Cocktail buffs, rejoice! The Public has reopened, re-introducing a premier drinking venue back onto the scene, albeit one much changed from the original Sinan Mansions incarnation. It eschews the former cold modernist feel and reaches for something smaller and quirkier. The result, however, is akin to the living room of an eccentric aunt ?high-backed chairs, uninspired posters and odd seating arrangements make the space feel a little hodge-podge.
Best seats in the house are at the cheerful bar, where cocktails make any interior design deficits melt away. Yao Lu, formerly of The Alchemist, whips up brilliant drinks that keep most of their roots in tradition ?no foams, steams or appletinis. The bar doesn’t take itself as seriously as it used to either. Off a menu of eight drinks (soon to expand), vodka-based Shhwweetie Pie (RMB65) is a frothy surprise: raspberries, blackberries and smashed cucumber wrapped up with a bitter Aperol bite. There’s also Part and Parcel (RMB70), muddling tequila, elderflower and pressed lime. For more traditional tastes, the bar offers classics like an Old Fashioned (RMB70) or the lesser-known Fourth Regiment (RMB70), which marries rye and celery bitters. As for food, the juicy fried chicken dinner (RMB125) remains, listed alongside treats like sweet potato fries (RMB45) to tide over hungry tipplers.
See listing here.
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