My Place Ruin Bar: The Name Says It All

Friendly expat heavy bar located in the same venue where "I love Shanghai” used to dwell (which has now scooched over to Tianzifang) over in Jing'an.

Let's talk about the name first. The term ruin bar hails from Budapest, Hungary. The center of the city houses many derelict 'bombed out' buildings, and these 'ruins' were then adapted into bars, the concept being that everything should be recycled. This makes for creative places, like cars converted into booths with tables and graffiti covered walls.

This idea is what makes My Place Ruin Bar stand out from other Shanghai dives. The décor is brilliant. Everything is fully recycled and re-used. There are mismatched chairs, stools and tables, a bicycle hanging from the wall alongside various artworks. 

A bath tub sits in one corner, cut and remade with cushions to make a comfy three person sofa. Fairy lights dangle lazily from the ceiling beams entwined with old cables and wires like industrial style ivy, creating a wonderful illumination of the frolicking going on below.

The drinks are also something to talk about. The official drink to get ruined is called the Weng Weng (RMB 60). This bad boy is a lethal concoction of rum, gin, tequila, brandy, vodka, scotch whiskey, grenadine, orange juice and pineapple juice. A real liver failure served up in an old-skool mason jar all ready for downing. To honour such a momentous drink there is a large board next to the bar with all the nationalities who have taken on the cocktail (check out the North Korean who slammed 3 of these).

The cocktail menu stretches far and wide and is split up into different groups like "Light and Easy", "Hangover Specials" and "Sour Drinks". Some really inventive mixes going on in there so really take your time in reading the menu. We tried out a couple of new editions to the menu like the absinthe mojito (RMB 55), which turned out to be well refreshing. 

Next up was another new one called Tropical Sour Beach (RMB 55), infused with bourbon, lemon juice, chili, and lemon grass and garnished with a chili and lemon wedge. The taste is exotic, very South East Asian, the whisky set off superbly by the spice of chili and lemon grass; this will be a big hit in the summer months. 

The sours selection also has funky twists on otherwise classics, for example the Cherry Whiskey Sour (RMB 50) which has whiskey, syrup, lemon, egg white and cherry vanilla bitters.

A beer selection is a hearty collection of craft beers like Brew Dog Punk, Westwood Ales and a Boxing Cat contender (RMB 50-60) with Carlsberg and Asahi on tap if you feel like drinking on the cheap. Bottles see Brewdog and Coopers and (to our surprise) Aspall cider, great for a warmer day (RMB 40-55). A real great selection for a bar which doesn't outwardly scream upmarket micro brewery.

On to the deals! The owners actively encourage events, promotions and club gatherings at My Place Ruin Bar, hence very modest drinks pricing and numerous nights going on. Sunday is a big night for the RMB100 all-you-can-drink deal, on standard mixers and selected beers. There has also recently been a quiz on a Sunday night as well. Thursday nights are the acoustic jam nights. It's a very unpretentious setting, roll up, grab a mic and swoon away.  There is also a Gentlemen's night on Wednesdays (FINALLY) where blokes get to drink for free. Not a bad idea at all.

All in all, a great little spot to either start, finish or just spend the entire night/day of drinking. The owners are very friendly, intent on making everyone feel extremely welcome as you step over the threshold. A simply great bar, great atmosphere, great people and, best of all, the BEST prices.

My Place Ruin Bar 
Address: 3/F, 1788 Xinzha Lu, near Jiaozhou Lu, Jing'an District
Tel: 150 01909563