The Budget Bar Explosion

For well over a decade, there has been no shortage of high end cocktail bars where you can pay upwards of 100 RMB for a lovingly created cocktail from a "mixologist" in a smart apron. And that's great. I've enjoyed these types of places on many occasions. But I also appreciate a bargain and I've noticed many more places opening at the more budget end of the price spectrum. There are places like 8 Pints where you can get cheap beers for example.

But I recently stumbled across Dash Land on the intersection of Julu Road and Xiangyang Road. It's like a Manner Coffee but for cocktails.

You scan a code, order on your phone, the cocktail is then prepared by the bar person and you can track the progress on the large screen above the counter.

When your drinks are ready, you can simply go up to the counter and collect your drink, return to your table and enjoy your 35 RMB cocktail. It's an interesting alternative to the more traditional cocktail bars and popular with the younger crowd who perhaps have less money to spend on nights out.

I also came across an Alldays convenience store on Anfu Road / Wulumuqi Road that had a counter facing the street offering a limited selection of cocktails for even less. I was a bit skeptical at first, but decided to give it a try one day and was pleasantly surprised when the "barman" brought out some large square blocks of ice and started mixing what looked like a very decent Negroni while I stood on the street watching him prepare my drink.

Okay, so the Negroni was the first I've ever had served in a plastic cup, but for 29.9 RMB, I'm not going to complain. You can get a Gin and Tonic or a Moscow Mule for the same price, or you can splurge on a Long Island Iced Tea for 39 RMB.

So there you have it. Two examples of places in Shanghai you can get a decent Negroni for less than the price of a Flat White at Starbucks. Out of the two, I would recommend Dashland, because you get a real glass and a place to sit and drink it, but the Alldays is still a good option if you want your cocktail on the go.