Bar Review: Shanghai Brewery 2

What: International themed microbrewery takes to the French Concession

Why: You want to go somewhere that everyone will like

How Much: Pints of microbrew beer from RMB 35, cocktails from RMB 45; Entrees RMB 60 and up.

Where: 15 Dongping Lu, near Hengshan Lu

From its fortress of vats in the suburbs of Hongqiao, the Shanghai Brewery has marched headlong into Shanghai’s nightlife scene, carving out a cavernous location smack dab in the middle of it all. Its name is emblazoned on the corner of Dongping Lu and Hengshan Lu, promising great things, but as all of Shanghai’s nightlife faithful know, it takes more than a slick exterior to earn a spot in this town. However, a peep inside the venue shows that the Shanghai Brewery’s invasion was not ill conceived.

The bar and restaurant occupies two floors. Downstairs, you’ll find more casual seating oriented towards grabbing a drink while catching the game or listening to live music. At the bar, you’ll find not only the brewery’s fixed set of house beer, but also an extensive selection of bottled beers, spirits and even draft beers from beyond the microbrew fold – Tiger, Stella Artois, etc. The Shanghai Brewery, despite its passion for beer, doesn’t appear to be a suds snob. Upstairs you’ll find a pizza bar, a pool table, seating for casual dining and in the back, a private room with its own bar.

Foodwise, the chef does international pub food. All the classics that go well with beer, he’s on it. He claims to have the best fish and chips in the city. The buffalo wings (RMB 35) are a must try if you’re into deep-fried chicken wings slathered in spicy sauce. (And really, who isn't?) The bar is also very sports friendly with TVs scattered throughout and a giant projection screen made for big nights. It’s not clear yet whether Shanghai Brewery 2 will end up victorious as the spot to be in the French Concession, but for certain, it is certainly a contender.