Ars & Delecto raises a glass to spirits of the past
Print Edition
The space that houses the newly opened Ars & Delecto was once a popular cafe and probably the most trendy on Jinxian Road a decade ago.
After years of operation, Citizen Cafe closed its doors and a new tenant has quickly attracted an eclectic crowd to the place to sample a well-crafted cocktail menu.
Small Axe, the group behind Tokyo’s Bar Trench — which ranks at Number 16 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list — opened Ars & Delecto.
The decision was made after they noticed cultural similarities between Tokyo and Shanghai.
“Shanghai is an international hub where various cultures mix together —the old and new, Eastern and Western, and the people here are open to new things, especially drinking culture,” said bartender Daisuke Fujii, originally from Bar Trench in Tokyo’s Shibuya district. “And their curiosity about bar and cocktails are really upcoming. We want to provide an experience that you simply can’t have at other bars. We want guests to feel like they’ve traveled beyond Shanghai when they’re drinking at A&D.”
Ars & Delecto literally means “art & delight” in Latin. Art represents bartender’s skill — high-quality making and good communication, while delight means a guest’s happiness from fun and professional bartending hospitality.
The first floor is a cafe-bar, where a long, marble bar top is where one can enjoy refreshing drinks, having a chat with bartenders in a sleek yet warm space. The second floor is more luxurious and classic for boozy cocktails.
“Guests can choose the floor according to the mood of the day. We take the detail and precision of Japanese bartending and mixing it with the artistry of Western bartending,” Fujii added.
“The bar menu is centered around travel around the world with your curiosity,” Fujii revealed. The cocktails are related to a place (such as the Becherovka-based Czech Inn) or alcohol from particular countries (such as the Mezcal Milk Punch), or related to a mode of transportation (Travelers Ship) that will take you somewhere new.
“Our signature drinks are based on almost 100 years ago so we want to give Shanghai a timeless and classic bar, instead of a speakeasy or heavily decorated venue,” he added.
“Coffee and alcohol are not necessary for survival, but we believe these things bring us pleasure, so we take great pride in them, as opposed to relying on an aesthetic.”
Espresso Rum Martini (90 yuan) composed of dark rum, espresso, coffee liqueur and orgeat is bitter, creamy, made for after dinner as indicated on the bar menu. It’s a popular and upcoming drink, ranked 9th in 2018 world’s best-selling classic cocktails.
To accompany the classic Espresso Rum Martini or Spritz, the bar bites are light snacks for everyone to enjoy the experience more.
Tel: 5679-9916
Address: 222 Jingxian Rd
Opening hours: 6pm-2am
Average price: 180 yuan
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