In Asia, massage parlors aren’t always what they seem. This is true of Ciyuntang, although it’s taken the concept in a wildly different direction.
Behind a slate-gray panel and row of plastic bamboo is a spacious snack spot sporting red lanterns and Chinese paintings. And behind that, past a door disguised as decoration, is the main attraction: a hip hop-blasting party hub and bar, complete with upstairs cocktail lounge.
On weekdays, the lounge attracts most visitors, who can choose from a wide variety of single malt scotches and other liquors in addition to some very special cocktails.
How special? We’d dare to say that no other bar in Shenzhen makes drinks with seaweed-infused Talisker whiskey – which, with its mix of salt and peat, is pretty bomb. And though baijiu cocktail fever has yet to make its way down south, Ciyuntang has that too, with a ‘steamed’ drink (RMB98) adding in passionfruit jam and lemon juice.
Not all of the cocktails are hits: the sakura bath (RMB98), for instance, both looks and tastes like hard pink lemonade. For the same price, though, a Kyoto spa impresses with a tasteful blend of sweet chrysanthemum gin and bitter perilla leaf.
Drinkers who’d rather not pay the price for high-end liquors can simply step downstairs for beers and mixed drinks (RMB35-48), not to mention a small, neon-lit dance floor. It’s empty on a Monday night, although we’re told the place is packed during weekly parties.
It’s not hard to imagine. As hits from Drake and Frank Ocean play, in-the-know drinkers keep trickling into the upstairs ‘English-style’ bar.
They’re undoubtedly drawn in by Ciyuntang’s eclectic mix of upscale cocktails with club vibes, all with a Chinese twist. The so-called massage parlor may be a little weird, but it’s certainly original in its approach to bring customers a happy ending to the night.
Price: RMB35-98 per drink
Who’s going: cocktail connoisseurs, hip hop lovers
Good for: unique drinks, hidden doors
Nearest metro: Taoyuan (Exit D), 13 minutes
See listing for Ciyuntang Traditional Massage.
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