The best cities in Asia for nightlife right now, according to Time Out
We quizzed thousands of readers in hundreds of the world's best cities and asked them to rate the quality and affordability of their nightlife scene. From this, we picked out the top scorers and turned to our nightlife experts and editors to pitch in their votes. Time Out sussed out the 20 best cities in the world – and three Asian cities are really shaking things up after the sun goes down.
First is Shanghai, China's biggest city – both for business and going out after dark, it seems. It ranks No. 4 on the global list, making it Asia's party central. Locals love it, giving the city's nightlife an approval rating of 89% – the highest of any in the survey. It's also the most affordable on the list for entertainment, with a solid 72% of locals saying a night out at the movies, theatre, or live music show is either 'cheap' or 'free'. But what makes Shanghai's nightlife truly special, though, is its accessibility. Sammi Sowerby, editor of Time Out Shanghai, highlights diverse and eclectic spots like Cedar Kitchen, Goodman, and Ferra Bar, which will surprise revellers with a great night out.
Clocking in at No. 10 is Mumbai, the heart of India's Bollywood industry. All that glitz and glam has clearly spilt over into a vibrant nightlife scene packed with stunning rooftop bars, entertaining drag shows, boisterous karaoke nights, and on the chill end, laid-back neighbourhood bars. Mumbai locals gave the city's nightlife scene the third-highest rating of all cities on the list – and say it's one of the cheapest places for a night out too.
Finally, Bangkok, the third and last Asian city to make it to our round-up of the best nightlife destinations. It ranks No. 13, with a scene that Time Out Thailand head of content, Laurie Osborne, says is "gloriously fractured, with tribes forming around hyper-local, community-driven spots". What that means: a wave of shophouse bars, craft beer taprooms, and an experimental queer scene catering to niche subgroups.
Best cities in Asia for nightlife right now, according to Time Out:
Shanghai (No. 4)
Mumbai (No. 10)
Bangkok (No. 13)
Check out the full list of the 20 best cities in the world for nightlife.
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