Like David Bowie, you may sometimes wonder: is there life on Mars? Well, we don’t know for sure, but we do know that there is a Life on Mars cocktail bar in Shenzhen.
We ventured into OCT Loft in search of this bar on a Friday evening. It was just days after Typhoon Mangkhut and signs of the destruction could still be seen here and there. Destructive as the typhoon was, though, it had not blown away the bar staff's hospitality.
Image by Jonathan Zhong/That's PRD
Upon approaching the bar’s midnight–blue framed door, we were greeted by one very welcoming bartender, and through the glass behind him we could see a counter table against the dim yet warm coppery light. On one side of the countertop sat a man, the bar’s owner, Ross, as we later learned, looking all geared-up for another busy night – or for him, another cozy night, rather.
Image by Jonathan Zhong/That's PRD
After a firm handshake, Ross introduced us to the menus: one set menu and one seasonal menu. The set menu, which consists of a wide variety of alcoholic beverages ranging from fruity and floral to refreshing drinks to hard liquors such as whiskey, rum, mezcal and gin, amongst others, was quite the eyecatcher with its artistically designed metal cover. The seasonal menu, while only containing one page, is updated every few weeks with newly designed drinks.
We began our visit by sampling the so-called ‘crowd pleaser’ Lavender Lady (RMB98): a mix of Beefeater gin, lavender, peach, kaffir lime leaf, lemon and egg white. The concoction was refreshing, with a mild, fruity-sour flavor. On top of it all was a layer of creamy egg white that exuded a pleasant lavender aroma, perfect for relaxing the mind after a long and busy day.
Image by Jonathan Zhong/That's PRD
As we sipped our Lavender Lady, Ross, who left his hometown of York in the UK to first venture to Australia and now China, told us that one of the core ideas at Life on Mars is to always stay adventurous. This is reflected not only in their constantly changing seasonal menu, but also in the vibe of the bar.
Although Ross is British, he feels that he is generally more relaxed and less formal than his compatriots. This attitude informs the way he wants his bar to be: social, cozy and relaxing. That’s why you might find the staff here to be more than just bar staff but friends who like to reach out to the customers sitting before them and engage them in fun, little chats. And, as friends, mini lockers are available for customers to store unfinished bottles so they can enjoy them the next time they stop by.
Image by Jonathan Zhong/That's PRD
After the Lavender Lady, we geared ourselves up for a heavy hitter, Mezzed My Berries Off (RMB118). This fruity drink is the bar’s best-seller. In this case, it was not the aroma but the appearance of the drink that first arrested our attention. Colored a shade of ruby, thanks to the raspberry puree, the drink unleashed a chain reaction of flavors when it hit the palate: the bitter orange was met with the sweet and sour flavor of raspberries, and just before you feel like you’ve had enough, the mezcal kicks in and completes the taste, prompting you to go in for another sip.
Image via Ross/Life on Mars
Of course, this review would’t be complete without mentioning the bar’s atmosphere. Located within OCT Loft, Life on Mars indeed takes on the artistic feel of the area. The whole lounge is distinctively colored with midnight blue and copper, resulting in an ambience that can only be described as calming and elegant.
Image by Jonathan Zhong/That's PRD
With such a wide range of bevvies couple with a warm and artistic atmosphere (along with seasonal surprises), Life on Mars is a great new space for Shenzhen cocktail connoisseurs to ponder the day’s events over a boozy elixir.
Price: RMB90-120
Who’s going: cocktail enthusiasts, socialites, laid-back drinkers
Good for: unique and customized cocktails, cozy chats, great photos
Nearest metro: Qiaochengbei (Exit C), 10 minutes
Open daily, 6pm to 2am; see listing for Life on Mars Cocktail Bar.
[Cover image by Jonathan Zhong/That's PRD]
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