Do you like to party? I’m certainly on the back 9 in terms of
partying but Shanghai has 23 million people and people want partying so that’s
what Shanghai gives them. Now due to the fact I put essentially all my money in
envelopes now, my partying only lasts me until my FUN envelope runs out. How do
I maximize partying while minimizing costs? Let’s find out
Let’s start at the beginning. When I first got to Shanghai, I had
zero friends, no clue what’s up, never scored a lacrosse goal in my life and
was generally not insanely enthusiastic about moving to Shanghai alone. Some
things have improved at quicker pace than others. Do I have more than zero
friends now? Yes. Have I scored in lacrosse? Of course (twice!) Am I more
optimistic about life in Shanghai? Yes, slightly and depends when you ask me.
The first weekend in Shanghai I had no clue where to go, wandered around and
had zero fun. The next weekend I had a better game plan. I looked up where to
go, got in a taxi from my hostel, was wearing my CANADA CANADA CANADA shirt and
was ready to make friends. Did I go out by myself? Yes. Is that the best way to
party? No but the effort was there. So I find the spot called The Apartment, go
upstairs, get a drink with cover that is $10-15 and find a spot to post up at.
Going out alone isn’t an entire new concept to Bert so I know to keep my
expectations low. I essentially won’t talk to anyone unless they stare at me
for half the night so making small talk is not usually an issue because I haven’t
approached anyone. On occasion someone will talk to me first but it’s rare.
Well not rare in Shanghai apparently because this guy starts talking to me,
turns out we are both new to the city and looking for friends. I’ll make this
long and boring story short when I say I thought we were going to be friends
and it just didn’t work out. I felt like a girl wondering why isn’t he
responding to my text. Was it something I said?
So second weekend in a row, no
new friends and things are looking up. In the midst of this, I join lacrosse
and get shown the light. The Alina light. Every afternoon, I receive a message
stating the parties that are going on in Shanghai that night. It is usually the
same 3-7 clubs depending on the night, holidays taking place or DJ’s in town.
If you want to get wild on a Monday, we can make that happen. The complete
upside to all of this is it is completely free. No cover. Free drinks. No catch.
Well…..there’s always a catch. Is it free? Yes. Are the drinks free? Yes. Is it
real alcohol in those drinks? Certainly not. Now I’m not a chemist or a
bartender but whatever is in those bottles is pure poison. When you think about
it, real alcohol is essentially poison anyway so what’s the difference? I have
no clue other than the fact that I can get to a place at 11, stay till 3 and
not spend a dollar. This is what keeps the FUN envelope afloat.
Now you probably have a few questions and let me try and answer
some of them.
2) What does it taste like? OJ and poison.
3) Is it fun? Hmmmm it’s not not fun. You need to manage your
expectations. Lots of people, loud music and a steady flow of cigarette smoke
for your breathing pleasure. It is certainly not for everyone but there are
enough of these places that once you get bored of one, there are more in the
queue.
4) What’s partying like in a non-free Chinese club? More expensive
than zero and usually with less Chinese people depending on where you are
going. There are gay bars, EDM spots, jazz, cocktail bars, rooftop patios and
street drinking all for you to indulge in.
5) What if you wanted to start drinking earlier? Free flow brunch.
Pay $30 or so dollars and get a brunch meal and all you can drink mimosas,
Heineken, Bloody Mary’s, wine and a few others things depending on where you
end up from about 11:30 to 3:30 on the weekends. Free flow is a cultural
bedrock of Shanghai. Going for Indian food? Free flow beer. Going to a going
away party with friends? Free flow wine. After free flow is usually when the
espresso martinis get brought out and then it is game over friend.
You can drink on the street here which is an element some people enjoy
more than others. Taking taxis are fairly cheap but there are Chinese rickshaw
people late at night who are less cheap. Shanghai also has tons of craft beers
and their own breweries. Shanghai is a party but you need to have a few spots
to start, go to and end your night. Partying isn’t all bad in Shanghai but next
time you are out, take a sip of that real alcohol for me.
“When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.
Then find someone who's life is
givin' them vodka and have a party!”
