Bar in Shanghai, China

Epic

735Pearl Points

Late-night, award-backed

About Epic

Epic is a strong Shanghai pick for cocktail-focused travelers, especially dates or small groups who want the bar to be the point of the night. It is less suited to larger groups or deal-seekers. Late hours make it useful after dinner, but the smarter move is to treat it as an anchor rather than a casual backup.

Book this if the goal is a recognised Shanghai bar with verified late-night hours. Epic is listed with daily service from 19:00 to 02:00, a smart-casual dress code, and confirmed recognition from major bar lists, including World's 50 Best Bars #41 in 2021, Asia's Best Bars #54 in 2024, Top 500 Bars Best Bars #347 in 2025, and Tatler's 2025 Best Bars Asia-Pacific coverage.

Those facts are the useful basis for the decision. The available verified data does not confirm a menu format, signature drinks, food offering, seating style, pricing, reservation policy, or address beyond Shanghai, so plan around what is known: Epic is a late-opening Shanghai bar with a strong awards profile.

Better for a focused bar plan than an over-specified itinerary

The main planning caution is not to assume details that are not verified. If your night depends on a particular seating setup, food program, outdoor space, happy hour, or group policy, confirm directly with the venue before building the evening around it.

Epic makes the most sense when the bar itself is the reason for the stop. Keep the plan flexible, note the smart-casual dress code, and use the 19:00 to 02:00 hours as the reliable planning detail rather than assuming a specific experience inside the room.

Use it as the anchor for a Shanghai bar itinerary

This can work as the anchor for a focused evening in the city. Pair it with research from our full Shanghai bars guide, then use other options as backups rather than relying on unverified details. For comparison, you can also look at Constellation, Pirata, Pudao, Union Trading Company, or Urbn Lounge.

For travelers planning beyond drinks, keep the rest of the night simple. Use our full Shanghai restaurants guide before the bar, and our full Shanghai hotels guide if convenience after a late finish matters.

The decision

Epic is worth prioritising for visitors who want a recognised Shanghai bar with confirmed late-night hours. It is less useful if your decision depends on unverified specifics such as food, pricing, seating, or a particular drinks format. For a Shanghai bar shortlist, keep it high on the list and confirm operational details directly before you go.

For a wider shortlist, compare Epic with Constellation, Pirata, Pudao, Union Trading Company, and Urbn Lounge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation at Epic?

The verified data does not confirm Epic's reservation policy. Because the bar has confirmed recognition, including World's 50 Best Bars #41 in 2021 and Top 500 Bars Best Bars #347 in 2025, it is sensible to check the venue's official channels before planning a visit.

Does Epic have happy hour deals?

Happy hour details are not included in the verified data. Do not plan around discounts unless the venue confirms them directly.

Is Epic open late?

Yes. Epic is listed as open daily from 19:00 to 02:00, making it a late-night bar option in Shanghai.

Is Epic good for a date?

Epic may suit a date if you want a recognised Shanghai bar with late-night hours. The verified data confirms its hours, smart-casual dress code, and awards profile, but does not confirm seating style, noise level, or reservation policy.

Is the food good at Epic?

The verified data does not list cuisine type, dishes, or food details. Choose Epic for its confirmed bar recognition and late-night hours, and confirm directly with the venue if food is important to your plan.

Does Epic have outdoor seating?

Outdoor seating is not included in the verified data. If that matters for your visit, check the venue's official channels before you go.

Location

17 Gao You Lu, Xu Hui Qu, Shang Hai Shi, 200031

Shanghai, China

Compare Epic

How Epic compares in Shanghai

Epic is the higher-intent choice in this set: better for a small group that wants a recognised cocktail bar, less convenient for a loose social night. Pudao and Union Trading Company are useful comparisons if flexibility matters more than chasing the harder seat.

For four or more people, Pirata and Urbn Lounge are easier alternatives to consider. Constellation is the closer cross-shop for a cocktail-focused night where the room and drinks carry the decision.

Where to go if Epic is not the right fit

If the group is four-plus or the night needs to stay flexible, try Pirata or Urbn Lounge instead. If the priority is another cocktail-led Shanghai bar, compare availability at Constellation.

How Epic compares in Shanghai

Choose Epic when recognition, late-night energy, and a cocktail-led evening matter more than ease. Compared with Pudao and Union Trading Company, it reads as the higher-commitment pick: better for a planned small-party night, weaker for anyone trying to keep the evening flexible.

For groups, Pirata and Urbn Lounge are safer cross-shops if the priority is an easier social setup. Epic is the sharper call for two or three people who care about the cocktail program; the lounge alternatives make more sense when the group has mixed interest levels.

Constellation is the peer to compare if the night is built around classic cocktail-bar expectations rather than lounge comfort. If booking difficulty is the deciding factor, keep at least one of these peers ready as a fallback, especially for a four-plus group.