restaurant.  Most  taxi drivers will know “dà wèi yíng” (大卫营, David Camp). If not, just go to "zhōngshān guǎngchǎng", and walk west on Bei Si Ma Lu, the complex will be on your right. 

 

 

Fairly new to Shenyang, Kiss Club is slowly becoming popular with foreigners. The club is very clean and modern with excellent light and laser effects, and an amazing sound system. The club is not very big, but it’s not overly crowded, and there is a dance floor and plenty of tables with comfortable seating. All in all, if you like nightclubs and loud music, Kiss Club is a winner. 

  

Location: On the second floor of the Kuai Le Di (快乐迪) karaoke house near Zhong Shan Square (中山广场). Ask a taxi driver for "zhōngshān guǎngchǎng de kuàilèdí."

There is some dispute over the name of this club, as some of the Chinese signs say “Tell Mama”, and some of them say “Don’t Tell Mama”. Regardless of whether or not you inform your mother, this is probably the biggest nightclub in Shenyang, and its atmosphere is distinctly different from other clubs. The huge building has three floors, and is usually crowded with young Chinese people. There’s usually a variety show until around 11pm, after which they play bad techno music. 

    

The club’s atmosphere is different from other clubs because it attracts a somewhat “edgier” crowd. Some Chinese clubs often seem quite juvenile, something like a middle school dance; but at Don’t Tell Mama you will find people dancing shirtless, fighting, passed out people being dragged out by club security, drug use, etc. You will probably also notice that this club is a popular hang-out for users of the infamous “head-shaking drug”. 

  

Overall, Don’t Tell Mama is not very popular with foreigners, but if you’re living in Shenyang it’s worth making a visit…it can be a real “experience”. 

   

Location: At the center of Xi Ta Street. Ask a taxi driver for “xī tǎ”.

The newly opened SOS Club has probably the coolest environment of any of Shenyang’s nightclubs. The managers claim the dance club to the “biggest bar in Shenyang.” The décor consists of glass chandeliers, mirrors, pyrotechnics, and a fun laser show. The entertainment includes Chinese and Filipino singers/dancers, as well as a DJ. 

  

The club itself is quite excellent, but there are some issues that may either annoy or amuse you depending on your personality. For example, you don’t need to look too closely to see that the “live” entertainers are sometimes pretending to play the guitar. Also, unlike Bee House and Sunny Night Club, the customers are mostly young Chinese, so the dance floor seems a bit juvenile (think Junior High school dance). 

   

Beers cost 25-30 yuan

  

Cocktails from 35-75 yuan

    

The waiters will encourage you to buy a package that includes a bottle of Chivas, some soft drinks, and a bunch of snacks for around 420 yuan. It’s not cheap, but it’s probably the best deal if you’re there to drink. 

Location: On Taiyuan Nan Jie (太原南街) two blocks south of the ring road (Nan Wu Ma Lu 南五马路). Ask a taxi driver for the Jin Du Hotel (jīndū fàndiàn). From there go south on Taiyuan Nan Jie, and the club is on the left. There’s a huge sign, you can’t miss it.

It’s unclear from what exactly the name of this fairly new bar is derived from (perhaps the Minnesota Twins World Series Championship?). The location of 1987 Bar is such that if you didn’t know it was there, you might never see it. 1987 is a medium-sized place that is something of a cross between a pub and a nightclub. There are live shows every night that include music, singing, and dancing, as well as a DJ. 1987 is a fairly interesting place well worth checking out. The clientele is mostly Chinese. 

Location: 1987 is near the Wenhua Lu Interchange, just behind (north of) Xin Hong Ji Restaurant on Jian Yuan Jie (建院街). 

Suggestion: Assemble a group of friends to enjoy the excellent food and beer at Xin Hong Ji Restaurant, then walk over to "1987" for cocktails.

JD Bar is quite well known, mostly because its location is such that many people drive past it on a regular basis on San Jing Jie. Everyone has driven past it at least once. Recently, this bar hasn’t been too popular with Shenyang’s foreign crowd, but it can be a fun place to stop in if you’re out bar hopping for the evening. It’s very convenient as it’s located just two blocks from some excellent restaurants and a couple of other bars. The bar has two floors. At night the first floor has loud music (sometimes live), while the second floor is quieter and has private tables. 

Location: JD Bar is on the east side of San Jing Jie (三经街) just one block south of the U.S. Consulate. The bar has a huge green sign that can’t be missed. JD’s is within walking distance of Heidi’s Swiss Restaurant, Tai Wei Thai Restaurant, Dong Jing Japanese Restaurant, San Marco’s Bar, and more. Ask a taxi driver for the U.S. Consulate, “měiguó lǐngshìguǎn.”

Closed as of 2007

Shenyang’s “Bar Street” is a few blocks featuring about 8-10 small bars, some restaurants, a pool hall, sauna/spa, and a few karaoke houses. At first glance it looks similar to bar streets in other cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, but you will quickly notice a big difference…a lack of customers! The restaurants around here are fairly well attended, but most of the bars often sit empty night after night. It seems unusual that the bars are not more popular, as most of them offer a pleasant atmosphere with outdoor seating and cheap beer on tap.

 

If you’re going out with a large group of friends, it can be fun to hang out here, especially when the weather’s nice. It’s also worth noting that Shenyang’s bars tend to rotate in popularity with the foreigners. Bar street may be very popular for a month or two, and then the crowd will move elsewhere.

 

How to get there: Bar Street is on cǎitǎ jiē (彩塔街) just south of the TV tower (彩电塔 cǎi diàn tǎ) and just north of the Exhibition Center (展览馆 zhǎn lǎn guǎn).