The Urban Edit
Just when we thought there were no cool bars left outside of Sanlitun, ARCH comes along. And happily, it’s the kind of place that could only exist in Beijing’s old town. Why? Because you get to experience the thrill of dodging security guards at the gate of one of Beijing’s most gorgeous old buildings in order to get to it.
Thought every inch of Wuding Lu was already taken up with buzzy bars? Well newcomer La Social has carved out a delightfully hidden away little spot for itself behind the main strip and if a touch of Latin American flair has been missing from your life (and let’s be honest we’re in China, so yes it has), then this new venture from the guys behind the Moka Bros will make your heart sing.
If you think you’ve seen that Pudong skyline from every conceivable angle then we might just have a little surprise for you here. When Bespoke swung by the just-opened Bulgari Hotel Shanghai for a quick coffee we weren’t quite sure what to expect given that its off-Bund location isn’t exactly the most promising.
But nip up to the Il Bar on the 47th floor and be greeted by one of the best Shanghai views we’ve seen in a while. Set further back from the Huangpu than most similar venues, you’ll see a grand sweep of the city here – and from a fresh perspective too.
