Sinan Lu, The French Concession

This area is enjoyable because there is actually an effort to preserve the existing architecture, but in doing so most of the spaces are filled with the usual crap found in every mall in America, I guess they got to pay the bills!

But if you take the time to walk off the main drag, beyond the snooty rich girls carrying their LV and onto the side streets some unique shops and sights can be found.

Shopping really isn't my thing and I am always on the search for authentic food. As the evening aproached, I unfortunately, found myself eating at a mediocre French style bistro. Not my choosing, and un-impressed, I needed to find a cocktail quickly, and anyone who has traveled in China knows a good cocktail is a total myth!

I had resigned myself to thinking I would head back to my hotel to concoct something from my rooms mini-bar when I came accross a random sign for "Apothecary".

I recently read an article about a bar of the same name in Beijing so I dragged my wife to the 4th floor of an office type building to see if my optimism would pay off.

As we exited the elevator on the 4th floor, we were greeted by a smiling staff, partial owner Marcus Lopez and some Bob Marley tunes. The San-Fran native opened the location in Beijing first and had now moved on to China's most vibrant city.

The space was low key and relaxed. Huge glass windows line an entire wall and give you an amazing view of Shanghai's skyline, as long as you get a clear night!

Ok, ok, onto the important shit! The drinks. They were good.

New York good? Sorry no, but they are almost there, give them a little time and they will iron out the details.

The pegu cocktail could use a little egg white foam, the gin and tonic a bit too tonic'y. But I won't complain, it hit the spot and all the while enjoying some great vibes and hanging with my bride.

Last call..... Brooklyn Lager, what more can you ask for!

Apothecary, It is worth searching out.

http://www.apothecarychina.com/

Sinan Mansions, bldg 1, 4/F, lane 507, Fuxing Zhonglu, Luwan District. 86-21-33689419