[Shanghai] The Public

The Public

Add: Sinan Mansions, Block 2, 4/F, Lane 507 Fuxing Zhong Lu / 复兴中路507弄2号楼4楼
Tel: 3368 9419
Hours: [Wed-Sun] 6:00pm~late
Price: 65~80 RMB/cocktail
Visited: Feb 2012

The Public, recently rebranded from The Apothecary, is a cocktail lounge in the Sinan Mansions neighborhood. It’s my preferred type of place where the music isn’t so loud – you can actually have a conversation. The drinks menu features fine cocktails that are hand-crafted from house-infused spirits and bitters, fresh juices, fruits and syrups, while the food menu lists an appealing selection of some all-time favorite comfort foods (think charcuterie and sweet potato fries)…and all held together by smooth and efficient service.

For those who are overwhelmed by the extensive drinks menu, take a look at their list of “Auspicious Eight”, an abridged collection of eight of The Public’s most popular cocktails.

Here are a few we sampled, starting with my favorite for the evening – The Kind (70 RMB): Ketel One vodka, grapefruit and lime juice, a tad of black pepper, cinnamon and lime syrups, house-made ginger beer, soda. “This Tiki-style Moscow Mule variation takes the too-easy original and pumps up the spice and fruit variables for a pungent, dry drink that’ll tickle your taste buds.”


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[Beijing] The Opposite House

The Opposite House

Add: Bldg 1, Sanlitun Village North, 11 Sanlitun Lu 三里屯路11号三里屯Village北区1号楼
Tel: 6417 6688
Website: www.theoppositehouse.com
Visited: Nov 2011

The Opposite House in Beijing Sanlitun, along with The Upper House (home to Cafe Grey Deluxe) in Hong Kong, is part of Swire Hotels‘ house collections. It’s designed by world-famous Kengo Kuma (隈 研吾), and yes, it is high on style. A unique feature of the hotel is that its lobby serves as an exhibition space – here are some snapshots:



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