Manhattan Bar: No longer ‘hookers, drinks and DVDs’
I don’t make a habit of going to invitation-only grand opening parties for new bars — largely because I never get invited to them. But thanks to my friend Diana, I got on the guest list for a gala last night. The bar was called Manhattan. The street was Tongren Lu. The block was just south of Nanjing Xi Lu, site of a flashy new bar strip where many of the drinking holes and dance spots forced out of Maoming Nan Lu have sought considerably swankier refuge. Manhattan is one of the first new Tongren Lu establishments to debut. And the place was packed — the manager says he has quite the email address list.
If you are familiar with the Manhattan Bar on Maoming Lu — yes, that sticky, smoky, smelly dive with DVD hawkers hounding people at high tables — you should know that this new version does indeed come from the same ownership. But the two places have nothing in common. Manhattan on Tongren Lu is upscale, sophisticated and tastefully appointed. A huge silhouette of the Manhattan skyline — or, at least, some artist’s rendition of it — glows behind the bar. There’s a stage for live music and a balcony for a bird’s eye view. And the DVD hawkers have to stay outside.
“When you make enough money selling hookers and drinks,” said one party-goer familiar with the old Manhattan Bar, “you can afford a place like this.”
The bar smelled new. Actually, according to Manhattan’s manager Paul (who some of you might recognize from his days at Malone’s, which he had to leave because of “an altercation with an Australlian”) they didn’t finish decorating the place until 6:30 p.m., just two hours before the party started. Paul said there were still plenty of kinks to be worked out. But none of the patrons appeared to notice — they were too busy enjoying the free cocktails that were served before 10:30 p.m.
The new bar strip on Tongren Lu is definitely more Xintiandi than it is Maoming Nan Lu. And Manhattan is another Shanghai bar for those who don’t mind a little pretentiousness mixed with their drinks. And if you can’t stand places like that, you better rethink that big move to Shanghai. Diana was informed by one of the waitresses at Manhattan that she should order her beer not in a glass but in a bottle — because bottles are more ladylike. And there was a velvet rope blocking the balcony area. You couldn’t get up there unless you were part of the Canadian Consulate. That’s right — the Canadian Consulate. It didn’t look like the small crowd up in the balcony was havng much fun, anyway.
There was a jazz DJ and then a blues/jazz band, members of which — including the very talented (and Canadian) singer — were borrowed from the house band over at the Cotton Club. They sounded pretty good, as far as poppish jazz bands go. But Paul assured me that this was the band’s only night at Manhattan. The evening was billed as some sort of jazz/swing fusion party, but that was only because the Canadian Consulate wanted it that way. And, I guess, whatever the Canadians say goes. Damn Canadians — always bullying people around. Anyway, Paul said once the bar officially gets up and going, a Filipino band would be the main attraction, six nights a week.
Oh great.
A Filipino band.
What a unique idea.
(I’d like to see statistics on this: What percentage of Filipinos play in a band?)
So what’s my verdict? Well, I think Manhattan will be a very nice looking bar that serves drinks that cost more than I would pay in the United States. It will be surrounded by a bunch of other bars that have very much the same feel — in a city that is already filled with places trying to be Shanghai chic.
Doesn’t anyone in this city go out for hookers, drinks and DVDs anymore?
Click here for photos.
12.17.2004, 7:09 PM · Bars, Observations
7 Comments
Went to another new Tongren Lu place on Saturday. It was called Spy. And it, too, was very ordinary … save for the bad 007 mural behind the upstairs bar. It was also very empty. It was only its second night of business, after all. I felt bad for the DJ, perched above the dancerless circular dance floor that, like the rest of the place, appeared to have been paid for by Hennessy. I spy some obtrusive advertisements!
In sadder news, I learned this weekend that Cotton’s is being forced to close its doors. Evidently the building’s owner — the government, I believe — wants it back. For what, I am not sure. This really, really sucks. Cotton’s was one of the few laid back places worth hanging out at in Shanghai. Supposedly, Cotton will reopen somewhere, but it will be hard to replicate the atmosphere … especially that patio.
If anyone has more details on this, let me know.
I knew Paul when he was at Malone’s. What happened with the Australian?
Robin,
He didn’t elaborate. And I didn’t ask.
Dan
Hey Dan,
That wasn’t their opening night.
That was an event run by Aaron Low (one of the ex public diplomacy people at the Canadian consulate), hence the Canadian connection.
The *real* opening was last week.
and Paul - well, the Australian’s chinese wife had some guanxi, so Paul had to depart the 200 metres up the road to Manhattan’s.
I guess you missed out on the police taking down the nude dancers at Julu rd then….
:)
Lawrence.
Hey,
I have been to manhattan bar on Tongren Lu and I thought i was fantastic. But just wondering if anyone has the phone number for the bar?
Kind Regards
Steele
You said:
I’d like to see statistics on this: What percentage of Filipinos play in a band?
All of ‘em. I used to live in the Philippines, and it seemed everyone played in a combo of some sort - but I have actually known a few solo (!) performers (in Saipan, that is).
Actually, the first manhattan bar was in Huashan Rd. opposite to Jin An Hilton.