Here's where to celebrate World Gin Day tonight in Shanghai

Photograph: Yang Xiaozhe

Raise your glass to World Gin Day today (Saturday 9 June). From buy-one-get-one-free G&Ts to special cocktail creations to a gin degustation menu, here's where to have a very gin-fuelled day. Cause, you know what they say… when life gives you lemons, make a gin and tonic.  

Gin Library at URBAN Lounge

Photograph: courtesy The Sukhothai Shanghai

At URBAN Lounge, they take their gin seriously. The menu – or Gin Library as they call it – features an extensive collection of gins with over 100 different labels on offer, a selection of tonics and garnishes, and twists of five signature gin cocktails capturing the best of the spirit. Plus, at the moment, G&Ts are buy-one-get-one-free every day from 6-8pm.  

URBAN Lounge First Floor, The Sukhothai Shanghai, 380 Weihai Lu, near Shimen Yi Lu.

Negronis at The Cannery 

Photograph: Yang Xiaozhe

As well as serving an excellent classic negroni – equal parts gin, Campari and vermouth – The Cannery takes a spin on the iconic gin cocktail with a cold drip negroni, which adds cold drip coffee and chocolate bitters to the mix. And because it's also Negroni Week, negronis are down to 50RMB each.

The Cannery 1107 Yuyuan Lu, near Jiangsu Lu. Until Sun 10. 11.30am-1am.

Gin-spiration Cocktail Degustation

Photograph: courtesy Grand Hyatt Shanghai

Journey through a five-course cocktail degustation with a gin-inspired menu at the Grand Hyatt Shanghai created by Executive Sous Chef Matthew Demery and Spirits Box’s Hannah Keirl. The courses are inspired by the changing nature of gin through history and flavours across five countries, starting at Italian restaurant Cucina and ending the night at the 87th-floor bar Cloud 9. Spaces are limited and reservations are a must, call to book (5047 8838). 

Cucina and Cloud 9 56th and 87th Floors, Grand Hyatt Shanghai, Jin Mao Tower, 88 Century Avenue, near Dongtai Lu, Pudong. Sat 9. 7pm-1am. 888RMB. 

Gin Hour at Glam

Photograph: Yang Xiaozhe

At M’s Glam, every day is gin day. From 5-7pm, there's a whole menu devoted to happy hour gin cocktails at 48RMB a pop. The featured tipples include the likes of the Shanghai Dream (Peddlers Gin infused with tea, elderflower liquor, kuei hua chen chew and egg white), a James Bond martini (gin, vodka, Lillet, shaken – not stirred), and the Glamolini Pangolin (Crimson Pangolin gin, grenadine, lime, cucumber and soda water).

Glam M on the Bund, 20 Guangdong Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu. 5-7pm daily.

Alfresco G&Ts at Mercado

Photograph: Cat Nelson

The newly opened Spanish deli, restaurant and bar Mercado 505 has got a huge terrace, perfect for throwing back one of the many kinds of G&Ts on the menu at 50-85RMB a pop – from Nordés with grape to Kew Organic Gin with fresh basil. 

Mercado 505 Wulumuqi Bei Lu, near Huashan Lu. 11am-late daily.

Gin Terrace Party at Chin Chin by Wheat

Photograph: courtesy Chin Chin by Wheat

Chin Chin by Wheat will be marking the holiday with a terrace party (from 6pm) featuring an outdoor gin bar serving G&Ts for 30RMB (50RMB for premium gins) and a Beefeater raffle. Plus, every afternoon through the summer, it's 150RMB for free-flow house gin and tonics from 5-9pm.

Chin Chin by Wheat 291 Fumin Lu, near Donghu Lu. Sat 9. 6pm-late.

BottlesXO's gin deals all weekend

Photograph: courtesy BottlesXO

Booze delivery app BottlesXO gets into World Gin Day spirit, offering up to 15 percent off all its gin products. From bottles of artisanal gins to cocktail making sets, you'll find all the good stuff you need to be-gin the weekend celebrations. 

Download the BottleXO app for more details.

Draft G&Ts at Bar Centrale

Photograph: courtesy Popolo

Crimson Pangolin pops up at Bar Centrale with a DIY G&T trolley. The G&Ts (45RMB) are pre-mixed and ready on tap and it's up to you add the final touches – from fresh herbs, flowers, spices, dry fruits and more.

Bar Centrale 135 Yanping Lu, near Wuding Lu. Sat 9. 4pm till late. 

New gin cocktails at The Rooster

Photograph: @roosterchina (Instagram)

Tonight, The Rooster is celebrating the much-loved spirit with three new gin cocktails at 45RMB each.

The Rooster 455 Shaanxi Bei Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu. Sat 9. 6pm till late.

Peddlers summer cocktails at The Westin

Photograph: @peddlersgin (Instagram)

Shanghai’s first gin distillers Peddlers Gin have devised a menu of three cocktails (108RMB each) especially for World Gin Day at The Westin's Niche Bar & Lounge. Think summery tropical, roasted and spicy and luxuriously refreshing flavours with A Gin in June, Summer BBQ and Gin Gold. The best bit? They're buy-one-get-one-free from 5pm.

Niche Bar & Lounge The Westin Bund Center, Shanghai, 88 Henan Zhong Lu, near Guangdong Lu. Sat 9. From 5pm-tba.

More from Time Out Shanghai

More from Time Out Shanghai