Bar Review: 390 Café and Bar
What: A cocktail lounge in the front, rainbow dancehall in the back
Why: Drinks, atmosphere (and maybe patrons) that are classy, but aren’t afraid to get a bit wild
How Much: Draft beers RMB 35 upwards; specialty cocktails RMB 55 upwards; snacks RMB 30 upwards
Where: 390 Panyu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu. Tel: 186 2124 9854
Glitz and glamour aren’t the kinds of things that one associates with Panyu Lu and its surroundings. Long the bastion for those looking for a comfortable, down-to-earth place to live without the pretension (or the rents) of the former French Concession, the area’s nightlife has always been notable for the fact that it doesn’t strive to be notable. The bars here are content to be solid, neighbourhood bars; they aren’t trying to launch the next F&B revolution. But 390 Café and Bar is a bit different; it might not be revolutionary, but it’s going for style.
It’s a shiny bar. Metallic orbs and bright white chandeliers reflect the walls of polished plastic as you walk in, lending a sparkle to the dark floral wallpaper surrounding the lounge area in the front. Walking towards the back, a bright neon marquee reading '390 Shanghai' frames a six panel, underlit, neon stage yearning for the disco days of old. This is definitely going to be a place to boogie down in the evenings, especially for the LGBT community with dedicated dance nights on Friday and Saturdays. There’s also been talk about putting on smaller live music shows during the week.
The drinks prove to be equally as style conscious as the decor. Concocted by alco-wizards Chris Peart (The Alchemist) and Jake Prain (Arcade), Moscow mules, mojitos and martinis alike get dressed up with fancy pants infusions, bitters and syrups. The Mianyang Mule (RMB 60) blends citrus-infused vodka with green tea liqueur, fresh citrus and ginger beer. El Joven Cubano (RMB 60) throws passion fruit into the mix with your run of the mill mojito. Pedro’s New Kilt (RMB 70) goes a bit gonzo in martini land by blending scotch whiskey, sweet cherry, apple juice, fig jam and citrus.
Get ready, Panyu Lu. Here comes the glam.
