Christmas drinks meet Shanghai nightlife. I like how this holiday bar hopping tour turns the former French Concession into a walkable celebration with French Concession energy and an English-speaking local guide who helps you order and connect. The big win for me is that you get a structured night out with 4 bars and speakeasies so you are not wandering blindly. The one drawback: the tour’s free drinks are geared toward people 21+ and the crawl is nightlife-first, so it may not fit if you want a strictly low-alcohol evening.

You start at 8:00 pm at Chicken & Egg in Xu Hui, then spend about 3 hours hopping spots at an easy pace. I also like that it is a private experience for your group, so you can actually talk with your guide instead of feeling like you are melting into a crowd. If you are traveling solo, that still works well because you are meeting other international nightlife folks along the way and using games and photo moments to break the ice.

Key Highlights at a Glance

• Former French Concession focus: holiday vibes in one of Shanghai’s most fun nightlife areas.
• English-speaking guide with Jill: you can ask questions and avoid the language headache in smaller bars.
• Four stops total: a mix of Christmas-themed bars, holiday cocktails, and hidden speakeasies.
• Three free tequila shots: included alcoholic drinks make the first half of the night feel extra special.
• Photo props and holiday games: small activities that keep the group chatting instead of just waiting in lines.
• Private for your group: only your group participates, but the night still feels social.

A Holiday Bar Crawl in the Former French Concession: What You’re Really Buying

This tour is built for one thing: a fun, festive night without the usual Shanghai bar-crawl chaos. Instead of you guessing which places are worth your time, your guide routes you through holiday-themed venues in the former French Concession area, where the streets are made for walking and people-out energy.

The holiday part is not just decoration. You are led to Christmas-themed bars and hidden speakeasies, plus you get pointed toward holiday-style cocktails that fit the season. And because the group includes an international mix, you get that classic overseas travel benefit: a room full of people who actually want to talk tonight.

You are also paying for structure. For $29, you get a guide, help navigating smaller spots, and included drinks—so you are not starting the night by overpaying at the first place you stumble into. In Shanghai, the difference between a great bar and an overpriced one can come down to local knowledge, and this tour leans hard into that.

Meet Jill at Chicken & Egg: Starting Fast Without Guesswork

Your night begins at Chicken & Egg, 291 Fu Min Lu, Xu Hui Qu, Shanghai, at 8:00 pm. That matters because a bar crawl works best when you are not spending your prime energy hunting for a meeting point or arriving late while the group has already moved on.

Your host is Jill, and the vibe around her is consistently described as easygoing and funny. That is not a small detail. In a nightlife setting, a guide who can keep things relaxed helps you strike up conversations quickly—especially if you are traveling solo or you do not speak much Chinese.

If you are worried about finding smaller venues, this is where Jill’s role really shines. In bigger bars, language is sometimes less of an issue. But in smaller local spots, ordering and navigating menus can turn into a time-waster. Here, you get a local person to help you move faster and feel less awkward.

One more practical point: this is a mobile ticket tour. Bring your ticket on your phone, and plan to be at the meeting point a few minutes early so you can start the night on time.

Four Stops in About Three Hours: The Pace That Keeps It Fun

This is not a full-night pub crawl that turns into a blurry marathon. It runs about 3 hours, starting at 8:00 pm and ending back at the meeting point. That pacing is a real value for visitors who want to see nightlife, but also want to stay functional the next morning.

Because you have multiple stops—4 bars & speakeasies—you also get variety. Instead of drinking at one theme bar for three hours, you get different spaces with different holiday moods. That tends to keep the energy up, and it also makes it easier to meet people since conversation resets with each location.

Walking is a big part of the experience. The reviews emphasize that the move between places is short and easy. That is exactly what you want in Shanghai in the evening: quick transfers, less time standing around, and more time actually enjoying the bars.

During the crawl, you will also have holiday games and surprises. These are not just gimmicks. They help break the ice so you are not stuck in a circle of strangers who are waiting for someone else to start talking.

Holiday Bars and Hidden Speakeasies: What Each Stop Feels Like

You should think of the stops as a curated change of scenes. The tour is designed around a mix of Christmas-themed bars, hidden speakeasies, and spots where holiday cocktails take center stage.

Here is how that plays out in your evening, practically:

• First stop: You typically get the warm-up vibe—holiday décor, a place that sets the tone, and an easy start to get comfortable with the group. This is when the guide helps with ordering and getting into the flow.
• Middle stops: This is where the speakeasy element usually kicks in. Hidden-bar style venues often feel more like you found them by accident, which is exactly the appeal. You are also getting variety in drinks and atmosphere, not just repeating the same thing.
• Final stop(s): By the end, you are usually ready to linger a bit. The tour still keeps the structure, so you finish the night on time rather than spiraling into a late-night mystery.

One thing I appreciate is that the theme is holiday-focused rather than just generic nightlife. Christmas props and photo moments are mentioned, which means there is an actual reason to look up, take a quick photo, and enjoy the environment instead of treating each stop like another check-in.

Also, the tour includes New Year celebrations as part of the seasonal spirit. That makes this feel more like a seasonal event than a random bar crawl.

The Included Tequila Shots and Photo Moments: Small Extras With Real Impact

Let’s talk about what is actually included. You get a guide, plus 3 free tequila shots. That inclusion matters because it lowers the cost of your first drink decisions. In tourist-heavy areas, the first place you pick can end up being the most expensive one. Here, your night starts with built-in value.

The shots also help with pacing. If you are new to a group, sharing a drink early makes people loosen up faster. The result is usually better conversation and less awkward first-30-minutes energy.

Then there are the Christmas props and photo moments. These keep the holiday feeling light and playful, and they give you something to do that is not just standing at a bar waiting for the next round. If you like taking travel photos, this is one of those small things that turns memories into more than just a screenshot of a menu.

Finally, the holiday games and surprises add structure. Even if you are not a big game person, it helps your night have beats—start, activity, new stop, photos, and then a natural winding down.

Price and Value in Shanghai: When $29 Works (and When It Doesn’t)

At $29 per person, this is priced for visitors who want a fun evening, not an all-you-can-drink party. The key value is that drinks and guidance are bundled together. You get a local English-speaking guide, four curated stops, and the 3 tequila shots included—so your money buys both experiences and convenience.

Is it the cheapest option? Probably not. But it often becomes good value because it reduces two common costs:

1) Language friction in smaller bars

2) Decision fatigue when you are trying to pick places on the fly

In the former French Concession, you can find plenty of places that are fine. The risk for visitors is paying more for a bar that is convenient, not necessarily great. This tour aims to steer you toward better picks and helps you avoid the easiest tourist price traps.

That said, this is still a nightlife activity. If you do not drink alcohol, you can still participate, but the tour notes that alcoholic drinks are served only to travelers 21 and above; minors below 21 get non-alcoholic drinks. If you are traveling with someone under 21, this detail is important when you set expectations.

Also, because it is about moving through multiple venues, it may not suit you if you prefer quieter bars, long sit-down dinners, or deep craft-beer lectures. This is about fun and flow, not a slow tasting seminar.

Who This Tour Fits Best in Shanghai (And Who Might Skip It)

This tour is a strong match if you want:

• A festive introduction to Shanghai nightlife during the holiday season
• Solo-friendly social energy, where you are not stuck trying to entertain yourself at a bar
• An international group setting that encourages conversation without pressure
• Help finding and ordering at smaller venues where language can be a hurdle

It is also a great idea for people who have already done the big daytime sights and want one clear, planned evening.

I would be cautious if you:

• Want a low-energy evening with zero games and minimal drinking
• Are extremely sensitive to nightlife noise and late-night crowds
• Prefer a self-guided route where you spend more time in fewer places

Think of it as a guided holiday event. If that matches your travel style, you’ll likely enjoy the rhythm.

Booking Smart for Holiday Season: Timing and What to Bring

This tour is commonly booked about 7 days in advance, so if you are traveling during peak holiday weeks, booking earlier can help you lock in your slot. The tour is set to start at 8:00 pm, so plan to eat earlier or decide to snack before you meet up.

Meals are not included, so you’ll want a strategy. Either eat a proper dinner before the 8:00 pm start or plan to grab something after. If you arrive hungry, you can end up paying more or eating less than you intended.

Bring a form of ID if you plan to drink. The tour clearly states that alcoholic drinks are only served for travelers 21+, so having ID ready avoids awkward pauses.

Also, since it’s a walking-oriented night, dress for being outside longer than you expect. Even short walks add up over four locations.

If you are booking as a group, remember this is a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates. That tends to feel calmer and more personal than an open public group crawl.

Should You Book This Shanghai Holiday Bar Hopping Tour?

Book it if you want a planned, festive night in the former French Concession with four holiday-style stops, included tequila shots, and a host who makes conversation easy. The strongest reasons to say yes are the structure (3 hours, four stops), the guide support (English-speaking Jill), and the seasonal details like props, photo moments, holiday games, and speakeasy-style surprises.

Skip it if you are looking for a quiet evening, a drink-only crawl with no activities, or if you want a super long night. This tour is built for momentum—great for visitors, not ideal for people who want to linger for hours in one place.

If you match the vibe—festive, social, and happy to walk a bit—you’ll likely get your money’s worth quickly and finish the night with real stories, not just photos of doorways.

FAQ

What time does the bar hopping tour start?

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

How many stops are included?

You’ll visit 4 bars and speakeasies.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes an English-speaking local guide and 3 free tequila shots (alcoholic drinks are served only to travelers 21 and above).

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Chicken & Egg, 291 Fu Min Lu, Xu Hui Qu, Shanghai, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is the tour private?

Yes, it’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount you paid won’t be refunded.

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