Making a good cocktail is an art form, and while the Chinese have paper cutting down to a science, mixology is a skill they’re still struggling to master. Lucky for denizens of Shanghai, the Japanese have imported their mature brand of cocktail bars to the city, and this list of Shanghai’s best cocktail bars is definitely populated by Land of the Rising Sun’s offerings. Another happy coincidence, cocktail bars seem to open in packs, so if a cocktail bar crawl is what you desire, these lounges are generally only a few short blocks apart.

Constellation Xinlelu, Shanghai

1) Constellation 酒池星座
With three named locations in its expanding galaxy of stars (not to mention a fourth twinkling “members only” bar known as Southern Cross), the Japanese owners of Constellation have proven they are the masters of the universe when it comes to shaking and stirring in Shanghai. They even have real, live Japanese bartenders molding bespoke ice cubes for the city’s discerning dipsomaniacs.

Constellation IView In Map
Add: 96 Xinle Lu, near Xiangyang Bei Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市新乐路96号
Tel: 021 5404 0970.

Constellation IIView In Map
Add: 1-2/F, 33 Yongjia Lu, near Maoming Nan Lu. Shanghai
地址: 上海市永嘉路33号1-2楼
Tel: 021 5465 5993

Constellation IIIView In Map
Add: 251 Huangpi Bei Lu, near Jiangyin Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市黄陂北路251号
Tel: 021 5375 2712

Southern Cross View In Map
Add: 1276 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Huating Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市淮海中路1276号
Tel: 021 5404 7211

El Coctel, Shanghai

2) El CoctelView In Map
El Coctel makes up for its unoriginal name with its more than creative drinks. The Japanese cocktail joint from Spanish restaurateur Guillermo "Willy" Trullas of el Willy fame, El Coctel spared no expense when stocking its bar or designing the space. The spot for those wanting to feel utterly chic in Shanghai, El Coctel is the perfect place for a nightcap – and a nibble or two; the shortlist of Spanish tapas are divine.

Add: 2/F, 47 Yongfu Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu, Shanghai
地址:上海市永福路47号近复兴西路
Tel: 021 6433 6511

3) AlchemistView In Map
New kid on the block Alchemist goes by many descriptions, but we find the most fitting to be “molecular gastro-pub”. The cocktails made behind the bar are like a drunken science experiment gone right. The Aussie bartender dehydrates olives for martinis, sous vides tequila with capsicums and turns the traditional Long Island Iced Tea into a delicious slushie. Don’t miss the food either, as the menu is as inventive as the drinks.

Add: Sinan Mansions, Block 32, 45 Sinan Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市思南路45号32楼近复兴中路
Tel: 021 6426 0660

 
HoF, Shanghai

4) HoFView In Map
Brain child of baking genius Brian Tan, HoF is a lounge that pairs cocktails with… desserts. Ask any of the waiters to let you know which designer drink goes best with what slice of cake, and settle back for a completely decadent experience. Stick around for a chocolate lesson from Tan, who will wax lyrical about the regional differences of the cacao bean’s flavour profile.

Add: 30 Sinan Lu, near Huaihai Zhong Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市思南路30号近淮海中路
Tel: 021 6093 2058
Website: www.houseofflour.com

5) Glamour BarView In Map
For those who prefer their cocktails with a side of glitz, Glamour Bar is just the spot. Pretty in pink with shine to match, this bar lights up the Bund with its delicious cocktails and impressive view. The people who frequent this fashionable watering hole are as varied as the drink list, so you’re sure to find something (or someone) you like.

Add: 6/F, Five on the Bund, 20 Guangdong Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市中山东一路5号6楼
Tel: 021 6329 3751
Website: www.m-theglamourbar.com

6) ci5View In Map
If this intimate Japanese bar seats 25 patrons and only serves wine and Champagne, so how can it end up on a best cocktails list? Well, ci5 specializes in Champagne cocktails that are tantalizingly good and its exclusivity only adds to the fun. Be prepared to pay a “seating fee” (usually RMB 30 per head), but the drinks are worth it.   

Add:1797 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Wanping Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市淮海中路1797号
Tel: 021 6471 8060

7) KiitosView In Map
A quiet bar across Fuxing from the rowdy Yongfu Lu bar strip, Kiitos isn’t looking to attract the hordes of teachers; it’s a quiet bar perfect for a relaxed, well-made drink. The cocktail menu is extensive, all the drinks are executed with aplomb and there’s low lighting and soft music that can make for a romantic (and slightly sloshed) evening.

Add: 1/F, 127 Yongfu Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市永福路127号1楼
Tel: 021 6431 3787

The Roof, Shanghai

8) The RoofView In Map
Expect old-school Japanese cocktails from this rooftop lounge. Sadly opening as the temperature drops, we can expect this bar to hang on until the seasons change thanks to its hand-chiseled ice cubes and fresh squeezed juice that add that extra little oomph to The Roof’s extensive list of drinks.

Add: 4/F, Bldg 4, 570 Yongjia Lu, near Yueyang Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市永嘉路570弄5号4楼
Tel: 021 6073 7628

9) Mardi GrasView In Map
On the second floor of this casual French bistro is one of the city’s best cocktail and cigar lounges. The legendary European-trained bartender, Keisuke Kerihura, mans the boards at the sunken bar on the second floor of this Spanish villa, mixing up cocktails that are as exquisite as the setting.

Add: 372 Xingguo Lu, near Tai'an Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市兴国路372号近泰安路
Tel: 021 6280 7598

10) MokkosView In Map
This tiny shochu bar used to be one of Shanghai’s best kept secrets, until everyone found out how easily the Japanese liquor goes down. Hidden down a lane in Jing’an, Mokkos boasts a friendly bar staff behind a long wooden bar, private rooms with paper screens for walls and a bathroom with an imported bidet. Order any of the recommended shochu straight, or mixed with lemon and grapefruit for a delicious cocktail.

Add; Room 103, 1245 Wuding Xi Lu, near Wanhangdu Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市武定西路1245号103室近万航渡路
Tel: 021 6212 1114

Shanghai has some cutthroat competition when it comes to the best cocktail bars in the city, and whittling them down to just the top 10 was quite the task. Here’s our list of those who came close, but didn’t quite make the grade.

Honorable Mentions: Vue Bar, Velvet Lounge, Shiva Lounge, People’s 7, Monkey Lounge, Manifesto

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