Shanghai Bar Route: Six Earlier Notes and Asia’s 50 Best Context

Reading This Earlier Route

The original article was published in September 2025 and its narrative spans several evenings. It does not establish that six bars were visited in one night, or that all six currently hold an Asia’s 50 Best ranking. Use the earlier stories for context; verify present operations, addresses and menus before planning a route.

by me, just back from Shanghai feeling a bit buzzed

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The Six-Bar Route in the Earlier Shanghai Notes

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!

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

Bar from the earlier notes	Current planning check
Speak Low	Operator lists 579 Fuxing Middle Road; confirm current seating and menu
COA	Current Shanghai address and operations require official confirmation
Union Trading Company	Confirm current address and operation directly
J.Boroski	Confirm current branch and booking channel directly
Sober Company	Operator lists No.109 Yandang Road; confirm current seating and menu
EPIC	Current operations require official confirmation; do not rely on the old address

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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.

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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!

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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!

For a current operator-checked shortlist, compare the best cocktail bars in Shanghai and the focused Speak Low Shanghai guide.

The operator dates Speak Low’s Asia’s 50 Best recognition to 2017 and Sober Company’s to 2021. Those dated awards are historical context, not a current ranking for this six-stop article.