Apothecary

What: Beijing institution brings its enormous cocktail list south

Why: You understand the importance of cocktail culture or want to learn

How much: Cocktails RMB 60 – 85, bar nibbles RMB 60 – 190

Where: Bldg 2, 4F, Sinan Mansions, Lane 507 Fuxing Lu, near Chongqing Lu. Tel: 3368 9419

The cocktail renaissance in Shanghai continues unabated with the opening of the Apothecary – a Beijing bar and restaurant that hopes to recreate its northern success in Sinan Mansions. Proprietors Leon Lee and Max Levy, both Americans, champion an ever-changing, 100+ strong list of bespoke cocktails in an effort to raise the bar on mixology education.

Set up as a cross between New Orleans-style brasserie and NYC supper club, Apothecary’s reclaimed wood and brick flourishes lend the fourth floor space an East Village feel. An attention to detail in absolutely everything they create is what sets the place apart from the pack and immediately elevates it to one of the better nightspots in town. Anything that can be made in-house – macerations, infusions, bitters, tonic, syrups, ice – is done so only after painstakingly researching their origin and role in cocktail culture. Through their Beijing-based distributors, the bar also has access to ingredients not available elsewhere in the city, like exclusive rye-based drinks.

Apothecary may strike some as an intimidating experience, but the spirit of the venue is very much inclusive – the staff wants to share with you their enthusiasm for cocktail creation. This extends to the food menu, which is in the process of being fully rolled out and should not to be missed. Although still in soft-opening, the place is already an instant hit. Run like a restaurant rather than a bar, the door is shut if the place is full – reservations are strongly recommended.

CVRVE

What: New high-end cocktail lounge in Shanghai Centre

Why: All-star mixologist staff creates affordable, delicious concoctions

How much: Cocktails RMB 58 – 108

Where: 2F, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Lu, near Xikang Lu. Tel: 6289 8298

After two decades of loyal service, The Long Bar at Shanghai Centre quietly closed its doors late last year. Following a scramble by numerous investors keen on the coveted space, the aptly named CVRVE (pronounced ‘curve’), lead by nightlife entrepreneur Marcus Treamer, emerged as its successor. With this venture, the lounge brings a Bund-like high-end cocktail concept back to the heart of the city to a neighbourhood that lacks a proper cocktail spot.

To show that it means business, CVRVE went out and hired an all-star bar staff that includes Jacob Prain (formerly of Glamour Bar and Chinatown), Pablo Toledo (The Drop, Upper East) and Cross Yu (M1NT). Together the three have devised an eclectic, yet affordable list of cocktails that start at RMB 58 for premium house pours and go up from there. CVRVE caters heavily to the high tea, post-work and pre-club crowd, providing a sophisticated atmosphere in which guests can enjoy their drink and conversation while listening to a mixed bag of jazz, funk and lounge music.

Opening at 11am daily, Chef Enzo Carbone’s Asian-inspired Mediterranean set lunches are available until 5pm, before transitioning to drink-complementing appetisers for the rest of the night. A two hour happy hour will surely be popular with anyone lucky enough to work in the neighbourhood, and the lounge hosts a Tiki 2.0 night every Thursday with special drinks to match. Shanghai is quickly becoming spoiled for cocktail choice.