Traveling to Panyu for a bite to eat always results in a bittersweet ending. Either the trip was a waste and you’re left with newfound appreciation for Xingsheng Lu, or the restaurant was amazing but you’re out a tank of gas. Shakers, the artiest new cocktail bar south of the Pearl River, easily falls into the latter category. If it were only a metro stop away, we’d be regulars.
That said, Guangzhouers should take heart: Shakers mixes things up with laid-back tunes and chipper bartenders reminiscent of small-town pubs back home. Even the layout of the bar is conducive to chatting. Customers can recline on short bar stools at eye level with the cocktail masters, who stand on a lowered floor behind the counter. Backlit wooden shelves house spirits seldom seen in mainland bars, including Old Tom Gin and goji berry liquor.
Mack Roth, cofounder of the new bar and restaurant, is a breath of fresh air amidst the stuffy cocktail scene in Guangzhou. A down-to-earth mixology expert and graffiti artist on the side, Mack wants customers to feel at ease at Shakers. “We’re not here to turn people away – if someone needs more sugar in their drink or likes it a tad stronger, we’ll be happy to alter it without adding an extra RMB30 to the tab,” he assures.
Clientele are welcome to say as little as “something sour” when ordering. Mack will do the rest. With homemade concoctions like the Citrus Paradisi (RMB48), a tangy combination of Bacardi rum, lime juice, egg white, sugar and Monin’s coconut syrup, Shakers certainly has the goods to impress. Even better, their cocktail menu comes with a clever alcohol barometer to clue guests in on how strong their order truly is. The Day After Tomorrow (RMB58), for example, is listed as the strongest, with an intimidating lineup of Bacardi 151, vodka, Erguotou, Drambuie, Cointreau, brandy and whiskey. Hops fans can enjoy BrewDog’s Punk IPA on tap, while richer palates will be glad to see draught Neu Blk.
A ring of couches line a stage at the front of the room promising future live solo acts and smooth acoustic guitar. Upstairs, electronic dartboards and a pool table add momentum to the night, while the ground floor remains primed for cozy dining. Shakers offers a few phenomenal dishes, including the deep-fried fish tacos with fresh lime, salsa and chipotle (RMB55) and Bourbon whiskey oysters shipped in daily (RMB68). The Buffalo wings (RMB45) have a nice kick but come too salty, while the burgers are lackluster compared to other menu highlights.
Still, with a name like Shakers, it’s clearly all about the cocktails. And with inventive drinks surfacing daily and professional cocktail classes for rookies hoping to learn the trade, this fresh Panyu face is stirring up one attractive brew.
Price: Approx. RMB90
Good for: Personalized cocktails, electronic darts
Who’s going: The Panyu art crowd, cocktail geeks
// Listing.
0 User Comments