Shanghai's Top Japanese Bars
Tired of beer/wine/whiskey bars packed with laowai's? Loud laughing, thumping bass, and the same people you meet again and again… Japanese are well known for their sophistication and excellence when it comes to creating marvelous cocktails in a quiet, relaxing atmosphere. Indulge yourself with a little bit of that magic, and here are a bunch of great places to do it.
CLOSLESS
Address: Jinxian Lu 169 Building 561 swallow Restaurant
Phone: 021 52385960
Closless is a very nice, albeit tiny, traditional Japanese cocktail bar. Most of the bartenders are Japanese, as are many of their authentic ingredients. It’s a bit difficult to find, but worth the trouble. They display charming naughty pictures, don’t criticize, it’s art. One drink will cost you around RMB 50-80.
TSUKIJI AOZORA SANDAIME
Address: 191 Changle Lu, near Maoming Nan Lu, 30 Shaanxi Nan Lu, near Yan'an Zhong Lu
Phone: 021 5466 1817
Excellent sashimi, good selection of sake and friendly service come at a premium price.
MOKKOS
Address: 1245 Wuding Xi Lu, Room 103, near Wanhangdu Lu
Phone: 021 6212 1114
Off a dead street with a dimly lit entrance, Mokkos is definitely a rite of passage to say you've truly lived and loved in shanghai. Small enough to be intimate but not claustrophobic. Their cocktails, sake, and soju concoctions are basically a love story for your palette. Coffee, plum, papaya a full range of flavor in delicate mixtures. We would recommend you to come with a large group in one of their intimate VIP rooms, or at their amazing bar.
AVENUE JOFFRE
Address: 570 Yongjia Lu
Phone: 021 6029 9725
Amazing cocktails made by a Japanese artists in authentic Ginza-style. There you will find impressive Japanese hospitality. The smiley staff have a helpful attitude that might make you wonder if you are still in China. Have you just been teleported into an immaculate, super modern bar in a Tokyo district? No no, you are still on Yongjia Lu.
SHINTORI
Address: 803 Julu Lu, near Fumin Lu
Phone: 021 6029 9725
To find this place you need to look very carefully… cross the bamboo forest and you arrive in a new world. Actually it’s a factory maybe someone has left long ago. Eye catching industrial/minimalist design for a fine diner venue. We recommend you to sit upstairs, which affords an awesome opportunity to watch the open kitchen. This place has been included in this listing for its expetional sake parings with dishes. It's worth it for a special occasion or if you don't mind spending RMB 600/1000 (per person) on a dinner.
CONSTELLATION
Constellation 1,2,3,4,5… These places are sprinkling the city now. Constellation was here long before cocktails became trendy again. Fantastic for alcohol lovers since it boasts a wide variety of liquors, cocktails and wines. There are numerous Japanese whiskies you can admire from sitting at the counter. Half the seats are at the bar and the other half are couches across the room. You can notice their Ginza style abilities by having a sight on the design of ice cubes used.
OJI
Address: 99 Taixing Lu, Bldg A, 3/F, Room A2, near Wujiang Lu
Phone: 1316 277 3450
One of the best hidden bars in the city, you definitely won’t just stumble upon this one! For first timers: it's located on the 5th floor, the same floor as El Ocho. As you as enter El Ocho, go straight on the left where the bathroom sign is located. But instead of going to the bathroom, pick up the phone on the wall and push the door in front of you.
Mr Oji-san is the Star behind the bar. He doesn't need a drink menu...because he is one! So don't rush to have a fast drink, take your time and enjoy…Great service, chill ambience, and consistently delicious, tailored cocktails. It's a small space so be sure to book ahead.
THE ROOF
Address: 570 Yongjia Lu, Surpass Court, Bldg 5, 4/F, near Yueyang Lu
Phone: 021 6073 7628
Maybe the least cocktail-focused venue of this list, but still needs to be mentioned. As its name should tell you, The Roof is located… on a roof. Nothing The terrace is nicely decorated with lavender and mint wraped around all of the banquet seats on the north side, giving the view of the bund a spectacular bonus. The staff is great, quick to react, kind, and always ready to mix a cocktail that is not necessarily on their list. It's a nice and cozy place for relaxing with friends, definitely worth a try or two, or three. The serving size and the quality of their appetizers, cheese and meat platters, pastas and salads has been has a high price/quality ratio.
SOMA LOUNGE
Address: 388 Madang Lu, Soho Fuxing, 1/F, Room D103, near Fuxing Zhong Lu
Phone: 021 6331 9198
Soma Lounge is a high-end lounge bar where you can get oysters, seafood platters and cocktails. What you can’t miss in this place is the 3D screen which is obviously impressive. Great cocktails fixed by professional bar tenders with attractive names: Soma Lady (Yogurt Liqueur, Dry Gin, Lychee Syrup,) or the sakura Cup (Old Tom Gin, Osmanthus Liqueur,) . Well balanced and tasty. A bit pricey though, but the location and the skills more than make up for it.
TAI'AN 50 REVIVE BAR
Address: 50 Tai'an Lu, 4/F, near Xingguo Lu
Phone: 021 6203 1558
Located above Chez Maurice and Heyday Lounge (and with the same owner) Revive Bar is a pretty low-key name in the Whisky bar’s panorama. Don’t let that fool you though, there’s a great selection of Japanese whiskies, with Japanese speaker behind the bar. Nice rooftop is a big bonus as well.
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