As night falls and the Bund lights up, the Long Bar at Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund is set to host an extraordinary tribute to its seafaring past.
From August 14 to September 14, 2026, the Long Bar officially presents the month-long ‘Seamen Club Night’ themed event.
Inspired by its unique maritime history, the Long Bar invites guests to gather around its legendary century-old bar counter and relive the golden age of seafarers.
A Century-Old Building, Steeped in Seafaring Memory
The building that houses the Long Bar dates back to the Shanghai Club, which opened in 1911.
In 1949, it was repurposed as the International Seamen Club, becoming a social landmark for countless voyagers docking along the Huangpu River.
Seafarers from around the world gathered here, resting their weary legs at the legendary 34-meter-long mahogany bar — once hailed as the ‘Longest Bar in the Far East’— and swapping tales of the high seas over a drink.
This maritime memory, spanning decades, remains etched into every grain of wood and every play of light within the Long Bar to this day.
An Immersive Nautical Atmosphere, Recreating a Golden Era
During the event, guests stepping into the Long Bar will be instantly enveloped in the romance of the sea.
At the entrance, a custom mid-to-large-sized ice sculpture, shaped as a fusion of the Long Bar‘s architecture and a steamship, symbolizes ‘safe docking’, setting a ceremonial tone upon arrival.
The photo wall incorporates vintage steamship elements with a retro navy-blue patina, complemented by lighthouse motifs and dynamic lighting effects, evoking the warmth of a homeward voyage.
Strolling along the Long Bar’s legendary 34-meter counter, guests will find at the starting section a model ship paired with a brass ship‘s bell, alongside a bilingual bronze plaque bearing the inscription ‘Long Bar 1911,’ solemnly opening the prologue to a century of history.
Scattered along the middle section are miniature ship wheels, glass bottle messages, vintage nautical chart scrolls, and other small maritime keepsakes — allowing guests to feel the ocean’s embrace with every sip.
‘Seamen Club Night’ has been meticulously crafted to revive that golden age of seafarers.
Guests will immerse themselves in a nostalgic and elegant atmosphere, with live American-style jazz melodies lingering in the air, as if transporting them back to the nights when sailors toasted and celebrated within the club’s walls.
A Culinary Voyage Honoring the Seafaring Era
For ‘Seamen Club Night’, the Long Bar has unveiled a special selection of maritime-inspired signature cocktails and exquisite bar bites, capturing the essence of the Bund’s sea breeze and faraway tales in every glass and plate.
Nautical-Themed Signature Cocktails:
One Way Ticket: Havana Club 3-Year White Rum meets green mango, preserved plum, apricot, and mint — a sweet-and-sour concoction that feels like embarking on an irrevocable voyage.
Old Salt‘s Fizz: Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Sloe Gin with blanc vermouth and fig leaf, finished with cranberry juice, Champagne, and salt solution — brisk and bubbly, in tribute to weathered old salts.
Eight Bells: The Glenlivet 15-Year Whisky blended with fig, yellow rice wine, vanilla, hazelnut, and bitters — deep and layered, marking the watch-changing chimes of seafarers.
Seaman Citrus: Pisco and Campari meet grapefruit, kumquat, calamansi, lime, and thyme — tart, bitter, and refreshing, a salute to the essential citrus boost on long voyages.
Jasmine Wake: Sparkling grape juice with jasmine tea and soda water, accented by green bell pepper, lime, and salted mango — alcohol-free yet adventurous, like the white trail left by a ship’s wake.
Horizon Glow: Seedlip Grove 42 paired with grapefruit, mixed berries, strawberry, tea, and shiso — fruity and aromatic, like a radiant sunset on the ocean‘s horizon.
Nautical-Inspired Bar Bites:
The Traveller‘s Fare: Smoked salmon with chili guacamole — tender and savory, a comforting welcome for voyagers on shore.
The Sailor’s Catch: Crispy fried pencil fish and shrimp — golden and crunchy, locking in the ocean‘s freshness.
The Captain’s Catch: Poached squid tossed in spicy soy sauce — firm, spicy, and delightful, honoring the captain‘s prized catch.
The Seaman’s Harvest: Grilled mushroom and corn tortilla — a warm, light bite that rewards returning seafarers.
First Light: Sea salt madeleines — lightly salted and fluffy, like the first glow on the horizon at dawn.
Sunset Pearl: Coral yogurt pomelo mousse — sweet and airy, as tender and warm as a sunset over the sea.
A Century of Legend, Endlessly Enduring
The Long Bar resides within the Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, situated at the heart of the Bund and comprising a century-old heritage building and a modern tower.
When the hotel reopened in 2010 following a meticulous restoration, the Long Bar was also revived to its original James I style, with its 34-meter mahogany bar counter restored to its former glory.
Today, with ‘Seamen Club Night’, the Long Bar once again pays homage to this maritime legacy, allowing a century of legend to live on in every glass.
[All images courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund]
