First of all, let's get the dates straight. When exactly is Chinese New Year this year? New Year's Eve is on Friday, January 27, which makes New Year's Day Saturday, January 28 and the rest of the holiday running till Thursday, February 2.

If you're staying in Shanghai for the holiday, it might feel like half the town is leaving, but we've got you covered with a detailed list on dining, evening parties and even some winter escapes if you're up for it. 

We also have a full list of what is open and closed during the holiday (which we're continuously updating) so be sure to check that out too!

CNY Set Menus and Dining

Ambrosia Teppanyaki @ Expo

In addition to their regular A La Carte choices, Ambrosia Teppanyaki at the Expo is offering a 10-course set menu along with an entertaining live cooking show performed right at your table! The Chinese New Year set menu is priced at RMB520 plus 10-6 percent gratuity per person. The menu will run from Fri, Jan 27 to Thurs Feb 2. 

Until Feb 2, RMB520 plus gratuity, See listing for Ambrosia Teppanyaki @ Expo.

Le Bordelais Empty the Fridge Party

To celebrate the Chinese New Year holiday, all branches of Le Bordelais are emptying the fridge with 50 percent off all food from their delicious bistrot. Don't miss out, because they will be closed from Jan 27-Feb 2.

Thurs, Jan 26, 6pm, free entry. See event listing. See listing for Le Bordelais.

The BREW

A Spring Family Brunch will be held at The BREW from Feb 1-3. From 11.30am-2.30pm, the brunch will feature all new Chinese inspired dishes for RMB198/person. There will also be three Lego building activities as well as a bouncy castle. On Feb 1, there will also be a tradional Lion Dance in the Kerry Parkside Courtyard after the brunch.

Feb 1-3, 11.30am-2-.30pm. See event listing. See listing for The Brew.

Dian Shui Lou 

Available only on Fri Jan 27, Taiwanese Dian Shui Lou will be offering five different Chinese New Year's Eve set menus for 6 or 10 people (starting from RMB1,988 to RMB3,988). However, they must be pre-ordered two days before. Dian Shui Lou will be closed from Sat Jan 28 to Thurs Feb 2.

Only on Jan 27, starting at RMB1,988 for 6 people, See listing for Dian Shui Lou

Hakkasan

This year, Hakkasan will be carrying its tradition of honoring the Chinese wishing tree, which was inspired by the Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees located in Hong Kong. Guests are warmly invited to share a New Year experience amongst others by writing down wishes on gold and red pieces of ribbon which will be hung inside the restaurant. Their special CNY menu will be priced at RMB888 or RMB1,288 for parties of two or more and runs from Fri, Jan 13 till Sat, Feb 11. Menus will include an exclusive dessert inspired by the Year of the Rooster.

Until Feb 11, RMB888, See listing for Hakkasan.

Kabb

From Jan 27 to Feb 5, guests will receive a hongbao for every RMB380 spent per table. Gifts include an RMB588 KABB dining voucher and more.

Jan 27-Feb 5, See event listing. See listing for Kabb.

Käfer by The Binjiang One

Executive Chef Andreas Schmid has put together an enticing 5-course sharing menu for this year's Spring Festival for Fri, Jan 27 till Thurs, Feb 2. Starting at RMB888 for two people, RMB1,288 for three and RMB1,688 for four, you can also kick-off the celebration of Chinese New Year on Sun, Jan 29 with a festive brunch from 11am-3pm. Reservations before Thurs, Jan 26 are highly recommended. They'll be closed Fri, Jan 27 to Tues, Jan 31 for lunch and only open from 3pm for afternoon tea and from 5.30pm for dinner.

Until Feb 2, RMB888-RMB1,688, reservation recommended. See listing for Käfer by The Binjiang One.

Paulaner (Binjiang, Xintiandi, Expo)

This year, Paulaner is offering seasonal platters just for the Spring Festival. From Fri, Jan 27 to Sat, Feb 4, all three locations are offering different kinds of platters: Binjiang's got the Bavarian Surf & Turf Sharing Platter (RMB488 for two people), Xintiandi's got the Surf and Turf Sharing Platter (RMB398 for two people) and the Expo's got the Seasonal Sharing Plate (RMB398 for two people).

Until Feb 4, starting at RMB398 for two people, See listings for Paulaner.

POP

The famous Three on the Bund favorite is hosting another Chinese New Year Family Style Sharing menu this year at RMB288 per person with a surcharge of 10-percent. Advanced booking of a minimum of two people is required. Coffee and tea will served, plus an A La Carte Menu is also available. Their CNY special is from Fri, Jan 27 till Sun, Feb 5, all day.

Until Feb 5, RMB288 plus gratuity, reservation required, See listing for POP.

Gui Hua Lou

Join in on some celebratory feasts at Gui Hua Lou from Fri Jan 27 to Sat Feb 4. Set menus are priced from RMB600 to RMB1,380 per person for a 10-course meal. There is a 10-percent service fee and a 6-percent value-added tax. Executive Chef Gao Xiao Sheng also has some Lunar Year delactable desserts ready in the kitchen: a Fortune Rice Cake Set for RMB258, the Golden Phoenix Pen Cai Set for RMB888, and the Rice Cake Hamper, which is filled with various New Year treats priced at RMB1,988.

Until Feb 4, starting at RMB600 per person plus gratuity, dessert sets available for purchase, See listing for Gui Hua Lou.

Whampoa Club

Another Three on the Bund staple, Whampoa Club will offer three abundant Chinese menus this year. The first one goes for RMB2,588 per table for six guests or RMB3,988 per table for 10 guests. Another menu goes for RMB3,188 per table for 6 guests, RMB4,988 per table for 10 guests. Lastly, a menu going for RMB3,988 per table for 6 guests, RMB5,988 per table for 10 guests. Make sure to book in advance; these three special menus all run from Fri, Jan 27 till Thurs, Feb 2 for lunch and dinner.

Until Feb 2, RMB2588-RMB3988 per table of 6; RMB3988-RMB5988 per table of 10, reservation required, See listing for Whampoa Club.

CNY Nightlife

Chinese New Year Celebration @ Bar Rouge

This Friday, Feb 27 Bar Rouge & MVP will be fully prepped to celebrate the most important Chinese festival in a fabulous way. Get ready for stunning performances while champagne sipping. Dress up in your favourite costume and hit the dance floor with DJ Keint spinning the best tunes. 

Fri Jan 27, free with rsvp to events@mvpshanghai.com, otherwise there is an RMB100 cover charge, for bookings call +8613916489071, See listing for Bar Rouge.

Wonky Kong @ Dada Bar

Usher in the New Year with Wonky Kong on the first day of Chinese New Year (Sat Jan 28) at Dada, where they'll be spinning tracks from UK Funky, Bass, Grime and more accompanied by Mike Ward's visuals.

Sat Jan 28, 10pm, free entry, See listing for Dada Bar.

JZ Club Spring Festival 

As the New Year tunes in JZ Club has invited 10 bands of different styles from funk to fusion to rock the house. Participating acts include Macleen Trio, Kuzu, Rendez Vous with Miss Helene, Mixx Company, Il Funkky Shu’s wit Nu Soles, PlaRay, Noukilla (pictured), Latin Quintet,  Tinho Pereira & band and an epic bass jam session going off at 3.15am.

Fri Jan 27, 7pm; RMB80. See listing for JZ Club.

3 Days of CNY @ Kartel Wine Bar  

Kartel is offering three full days 30 percent off discounted bottles of wine and 15-percent off all food items for the Spring Festival, but only from Fri Jan 27 to Sun Jan 29! 

Until Jan 29, See listing Kartel Wine Bar.

CNY Rooster Edition @ Celia by Pulse

Local DJ's Lina K, Costin and Chewie will be ringing in the New Year with some techno house on Fri, Jan 27 at 11.30pm. 

Fri Jan 27, 11.30pm, RMB100 includes a free drink, See listing for Celia by Pulse.

The Mansion CNY Party

Hongbao gifts, ten DJ's, Chinese decorations and traditional Chinese food cooked up for the huge party at The Mansion. Don't miss the fireworks at midnight...it's going to get lit! 

Fri, Jan 27, 10pm; RMB100, See listing for The Mansion.

Free-flow CNY @ The Rooster

Where else to ring in the Year of the Rooster than at Rooster? On Fri, Jan 27 The Rooster will have free-flow sparkling wine and Heineken beer from 9pm-midnight for RMB150 or additional free-flow craft beer, house wines and pours for RMB 250. There will also be live music throughout the evening. 

Fri Jan 27, 9pm, RMB150 or RMB250. See listing for The Rooster

Sovnd of Shanghai - Fire Rooster Takeover @ Unico

The Shanghai-born urban brand will be performing DJ and dance shows to kickstart the Spring Festival starting at 10pm on Fri Jan, 27. DJ lineup includes DJ S. Kiv, Kadwell, DJAzz, Karishti and Anna Couture. Free entry with the code "CoCo." 

Fri Jan 27, 10pm, free with code "CoCo", See listing for Unico.

Did we miss your event? Email us at events@urbanatomy.com