Whiskey drinkers in Guangzhou have a new spot to check out this month: Polaris.
Located on Huangpu Dadao Xi, this rye-focused bar and restaurant boasts an impressive collection of more than 100 whiskey varieties, including eight notable Japanese bottles and 36 scotch offerings.
The long, thin interior of the restaurant is well decorated and seems like as good of a place as any for a strong drink on a rainy May evening. We order up an old fashioned (RMB45), which arrives mostly true to form, without an icy whiskey ball. Its strong and fragrant flavors hit the spot, although we must admit we’re craving a punch of the straight stuff.
Image by Matthew Bossons/That’s
With a brilliant playlist featuring the likes of Phil Collins, Tom Petty and The Beatles playing over the bar’s sound system, we demand a wee dram of Macallan 12 (RMB70) with a casual fist pound and begin perusing the food menu.
Cow tongue stew. Image by Matthew Bossons/That’s
We order the bar’s mushroom salad (RMB35), which arrives with ample of the namesake fungi drenched in a sweet sesame dressing, along with the cod fish and chips (about as good as a Nova Scotia cod-kiss, RMB48), cow tongue stew (RMB50), Japanese-style steak (RMB68) and fried chicken (RMB50). The stew, steak and salad were f’in delicious and clear winners, although the other dishes were largely forgettable. That said, every edible offering we sample served its purpose: sopping up whiskey.
Japanese-style steak. Image by Matthew Bossons/That’s
When we eventually depart the establishment, we feel tipsy and full of a steadfast appreciation for Polaris’ outstanding specials (drams of Talisker 10, Laphroaig Quarter Cask and Macallan 12 for RMB180, or Johnnie Walker Black, Cardhu Amber Rock and Lagavulin 16 for RMB170).
Overall, a cool spot. The extensive whiskey selection, great music and friendly, fast service make Polaris well worth a visit for whiskey heads.
Price: RMB100-150 per person
Who’s going: whiskey aficionados, Japanese people, Johnnies and walkers
Good for: intimate boozing, an encyclopedia of whiskey choices
Nearest metro: Tiyu Xi Lu (Exit H), 5 minutes’ walk
Open daily, 6pm-2am; see listing for Polaris.
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