Hangzhou’s charm also comes from its constant sense of renewal. As a nationally known “internet-famous” city, it rarely lacks new and dazzling places to go. Bars and livehouses are popping up fast, and nightlife has become an essential part of Hangzhou’s modern identity.

Bars: Where the Night Begins

WAY 2 | Sci-Fi Cyberpunk Style

Located in Jiangnan Art Park, WAY2 is a niche bar that has become increasingly popular in recent years. From the outside, it looks more like a designer installation than a typical bar. The silver, capsule-like shell gives it a cool, futuristic presence.

The entry passage resembles a camera, and stepping through the “lens” leads into minimalist cement walls, pink lighting, black leather sofas, and geometric metal trims. Together, it creates a clean sci-fi atmosphere.

There are live band performances every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Address: Room 102, Building A, Jiangnan Art Park, 415 Chengye Road, Binjiang District
Recommendation: Apple White Peach Oolong (for non-drinkers)
Business Hours: 19:00 - 02:00 Average Cost: 115 RMB per person

Pharmacist APOTHECARY | Pharmacy-Inspired Creativity

Hidden on Nanshan Road near West Lake, this bar leans fully into a pharmacy theme. Both the décor and the menu play with apothecary elements, and the medicine-cabinet drawers behind the bar sell the concept immediately.

As the top-ranked cocktail bar in Hangzhou, this place is usually packed with regular customers. It is recommended to make a reservation in advance to avoid long queues.

Address: No. 5, Liuying Road, Shangcheng District
Business Hours: 19:00 - 3:00 AM
Average Cost per Person: 130 yuan

Livehouse: A Contemporary “Spiritual Refuge”

With the rise of indie music, livehouses have shifted from niche to mainstream. Unlike traditional bars, they focus more on live instrumentation and music quality, making them a kind of “spiritual refuge” for urban audiences and a hub for cultural exchange.

TZ House Live Music | Small Concert Hall Feel

When people talk about Hangzhou livehouses, TZ House usually comes up first. It avoids the noisy club feel and instead uses light industrial design to create a small concert hall atmosphere, keeping the focus on the music itself.

As is well known, tickets for TZ House are extremely hard to get. It is recommended to grab them 6 days in advance at 11:00 on the "Tingguo App." (Be aware App language is Chinese-only) Remember to set your alarm a few minutes early to be prepared. Or you can just go to the venue and ask if seats and tickets are still available.

Business Hours: 19:00 - 02:00
Address: Shop 1FL1-10, Raffles City Square
Average Cost: 200/person, it may have minimum spend when you book a booth

Xiang Livehouse | A Trend-Forward Favorite

The popular brand Xiang Livehouse, originally from Xiamen, opened a major Hangzhou branch in the New World area. The venue spans about 3,000 square meters and combines Chinese retro-inspired design with high-energy live performances that fill the room.

As one of the hottest livehouses in Hangzhou at the moment, it requires a WeChat reservation three days in advance for entry. Once the booking is successful, the reservation information cannot be changed. Or you can download "Dianping App", which you can inquire them from online or call them directly.

Opening Hours: 19:30-03:00
Address: No. 79, Xinbei Street, Gongshu District

MAO Livehouse | A National Live Music Brand

As a long-standing live music brand, MAO Livehouse is one of the key gathering places in China’s modern live scene. The name stands for Musician, Audience, and Organizer, reflecting the idea that great bands cultivate great audiences—and vice versa.

Unlike venues that stick to one narrow style, MAO hosts both top-tier rock acts and excellent niche bands across many genres. If you like live music, there’s a good chance you’ll find your scene here.

Business Hours: 19:00 - 01:00 AM
Address: 3rd Floor, Shangcheng 1157 Li Xing, No. 77 Zhongshan South Road, Shangcheng District
Average Cost: 144 RMB per person