The best Shenzhen bars and nightlife spots – from hip clubs to cocktail bars

Shenzhen’s transformation from a humble fishing village into one of China’s most futuristic metropolises is a story well told. A city of glass, steel and restless ambition, this southern powerhouse now rivals global hubs not only in tech and innovation, but also in its thriving nightlife. Best of all? It’s easily accessible from anywhere in the Greater Bay Area, and just a quick train, bus or ferry ride from Hong Kong.

Home to millions of young dreamers, Shenzhen’s evenings hum with the sense of possibility. From underground clubs to plush hotel lounges, minimalist speakeasies to craft beer sanctuaries, here are eight Shenzhen nightlife venues that capture the city’s energy, style and ever-changing rhythm. 

1. Oil Club

Founded in 2017, Oil Club sits at the beating heart of Shenzhen’s youth culture, a temple for electronic music devotees. The name was a happy accident – founder Huiyuan Sun once wanted to call the venue “Desert”, a tongue-in-cheek nod to critics who called Shenzhen a cultural wasteland. But Oil, fluid and restless, felt more fitting; a substance that spreads out, rises and fuels innovation. 

Over eight years, Oil has rewritten the city’s nightlife map, replacing gaudy karaoke bars and commercial DJ sets with cutting-edge beats and global connections. International icons like RP Boo, SPFDJ and Ben UFO have all graced its decks. Today, Oil isn’t just a club – it’s a statement, a scene and a symbol of Shenzhen’s creative awakening.

11A, G/f, Tairan Mansion, Tairan 8th Road, Futian 

2. Jade

While Oil caters to niche, underground tastes, Jade aims at a broader crowd with a mainstream electronic vibe. Already becoming a nightlife staple, Jade is a new contender on the scene – the homegrown brand opened its Shenzhen branch in early 2025, after debuting in Chengdu at the end of 2024. Inspired by the elegance of its namesake, the club leans into progressive house energy. It has already forged ties with Martin Garrix’s STMPD RCRDS, and is connecting Shenzhen’s ravers to the global EDM circuit with high-profile appearances from Matisse & Sadko, DubVision, Third Party and Will Sparks.

10, Phase II, Excellence Times Square, No 8 Central 3rd Road, Fu'an Community, Futian  

3. Obsidian Bar

Sleek where Oil is gritty and serene where Jade is high-octane, Obsidian is all polish. Opened in 2019 inside the landmark Ping’an Finance Center, this cocktail bar blends inventive drinks with a refined, British-inspired palatial aesthetic. Ornate details and vintage touches make it as camera-ready as it is comfortable. Its forward-leaning menu and gracious service have earned accolades, including a spot at No. 51 on the extended Asia’s 50 Best Bars list this year. Come for the craftsmanship; return for the hospitality.

Room 601-602, 6F, Ping'an Financial Center, Fuhua 4th Road, Futian 

4. MO Bar at Mandarin Oriental

For sky-high luxury, head to the 79th floor of the Mandarin Oriental in Futian. MO Bar pairs panoramic, neon-drenched views of Shenzhen with precise, contemporary cocktails. Long ranked among the best bars in Shenzhen, in 2025 it became the first venue in Mainland China to break into Asia’s 50 Best Bars, debuting at an impressive No. 21 – recognition of its years of quiet, meticulous innovation. 

79F, Block A UpperHills, 5001 Huanggang Road, Futian  

5. Mixy

Mixy won’t shout from the street – and that’s the point. Hidden in a house by a wet market inside Shenzhen Overseas Chinese Town (OCT), it feels like slipping into a stylish friend’s home bar. The speakeasy sensibility comes wrapped in striking spatial design and a menu that balances clever signatures with dialled-in classics. Its OCT location – a popular Shenzhen nightlife area pairing tourist appeal and neighbourhood warmth – draws a friendly mix of locals and travellers for intimate, well-made drinks.

3/F. 2 Xinglong West Street, Nanshan 

6. Tagsiu

Born in Shenzhen in 2020, Tagsiu has become a beloved craft beer brand with four locations across the city. Its flagship space in Chegongmiao is spacious, laid-back and always buzzing with energy.

Tagsiu brews its own craft creations alongside imported labels, paired with hearty comfort food. Whether you’re here for a casual pint or a lively gathering, Tagsiu captures the relaxed, communal side of Shenzhen nightlife – one sip at a time.

1/F, Haisong Building, Tairan 6th Road, Chegongmiao, Futian 

7.  Bar Mine 

In a city where new concepts launch weekly, Bar Mine cuts through the noise with strong branding and day-to-night versatility. Opened in the second half of 2025 near the Shenzhen Bay checkpoint, it doubles as a coffee bar by day and a cocktail and disco playground after dark. The “mining expedition” theme plays out across two zones: a casual outer lounge for conversations and a central, enclosed dance floor that flips into a glitterball wonderland at night. Parties, natural-leaning bites, craft cocktails – this one’s a lifestyle play as much as a bar.

1/F, Kaledo, 4 Wenxin 6th Road, Haizhu Community, Yuehai ,Nanshan  

8. Zazoo 

Not every night demands mixology – sometimes it’s all about the music. Founded in 2018 at Futian Shopping Park, Zazoo delivers high-energy live sets with a focus on funk, jazz and soul. The venue prides itself on “Grammy-level” performances, and while that’s a bold claim, the band quality and crowd energy make Friday nights go off. Go for the groove; leave with your new favourite live act.

Shopping Park 131, 138 Mintian Road, Futian