Salon de Ning

If you’re looking for a classy place to catch some live jazz, Salon de Ning is the spot to hit up! In TST, you don’t have too many other choices except for Ned Kelly’s (and sometimes the Hyatt bar). Ned Kelly’s isn’t necessarily the type of dark, intimate environment for jazz if you’re on a 1-​on-​1 date so Salon de Ning takes the cake in this aspect!
If you’ve been to some old school jazz bars in Shanghai then you are familiar with the particular ambiance these type of places give off! Salon de Ning is built off of that and you can feel it the moment you walk in with their dark lighting and décor.
There are plenty of seats on any given weeknight though I do suggest making reservations just in case it is booked out. I’ve walked in most of the time just sporadically and have always scored a good seat. Sometimes it is a nice couch off in the corner, other times we are at just right upfront at just a few feet away from the jazz band.
Don’t expect too much on their cocktails. Yes, the prices are very steep (it is The Peninsula after all) but you’re paying more for the environment (and brownie points if you’re on a date). I suggest going more for their whiskey based drinks as they do a good job on those. The other typical cocktails aren’t mixed together very well.
I’ve seen a number of great performers here and on my last visit, there was an awesome duo from LA (SoCal represent!) that had both the performance and vocals on point.
Service is awesome here and they are much more attentive than usual (I am sure you’re already used to the subpar service you’d typically receive in HK). And they will be happy to move you to a different part of the lounge if you ask!
Grab a drink, soak in the music and relax!

A little pricy, but drinks was tasty and the décor are pretty! A perfect spot for girls night out! Their mojitos are excellent! It gets pretty crowded at night and they are seriously understaffed! We only stayed there for 30mins or so! And half of the time we were waiting on our drinks! Would probably give this place another try for happy hour!

Salon de Ning is an über-​cool bar in the basement of the Peninsula Hotel in TST. It is based on a Shanghainese 1930s speak-​easy, and it certainly does exude that style the minute you walk in. It’s dark, plush, art-​deco France meets Chinese chic. In fact, it’s so dark in there, that I would be afraid to see it with the lights up, just in case I was sitting in something sticky.
The main bar area surrounds a stage and small dance floor, and has a number of private alcoves jutting off in all directions. Depending on which table you have managed to reserve, booking is nearly always essential here, you may find yourself either sitting on the tallest spiky stool, or the most comfortable and luxurious sofa. It’s a bit of a gamble, but I’m sure you can request to sit in particular areas at time of booking.
All around the bar is art-​work, antique furniture, and historical haute couture clothing, so if your G&T is no good, you can at least drink in the view.
The bar menu is quite extensive, but also quite pricey. They are not the best made drinks in the world, but perfectly passable. I would have hoped for better given the price tag, but alas no. My impression is that one comes here for the kudos, and not to have a decent long island ice tea.
There is also nightly entertainment. At the time of writing, it is a very classy Florida based jazz band.
The staff are very pleasant, and have a wonderful effortless politeness about them. They are the antithesis of HK service, in that they are calm and quietly spoken.
Note, there is a smart casual dress code…