So what’s in a name? The bar is set above the impermanent McKinnon Hotel, home to immersive stage production Sleep No More, where guests journey through a film noir- esque retelling of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. London’s Globe Theatre is the other namesake; historically associated with the Bard himself and an icon of the Renaissance’s literary and dramatic tradition. There you have it – a Shakespeare-inspired cocktail lounge above Shanghai’s current Globe.
With the booze stage directed by Eddy Yang of Tailor Bar, be eager to see these mixing masters perform. Reach the pinnacle by asking for an improv act – the bartenders will freestyle drinks based on your preferences. Our bespoke cocktail (pictured below) is a beauty; a robust blend of bourbon, green chartreuse, egg white and rosemary finished with a thyme sprig and spicy powder rim (120RMB).
There are three impressive cocktail menus: Comedy, with sweet, sour and flowery flavours; History, with house takes on classic cocktails; and Tragedy, with strong, herbal drinks and a profusion of bitters and caffeine. Being dramatic souls, we favour the flavours of tragedy: start things strong with an ATG Espresso Martini Version 2 (110RMB), a rich glass of Patron coffee, tequila reposado, agave syrup and espresso; or get a serious wake up from caffeine-crazed Sleep No More (100RMB) with espresso, cognac, coffee liqueur and mate tea.
By no means dismiss the other genres. Traditional drinkers will love the simplicity of The Derby’s (100RMB) bourbon, sweet vermouth, curaçao and lime. On the sweeter side, the Green Demon’s (120RMB) vodka, absinthe, apple juice and ginger syrup mix is nice, but the promised ‘handful of mint’ is lacking.
You’ll enjoy these tipples in Above the Globe’s plush setting; flowers, feathers and bits of glitz abound – it’s kitsch with class; the kind of flair you want to see in bar inspired by the fanciful playwright. And in the words of Shakespeare, ‘Good company, good wine, good welcome can make good people’. Cheers to that – Above the Globe makes good people out of us... albeit good and tipsy.
If you like it Shakespeared and not stirred, check out Above the Globe. 1013 Beijing Xi Lu, near Jiangning Lu, Huangpu district. 6pm to 2am daily.
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