Shanghai is where old-world charm meets future-forward style. From sleek skyscrapers to cobbled alleyways, this city’s energy is magnetic, and it’s no surprise that its social scene is just as dynamic.

In recent years, Shanghai has become a hotspot for hip hangouts, creative zones, and trend-setting spaces where locals, expats, and digital nomads all come to mingle.

Activities to Enjoy With Friends in Shanghai

This guide highlights the coolest spots in Shanghai to chill, snap pics, and soak up the vibe. From street fashion to street food, here’s where the fun begins.

Calm, leafy, and effortlessly cool, Anfu Road is the perfect place to start a relaxed day with friends. Lined with independent cafés, Scandi-style coffee shops, and minimalist boutiques, it feels like a creative bubble tucked away from the city’s chaos.

Stop by RAC Café or Brut Eatery for a flat white and brunch, then wander into Egg for wholesome bites and chilled-out tunes. The streets here attract a stylish mix of creatives, students, and well-dressed wanderers.

Why it’s a favourite? It’s casual, aesthetic, and practically made for people-watching and Instagram scrolls.

A fashionable fusion of historic shikumen buildings and sleek modern design, Xintiandi offers that perfect mix of culture and contemporary fun. It’s home to boutique shops, designer outlets, and fine dining restaurants, all set in a pedestrian-friendly area.

By day, browse the retail arcades. By night, the area transforms into a lively district with cocktail lounges, wine bars, and live music. It’s stylish, sophisticated, and just the right amount of bougie.

Perfect for group dinners that turn into late-night catch-ups.

One of Shanghai’s most surprising spots, Found 158 is a sunken plaza tucked beneath street level that buzzes after dark. It's a multicultural food court by day and a nightlife playground after sundown.

Grab international bites with your mates—Mexican, Thai, Turkish, you name it—then stick around for dance-friendly bars, casual pubs, and DJ sets that get the party going.

Why locals love it? Affordable drinks, zero dress code, and all-night fun in one funky underground hub.

Once a cluster of warehouses, now a buzzing contemporary art district, M50 is where edgy creativity thrives. Think graffiti walls, sculpture-filled courtyards, and industrial-chic galleries showcasing Shanghai’s rising art stars.

Spend the afternoon hopping between exhibitions, vintage shops, and artist studios. It’s great for group photos and discovering something unexpected together.

Feeling inspired? Grab a sketchpad or just soak in the vibes with a craft coffee in hand.

Looking for a more polished place to hang? The Roof offers stunning views of the Shanghai skyline with a cosy rooftop garden and lounge bars that serve everything from craft cocktails to tapas.

The crowd here leans towards professionals, influencers, and city dwellers with a taste for stylish evenings. Despite the swanky setting, it’s friendly, welcoming, and not too fussy.

Come around sunset for golden hour drinks and skyline snaps.

If you’re after a stroll that turns into an accidental shopping spree, Wukang Road is your spot. Known for the iconic Wukang Mansion, this road is full of charm, character, and camera-ready corners.

Sip on a slow-brew coffee at Café del Volcán, pop into boutique stores for vintage accessories, or discover a local bakery with the best red bean pastries in town.

Ideal for low-key afternoons with a lot of style and spontaneous discoveries.

This vertical lifestyle complex is where fashion, art, and tech culture collide. Spanning multiple floors, TX Huaihai is a futuristic hangout space hosting everything from streetwear pop-ups and immersive art shows to live DJ sets and gaming lounges.

It’s high-energy, ever-changing, and super popular with the Gen Z crowd. Perfect for catching limited-edition sneakers, exploring digital galleries, or just vibing with Shanghai’s trendsetters.

Great for groups who want something interactive and totally now.

Revived and retro-chic, Yuyuan Road is a slower-paced gem with heaps of character. Think vinyl shops, concept cafés, and nostalgic boutiques that blend 1930s Shanghai aesthetics with modern cool.

Brunch spots here are top-tier, and the coffee scene is strong. On weekends, it’s a haven for relaxed hangs, quiet chats, and the occasional street performance.

A great pick for lazy Sundays with style.

Wide open riverside paths, skateparks, pop-up art markets, and museums galore—West Bund is made for daytime explorations. The West Bund Museum, Long Museum, and Oil Tank Art Park are perfect backdrops for creative group days out.

Rent a bike and cruise along the waterfront, grab street food from a mobile vendor, or chill on the grass and watch the world go by.

It’s spacious, refreshing, and gives off that perfect mix of city and escape.

A Shanghai icon dripping with Art Deco elegance. Steps from the waterfront, this hotel is a dream for history lovers and Instagram fiends. You’re right in the heart of it all, The Bund, East Nanjing Road, and riverside night walks await.

For something trendy and accessible, this stylish hotel is near TX Huaihai and Xintiandi. Ideal for groups looking for comfort with a modern twist, plus it has a gym to balance out those food adventures.

Clean, central, and convenient. A great mid-range option for travellers who want to stay near The Bund and other major city sights without blowing the budget.

Modern amenities, round-the-clock front desk, and a calm base near Pudong’s shopping and business areas. It’s well-suited for those planning a mix of sightseeing and chill days.

No matter you’re catching up with friends, exploring the artsy side of the city, or looking for somewhere to kick back and chat, Shanghai has a hangout spot for every mood. From rooftops to riversides, this city makes socialising feel like an adventure.

Just bring your crew, and let the city do the rest.