Discover the Top 50 Bars in Asia: A Cool Experience in Shanghai

by me, just back from Shanghai feeling a bit buzzed

Let me tell you how I hit up 6 Top 50 bars all in one go

I dashed to Fuxing Middle Road right after work on Friday. Speak Low and COA are just a stone's throw apart, less than 20 meters, about a 2-minute walk. First, I headed to Speak Low. The “bookstore” at the entrance almost lured me in, but once I pushed the door, I found a hidden door and went down three flights of stairs. The lights dimmed, and the retro vibe was off the charts. I ordered an “Oolong Tea Highball”—the bartender whipped it up with lightning speed, and when the cup arrived, it had a subtle tea fragrance. Perfect for a killer photo!

Next up, COA. I made a reservation in advance, and as soon as I walked in, I was wowed by the wall of tequila. Each of the three floors had a different vibe. I sat at the bar on the second floor, and the bartender recommended a “Mezcal Negroni” for me. The smoky flavor mixed with orange peel essence hit instantly.

On Saturday afternoon, I went to Union Trading Company. That little villa on Hengshan Road has a super American countryside feel, complete with a little garden out front. I tried the signature “Southern Iced Tea.” The bartender’s moves were so smooth, I almost mistook it for regular iced tea, but one sip revealed it was strong liquor—seriously packs a punch!

At night, I went to J.Boroski. You need a reservation on Fumin Road, so I called a day ahead. There’s no sign outside and stepping in felt like a bug specimen museum, with dim lights making it hard to see faces. I told the bartender I wanted something refreshing with fruit notes, and he whipped me up a special with green apple and elderflower. It was sweet and tangy, and the glass featured insect designs—not your typical vibe, but it made for a super mysterious photo op.

On Sunday, I slept in until noon, then headed to Sober Company in that little building at INS New Paradise. First, I checked out the coffee area on the first floor before heading up to the bar. I ordered a “Matcha Highball,” where the matcha mixed beautifully with sake. The cup was a lovely Japanese ceramic, which looked fantastic in photos!

The last stop was EPIC, at 17 Gaoyou Road. The style differences across the three floors were huge. The first floor is a restaurant, the second has a lively vibe, and the third is as quiet as a library. I sat at the bar on the third floor and ordered a “Shanghai Sour.” The bartender mentioned they used local rice wine—it had a nice sweet and sour balance, perfect for a date night atmosphere!

How to hit up these 6 bars? Here’s a handy table for you

Outfit + Photo Tips

• Speak Low/COA: Go for a retro suit or a spicy tank top; the lighting on the stairs and tequila wall is a guaranteed photo win.
• Union Trading Company: Think American countryside—a floral dress plus a denim jacket, perfect for backlit shots in the garden.
• J.Boroski: Dark vibe; wear a black dress with red lips against the bug specimen wall.
• Sober Company: Go for Japanese minimalism with a white shirt and wide-leg pants—focus on that ceramic cup.
• EPIC: Dress softly in knits for the third-floor quiet area, with warm lights acting like a filter.

My Missteps

• No reservation: I dashed to COA on Saturday night and ended up having to switch to Speak Low instead.
• Wore the wrong shoes: The stairs at J.Boroski are super steep, I almost fell in high heels.
• Drank on an empty stomach: The Southern Iced Tea at Union hits hard—definitely don't go on an empty stomach!

One sentence takeaway

I hit up all 6 bars in a week, each with its own memorable experiences—bookmark this and go through the list without making my mistakes!