The Lowdown On Shanghai’s Youth Drinking Culture

This post was contributed by Wee Ling Soh, China blogger and Shanghaiist contributor. Her mocking praise of our alcohol week via twitter somehow resulted in this post and we thank her for that.

Chinese drinking culture needs no further introduction. Beyond the ubiquitous Ganbei deal-clinching banquets and blue-collared lunch combo of baijiu and cheap grub, we take a closer look at the drinking culture among Chinese youth today.

In a country where we doubt the minimum drinking age is strictly enforced (if you are curious, it’s 18 like in most countries) and where alcohol comes cheap (excluding imported types and brand name baijiu’s), it’s no wonder pre-clubbing house parties never stood a chance.

By no means a comprehensive overview, I’ve listed below some cornerstones of youth drinking culture in Shanghai.

Karaoke

Do not underestimate the impact of karaoke on Chinese drinking culture. This is a leisure activity rabidly popular among Chinese youth across education levels from white collars, university students to hair salon boys. Not to mention, karaoke lounges are open 24 hours 24/7.

It also does not carry the baggage of other night spots since for one, there are no age restrictions and secondly, it’s just singing isn’t it? (Even though we all know too well what happens behind those closed doors or down the maze-like corridors in the early hours after one too many Budweiser’s or Chivas green teas.)

While we are not sure how strict the legal drinking age policy is being implemented in Haoledi’s and Partyworld’s around town, Chinese drinks giant Wahaha may find an opportunity in karaoke lounges for its 啤儿茶爽, a beer-flavored tea targeted at the youth market which it launched earlier this year to much debate. It’s neither a beer, nor a tea or a carbonated drink. But for youngsters who can’t lay their hands on alcoholic beverages quite yet, this may achieve the same bad kid appeal.

Clubs

Clubbing is replete with negative connotations of sleaze and debauchery. In Shanghai, there’s no better place to witness how Chinese youth get loose with a few drinks than at loud, in-your-face venues such as Richy and Babyface.

Drinks do not come cheap but hey you are only young once. Poison of choice is the usual plethora of alcoholic beverages found at clubs worldwide though there have been unverified rumors about certain all-you-can-drink establishments replacing vodka with baijiu.

When Shanghainese youth decide to splurge all and get a table, Chivas green tea, fruit platters and dice drinking games are the norm. Most patrons will usually be more interested in drinking games than in checking out whoever’s up on the decks.

Live Music

As for youth who are actually interested in the alternative music scene, look no further than the quality live bands/electronic acts and dive bar formula. How do venue operators get young people to pump it up and drink up? Check out LOgO, C’s, Dada, Shelter and Not Me to get an idea.
More often than not, look out for the throngs of scenesters milling around outside the venue, getting some air but also to get (even) cheaper beer from the nearby convenience store. Prime example: LOgO.

Dining

Last but not least, rather than a distinctive separation between dinner and drinks, the fact that dining out is reasonably affordable in China makes it such that eating and drinking go hand in hand. Even more so if it is spicy Chinese food that is best washed down with cheap ice-cold Tsingtaos or Harbins.

Chinese youth in Shanghai typically gather at tiny neighborhood Shanghainese eateries, no-frills open-air food stalls or popular Chinese restaurants like Dishuidong or Dongbeiren on weekend evenings for hours on end with endless bottles of beer. Baijiu or huangjiu may come into play here, but only if there is a special occasion such as a birthday or a promotion.