Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar

Lan Ni Du

Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar

Lan Ni Du

2

20 南京东路, Waitan, Huangpu, Shanghai, China, 200002

Photos

Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by null
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by isabmaro/used with permission
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by zgaijdrl/used with permission
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by zgaijdrl/used with permission
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by kitt_chakrit/used with permission
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by zgaijdrl/used with permission
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by zgaijdrl/used with permission
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by isabmaro/used with permission
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by isabmaro/used with permission
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by null
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by null
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by null
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by null
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by null
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by null
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by null
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by null
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by null
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by null
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by null
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by null
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by null
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by null
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by null
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by null
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by null
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by null
Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar by null

Highlights

Step into the Peace Hotel’s historic cocktail lounge, where Shanghai's jazz heritage comes alive with the legendary octogenarian band playing nostalgic tunes.  

20 南京东路, Waitan, Huangpu, Shanghai, China, 200002 Get directions

Information

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20 南京东路, Waitan, Huangpu, Shanghai, China, 200002 Get directions

+86 21 6138 6886

Features

Last updated

Jul 6, 2025

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@atlasobscura

"The Peace Hotel is, alone, worth a visit. The historic art-deco behemoth is a centerpiece of Shanghai’s picturesque riverside Bund area. The hotel bar’s house band is just the cherry on top: The primarily octogenarian “Old Jazz Band” is likely the oldest living and longest-performing musical group alive today. The bar and its band are an encapsulation of a pivotal era in Shanghainese history. The arrival of jazz in the 1920s brought about an embracing of Western culture throughout the city known as the “Paris of the Orient”: Men began wearing suits, ties, and mechanical watches, and gelling their hair, while women assumed tight-fitting cheongsams with high heels. The band’s repertoire of mostly nostalgic tunes from the ’20s and ’30s is an homage to a bygone era that birthed what’s known as “Shanghai style,” a singular blend of East meets West, old meets new. Several musicians can likely attest firsthand to the period’s pathos; the “younger” of the bunch can recall practicing their forbidden instruments in secret during the Cultural Revolution of the ’60s. At any rate, the “Old Jazz Band” that began playing here in 1980 is the same one that plays today. The average age of the house musicians is currently 82, a number offset by the rotating, often younger “sultry female vocalist” (according to the hotel website) who joins the band at 9:00 p.m. each night. That the bar itself was originally an English-style pub is evidenced in its darker features, from the bar stools to the wooden tabletops, suited to an ambience of weighty refinement persistent throughout the hotel. Photos of famous politicians visiting the legendary bar line the walls, including Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama. Bill Clinton (did you know he played saxophone?) once famously joined the band for a stand-in solo. While the bar is open to the public, care is taken to evoke a sense of exclusivity. Returning guests’ preferred food and drink order, as well as their table and cigar selection, are memorized by staff. A menu of snacks accompanies a cocktail list inspired by those of the ’20s. Grab a martini and french fries and enjoy this living slice of Shanghai history. The band goes on each night at 6:30 p.m. If the charm brings you to tears, it’s dark enough that no one will notice." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

12 Bars and Restaurants With Music on the Menu
View Postcard for Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar
@atlasobscura

"The Peace Hotel is, alone, worth a visit. The historic art-deco behemoth is a centerpiece of Shanghai’s picturesque riverside Bund area. The hotel bar’s house band is just the cherry on top: The primarily octogenarian “Old Jazz Band” is likely the oldest living and longest-performing musical group alive today. The bar and its band are an encapsulation of a pivotal era in Shanghainese history. The arrival of jazz in the 1920s brought about an embracing of Western culture throughout the city known as the “Paris of the Orient”: Men began wearing suits, ties, and mechanical watches, and gelling their hair, while women assumed tight-fitting cheongsams with high heels. The band’s repertoire of mostly nostalgic tunes from the ’20s and ’30s is an homage to a bygone era that birthed what’s known as “Shanghai style,” a singular blend of East meets West, old meets new. Several musicians can likely attest firsthand to the period’s pathos; the “younger” of the bunch can recall practicing their forbidden instruments in secret during the Cultural Revolution of the ’60s. At any rate, the “Old Jazz Band” that began playing here in 1980 is the same one that plays today. The average age of the house musicians is currently 82, a number offset by the rotating, often younger “sultry female vocalist” (according to the hotel website) who joins the band at 9:00 p.m. each night. That the bar itself was originally an English-style pub is evidenced in its darker features, from the bar stools to the wooden tabletops, suited to an ambience of weighty refinement persistent throughout the hotel. Photos of famous politicians visiting the legendary bar line the walls, including Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama. Bill Clinton (did you know he played saxophone?) once famously joined the band for a stand-in solo. While the bar is open to the public, care is taken to evoke a sense of exclusivity. Returning guests’ preferred food and drink order, as well as their table and cigar selection, are memorized by staff. A menu of snacks accompanies a cocktail list inspired by those of the ’20s. Grab a martini and french fries and enjoy this living slice of Shanghai history. The band goes on each night at 6:30 p.m. If the charm brings you to tears, it’s dark enough that no one will notice. Know Before You Go A RMB300 (about $43) cover charge is credited toward drinks." - lukefater

Peace Hotel Jazz Bar – Shanghai, China - Gastro Obscura
View Postcard for Peace Hotel Old Jazz Bar

Adam Newbold

SerpAPI
Classy little jazz bar featuring the longest-running jazz band (as verified by the Guinness World Records team). The venue is intimate and there are plenty of staff to take your orders. Prices are standard for a venue like this - cheapest starting around 88 RMB going sharply up from there. The jazz band, in my opinion, was not as riveting as I had hoped for. But I decided to just sit back and enjoy, rather than compare. The room is full of history, if you think that people were enjoying jazz in this exact spot back in the 1930s. You can almost see the former guests dressed up and sipping on their drinks. A truly classic experience.

Joanna Kung

SerpAPI
Beautiful hotel set in the colonial days with a jazz bar by old man. The band plays traditional Chinese jazz music, and the singer has a good voice. You feel like you have been transported back in time. Go early and they may seat you without a cover charge, all you need is order a beer. But once the crowd builds up then the minimum spending per person maybe RMB300! Drinks here are very expensive but I guess it’s compensated for the good atmosphere. Definitely something to experience at least once in a lifetime. After the jazz bar, walk around the hotel and view it’s beautiful decor and art.

Ali Alansaari

SerpAPI
The Jazz Lounge is very classy and elegant. I am not a Jazz expert or fan but I really enjoyed the ambient and the expereice. The old Band at the Jazz Lounge has been playing every evening since 1980's. The minimum spend will be 30 USD per person. I think, it is very reasonable price.

AKI

SerpAPI
On the bund, this is a place reminds you of old Shanghai. The old jazz band has continued playing in the bar every night since 1980s, which receives Guinness World Record. They ask you for a minimum purchase of 200 RMB when you make a reservation. Serves cocktails, wine, beer and local drinks. Cocktails are around 150 RMB.

Navytchmathra G.

SerpAPI
Good history of the band and the hotel. Great for chilling with nice old jazz and Chinese songs. The bar is most likely full so reservation is recommended. Good choice of drink but very limit on snacks, don’t come with empty stomach!

Cheryl Lee

SerpAPI
It is one of those places that you have to go at least once, just to experience what it is like. The band is not fantastic but their story is great. Order a couple of drinks, relax and enjoy some Shanghai jazz. Who doesn't want to pay a visit to 和平饭店 and listen to some music by probably the oldest jazz band in the world at least once in their lifetime? Came here with my boyfriend during a short weekend trip in Shanghai and we enjoyed ourselves. Do note that there is a minimum spending for reservations.

Bull Dogg

SerpAPI
Fun and different jazz club experience. Great band with a very different sound. Like it or hate it, the overall experience in the bar is top notch, and the overall mood of the crowd was fantastic when I was visiting. Classic drink and cocktail offering.

Sharon Chng

SerpAPI
Visited this jazz bar with my husband and daughter on a Sunday evening. My husband came some 10 years ago and had been wanting to bring us. True to its reputation the band is made up of men in their silver years. The band members may seem to be unenthusiastic but the music was nostalgic and we felt we were taken back in time. Minimum spending was 300RMB per person although there wasn't much of a crowd. Come for the experience if you happen to be at the bund. Avoid weekends though.