All About Bubbles
Champagne and sparkling wine is one of the fastest growing wine categories in China, making inroads into the stronghold French red wines have had on the country’s wine-drinking population. This has meant more bars opening up in Shanghai with a focus on bubbles and more giggly good times for us.
If you are looking for an intimate and rather adorable space that is all about the bubbles, look no further than The Bubbles Bar. This small loft space above Spanish restaurant El Patio is home to the world’s first specialised Freixenet bar.
Freixenet is the world’s biggest selling sparkling wine brand, producing cava, the national fizz of Spain. Its qualities are similar to that of non-vintage champagne and it’s perfect for those who like a drier bubbly experience.
Many of the cocktails on offer at The Bubbles Bar also have Freixenet as a base ingredient. This place is great for date night, or a civilised night out with friends. Prices start from RMB 62 and up for glasses of Freixenet and RMB 65 for cava based cocktails.
If you are looking for a party atmosphere to accompany the party in your fluted glass, Monkey Champagne might be an option for you. The recently rebranded lounge behind Dakota is still a great place to boogie the night away to bangin’ hip-hop beats, but now they want you to do it with a bottle of bubbles at the ready.
There is a decent variety of champagnes and sparkling wines on the menu and, if you’ve ever asked a bartender at Monkey to mix a drink more complex than a vodka and soda, you’ll know it’s not exactly their strong point, so bottles really are the safest bet.
A new and rather upscale option on the scene is Ô Théâtre; a champagne and cocktail lounge on the second floor of
Lyceum Theatre. There are 31 (count ‘em) champagnes on the list, as well as bubblesbased cocktails, including the signature Molecular, which comes compete with gold flakes for “only” RMB 85.
The décor is sleek, black leather and white marble, which adds to the sophisticated atmosphere. Come here when you are looking to impress.
The Bubbles Bar, 3F, 110 Fenyang Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu. Tel: 6437 5839;
Monkey Champagne, 38 Donghu Lu, near Xinle Lu.Tel: 6255 6000. Web: www.houseofmonkey.com;
Ô Théâtre, 2F Lyceum Theatre, 57 Maoming Nan Lu, near Changle Lu. Tel: 60960505. Web: www.otheatre.com.cn
