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In Pictures: Clubbing in Shanghai

Shanghai’s nouveau riche are busy re-cementing the city’s reputation as home to some of the world’s wildest nightlife.

Young people play a drinking game with dice at Linx, a new nightclub on Huaihai Road. Linx is marketing itself as Shanghai(***)s most exclusive nightclub - a (***)Royal Members Club(***), with links to the Royal Monaco Yacht Club.

By Dave Tacon

Published On 21 May 2014

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Shanghai, China – They are the first generation to grow up wealthy during communist China’s 63-year rule. Although the country’s economy has grown to become the world’s second largest in just two decades, the gulf between rich and poor has reached unprecedented levels. 

Chinese President Xi Jingping has attempted to quell the growing anger at economic inequality through a crackdown on corruption. While this has harmed imports of luxury goods, the appeal of champagne consumption has grown for China’s young elite who see such flamboyance as an expression of sophistication and wealth. In the nightclubs of the nation’s economic powerhouse, a hedonistic new rich are busy re-cementing the city’s reputation as home to some of the world’s most decadent nightlife – a reputation that has certainly drawn sections of the city’s expatriate community.

At clubs such as M1NT, Richbaby, Linx, Myst, Muse and the circus-themed Cirque le Soir, VIP patrons spend up to 40,000 euros ($55,000) on bar tabs in gaudy scenes not seen since the 1930s.

A man sets up an elaborate row of "Jaeger Bombs" (consisting of vodka, Red Bull and Jaegermeister) on the bar at Linx during its soft opening. The club boasts Hong Kong celebrity, singer and actor Nicholas Tse as its Asia Pacific strategic marketing director. The club has a focus on bottle service rather than drinks bought at the bar.
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Two young women laugh as they wait at the bar at Ladies(***) Night at Bar Rouge in the historic Bund 18. Bar Rouge is one of the stalwarts of the city(***)s high-end bar scene.
A male club goer gazes at a female contortionist at Cirque de Soir, a circus-themed nightclub in the Bund 22 building. The 500-capacity venue is the latest in the Cirque de Soir family, which also includes Cirque de Soir nightclubs in Dubai and London.
Miss Mongolia beauty pageant winner Britta Battogtokn poses with a performer dressed as a clown for Halloween at M1NT, one of Shanghai(***)s most exclusive nightclubs. Barttogtokn, who grew up in a yurt in the Gobi Desert, is a former bartender at M1NT.
A young man smokes a cigarette while he waits for his friends to arrive at a table with a dozen bottles of champagne, at Bar Rouge in the historic Bund 18 building. Bar Rouge will celebrate its 10-year anniversary in 2014.
A female contortionist at Cirque de Soir. VIP patrons spend up to 40,000 euros ($55,000) on bar tabs.
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Young clubbers are served Bottega Gold prosecco, a high-end sparkling wine, at a table at Linx.
A man dressed in a suit and tie stands with a glass of champagne amid the crowd at Linx during its soft opening.
A performing dwarf and Fahid, a manager at Cirque de Soir. Although the country(***)s economy has grown to become the world(***)s second largest in just two decades, the gulf between rich and poor has reached unprecedented levels.
A young woman with oversized Chanel earrings at Linx. The consumption of champagne appeals to China(***)s young elite who see such flamboyance as an expression of sophistication as well as wealth.
A man sits at a table in front of a clear, illuminated bucket containing empty and unopened bottles of champagne at M2, one of the city(***)s most popular nightclubs. The club mainly attracts Chinese patrons rather than Western expatriates.
A row of young men survey the tables and dance floor at Club Gaga, one of dozens of nightclubs where Shanghai(***)s young and wealthy party every night of the week.
A young woman with a Louis Vuitton handbag leaves Richbaby, a nightclub close to the Xintiandi shopping area. The club mainly attracts Chinese patrons rather than Western expatriates and reportedly is the site of "champagne wars", where high-rolling customers compete to buy up the largest bar tab.
A man smokes at a bar lined with glasses of champagne during the cocktail reception at the Black Swan party at M1NT, one of Shanghai(***)s most exclusive nightclubs.