Shanghai Shuffle

Wow! Eek! and Ooo! these are all sounds you will be making if you make the big step to go to this outrageously lively restaurant experience. I don’t even know if it is predominantly a restaurant, with the variety of antics that go on. If you have not been here you should definitely warm yourself up with a few drinks, then a few more, and maybe just one more if you are a little shy.
Shanghai Shuffle from the outside could be any regular restaurant, I must admit I had seen the trail of people coming out on different Saturday nights with cowboy hats on, all a bit loud and lairy, and singing their hearts out. This must be another hen party at Shanghai, is what I thought. Little did I know these were perfectly normal Shanghai Shuffle customers. And I would end up much the same after my Christmas night out on boxing day.
Well it all began with more drinks and an alarmingly prompt introduction to the Karaōke machine. It was so very strange, I went out for dinner and a fun night, instead I got a night of dancing, singing, and crazy games forced on me. I’m not saying it wasn’t fun, but wow wee, they could warn you. This is definitely for the extroverts of a group, or the very drunk. Fun, but probably a one off, or maybe a two.

Oh my goodness, this place is hilarious! I came here for a works night out a few years ago and I actually didn’t know what had hit me not was I quite prepared for the events that followed! It definitely is a bit lairy so if you’re not one for karaōke or dancing on tables then give this one a miss but if you’re brave enough it’s an experience you will never forget!
There seems to be a programme here, so I’ll let you know how my evening played out;
Step 1: We were shown to our table and as it was Christmas time it was decorated with the usual; tinsel, mini tree, bobbles and the like. We were then asked what drinks we liked and we each ordered the usual vodka coke, etc.
Step 2: When the drinks arrived the waiters brought with them a cocktail in a glass that was probably around three foot tall, I kid you not. It was nearly taller than me and I had to stand on the chair to drink out of it with the equally massive straw.
Step 3: Whilst taking the order for our meal, they brought a huge box of cowboy hats and gave us all one. I wasn’t drunk enough by this point so did feel a little odd but everyone was getting into the swing of things so it was all good. Meanwhile two karaōke hosts were belting out Whitney Houston numbers and reminding us to get our requests in.
Step 4: Each table was getting called up to sing so we had to get up and give it our all on the dance floor.
Step 5: Dinner arrived, but with it they brought party poppers and told us to get on the chairs and dance. I was really hungry by this point and kind of just wanted to eat my meal.
Step 6: In between popping party poppers, pulling crackers and moving the seat so other people at the table could get up to do a bit of karaōke I was able to eat my meal, I went for sweet and sour chicken and it was surprisingly good. I just assumed that all the drama was just to put your mind off how bad the food was. But no, no it was delicious!
Step 7: As desserts were being brought out one of the waiters was grabbing random people from each table and he took them upstairs. Five minutes later they all re-​appeared in fancy dress; Batman, Batwoman, Spiderman… they were all there jumping around on the dance floor singing karaōke some looking more bemused than others.
Step 8: Each person in the place (it holds around 100) was then given a can of silly string each and the spraying began! There was silly string everywhere, in my hair, in my half eaten ice-​cream (oh well), on the walls, in the huge cocktail glass, just everywhere!
Step 9: This is the bit I found strangest of all… All the ladies were told to stand on their chairs and then a couple of waiters came out with a leaf blower and started blowing up everyone’s skirts, Thankfully I had tights on but other people didn’t, oh dear. I couldn’t actually believe this was happening, it was hilarious in an odd peeping tom kind of way.
Step 10: All the while people are blaring out karaōke in the background and I was starting to feel more than a little bit tired.
Step 11: The last thing we were given was a fortune cookie which was a nice way to end the evening but I felt like I could sleep for a week afterwards!
Step 12: The evening was over and I was left puzzled as to what had just happened.
To enjoy this place you really need to get into the spirit of it, it is absolutely wild and unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. For me this place is a kind of been there done that, when you’ve done it once it’s probably enough (well, once is enough for me anyway). I just wonder how long it takes them to clear up afterwards it must take an age! I don’t know how the staff do this night after night, they must just thinks «Here we go again…»

This place is not for the shy and retiring. Especially popular with groups (note: do not go here for an intimate date) the idea is that you party and sing while you eat. I’m still not quite sure the two go together but it kind of seems to work and is bustling every night with work nights out or hen parties.
As soon as you arrive to what seems like a normal restaurant, out comes the host dressed in a kilt to tell those awaiting that the only rule is that you must have fun, dance on your chairs and sing whenever you feel the urge — and this is exactly what people do. It is slightly surreal when one minute your are tucking into your sweet and sour chicken and the next you are up dancing on your seat (if you don’t then you look like a big party pooper). There are lots of little surprises and games which I don’t want to spoil for those who have yet to experience this unique little place. It’s not for the faint-​hearted!
As for the food, well, I can’t even really remember what I had. The crazy antics, singing and dancing almost made me question if I actually had eaten. Given that it is £28 per head for a three course meal on a Saturday it seems a bit of waste although nobody goes there for a relaxed meal and I guess you are paying for the entertainment value. On a Sunday through to Wednesday however, I believe the same meal is £12 so try and avoid weekends.
It’s crazily busy before Christmas, even during the week, so be sure to book well in advance. It’s definitely an experience.

Oh my god I went to this place with some work mates they said it was a curry karaōke, it was the best night out I have had in such a long time the food was very good and cheap and drink was flowing, we went on a week night but we still had to book in advance — if you want a great night out and a wee sing song this is your best bet, but you will have to book especially at the weekends!!!