Christmas bars in Shanghai start at 8pm. This former French Concession night out is built around four holiday-themed bar stops, including speakeasy-style places, holiday games, and photo moments that fit right into Shanghai’s winter nightlife. What I like most is that it’s not just about drinking; it’s about being shown the good spots by an English-speaking local guide, Jill.

The big heads-up is the alcohol rule. You’ll get alcoholic drinks only if you’re 21+, and younger people are served non-alcoholic options—great if you’re careful, but it’s still a bar crawl, so match your expectations.

Key highlights that make this bar crawl worth it

• Former French Concession setting: classic streets for a winter nightlife walk
• Four stops total: bar + speakeasy mix, kept to a tight 3-hour plan
• 3 free tequila shots included: a simple way to start the night without overthinking
• Jill’s English-speaking guidance: helps you order, chat, and avoid language friction
• Holiday games and props: built-in fun, not just standing in lines
• Short walk between places: you’ll spend more time enjoying than commuting

Why the former French Concession fits a holiday bar crawl

If you’ve been to Shanghai, you already know the city’s nightlife is everywhere. What I like about meeting in the French Concession area is that it feels made for walking and window-shopping your way to the next stop, instead of hopping around on long rides.

This tour starts at a specific spot—Chicken & Egg, 291 Fu Min Lu, Xu Hui Qu—which is handy because you’re not trying to hunt down a moving target. Once you’re out, the whole plan is designed around short transitions between places, so you don’t burn energy figuring out where to go next.

And because the theme is Christmas-style bars and speakeasies, the vibe is less about clubbing and more about atmosphere. Think festive lighting, holiday decor, and that slightly playful feeling that makes even a simple drink order feel like part of the event.

Meeting at Chicken & Egg and getting the night moving

The tour kicks off at 8:00 pm and lasts about 3 hours, which is a sweet spot for people who want a real Shanghai night without losing the whole evening. You’ll meet back at the starting point at the end, so you’re not left wondering how to get home after your last drink.

The ticket is mobile, and you get confirmation around booking time. That means less admin and more time to actually plan your evening: show up a bit early, get oriented, and be ready for a guided night that starts promptly.

Since this is a private tour/activity for your group, you won’t be shuffled around into a different crowd mid-way. In practice, this can matter a lot. If your group is small, you still get the full experience flow instead of feeling like the tour is only designed for large groups.

Four holiday stops: how the night is paced and why it works

This is built as a classic bar crawl, but with a holiday twist. You’ll visit 4 bars & speakeasies over the course of the night, with holiday games and surprises along the way.

Because the walks are kept short, the pacing feels social. You’re not constantly disappearing to a phone map. You move as a group, grab drinks, and reset quickly for the next place. That’s a big deal on a short tour: without long travel breaks, the energy stays up and the evening keeps feeling like one continuous hangout.

Here’s how I’d expect the flow to feel at each stop, based on the tour format and theme:

Stop 1: the easy opener in the festive style

You’ll get your bearings and settle into the holiday mood. Expect a Christmas-themed bar vibe and the kind of setting where conversations start naturally—especially if you’re with an English-speaking guide who can help grease the social wheels.

Stop 2: the speakeasy-style moment

The second stop is where the tour leans into “find something unexpected” energy. Speakeasy-style places tend to be smaller and more character-driven, and that’s exactly where an on-the-ground guide makes things smoother. If language is a hassle for you in smaller spots, this is the part you’ll likely appreciate most.

Stop 3: holiday cocktails and a more playful rhythm

By mid-night, the tour’s built-in fun—like holiday games and surprise moments—usually starts to feel like the main event, not the side dish. This is also where you can enjoy the tour’s focus on holiday cocktails and themed drinks, even if you’re mostly there for the atmosphere.

Stop 4: the final stop that wraps the theme

The last bar is where the holiday feeling gets a proper send-off. Since the tour ends back at the meeting point, you’re not scrambling at the end trying to figure out your way out of the area.

Practical tip: wear shoes you can walk in

Even if the walks are short, you’ll still be moving through the evening. Comfortable shoes make the difference between a fun crawl and a night where you’re thinking about your feet instead of the decorations and drinks.

Jill’s role: more than directions, less tourist-trap stress

A bar crawl can go one of two ways: you either end up bouncing around expensive, generic bars, or you get shown places that actually fit the neighborhood. This tour is built to push you toward the second option.

The tour explicitly uses an English-speaking local guide, and the main reason is simple. Smaller bars can be hard to navigate if you don’t speak the language well, and those are often the places where the best experience lives. Having Jill guide your choices helps you avoid the easy tourist-pay prices that crop up near the most obvious hotspots.

From the vibe described in the guide’s reviews, Jill isn’t the stiff, stand-on-the-side type. She’s described as funny and friendly, which matters because it changes how the night feels. Instead of feeling like you’re being managed, you feel like you’re being introduced—like the French Concession is your playground for a few hours.

There’s also something reassuring about the way the guide is portrayed as going out and knowing the places personally. That doesn’t just mean she can point; it means she can judge what fits the group and keep the night relaxed.

The drinks setup: 3 tequila shots and the 21+ rule

Let’s talk about the part everyone wants to know: what’s included. The tour includes alcoholic beverages in the form of tequila shots, and you get 3 free shots as part of the experience.

That’s a clear value piece. Even if you end up having only a couple of drinks beyond the included shots, those tequila shots reduce the awkward cost calculation mid-night. It also gives everyone a common start point, which helps group energy—especially in a holiday-themed crawl.

Now the caution: the tour only serves alcoholic drinks for people 21+. If you’re under 21, you’ll still be included in the tour, but you’ll get non-alcoholic drinks. That’s fair, and it also means the “holiday bar hopping” experience won’t turn into a forced alcohol push for anyone in your group.

If you don’t drink alcohol at all, you might find the vibe still fun because the event includes games, photo moments, and a guide-led plan. But if your goal is a heavy drinking night, this setup may feel more like festive social time than a full-on party binge.

Holiday games and photo props: where the fun is built in

This isn’t just a checklist of bars. It includes holiday games & surprises and Christmas props and photo moments.

That matters for two reasons:

1. It gives the group something to do besides wait for the next drink.
2. It breaks the ice when you’re meeting people from different backgrounds and you don’t want every conversation to start with: So, what do you think about Shanghai?

The “props and photo moments” part also means you can enjoy the holiday aesthetic without needing to be the one who always finds the perfect picture spot. It’s basically the tour handling the creative prompts so you can focus on the moment.

And if you’re the type who likes a little organized fun—without it feeling scripted—this is the sweet spot. The games keep the night light, and the decor keeps it visually fun even if you’re traveling solo.

Value check: $29 for a guided holiday night out

The price is $29 per person, and it’s typically booked about 7 days in advance. At that cost, you’re not paying for private transportation or meals (those are not included), and you’re not buying a full drink package for every stop.

So what are you really getting?

You’re paying for:

• an English-speaking local guide
• visits to 4 bars & speakeasies
• 3 free tequila shots
• holiday games, surprises, and photo props
• a short, walkable plan in a key nightlife area

For many people, the value comes from two things: you get a guided route that reduces confusion and you get included “party starters” (shots + event elements). If you were doing this on your own, you’d likely spend more time figuring out where to go, how to order, and whether the place is worth it.

If you’re trying to keep costs down, you’ll also like that the inclusions are defined. You know what’s covered, and you can decide how much extra you want to add during the night.

Who this tour suits best (and who might want to skip it)

This is a great fit if you want an organized holiday night in Shanghai and you like meeting people along the way. It’s also a strong option if you’re more comfortable with a plan than you are with improvising bar stops on your own.

It’s especially good for:

• visitors who want an English-speaking guide in smaller venues
• people who like festive decor, photo moments, and game-style fun
• groups who want a private guide-led night in the French Concession

It might be less ideal if:

• you want meals included (they’re not part of the tour)
• you dislike walking at night (the route is short-walk friendly, but it’s still a crawl)
• you need private transportation (not included)

Should you book Jill’s Shanghai holiday bar hopping tour?

I’d book this if you want a simple, social holiday plan that saves you from guessing. The combination of four holiday-themed stops, 3 free tequila shots, and Jill’s friendly English guidance makes it feel like a guided event, not just a list of bars you can Google.

I’d skip it if your idea of nightlife requires long rides, sit-down meals, or a heavy alcohol-centered evening with lots of included drinks. This tour is more about festive atmosphere, short transitions, and a guided route you can trust.

If you’re deciding at the last minute, don’t wait too long. The tour is commonly booked about a week ahead, and you also want a date where you can actually start on time at 8:00 pm and enjoy the full 3-hour plan.

FAQ

How much does the Shanghai holiday bar hopping tour cost?

It costs $29.00 per person.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Chicken & Egg, 291 Fu Min Lu, Xu Hui Qu, Shanghai.

What time does it start and how long is it?

It starts at 8:00 pm and runs for about 3 hours.

How many bars and speakeasies are included?

You’ll visit 4 bars & speakeasies.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes the guide and 3 free tequila shots (tequila shots are the listed alcoholic beverage inclusion). It also includes holiday games and photo moments as part of the experience.

Are meals included?

No. Meals are not included.

Is private transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included.

What if someone in the group is under 21?

Alcoholic drinks are served only to people 21 years old and above. Minor travelers below 21 will be served non-alcoholic drinks.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s private for your group, meaning only your group participates.

Can I get a refund if plans change?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid won’t be refunded. The experience also has a minimum number of people; if that minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.