Suzhou Nightlife

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I have been coming to Suzhou for 8 years, tried out many of the bars in many areas (including Shiqian jie, li gun di and some unknown spots). There is no better bar in Suzhou for ex-pats to have a drink, watch football and meet new people. You will find plenty of westerners and Chinese people mixing together in Jane's, the prices vary from 15 RMB for Tsingtao.
Jane is the perfect host, friendly and always chatting to regulars and newcomers alike, always has the schedule for upcoming football matches and all the rest of the staff in the bar follow Jane's lead: friendly and welcoming.
Live music most nights from Bessie and her singing partner (may be her daughter, have yet to find out) who have been regular's in Suzhou for many years and always likes to involve the crowd if they want to test their singing ability (or lack of it).
It is like a small, English style bar that serves simple English food if you have had enough of the great Chinese food in the area, and you are always guaranteed a warm welcome. Try the coffee! It's worth it just to see the method of making it.

Dress Code: No dress code, whatever you would wear for a night in the pub will do!

The Blue Sky Bar is a great upstairs bar with live music Thursday through Saturday. They have a pretty good Chinese clientelle but still play Western music -- anything from Metallica to Johnny Cash, so while you have the comfort of relaxing at a nice bar with music you love, you still know you're in China. Competitive prices and drink specials make this a great stop along Bar Street.

Ok I have read all the picks for best place to hang out at night in suzhou, after living their for two years let me say that the blue marlin resturant/bar is the best place to drink and listen to music and have something good to eat and never get ripped off

Dress Code: anything is ok

‘Pulp Fiction’ had little to offer in the way of atmosphere or patrons. This is a weakly themed Aussie bar with only one choice of wine and when we visited of the three Australian beers on the menu only one was available, draught stella was also unavailable. Music choice rested in the depressive realm with Godsmack and early Metalica providing the soundtrack to rather uneventful and unwelcoming experience.

An outside Mall where no cars are allowed and 100s of stores, restaurants, etc. A real nice place. There is a Thai restaurant there which is the only one around and is very good.

Dress Code: Saw a naked kid but I don't suppose it's ok for an adult.

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After more than 2 years, Harry's Bar is still the top night spot in Suzhou, especially after the new renovations with a larger bar and wide bi-folding doors out to a new terrace; a welcome expansion of space for the larger weekend crowds. With live music 7 nights a week, the great band Too Match pull in the larger Thursday to Saturday crowd of local proessionals and expats who have made Harry's their second home! The English speaking staff are tops in service and the prices at Harry's are lower than most other bars in town... but the great friendly crowd make Harry's the best bar in Suzhou. I have been living in Suzhou for nearly 3 years and have been a regular at Harry's for most of this time... mainly because its nothing like the Shi Qian Bar Street 'dives' that folks like Andre32 prefer... ha!

Andre32; I think that the cause of your difficulty is "when you have had one too many" (as you said in your post)... and I believe your "...one too many" is the cause of your lapse of memory regarding your bill. And when you have "...one too many", or in your case probably more than the "... one too many" you claim, you can't then turn around and blame the bar staff when you get your bill! However, if you are prepared to drink moderately and enjoy the great live music and adult fun at Harry's, then you are welcome back my friend!

I don't know what the poster below encountered, but I find it hard to take.
I'm a long-term Suzhou resident and I've spent many, many hours at Harry's Bar. I've had great times there, the prices there are quite reasonable compared to most other expat bars (which admittedly are all too expensive...), and I have never been treated anything but lovingly by Sally and her staff. It's my favorite bar in Suzhou. I've never seen ANYONE ill-treated in there who didn't ask for it first.

Meanwhile, the #1 Expat Bar in Suzhou crown seems to have passed from Pulp Fiction, just down the street to the Shamrock. Pulp Fiction is really quite expensive and has lately sort of given me the creeps...as do a lot of the other bars on Shi Quan Jie. I still like Harry's better, but the Sham is a close second. It's a friendly place and it attracts the best of the Suzhou scene, both foreign and Chinese. It is a little on the expensive side (higher than Harry's on most things) but it compares well to the nearby competition, and it's a hell of a lot cooler. Their frequent drink specials help keep the cost of a night there under control.

Dress Code: Casual is cool. Harry's is a bit dressier than the Shamrock.

Take care when going to Harry's bar. Prices are very high, and many times I and others found that the manager there, Sally, has something special for you after you had a few too many...
They will boldly cheat with the bill, and overcharge you a lot. Usually they will give you an unspecified bill, with just a very high number on it. I've been cheated quite a few times before I started paying attention to this. When talking to other people they told me the same story. I you must go there, then pay attention to the bill, and ask them to give you a specified bill. I've seen fights starting at the place because of this. The police had to come in to cool things down. It is not a place I like to visit. You are better of visiting bar street. You will find something you like there for sure!

Dress Code: Just bring a full wallet.