Except for the survival of Cantonese opera, performed in temporary bamboo theaters in People's Park and at annual festivals, Guangzhou has little to offer in the way of performing arts. It's best to ask the concierge at your hotel for advice.
Until recently, Guangzhou's nightlife scene was the sole preserve of Chinese businessmen in search of relaxation and recreation at karaoke lounges staffed by "hostesses" and "singing companions." Recently, the situation has improved with the opening of more pubs and restaurants.

Places to go

Baby Face   Dance Club, Guangzhou                                                      

Address: 83 Changdi Da Ma Lu, Guangzhou, China
Phone: 020-8335-5771

Baby Face is where the stylish go to strike a pose. It fills up quickly on weekends with most tables reserved. Arrive early and be prepared to spend.

Bai e Dan   Bar, Guangzhou                                                               

Address: South of Shamian Island, across the Pearl River, Guangzhou, China
Bai e Dan is the newest hip street for decent but indistinct bars.

Café Elles   Bar, Guangzhou                                                             

  Address: Huaxin Dasha, 2 Shuiyin Lu, 2nd fl., Guangzhou, China
Phone: 020-8761-2939

Café Elles caters to French expatriates and Francophiles with French music and food and a small dance floor.

Café Lounge   Bar, Guangzhou                                                          

Address: China Hotel, lobby, Guangzhou, China
Phone: 020-8666-6888

The popular Café Lounge has big comfortable bar stools, quiet tables for two, live music on weekends, and a fine selection of cigars.

Club Tang   Dance Club, Guangzhou                                                      

Address: 1 Jianshe Liu Ma Lu, Guangzhou, China
Phone: 020-8384-1638

Club Tang has a stylish club lounge on the first floor and a karaoke maze upstairs. Bottle-spinning bartenders serve up beers at Y45 and strong Long Island ice teas for Y38.

F4   Dance Club, Guangzhou                                                                 

Address: TP Plaza, 109 Linhua Lu, 1st fl., Guangzhou, China
Phone: 020-8666-8070

F4 is where the young and beautiful spend their time under spotlights. A bottle of Jack Daniels is Y600 (green tea to mix is extra), and to sit at a table you need to drop a minimum of Y1,200. A live band takes the stage between sets from resident and international DJs.

Friendship Theatre   Arts Center, Guangzhou                                          

Address: 698 Ren Min Bei Lu, Guangzhou, China
Phone: 020-8666-8991

Friendship Theatre is host to song and dance troupes, ballets, and Cantonese opera.

Guang Ming Theatre   Opera, Guangzhou                                             

Address: 293 Nan Hua Zhong Lu, Guangzhou, China
Phone: 020/8449-9721

Guang Ming Theatre is a good place to catch live Cantonese opera.

Guangdong Puppet Art Centre   Puppet Show, Guangzhou                        

Address: 21 Fenyuan St., Guangzhou, China
Phone: 020-8431-0227

Guangdong Puppet Art Centre hosts live puppet shows every Saturday and Sunday.

Hard Rock Café  Bar, Guangzhou                                                        

Address: China Hotel, basement, Guangzhou, China
Phone: 020-8666-6888 Ext. 2050

The Hard Rock Café has Elton John's trousers, Tina Turner's black dress, and stained-glass pictures of rock icons such as John Lennon and Michael Jackson; there's live and taped rock music and a choice of hamburgers and Chinese dishes

Hare & Moon  Bar, Guangzhou                                                          

Address: White Swan hotel, Yi Shamian Lu, Shamian Island, Guangzhou, China
Phone: 020-8188-6968

The big attraction of the Hare & Moon is the panorama of the Pearl River as it flows past the picture windows.

Kathleen's  Bar, Guangzhou                                                             

Address: 60 Taojin Lu, Guangzhou, China
Phone: 020-8359-8045

Opened in 1996 by a Canadian-Chinese, Kathleen's is a popular expatriate meeting point and where you find can often find out what's going on in Guangzhou.

L'Africain   Dance Club, Guangzhou                                                      

Address: Zi Dong Hua Bldg., 707 Dongfeng Zhong Lu, 2nd fl., Guangzhou, China
Phone: 020-8762-3336

L'Africain is the place for late-night dancing to reggae, African, Spanish, and American pop music.

Nan Fang Theatre   Opera, Guangzhou                                                

Address: 80 Jiao Yu Lu, Guangzhou, China
Phone: 020-8335-2871

Check the schedule of the Nan Fang Theatre if you want to see comedy or the ubiquitous Cantonese opera.

Sportsman's American Bar and Restaurant   Bar, Guangzhou                

Address: 28 Taojin Jie, Guangzhou, China
Phone: 020-8359-1509

Sportsman's American Bar and Restaurant is where locals catch the game (their satellite captures everything from American baseball to Australian rugby) over a steak and beer. The Hash House Harriers running club sets off from here every Saturday at 2 PM.

Xinghai Concert Hall   Music, Guangzhou                                              

Address: 33 Qing Bo Lu, Er Sha Island, Guangzhou, China
Phone: 020-8735-2222 Ext. 312

Xinghai Concert Hall is a good place to catch classical, both Western- and Asian-style, music concerts. Check the schedule for international orchestras that come through town. www.concerthall.com.cn.