9 Neat Events Happening in Early September

They say time flies when you're having fun, and Shanghai seems to embody that more than anywhere else.

Mid-Autumn Festival is only a couple of weeks away and mushroom season is already upon us — yet we still can't seem to escape the heat. 

Thankfully, indoor activites are aplenty in this city, whether it's perusing art in air-conditioned museums and galleries or enjoying a stiff daytime drink.

As far as one-off events go, however, don't miss the following:

🗓️ Saturday, August 31 (2 PM until late)

📍 Parlay, Shankangli, 358 Kangding Road, Jing'an

🎟️ Free entry

Cry tears of joy (and possibly pain) at the annual hot sauce festival started by BBQ restaurant Bubba’s five years ago and hosted by neighborhood restaurant and sports bar Parlay this time. 

Parlay aims to keep the tradition going with spicy bites off the grill, specialty cocktails and more. Eat, drink, laugh and *pant* while tasting and voting for your favourite hot sauces submitted by tastemakers around town.

🗓️ Saturday, August 31 (3 PM until late)

📍 Tap That, 1123 Wuding Road, Jing’an

🎟️ Free entry & free beer with tattoo packages (see below)

Since its inception, Sad Gorilla Club, a Shanghai-born craft beer brand, has been dropping delicious beers with zany yet lovable names. This time it's 'For Real For Real.'

Get a fake tattoo and score a free beer. Get a real tattoo from artist Melon Pokes and enjoy free beer all night long. Not worried about disappointing your momma? A real face tattoo gets you a whole keg and the next Sad Gorilla Club beer will be named after you. Think priorities, people!

🗓️ Saturday, August 31 (7 PM onwards)

📍 The Hai, 35 Yongjia Road, Huangpu

🎟️ Free entry

Feeling competitive after reading our most recent article about the best pub quizzes in town? Now's your chance to put your knowledge to the test with The Hai's special Battle Royale Trivia. 

How well do you know Joey, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Ross and Phoebe from the beloved sit-com Friends? On top of prizes for the top three teams, 2000 RMB's worth of raffle prizes will be up for grabs!

🗓️ Saturday, August 31 - October 25 (3:30 PM onwards)

📍XIME, The Center, 1/F, 989 Changle Road, Xuhui

🎟️ Free entry

Open for seven years, beloved community Japanese eatery XIME hosts art exhibitions in its space once every two months. The Hidden Passion by Neo-Expressionist artist Shan Shan kicks off the first weekend of September, and seeks to provide viewers with a holistic sensory experience by activating our five senses.

TIME OUT TIP: Sip on a selection of limited-edition signature cocktails inspired by the artworks as you take it all in.

🗓️ Saturday, August 31 (5 PM to 1 AM)

📍 W Shanghai, 66 Lvshan Road, Hongkou

🎟️ Early bird 168 RMB | Presale 198 RMB | Full price 218 RMB

In partnership with music and party experts Space Panda, the W Shanghai brings you yet another installation of the Sun Chasers rooftop series.

Dance to the beats set by Dutch-Indo DJ Budakid and bask in the glow of the Shanghai sunset as you party it out on one of Shanghai's most iconic rooftops.

🗓️ Saturday, August 31 (4 to 8 PM)

📍Totino Panino, 358 Kangding Road

🎟️ Free entry

With many of us returning from the summer holidays and work ramping back up, there's no denying we would give anything to relive those lazy summer days. 

Cue this event by Totino Panino and Julu Gin titled 'Il Dolce Far Niente,' Italian for "the art of doing nothing." It's perfect for those looking to kick up their feet, sip tasty cocktails, indulge in Italian bites, and let their weekday worries slip away...

🗓️ Sat + Sun, September 7 + 8 (2 to 10 PM)

📍 ROCKBUND Museum Plaza, 97 Yuanmingyuan Road, Huangpu

🎟️ Free entry

Just a stone’s throw away from The Bund, this music festival will be taking over the Rockbund Museum Plaza for just one weekend. In addition to performances by live bands and DJs, there will be a whole host of unique pop-up bars and curated vendors.

TIME OUT TIP: Many beloved F&B brands will be offering discounted food and beverages: from gelato by Luneurs to oysters and sparkling wine from The Nest.

🗓️ Friday, September 6 (6 to 9 PM)

📍 The Sukhothai Shanghai, 380 Weihai Road, Jing’an

Looking to class up your Friday? Attend this butterfly-themed meet-and-greet session with the Swiss artist Philippe Caretti, whose expressive paintings bedeck The Sukhothai Shanghai's lobby. 180 RMB covers entrance, a complimentary cocktail and specially snacks. Groove to live music and keep your fingers crossed to win a limited-edition t-shirt. 

🗓️ Saturday, September 7 (1 to 9 PM)

📍 Handwritten Collection Hotel, 3388 Sichen Road, Songjiang

Head to the Handwritten Collection Hotel for a full day of aquatic fun. From live DJs to poolside yoga and volleyball, there will be plenty of fun activities to enjoy while you soak up the last bit of the season's rays in a poolside paradise. 

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