Bar gossip
Biggest news of the month in Boozeland is that Three on the Bund has finally unveiled its exclusive new hidden bar on the seventh floor. Titled Whisper, entry is for ‘selected guests’ (read: members only). Interiors take their cue from the French boudoirs of New Orleans, with lux upholstery, restored original fireplaces from 1916 and a timber floor inspired by the Palace of Versaille.
On the menu will be a selection of historical New Orleans cocktails, prime Champers and top shelf liquors. Three on the Bund officials are keeping mum about membership, but rest assured – it’ll be tricky.
For those that like their top shelf tipple a little more pianyi, Funky Monkey on Hefei by Chongqing Lu looks to be just the ticket. Newly opened and with a good selection of whiskies, cocktails and hard-to-find spirits, this place has a bar motto we can finally get behind: ‘'Serious Drinks, Great Music, No Wankers.' Read our review here.
EDM fans will be pleased to hear that longstanding dance temple Mook Club has re-opened after a brief renovation. Let joy be unconfined!
For those who like their clubs a little more kinky, Playboy Club has opened where Club Ibiza used to be. 100 percent unsanctioned by Playboy magazine, the club looks to be an intensified version of the bottle-popping, dice-shaking, phone-staring clubs that already exist.
In other news, Bruce juice bar on Changle Lu has gone the way of Judy Garland and started adding booze to their formerly innocent fruit concoctions. Now in a different space a few doors down and renamed Here Café Lounge, owner Bruce mixes up an intoxicating menu of cocktails from RMB48, many with fresh fruit and vegetable juices.
Restaurant gossip
A new season and a slew of new openings for Shanghai diners, starting with Pie Society, who have recently opened their new store on Xingfu Lu. Perfect timing for the incoming cold weather.
Meanwhile on Xinle and Donghu Lu, Gracie’s Ice Cream Cafe has branched out to become ‘Al’s Diner,’ serving a brunch-worthy menu of ‘elevated’ diner classics. With a menu developed by chefs Anna Bautista (Coquille) and Sean Jorgensen (Liquid Laundry), you already know it’s going to be worth a look.
Happy news for patisserie fans – beloved French bakery Farine is branching out into not one, but two new locations: Pudong’s IFC Mall and Hubin Dao Mall nearby Xintiandi.
Speaking of Five Corporate Avenue, this newly opened mall is also host to Baoism’s first brick and mortar store, tucked away in the food court in the basement. Already a hit with lunching office workers, their RMB45 sets are surprisingly filling – and yummy!
Exciting news too for cookie monsters, Strictly Cookies has branched out to a new store in the former Mr. V sandwich shop space on Xiangyang Bei Lu by Xinle Lu. Make sure to check out their limited edition Thanksgiving cookies – this year its sweet potato with marshmallow.
> Feel free to email us any tips, gossip and rumours vicious or otherwise to dining@urbanatomy.com.
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