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What we're being privy to is Apothecary cocktail bar and kitchen as it readies the opening of its Shanghai location. (Actually, we have bragging rights. Lee let us know we were the first people to be served at the new bar.) The place is a joint project between Leon Lee and Max E. Levy -- the latter you may know as the masterful chef from Bei, Opposite House. The duo have already created a stir on Beijing's dining and drinking scene for their emphasis on high-quality ingredients and attention to detail. One part mixologist's empyrean, one part fine Creole kitchen, Apothecary is now bringing its love of great food and drinks down south (and finally returning Creole food to Shanghai, we might add.) more ›

American comedian/actor Aziz Ansari (Tom Haverford on NBC's Parks and Recreation) is visiting Shanghai this week with Parks and Recreation screenwriter Alan Yang (pictured). No gigs or anything, just a vacation. He's already done the obligatory meet and greet with Haibao and eaten an unhealthy amount of our city's famous soup dumplings. As his Twitter bio suggests, Aziz "likes food a lot." He also likes cocktails. He's got a little more time in Shanghai, so if you have any recommendations for either, leave them in a comment. more ›

At tomorrow's big holiday party at Cotton's on Xinhua Lu, get your photo taken with Santa Claus — or Father Christmas, if you swing that way — between 8:30 and 11:30 pm (Santa likes to hit the bars on Tongren at about midnight). Shanghai-based photographer Stephen Yang will be taking professional portraits (lights and everything) of party guests chilling with Santa in Santa's VIP room (behind the first-floor bar). All party-goers are welcome ... and it doesn't cost you a thing. We'll post the pics on Shanghaiist early next week. more ›

Shanghaiist recently enjoyed a few nonfat egg nogs with DJ El Nomo, who promises to make the Shanghaiist/Cotton's holiday party "the wildest holiday blowout ever held at Cotton's on Xinhua Lu." A tall task indeed. You may recognize El Nomo from such weblogs as Shanghai Bananas. And, of course, he is ranked No. 1 worldwide in the controversial Gothamist DJ Rankings. The following is a transcript of our unfiltered discussion with Asia's very own wizard of wax. more ›

Early weather reports for the weekend are looking quite nice, so it looks like late-December outdoor seating will be a definite possibility at the Shanghaiist/Cotton's holiday party this Saturday at the new Cotton's on Xinhua Lu (pictured). And if the outdoor heaters (and bar) aren't cozy enough for you, head on inside the villa for the real wood-burning fireplaces (and more bars). And DJ El Nomo! more ›

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A couple updates about tomorrow night's gathering at Sasha's. First, we forgot to mention the wines that will be included in the half-price drink special. They are: Santa Rita 120 Sauvignon Blanc and Wolf Blass Eagle Hawk Shiraz/Cab/Merlot. Second, lots of people have asked¹ for more information about the music that will be played at the Happy Hour, so we have included a list of artists featured on the playlist under "Music" below. more ›

You are all invited to join us Thursday night at Sasha's for the first Shanghaiist Happy Hour in a long, long time (nine months, to be exact). We think we have come up with a plan to avoid a similarly long gap between alcohol-related gatherings — the first Thursday of every month, we'll have a Shanghaiist Happy Hour featuring half-price drinks (and perhaps other special and great things) at Sasha's. And, as usual, these "happy hours" will not be limited to one hour (8 pm to midnight is what we're starting with). more ›

After figuring out where we like to eat we thought it would be fun to ask Shanghaiist contributors about their favourite places to drink. more ›

Cooler-than-thou hotel URBN on Jiaozhou Lu (Jing-An) is having licensing issues with its hotel bar, but the "room twentyeight" restaurant is in full swing serving moderately pricey (around 150RMB for a main) food and a good range of drinks. more ›

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