GRIOTS REPUBLIC - AN URBAN BLACK TRAVEL MAG - DECEMBER 2016

cocktail bars open and provide people
with greater exposure to the cocktail
culture, a change is imminent.
Interestingly enough, Shanghai’s original
cocktail culture started around the
early 1990s when foreigners began to
open a number of bars and nightclubs
in the French Concession. This was the
spark of what many experts say ushered
in Shanghai’s new cocktail renaissance
that began in 2012. Shanghai’s
cocktail culture isn’t growing, it can be
seen as more of an explosion of new
talent and tastes the likes the world
has never seen. The old craft cocktail
landscape, void of much emphasis on
creativity and quality ingredients such
as fresh-squeezed juices and housemade
syrups, really created
a frontier for those willing
to accept the challenge of
introducing this side of the
industry to Shanghai.
Few were brave enough to
answer this call and bring
forth not only a quality product,
but also an experience
that can be used to impress
and attract corporate hosts.
To say that this was a tall order
would be an understatement,
but the professionals
that have risen to the challenge
are beyond outstanding
and are superstars in the
mixology & spirit industry
worldwide. People like Shingo
Gokan, the acclaimed
Japanese mixologist who
entertains at Speak Low,
a speakeasy where the entrance
can be found hidden
behind a bookshelf. Speak
Low finds itself is ranked
#15 on the world’s best bars
list and Gokan is also known
for running the famous Angel’s Share
bar in New York.
Others are Eddy Yang, Brand Ambas-