Leafy Jinxian Road in Bespoke’s own corner of the former French Concession is best known for its home-style restaurants and copious amounts of laundry flapping in the breeze. Now, however, in Shake it can claim to have one of the city’s best intimate live music venues too.
Tucked away in a 3rd floor loft, Shake is an small space with a well-stocked bar at the rear, but all the seats set to face towards the stage. Expect live performances of soul and funk at least four nights a week* from a roster of Shanghai’s most-seasoned performers – on our visit the house band’s classic funk set was going down a storm with eager punters, so much so that we wished the owners would clear the decks and include a bit of a dance floor.
And whilst live music may not be a Shanghai specialty, well-made cocktails most certainly are. The drinks here are seriously on point under the expert eye of head bartender Colin, newly returned from a stint at a top Bangkok bar. Our gin-based ‘Soul Sister No.1’ was one of the tastiest tipples we’ve had in some time.
Equally, the food is far more than an afterthought, ‘Pan-Asian’ menus can seem pretty clichéd but the choices on offer were interesting and well-executed. Bespoke can claim to have popped our ‘Fried Pig’s Foot’ cherry here and whilst we enjoyed it, it was the simple but delicious ‘Cheese Tofu with Honey’ that really stole our hearts. Looking for a first date spot? This is just the place.
Shake 3F, 120 Jinxian Lu (near Maoming Lu) and is currently open daily with live performances on Friday and Saturday during soft opening. *During soft opening live music is on Fridays and Saturdays only.