Constellation
Da Pu Qiao, Shanghai
Bar in Shanghai, China
Book with PearlThe Read
French Concession Craft Counter
Why go
Constellation is worth prioritizing if a Shanghai night is built around cocktails rather than dinner, with late hours and Asia's 50 Best Bars recognition giving it real destination-bar credibility. It is less useful for groups that need published pricing, food-led planning, or an easy reservation path, so keep a backup from Shanghai's bar circuit ready.
About Constellation
Consider Constellation if the goal is a Shanghai bar stop with late-night hours and a regional bar accolade. It is in Shanghai, operates daily from 19:00 to 02:00, has a smart casual dress code.
Plan around Constellation's known offerings rather than assuming extra details about food, pricing, reservations, or service format. If the group wants a broader Shanghai night with backup options, use the full Shanghai bars guide before anchoring the evening around one venue.
Choose it for a late-night Shanghai bar stop
Constellation makes the most sense for guests who want a bar-focused stop with late operating hours. It does not offer a restaurant-style food program, chef narrative, tasting-menu structure, specific cocktail program, or published pricing, so the decision should be framed around the bar listing itself rather than unconfirmed extras. For a traveler building a Shanghai itinerary, pair it with the full Shanghai restaurants guide rather than expecting one venue to handle the whole night.
The bar's strongest public trust signal is its inclusion on Asia's Best Bars at #42 in 2016. That recognition is not a guarantee that every guest will prefer it over other Shanghai options, but it does give the venue a regional bar reference point.
For hotel-based planning, especially if the night needs to stay close to where you are staying, compare logistics with options in the Shanghai hotels guide. Constellation is best evaluated on its hours, dress code, recognition rather than on assumptions about nearby lounges or dining add-ons.
Where it fits in a Shanghai bar crawl
Constellation is easiest to plan as a late-evening Shanghai bar stop. It does not list a street address, neighborhood, seat count, reservation policy, or price range, so keep the plan flexible and confirm practical details directly before going.
For a Shanghai cross-shop, compare it with other bar options such as Coa, Speak Low, URBAN Lounge, Union Trading Company, or Pirata depending on the kind of night you are building. For wider planning, use other Shanghai dining and bar resources generically rather than assuming Constellation covers every part of the evening.
The verdict is a yes for travelers who value late hours, a smart casual dress code, an Asia's Best Bars placement. It is a more cautious choice for groups that need food details, published pricing, a specific service format, or detailed location information before committing.
Planning details
- Hours
- Mo-Su 19:00-02:00
- Location
- Shang Hai Shi, Xu Hui Qu, 新乐路86号 邮政编码: 200041
- Website
- worlds50bestbars.com/fifty-best-bars-list/constellation.php?pid=asia502016
- Phone
- +86 139 1661 8661
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Constellation settles into the French Concession’s understated rhythm: low-key, programme-forward and quietly accomplished. It inhabits a residential stretch where smaller rooms prevail and the setting deliberately avoids theatrical gestures. Rather than competing with Bund hotel bars for spectacle or sightlines, the venue rewards a patient, locally informed audience that values craft and consistency. Its 2016 placement on Asia’s 50 Best Bars underscores a serious cocktail programme, but the experience remains intimate and unflashy — a place that feels like a neighbourhood discovery rather than a staged destination.
Best For
This is a bar for neighbourhood nights and considered evenings out. It suits date nights and after-work drinks when you want something low-key but expertly executed, and it naturally fits late-night service given its ‘after dark’ positioning in the Concession. The room favours small groups or couples who appreciate a focused cocktail programme rather than loud crowds or theatrical service. Visitors who come with some local knowledge or a willingness to follow the bartender’s lead will get the most from the experience.
Ordering Tips
Constellation’s draw is its programme, not a long menu or dramatic presentation. Expect a shorter, carefully curated cocktail list and bartenders who prioritise knowledge over theatrics. If you’re unsure what to order, lean on staff recommendations and describe your taste rather than seeking a branded signature drink; the bar’s approach rewards conversation and guidance. Come prepared for an unshowy, craft-focused drink service and allow the team to tailor something suited to the quieter, neighbourhood setting.
Venue details
Ambiance
Low-lit with dark wood, leather couches, and a long bar creating a cosy, classic lounge feel.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Lounge
- Late Night
- Open Until 2am
Planning details
Hours
Mo-Su 19:00-02:00
Location
Shang Hai Shi, Xu Hui Qu, 新乐路86号 邮政编码: 200041 · Directions
worlds50bestbars.com/fifty-best-bars-list/constellation.php?pid=asia502016
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Where to go if Constellation does not work
Try Speak Low if the night still needs a cocktail-first Shanghai address with destination energy. For a slightly easier group choice, Union Trading Company is the more flexible backup.
If convenience beats bar credentials, choose URBAN Lounge. It is the cleaner fallback for travelers who want a polished room without making the whole evening depend on one hard-to-secure stop.
Bar context
How Constellation compares in Shanghai
Choose Constellation over Pirata when the night is centered on cocktails and bar recognition rather than a looser social plan. Pirata is the easier cross-shop for groups that want a more flexible evening, while Constellation is the stronger call when the bar itself is the reason for going.
Union Trading Company, Speak Low, Coa (Shanghai) are the more direct comparison set for cocktail-focused visitors. If availability is tight, Speak Low or Coa (Shanghai) are sensible backups for a serious drinks night; Union Trading Company is the one to consider when the group wants a less formal-feeling choice without abandoning cocktail intent.
URBAN Lounge is the safer alternative if convenience and ambiance matter more than chasing a destination-bar slot. Constellation is the better pick for explorers who want the night to have a clear cocktail focus; URBAN Lounge is the easier recommendation when the group wants a smoother, lower-friction plan.
Explore Shanghai
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Constellation guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Constellation
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Constellation | Shanghai | 2016 World's 50 Asia's Best Bars · #42 |
| Pirata | Shanghai | No published awards |
| Union Trading Company | Shanghai | Tatler Best Bars Asia-Pacific 20252022 Asia's Best Bars · #452021 World's 50 Asia's Best Bars · #312021 World's 50 Best Bars · #482019 World's 50 Asia's Best Bars · #302018 World's 50 Asia's Best Bars · #282017 World's 50 Asia's Best Bars · #92016 World's 50 Asia's Best Bars · #9 |
| Speak Low | Shanghai | Top 500 Bars 2027 · #326Top 500 Bars 2026 · #312Tatler Best Bars Asia-Pacific 20252022 Asia's Best Bars · #502021 World's 50 Asia's Best Bars · #322020 World's 50 Asia's Best Bars · #192019 World's 50 Asia's Best Bars · #72019 World's 50 Best Bars · #352018 World's 50 Asia's Best Bars · #3 |
| URBAN Lounge | Shanghai | No published awards |
| Coa (Shanghai) | Shanghai | Top 500 Bars 2027 · #4482026 Asia's 50 Best Bars 51-100 · #95Top 500 Bars 2026 · #4112025 Asia's 50 Best Bars · #85Tatler Best Bars Asia-Pacific 2025 |
How Constellation Shanghai compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Constellation open late?
Yes. Constellation runs from 19:00 to 02:00 daily, so it works as a late-night stop in Shanghai.
What's the best time to go to Constellation?
Constellation operates from 19:00–02:00 daily. Choose a time within that window based on your wider Shanghai plans, confirm any reservation or arrival requirements directly with the venue.
What's the crowd like at Constellation?
The venue's profile does not specify the crowd, seating, or service format. Constellation is a Shanghai bar with a smart casual dress code, daily 19:00–02:00 hours, an Asia's Best Bars #42 placement from 2016.
Does Constellation have happy hour deals?
Happy hour information is not available. Plan around the 19:00–02:00 daily hours and check directly with Constellation for current pricing or promotions.
