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| No Ice, Thanks |
| 02.26.04 (11:57 pm) [edit] |
Winter is here - and don't we know it. While many of the city's tipplers hibernate at home or head to warmer climes for a few Sex on the Beaches, those left behind find the number of revellers is low, the chill factor is high and taxis are scarce. But not all is bad news for those loyal souls who stick to the Shanghai bar circuit. To thaw the barroom freeze during late December, the city's bars and clubs tend to roll out the drink specials to tempt back patrons while also adding warm weather brews like Glűhwein (mulled wine)to their menu.
A staffer at German restaurant and bar Paulaner Brauhaus told that's that despite its prime tourist-catching real estate at Xintiandi, bad weather sees fewer drinkers cross their threshold: "There is definitely a big change," he said. Also, those who did venture out to Paulaner like to sip red wine, Glűhwein, coffee or hot chocolate, rather than summertime favourites like their homebrewed wheat beers. Well-established bars Face and Vino see no need to change their existing formulas. However, Face does sell more hot and infused drinks while Vino reports selling more red wine.
For some bars, winter is a season to consolidate, and for others it's a time to try new ideas. At the venerable old Irish bar O'Malleys, winter is "a chance to recuperate," according to general manager Sean McIlroy. He uses the downtime to focus on training his staff, maintain the premises, and this year, renovate the latest addition to their stable, Sasha's and Fernando's restaurants. Mc Ilroy also sees to it that his customers can always enjoy a seat by a roaring fire. "I have two or three customers who come in religiously for the fire, which makes the inside cosy," he said. One customer - either a frustrated Boy Scout or a closet pyromaniac - turns up every day, helps the staff light the fire, has a couple of drinks, then goes home. In general, McIlroy says, bars "have to make themselves more attractive." Perhaps McIlroy should give Ton Hall a few tips. This bric-a-brac shop cum bar has a beautiful fireplace but no fire.
At Maoming Lu, Macau Portuguese Restaurant, which has a large streetside bar, is supplementing its fondness for loud Frank Sinatra music with a live band that will perform until late, six days a week. Manager Manuel De Jesus is also awaiting permission from local authorities to construct a permanent transparent cover over his outdoor area. Watch this space for news.
If there is one word to describe how lounge bar Amber is going to fill your winter nights, it is "education". Don't worry, they're not going to fly in Mary Poppins or start holding quiz nightsĦ oh, sorry, they are. "We're going to start a Sunday quiz night," said Amber's marketing manager Kate Whitton. "It's not going to get the bar heaving but it is something people can do with their friends." Perhaps more interesting will be their wine appreciation classes - highbrow stuff for those who missed out on finishing school. Amber has teamed up with wine distributor Force Eight to host wine tastings. Once a month they will offer free flow of four wines of a particular type, region or grape plus some solid snacks on the side. A guest speaker will introduce the wines as you introduce them to your palate. "This is for people to enjoy themselves and learn about the wine," says Whitton.
Arch, the outpost of style and culture in Shanghai's flatiron building at 439 Wukang Lu, is also planning to educate Shanghai's drinkers this December. Manager Leslie Chen recently set up an afternoon book exchange and she is considering running movies or poetry and fiction reading some nights.
So whatever your poison - or what you like to have with it - Shanghai's bars and clubs should have something on to tempt you out of hibernation. :D
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| Moaning about Maoming |
| 02.17.04 (9:30 pm) [edit] |
It's time for Maoming Lu's bar barons to face the music
Dear Bar and Club Owners of Maoming Lu,
We, your loyal patrons, have drunk, partied and eaten on the leafy south side of Maoming Lu for nearly a decade. We owe you much and wish you well. Please take the few suggestions below as advice from an old friend.
1. A Certain Kind of Lady
If you go to a bar in Shanghai you want a drink, right? If you go to a hairdresser in Shanghai you want aĦ Well, anyway the point is that the number of fair and feisty ladies in your hostelries and hangouts (and just outside them too) is becoming a bit disproportionate. Please, do your best to rid yourselves of some of these well-manicured mistresses of the night.
2. Traffic Traumas
It's 3.30am, and you're sitting in a stationary taxi 95 per cent plastered and dying for some dim sum. Meanwhile some guy with a megaphone and dark glasses is doing his best to cause a nocturnal traffic jam. Bar owners, please sort out your guanxi with the arms of the Luwan traffic law.
3. Seeing Red
"Yes, she's my girlfriend. Thank you, I think she's very beautiful too. No, she doesn't want a rose. Now get lost!" Call us uncharitable, moody, Scrooge-like - perhaps we are, but couldn't you use your influence to cull these jejune flower sellers a little? Maybe we could just have one 'No Flower Hawking' day a week. It drives us to distraction!
4. Busted!
Now we realise this is a little out of the hands of the humble bar owning proletariat, but if we do have to endure a two-week drought while the great and the good talk policy, then please Mr and Mrs Barman give us a nod the weekend before. There is nothing worse than turning up to a party at 3am all switched on and ready to rock, only to find a busted and bolted club.
5. Bloody Sunday
You said that you loved us! You promised us the world! We had a great night together! And then in the morning you weren't thereĦ Yes, bar and club owners of Maoming Lu, you always disappear before the sun gets high leaving us fuzzy-headed and in desperate need of a breakfast Bloody Mary. How about keeping it rolling for all the 24-hour party people who just can't fit all of your charms into one night time?
We hope you take these words to heart, Maoming Lu - and remember, we offer them with only the best intentions. While we may give you a hard time, we realise just how much we depend on you. Oh - and keep those drinks specials coming.
Yours faithfully,
Your Shanghai Patrons
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