V Bar at the Crowne Plaza: Voom!

The V Bar at the Crowne Plaza Hotel is already something of an urban legend in Shenzhen. It is unquestionably the classiest joint in town, where the nouveau riche come to see and be seen in their sports cars, designer blue jeans, and bling.

On the night we visited, we were expecting to walk out onto the poolside area of the hotel and see a few tables occupied by people playing dice games after dinner, as it was only 10pm. Instead, the place was full and buzzing. And believe it or not, no one was slamming dice cups on the tabletops. The band was in full swing already, and Shenzhen’s young and beautiful set was in party mode.

A large part of the reason for the V Bar’s success is, naturally, its location. The Crowne Plaza has dominated the top end of Shenzhen’s hotel market for years, and it has become the premier address for the ostentatious crowd. But the creators of the bar have done a great job, too. Inside, the stage is built in a crescent shape, with the tables arranged around it and up close, ensuring everyone is drawn into the party. Outside, the atmosphere is relaxed and yet sophisticated, with candle-lit wooden tables set among the poolside area, allowing a private conversation to be held in comfort.

It also helps that management has done its bit to ensure the bands are the best they can find on the international circuit. Indeed, as much as Shekou has improved its live music options in the past year, the V Bar’s bands are still simply that much more professional.

This is a far cry from the nightlife of Shekou, and the bill at the end of the evening will confirm it, but if you want to see what the high life is like in Shenzhen, then the V Bar is the place to go.

V Bar at the Crowne
Plaza Shenzhen
深圳威尼斯皇冠假日酒店
9026 Shennan Dadao,
Overseas Chinese Town
华侨城深南大道9026
(86-755) 2693 6888