How can you not drink when you’re in Shanghai? As the most open and international metropolis in China, Shanghai undoubtedly boasts the best bars in the country.
Emerging alcohol cultures such as “cocktail delivery” and “community bars” all originated in Shanghai.
So, before coming to Shanghai this time, I specifically consulted my bartender friends and combined their recommendations with my own experiences to bring you five professionally recommended bars in Shanghai!
1.Huantao Bistro
This is Li Dan’s favorite bar, featuring various natural wines (wines made with minimal human intervention).
For those who haven’t tried natural wines before, it’s highly recommended to give them a try here.
You’ll find a significant difference compared to regular wines. In other cities, natural wine bars are relatively rare.
The atmosphere of the bar is similar to that of a high-end Japanese restaurant – simple, quiet, and focused on the quality of the wine and food.
It’s suitable for dates and conversations. A glass of wine is around 90 yuan, which is a reasonable price.
2.COA
The COA in Shanghai is the same as the one in Hong Kong, which has been named the best bar in Asia for three consecutive years.
The decor and drinks are exactly the same. The entire bar has a Mexican theme, with many cocktails inspired by Mexican cuisine.
The flavors are quite unique (the base liquor often includes tequila, with added flavors of chili and cocoa). The bar has a high-end vibe, with a bouncer at the entrance, similar to an American-style nightclub.
The most unique feature of the bar is the third floor, which is a tasting area for Mexico’s national liquor, tequila.
Due to limited space, it’s invitation-only, but not based on status. Anyone interested in spirits can go (you need to actively ask the staff, as they don’t usually introduce the third floor to regular cocktail customers).
Despite the high-end atmosphere, the prices are very affordable. A regular glass of tequila is only a few dozen yuan. The staff will give you a detailed explanation of the history and production of tequila, inquire about your preferences to recommend a tequila that suits your taste, and analyze the specific flavors of each one you try.
The overall experience is top-notch. Spending two to three hundred yuan on a tequila tasting class is very worthwhile.
Additionally, the owner is the type of person who can chat about anything, making it a great place to visit when you’re feeling lonely.
3.Paal
This bar comes highly recommended by two of my bartender friends!
The style of the bar is very unique, unlike anything I’ve been to before.
The decor is very cozy, with only one long table, much like a dining table at home. It really gives you a sense of being at home and makes you feel very relaxed.
It also creates a strange sense of connection with the strangers sitting next to you. The drinks are also excellent.
The bar’s strongest drink is a brandy made from dried lychees, with a very rich candied fruit aroma without losing the pure taste of alcohol.
4.Ex-Stock
The bar is small, with only a circular bar counter where customers sit around. The bar specializes in classic cocktails and their variations, making it a more traditional cocktail bar.
They offer everything from rich Negronis to refreshing gin and tonics. The menu changes every few months, with popular drinks remaining available (although one of my bartender friends mentioned that some of their mixing steps are not professional).
5.Dreamsicle
This is a lively cocktail bar with energetic staff who are fun to chat and play with.
It’s suitable for friends to hang out, chat, or play drinking games.
It gets busy around 9 or 10 pm. Around 2 or 3 am, when other bars close, bartenders gather here for a drink.
The bar’s philosophy is to make drinks that taste as they should, not fancy but with authentic flavors.
However, the bar only serves low-alcohol drinks, so those looking for a buzz might want to go elsewhere.
6.NL Bar
Finally, I’d like to share a bar I discovered myself. This bar is located near Daxue Road in Yangpu District.
I didn’t have high expectations for a cheap bar near a university, thinking it would just be a place to trick students with low prices.
However, the quality of the drinks was surprisingly good! I tried two high-alcohol specialty cocktails, and both were very tasty.
The prices are mostly around 68 to 78 yuan. The bar also hosts open mic nights every week and occasional social events.
The two glasses in the picture above are the same drink, which changes color after a while.
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