As all cocktail lovers know, it’s not just about the buzz. A proper cocktail bar provides an experience that can be savored even after the glasses are empty. Of course, good mixology is also important for the success of a night out; a bad drink can sour your mood, while amazing creations uplift it.
The bars listed here go above and beyond when it comes to both ambience and the taste factor. Each is unique, which is why we can’t even begin to rank them. Or to put it another way — no matter which one you visit, you’ll always find a winner.
A01
At A01, it's easy to hold an intimate conversation with a few close friends. In fact, those who talk too loudly might find themselves firmly escorted from the premises. In the rarefied atmosphere of the bar, customers get to sip creative drinks that appeal to the eyes just as much as the tastebuds, such as the 'Jasmine likes it' (RMB95) shown above.
Read our full review here. See listing for A01.
Ciao Amici Whisky and Cocktails
This new entry has shown its chops with artistically-arranged cocktails that feature some eye-catching ingredients: for instance, the cigar smoke-infused Pop Negroni (RMB128). The environment isn't too shabby either, with an Art Deco theme that fits the bar's trendy vibe. Ladies can also spritz on one of three designer perfumes offered (for free!) in the restroom.
Read our full review here. See listing for Ciao Amici Whisky and Cocktails.
The Compass
It may be housed in a flashy downtown hotel, but tracking down this speakeasy-style bar (requiring swipe access for the elevator) can be quite a task. The sense of exclusivity only adds to its appeal, however. With sophisticated mixed drinks, a stunning view, and friendly bartenders who know their stuff, The Compass rightly deserves its reputation as a classy — if pricey — hangout.
Fannou House
Hidden inside an antique store in artsy-fartsy OCT-Loft, this bar practically reeks of Old World class: fancy chandeliers cast their light over darkly varnished furniture, including a 200-year-old piano. With such a unique setup, you might expect the owners to rely on appearances alone to draw in customers. Luckily, the drinks live up to their environment, and the bartenders are expert at whipping up custom concoctions.
Read our full review here. See listing for Fannou House.
Lavo
When musical acts take the stage at Lavo, it becomes packed. Even when there’s just a lone DJ playing jazz or funk, the place doesn’t lack for customers. It’s easy to see the appeal—strategically dim lighting and colorful décor, along with some standout cocktails like the red carpet (RMB88), set Lavo apart from its less sophisticated peers. It may be a tad too noisy for a heart-to-heart, but it’s undoubtedly fun.
Read our full review here. See listing for Lavo.
Mokihi
This place may look unassuming from the outside, but rest assured: the people behind the bar know their stuff. The drinks menu is updated seasonally, but the Mokihi Special Moscow mule (RMB88), made with homemade ginger beer, is a perennial classic. The interior design is upscale but also understated, allowing you to focus on your conversation as well as your choice of beverage.
Read our full review here. See listing for Mokihi.
The Peat
Contrary to popular belief, cocktails come in more than just the ‘girly’ variety. The Peat may be a shrine to whiskey, neat, but it also serves up a mean mixed drink. The most unique of them, like gingery The Peat One (RMB108), are based around the bar’s signature smoky spirits, but there are also other options (vodka, for instance).
That said, if you don’t like the bar’s main draw, this may not be your cup of whiskey-spiked tea.
Read our full review here. See listing for The Peat.
Peacock
Don't be put off by the bar's seemingly small size: the second floor offers plenty of seating options as well as a pool table. Peacock has a chill and low-key vibe, despite its name. The bar serves up clever renditions of classics as well as a few innovations of its own, like the fruity, gin-based New York iced tea (RMB90), not to be confused with its Long Island cousin.
Read our full review here. See listing for Peacock.
Providence
If you like to enjoy your alcohol in peace and quiet, set your course for Providence. The décor is sleek yet discreet; the ambience calm. And the drinks? Well-crafted and even inventive. The Benton's old fashioned (RMB118), for example, incorporates 'bacon washed bourbon.' Owner Beck Salander is also extra fastidious about the quality of the liquors stocked behind the bar.
Read our full review here. See listing for Providence.
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