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In a Shikumen style alleyway in Jing-An there is a new string of bars and restaurants that is worth a visit.
On Kangding Lu, near the junction of Wuding Lu, the first of these bars is Exit.
A cheap (25 RMB beer, 30-40 mixed drinks) neighbourhood bar, Exit is powered by the personality of owner Sergio who occasionally takes a break from dancing around to MP3s to tell customers about the years he spent making 2.5 million crepes, or when his next batch of Serbian liquor will be smuggled through customs.
Judging by the late-night crowds, Basque restaurant Kuluska needs no introduction to Shanghai's Spanish community. The full menu is not yet available, so for now Pinchos line the bar. At 15RMB per snack you can reckon on filling up on these tapas-style snacks for around 100-150 per person. On Wednesday night a glass of decent house wine or beer is also 15RMB.
Moving further into the alleyway, Kai Bar is stocking what we reckon must be Shanghai's biggest selection of beer. The main focus is Belgian, but there are also brews from the US, Australia, Luxembourg and Germany. Although not fully open (oh those soft openings, what would we do without them?) until October 18th, this place is already introducing locals to drinks such as Cuvee van de Keizer Blauw which is only brewed once per year (to celebrate the birthday of Belgian King Charles V, naturally).
By the time a new wine bar from Matt 'Senses' Ryan opens next month, this enclave off Kangding Lu looks set to be a charming community, like a boozy Taikang Lu, or XinTianDi with a soul.
All of the places mentioned are in the same alleyway that starts at 522 Kangding Lu, behind Eight Park Avenue. Opening times vary (in fact we've yet to stay late enough to see any of the places close).
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Good. About time Shanghai had a decent bar street.
Someone please car-bomb Tongren Lu. Preferably while it's really busy.
I moved to beijing about six months ago and while i really miss a lot of shit about shanghai and still heart everything there one thing i dont miss is 25 kuai beer being called "cheap".
I think if I'm honest the bar scene in Beijing is better than Shanghai- cheaper, more variety, and not as posey.
Still though, this alleyway is a step in the right direction for SH.
Kangding lu indeed is the culmination of lessons learned from Xintiandi and Taikang lu.
The comparison, however, does not work. There is no shopping at Kangding lu. It does not have the day-life of Taikang lu. Kangding lu to me is a pure night-spot.
Xintiandi sucks tremendously, many good efforts to up the quality and to blow a little bit of heart & soul into it faltered. Plastic, Disneyland.
Different from Taikang lu, where the landlords living upstairs happily collect rent but at the same time protest the lively activity they invited, there are no naggy anti-business landlords at Kangding lu, upstairs are offices, downstairs the restaurants and bars.
Different from Xintiandi and Taikang lu there are no rich amateurs or beginners at work in Kangding lu. Hardened professionals, who came out from the (glorious but failed) Pier One, Da Marco, et al.
Sizewise, it is a just a tiny fraction of Taikang lu or Xintiandi. The location is a bit remote, near the commercial failure of the New Factories, 3 blocks from Nanjing Road.
If Kangding lu can maintain the current high standard, it is a sure winner.
Kangding Lu is definitely a nightspot, but I don't think the attempt to mix nightlife and shopping at Taikang is working so that's cool with me.
Kangding is admittedly a bit remote, but it's right behind Eight Park Avenue, a very easy walk from One Park Avenue and San He Hua Yuan which might give it a good fighting chance of traffic during the week.
new factories is a JOKE
please close it.
@James Creegan
There is no nightlife at Taikang lu. The bars/eateris/shops have to suspend all outside activity by 9 p.m.
Famed RU Cafe was also just outside the gates of One Park Avenue and is closing.
Turning a buck in hospitality in Shanghai is a challenge not to be underestimated.
RU Cafe, as good as it was did not draw a wide enough audience and certainly had less profit potential than selling drinks. Let's hope this combination of food and drink in one small alley will make it a destination for more than just local traffic.
@Pirx- maybe everything has to move inside at 9pm but I can't believe no-one is allowed to stay open.
They don't stop serving food at Kommune until 10:30, and Japanese bar Hiro goes on late.
I miss RU so much that I'm tempted to go all the way to Gubei to try their new branch.
Wine bar closed on Friday nigh! My God! When do they want to make money? Christmas?