This watering hole in the former French Concession nails the trifecta that defines a great bar: top-notch setting, sips, and service — and has a great backstory to boot.
It’s easy to saunter past The Tuxedo’s featureless facade without stopping to investigate, so here’s us pointing you in the direction of a real gem.
First, seek out Sinan Lu (思南路), formerly known as Rue Massenet, a charming and historically rich avenue in the former French Concession. The Tuxedo’s story mirrors Sinan Lu’s own evolution, from its revolutionary history to its contemporary reinvention.
Behind weighty doors, this dapper den delivers leather upholstery, warm lighting, rich wooden surfaces, and authentic vintage decor.
The bar puts the (coat)tails in cocktails — deliberate pun drop — by putting its namesake cocktail, the Tuxedo, on a pedestal.
Past & Prestige
One of the oldest cocktails still in circulation today, the Tuxedo traces its roots to over a century ago. Once upon a time (in 1886, to be precise), James Potter Brown first flaunted a sleek new dinner jacket from Henry Poole & Co. at the Autumn Ball at the Tuxedo Club in Tuxedo Park in Orange County, New York.
It was an era with neither smartphones nor social media, yet influencer culture has and will always run deep, long as society continues to be swayed by trends.
The look turned heads and caught on fast, and the term the “tux” stuck.
Despite what you might think, the Tuxedo cocktail wasn’t named after the tuxedo jacket; it just happened to arrive on the scene around the same time.
At the Tuxedo bar in Shanghai, that shared timeline gets a nod right at the entrance, where a ‘mini museum’ traces their parallel histories.
Want the full story of the Tuxedo? Simply ask a staff member for a guided tour of the exhibition area.
Now, onto the real question: how did Shanghai end up with a whole bar dedicated to the classic cocktail?
Brains Behind the Bar
An alumnus of Coa Hong Kong who also played a part in bringing award-winning brand to Shanghai, Robin Leung admitted: “At first, I was attracted to bar culture as I thought making cocktails was cool, standing behind the bar and all — but that was a very young thought.”
Today, he understands it’s less about the glitz and glamour, and upholds his “social role and service” in bartending.
Nine months before launching, he already had the blueprint: build a bar around a classic cocktail to anchor his post-modern twist.
“I find the Tuxedo one of the greatest martini-style cocktails. It represents old-world elegance while also welcoming variations.”
— Robin Leung, founder
Liquid Legacy
The Martini’s myserious cousin, the Tuxedo has similar ingredients as well as secrets, including a whisper of absinthe.
Containing distinct combinations of gin, vermouth, bitters and anise-flavored spirit, the drink is smooth, sophisticated, super aromatic, and makes us wonder: why haven’t we been sipping more Tuxedos prior?
Shanghai #310 variation of the Tuxedo
An undisputed expert on the Tuxedo, Leung schooled us on the many variations of the cocktail, including a localised version sharing the same digits as every Shanghai ID.
Arguably the only Shanghai-inspired Tuxedo in the world, the #310 swaps out the usual brandied cherry for the biggest grape we’ve ever seen.
There’s so much more than suits here though. In fact, Leung wants his guests to pick from a plethora of post-modern cocktails.
“In the past, mixologists had limited scope in terms of technical ability, whereas now, it would be a shame not to tap into contemporary technology to make high-level cocktails,” enthused the affable drinks artist.
The round menu here is designed like the Yin and Yang symbol, which — whether intentional or not — nicely summarises the importance of balance in any cocktail, and is split into five sections: Post-Modern Classics, Contemporary & Riffs, Classic & Legacy, Forgotten Classics (vintage and esoteric), and Shanghai Classics.
One of our recommendations is the Robin’s Fizz, which we slowly savoured in our favourite room shown below...
The best part of the bar for small groups, the backroom has two fun architectural features.
The first is an East-meets-West abacus wall — an ingenious way for customers to keep count how many drinks they’ve had.
As for the second… words won’t do it justice. Hit play below to see it for yourself, and happy sipping!
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The Tuxedo,
46 Sinan Road,
Huangpu, Shanghai
🗓️
Monday - Thursday & Sunday,
7 PM - 1 AM
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Friday & Saturday,
7 PM - 2 AM
☎️
132-4831-8592
