Opening a bar with friends… what could go wrong? Well, a lot. Plenty of friendly partnerships go from hugs to a ‘closed’ sign in months – that’s why we approached UB Whisky & Cocktail with a bit of skepticism.
Located in Futian’s Shixia, UB is hidden enough that you’ll look very in-the-know leading your friends behind a shopping mall and into the indirectly lit space where real candles illuminate tables and a collection of spirits sit on a two-story-tall shelf.
Comfortable high seats line the long pine bar, which is wide enough to pull a Coyote Ugly to the reggae-infused deep house, though we need to say it is played a bit too loud – unfortunately par for the course in these parts.
Though UB won’t be unseating The Peat or Whisky Life for the ‘best selection’ title, it does stock some gems like the medium-peat Bowmore 12 (RMB78).
But anyone can serve whisky, right? We test the mixologist’s mettle with a RMB88 Makiyo. Served in a bamboo cup it is garnished with slices of pear, a cherry and a dusting of sugar. It is a dollop of sweet and sour brought on by the combination of lemon juice and mint syrup mixed with Absolut pear vodka – clearly aimed at the ladies or anyone with a sweet tooth.
Perhaps the most original drink we try – and something we would order again – is the RMB88 sushi cocktail. The wasabi taste comes in early but doesn’t overwhelm the whisky, apple juice and other ingredients.
Moving to something more traditional, the old fashioned (RMB88, noticing a price pattern?) skewers to the sweet – but no matter, if you know how you want your drink made, they will do it. You see, the friends that started the bar are more likely to chat with you than make you a drink; a task left to professional wait staff.
When we visit on a Tuesday, well-dressed customers with slicked back hair filter in, but all possibility of pretension is cut by a deer bust bedazzled with a bowtie and hung from the second-floor space.
Leaving UB Whisky & Cocktail, we’re happy to report that although friend founded, it manages to balance the ‘everyone-knows-your-name’ vibes with the hallmarks of a professional cocktail stop.
Price: RMB88
Who’s going: Shixia cocktail sippers, friends of friends
Good for: dark dates, wasabi-themed cocktails
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