Leisure, taste, a touch of the exotic. None of the words can describe Shekou without the other two. And it'll certainly be rewarding to take a stroll or have a drink there during the Christmas holidays.

Shekou is where Shenzhen's first ever bar opened, back on March 30, 1987 when a foreigner opened the Snake Pit. Years later, bars of different styles mushroomed on Taizi Road and Sea World. Now more than 40 bars and restaurants with styles and cuisines from Asia, Europe, Africa and America cater to locals and expatriates alike.

French style: Casablanca Bar & Restaurant

Like Rick's caf¨¦ in the film Casablanca, Casablanca exudes romance, delicacy and elegance. The decoration features Casablanca pictures and many red ribbon bows on the dark granite wall, which gives out the Christmas atmosphere.

The menu in Casablanca has a distinctly French feel. As a chef herself, the owner Michele Leger often prepares the dishes personally since its opening eight years ago. As Christmas approaches, Casablanca presents Christmas Eve dinner for 230 yuan per person.

Address: G/F, Yingbin Building, Taizi Road., Shekou

Tel: 0755-26676968

Irish style: McCawley's Irish Bar & Restaurant

The pub is a part of everyday life in each town or village throughout Ireland. The decoration features traditional Irish landscapes, old Irish carriages and antique Irish style bookcases, where the books are from faraway Ireland. The tasteful Celtic atmosphere may remind you of the film Braveheart.
Address: Shop No. 118, Sea World, Shekou

Tel: 0755-26684496

Russian style: the Cossack's Gate Restaurant & Bar

Chinese understanding of "Cossack" is mainly through And Quiet Flows the Don by Mikhail Sholokhov, a legendary Cossack hero who lived through the First World War. But there might be less people who know there is a modern Cossack here in Shenzhen who speaks very good Chinese and has brought with him classy Cossack food and drinks as well as his family and his dreams. Wei Shagao is his Chinese name. And he presents Cossack culture with his little restaurant on Taizi Road in Shekou.

It was in the 1980s when Wei started to learn Chinese in his hometown St. Petersburg. Ten years ago he arrived in HK and worked in Troika Russian Restaurant, and five years later he came to Shenzhen and set up the first Russian restaurant in southern China. The little restaurant boasts the best and largest supply of champagne, brandy and vodka in Shenzhen. One speciality of the restaurant is caviar, which is something you can't find in many places. Red caviar is about 60 yuan per serving and black caviar is 400 yuan, pretty cheap compared to what you would expect to pay in other countries. Cossack dancing performances are another highlight of this place.

Tips: Expect to pay 300 yuan for two for a meal to remember. Christmas Piggy, a traditional holiday dish for Cossacks, is on offer this holiday season.

Address: F2, Yingbin Building, Taizi Road, Shekou
Tel: 0755-26690722

American Style: Red Rooster's Bar-B-Que-House

This is the bar any bargoer in Shenzhen can't miss. This is also a bar where you might win a part role in a movie or a sitcom. Red Rooster, the first Shekou bar to be started by a Chinese guy named Wang Xuejun in Shekou, has been the scene of many human joys and life's sorrows. Music, decorations and food all give you the feeling that it's an outing in the American countryside. Pretty waitresses are at your beck and call throughout the four rooms, in which 42 caps and many T-shirts dangle from the ceiling and roosters hang from the wall. Apparently, 15 of the waitresses have got married to their guests. Following Magnates in the Special Zone, many other sitcoms and movies have been filmed here.

Tacos with chicken or beef, Fajitas, Texmex Nachos are the specialities of the house. And Bar-B-Que Chicken, Tender Pork Ribs and Country music are what customers remember it for.

Tips: 40 to 60 yuan would be enough for one person to dine there.

Address: F1, Shunfa Building, Gongye Road 1, Shekou
Tel: 0755-26671511

Italian style: Ristorante Italiano/Bar

The restaurant offers plenty of choice for Christmas. Fine wine, a 3-hour live show, from 7-10 p.m., and a well-dressed Santa Claus will make it an unforgettable night. Up on the third floor this is a perfect place to enjoy the fireworks on Minghua Ship on Christmas Eve.

Address: Shop No. 117, Sea World, Shekou

Tel: 0755-26676155

Indian style: the Tandoor India Restaurant

Right opposite Red Rooster is another restaurant run by Wang Xuejun: the Tandoor India Restaurant. Tandoor in Indian means a kind of mud stove that is used for baking Indian pies. The first thing that catches your eyes when you step into the restaurant are the traditional Indian flavors in just a few small dishes. That was brought from Indian and can be used in tea. And it is said that in every Indian dish there are at least 10 kinds of flavor. The delicate tableware, candleholder and paintings on the wall are all traditional Indian style. Through the glass window, you can watch four busy Indian chefs hard at work preparing your meal for you in front of your eyes.

The restaurant serves traditional north Indian style cuisine. The house specialities are Lamb Masala, Chicken Masala and Naah.

Tips: One share of Paratha costs 22 yuan and the same price for a cup of Masala Cha.

Address: F1, Haitao Hotel, Shekou

Tel: 0755 -26836817, 26681688

Japanese style: Ying Ting Japanese Restaurant

The newly open Ying Ting Japanese Restaurant is hot and its outdoor bar has become Shekou's latest attraction. The bar features a romantic garden, wooden tables and chairs, countryside lamps, nests and a swing with flowers. Every night, violinists play Red Hot, City Theme of Vanessa-Mae. What's more, from here you can enjoy the fireworks on Minghua Ship on Christmas Eve.

Address: 1/F, Haijing Square, 18 Taizi Road, Shekou
Tel: 0755-26811031

*Shekou Listings

Amazon Brazilian B.B.Q Bar

Shop No. 112 Seaworld, Shekou (0755-26683388)

ZEN Bar

Shop No. 32-33 Seaworld, Shekou (13802278409)

Japanese Restaurant BAN WA

Nanshan Hotel No. 115, Seaworld, Shekou (0755-26831777)

Amigos Restaurant & Bar

Ground floor Honlux Hotel, Across from McDonald's, Shekou. (0755-26835449)

Sunflower Rock' N' Roll Pub

Seaview Square The First Floor, Taizi Road, Shekou

Thai Amarin

Shop No.88 Sea World, Shekou£¨0755£­26686055£©

Romas Bar & Grill

Taizi Road,£¨Back of Taizi Hotel£©Shekou (0755£­26838492£©

Sea Pearl KTV

Seaworld Square, Shekou£¨0755£­26868488

Little India

Shop No.73, 74 Seaworld, Shekou (0755-26852688)

Editor: Catherine