Haidilao After Dark: Hot Pot Meets Nightlife

2 mins read

From nightclub vibes to tech-inspired spaces, popular hot pot chain Haidilao is redefining its dining experience with new concept restaurants. RADII breaks down the best themed Haidilao spots to hit up.

For over a decade, Haidilao has been the go-to spot for hot pot in China (and in more recent years, internationally), building its reputation on stellar customer service and great quality. Though not the cheapest meal—at an average of over 100 RMB (14 USD) per person—but the complimentary massages, manicures, shoe cleaning, and unlimited snacks while waiting for a table certainly make up for it. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Haidilao also offers Sichuan bian lian mask-changing performance during meals, chefs who hand-pull noodles right at your table, and even a giant stuffed animal seated across from solo diners.

Cocktail bar at the Haidilao Late Night restaurant. Image via RedNote.

In recent years, Haidilao has rolled out themed restaurants, the most popular being its Late Night (夜宵 yè xiāo) locations tailored for the nightlife crowd. These venues combine a club, cocktail bar, and hot pot restaurant in one, eliminating the need to hop between multiple spots on a night out. There’s a DJ, a dance floor, and exclusive night market menu items, including skewers, spicy crayfish, and marinated seafood. Of course, for many, the biggest draw is the sight of sexy performers dancing and singing throughout the evening.

Dancers at the Haidilao Late Night restaurant. Image via RedNote.

The popular hot pot chain has also experimented with a wide range of other concept locations across China. The Live-Cut Store (鲜切主题店) features ultra-fresh seafood kept alive and prepared on site, while the Premium Selection Store (甄选店) elevates hot pot into a fine dining experience, averaging around 700 RMB (98 USD) per person. There’s also a cyberpunk-inspired branch that uses robots and neon-blue lighting as its central motif, and a tech and engineering location designed for children, complete with free games and coding workshops. Other themes include a camping outdoors location, an ancient court aesthetics location, and even an upcoming Haidilao-themed hotel. For now, these specialty Haidilaos are only available in China, so if you’re curious to try them firsthand, now might be the perfect time to book that plane ticket.

Haidilao Premium Selection location. Image via RedNote.

A camping-themed Haidilao location in Shanghai. Image via RedNote.

A cyberpunk-inspired Haidilao location in Beijing. Image via RedNote.

In the rat race of 内卷 (nèi juǎn)—a popular Chinese slang describing excessive and unproductive competition—Haidilao seems to be holding its ground. Still, competition in the hot pot scene has never been fiercer. Affordable, Instagrammable, all-you-can-eat revolving hot pot chains have surged in popularity, especially among students. Altogether, these restaurant trends indicate a clear and growing shift: consumers are seeking immersive and experience-driven dining alongside high-quality food.