We might be a few years behind our Japanese neighbors, but whisky is big business in Shanghai. Both locals and expats alike can’t get enough of it. Luckily for us, Revive – the newest watering hole to hit the former French Concession – happens to be blessed with one of the largest whisky and shochu collections we’ve seen recently.
Set above newly opened French steakhouse Chez Maurice and jazz bar Heyday, Revive is compact and minimally decorated; you won’t find any Chesterfield couches or gentleman’s club paraphernalia here. Seating accommodates five groups of six, plus 10 at the bar. For warmer months, a nice al fresco rooftop terrace awaits.
Helming the bar on weekends is experienced barman Neal Shen (above), former chief bartender at Japanese cocktail den Papaya. Shen is capable of making good drinks off the cuff, and the bar has no printed cocktail menu.
If you’re not in the mood for his classic Old Fashioned (above), name a spirit and flavor and he will create a custom cocktail for you. We were particularly fond of his tart variation on a Tom Collins (below), but not so much the watery shochu-based martini with an odd taste reminiscent of pickled ginger.
Whisky drinkers will doubtlessly find enough choices to entertain them for hours, with an excellent, truly global selection of 64 varieties by the glass and many more by the bottle. Prices start at RMB65 for reserves like the Speyside Cragganmore 12-year, or the Highland Glenmorangie 10-year.
If you like your dram on the rocks, ice here is of reasonably good quality and is carved into the Japanese-style spherical shape. For shochu drinkers, Revive has 73 labels from RMB300/bottle. That menu is in Chinese only, but the professional English-speaking staff are happy to assist.
Price: Whisky from RMB54
Who’s going: whisky loving locals and expats
Good for: dates, small groups, cocktails
See a listing for Revive Bar
Read more Shanghai Bar Reviews
0 User Comments