Rong Li (戎里）- One of my favourite Bars in Shenzhen

Rong Li  (戎里）

Happy New Year everyone, took a bit of break but looking forward to lots of posting and reviews in 2025. This the first post review of 2025, sorry for the delay.

You don’t have to go to a club in Coco Park while your Shenzhen to have a good time. I was last at Rong Li or Rocky’s bar at the end of 2024. The place is hidden away in Longhua in Shenzhen’s Longhua district. Situated near Hongshan (红山) subway station, Exit A, this bar stands out in a mall that has seen many other bars come and go. With its welcoming vibe, great live music, and friendly host, Rong Li is definitely here to stay and one of the best bars for nightlife in Hongshan.

Location

The bar is on line 4, which is a direct route from Hong Kong, albeit a little far. Shenzhen’s, Futian district is several stations away so it’s a pretty convenient destination if you’re starting from there. If you’re coming in from further away like Nanshan, I’d say it’s a little too far. Rong Li is tucked away in a corner of the mall next to a Korean restaurant. It’s pretty easy to find once you know where to look. The location is convenient, it’s popular with locals, I wish more foreigners (I’m one) knew about it because the boss and customers are super friendly.

On weekends, especially Fridays and Saturdays, the place gets very busy. This is when Rocky’s regulars really show up to enjoy his live music and that’s when things really kick off.

Ambience

The interior is warm and cozy, with a unique West of China vibe. The lighting is soft and moody, reminiscent of a jazz lounge, which all adds to the but laid-back charm. All in all the atmosphere is a great setting for the music, which is mostly Chinese pop and rock. Although the patrons on the younger side, it does have a pretty good mix of ages.  Due mostly to its chilled out vibe and genuinely nice people it’s one the city’s smaller but most excellent live music bars. 

Music

The music is the heart and soul of Rong Li. Rocky, the bar’s owner, is a former band member who now performs live almost every night. He is an excellent host, welcoming to all, no matter your language or culture.  

Rocky’s setlist typically features Chinese music, but he knows a good number of English songs too, thanks to his love for all genres. He often performs with friends, creating a lively yet intimate vibe that’s perfect for a night out.

Drinks

Rong Li has a fair selection of drinks, with bottled beers being particularly well-priced. There is Tibetan beer there too that is really easy to drink and not too strong. I’ve not seen it other bars in Shenzhen, so that’s cool. For those who enjoy stronger drinks, the bar is well-stocked with a variety of whiskeys and other spirits. However, cocktails aren’t the bar’s strongest point, and they can be a bit pricey. That said, most people come for the music and the atmosphere, not fancy cocktails.

Service

Rocky is the star of the show when it comes to service. Like with most bars in Shenzhen, bar staff turn over is pretty high. However he always manages to have a good team young bars staff behind him, which means English isn’t really a big problem. Besides which the boss speaks pretty good English himself. The drinks come fast and furious, for substantial meals you can order in, from the nearby restaurants (like the Korean one next door). As I have mentioned staff, boss and customers are very welcoming to all. 

Value for Money

The prices are reasonable, especially for bottled beer, making it a great spot for budget-friendly nights out. While the cocktails might not be the best value, the overall experience more than makes up for it.

Final Thoughts

Rong Li is one of my favorite hidden hangouts. It’s not widely known even among locals, probably because its tucked away in a little corner. The warm, friendly atmosphere, reasonable beer prices, and great music make it a perfect spot to meet new and familiar faces. Rong Li is a vital part of Shenzhen nightlife in the area and there are even rumours of a second location coming.  

If you’re looking for a relaxing night with great music, nice people, and affordable drinks, I highly recommend Rong Li. It’s a wonderful place to unwind, and I honestly should go there more often!

 If your are looking for something similar check out my reviews on Echo PM, Borra and Chera, or Cafe Society, and Baker’s Base, all in Futian. If your looking something different check out the review for Rongli (rockys bar) and then there is also another great spot in Lotiko in Nanshan. Although DABhaus has good cocktails, if your specifically looking for this try Cement, Ben’s bar or RMK.

Also check out my post on rednote