Night Talk: Four New Venues

Craft

What: Hidden away cocktail lounge that specialises in all things vodka

Why: Because you adore clear, colourless distilled beverages

How much: Cocktails RMB 60 – 75; Samplers RMB 98 – 298

Where: 2F, Donghu Hotel, 7 Donghu Lu. Tel: 139 1798 5763

For the uninitiated, Craft can be a challenge to find. Facing the Donghu Hotel’s southern building next to Wagas – opposite the street’s row of restaurants – enter the small lane on the left side of the building and go up the stairs past the teppanyaki joint. If you find yourself in front of a stairway to Club Cinderella, you’ve gone too far. Craft’s owner Jerrica Lee seems to like the obscurity – it’s the first of the many unique facets of the quirky little bar.

Craft joins Shanghai’s growing list of specialised bars as its vodka representative. Russian, Polish, Ukrainian, Scandinavian, Kiwi, American and a smattering of Western European nations all have delegates behind the long concrete bar – 34 brands in all. Together with Lee, former Manifesto bartender Adam Deverman developed the cocktail menu, and it features homemade infusions from local ingredients like teas, flowers and fruits. Best yet, for vodka noobs or people looking to get their party started, sampler ‘flights’ come in three levels of five shots each.

The bar itself is divided between the long bar and a cosier, more intimate area at the end of the room with comfy seating, candlelit tables and a fake hearth. Inspired by Lee’s world travels, the mixed bag of industrial piping, reclaimed woods and dark colours gives the space an unassuming feel. Coupled with the lounge tunes on the stereo system, Craft makes for an excellent pre- or post-dinner destination – that is if you can find it.