Unmissable Cocktail Experience at Speak Low, Shanghai's Hidden Gem

My Real Shop Visit Record

Last Saturday, my friend and I were wandering around Fuxing Zhonglu in Shanghai. We were supposed to go grab some drinks on Yongkang Road, but she mysteriously pulled me into a place called OCHO, which sells barware. I was totally confused: Aren't we here to drink? Why are we shopping for glasses? Then she told me to find the hidden door myself—wow, turns out this is the legendary Speak Low!

Mysterious Start: Finding the Door Feels Like an Escape Room

I fumbled around the row of barware for about 3 minutes, nearly knocking over a whiskey glass before I finally felt a hidden handle on the right side of the shelf. As soon as I pushed it open, the dim red light and jazz music hit me like a wave, taking me back to the 1920s. At that moment, I realized, "finding the door" is basically the first cocktail to get you in the mood.

Level Up, One Floor at a Time

• 2nd Floor: Retro American vibes, the bar is made of old wood and copper pipes, and orders are all in English. It’s a chill atmosphere. We walked in at 6 PM and sat right at the bar—by 8 PM, people were already lining up to the stairs.
• 3rd Floor: You have to climb a narrow staircase; the lighting is darker, and the seating is leather booths. The menu mixes Japanese and British styles, and the drinks are a step up, each glass costing 30-50 yuan more than the 2nd floor, but the glassware, ice balls, and garnishes are much fancier. If girls want to take photos, remember to turn on the flash; otherwise, you'll just catch your own shadow.
• 4th Floor: There's a security guard at the elevator who won’t let you in without a reservation. I shamelessly asked and was told it was a “private event.” Alright, guess I’ll have to email ahead next time.

My Three Drinks & Zero Regrets

1. Speak Low (signature drink)
   Matcha rum + sherry, rimmed with dark chocolate shavings. It starts bitter, then sweet; the matcha powder really softens the alcohol taste, great for a warm-up drink.
2. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
   The drink arrives under a glass dome filled with smoke, and when the cinnamon stick is lit, everyone at the next table goes “wow.” It has a whiskey base+applewood aroma, and the coaster is a printed sheet music—after you finish, you can take it as a bookmark.
3. Sexy Colada
   They serve it in a whole pineapple, with coconut milk made light and sweet, but not too overwhelming, perfect for the ladies' night, and gets a perfect score for photos.

Snacks Steal the Show More Than Drinks

• Crispy Foie Gras with Coffee Beans: A roasted coffee bean underneath; take a bite of the foie gras mousse, it melts away, then chew the coffee bean—bitter + fragrant + fatty, one bite just brings you back to life.
• Foie Gras Mapo Tofu Pizza: A 6-inch thin crust with mapo tofu sauce and foie gras bits. Surprisingly works well together, the spice level is okay for locals, pairs perfectly with whiskey.

Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

Common FAQs

Q1: Can I go if I don’t drink?
A: Yes, you can order non-alcoholic mocktails; just say "virgin" at the 2nd floor bar and the bartender will whip up something special, priced around 78 yuan.

Q2: Can I bring a coat/luggage?
A: There are lockers at the entrance of the 2nd floor, and you can leave your suitcase at the front desk for free.

Q3: Is there a minimum charge?
A: There’s no minimum on the 2nd floor, but on the 3rd floor, you need to order at least one drink per person.

Q4: Do I need a passport/ID?
A: They only check if you look under 25, and a domestic ID is fine.

Q5: How do I get to the sister bar Sober Company?
A: It's a 10-minute walk; Sober Company is located at 99 Yandang Road on Fuxing Zhonglu, also with a hidden door gimmick. You can hit it up first and then head back to review Speak Low again.

Next Goal: Check out the 4th floor; I’ve heard there's a hidden menu “Owner’s Pour” that only VIPs get to see. I’ll email to make a reservation and update you all next time.