Two Halloween resurrections
By Heather Millet
Right on cue, two of Shanghai's legacy bars have returned, in full flare and ready to resurrect the atmosphere of our drunken autumn folly of old.
Yesterday, we featured the revival of My Place Cocktail Bar & Music—formerly My Place Ruin Bar—in the vacated REAPER space.
READ MORE: Back From the Dead! Part 1 – My Place Ruin Bar
Next up...
Black Glove
Black Glove logo. Photo Courtesy of Black Glove.
Black Glove at Taikang Terrace has risen like a phantom in its former location, beside its sister bar, Sugar Area.
Entrance to Black Glove. Photo Courtesy of Black Glove.
Founder and visionary bar veteran of 20 years, Match Chan, never gave up on this enchanting, gin-focused establishment, and there is more to this bar than its nondescript entrance would suggest.
Industry veteran of 20 years, Match Chan, crafting one of his signature cocktails. Photo by Heather Millet / That's.
Housed in a former warehouse, roof beams are exposed overhead and lit from several angles by rich gold lighting.
The entire atmosphere is that of an ancient ghost ship, and the logo of the bar is based on the black plague masks and symptoms of the time.
The very name 'Black Glove' is inspired by the blackened hands of plague victims.
Like an ancient ghost ship. Photo Courtesy of Black Glove.
It's hard to believe that such a grim historical vision could manifest with so much style (and enthusiasm), but the tall ceilings, broad gin selection, and staff bedecked in plague doctor outfits are fabulously chic.
Chan wanted the bar to follow gin history, with dried herbs in test-tubes representing the botanicals of the spirit, originally considered medicinal. Other elements relate to the navy transport of gin.
Main Floor Seating at Black Glove. Photo Courtesy of Black Glove.
The second-floor balcony overlooks the primary scene of the bar, like a captain's helm overseeing the main deck.
Considered to be the 'Doctor's Room,' this is where shisha is prepared and smoked, and perfume can be crafted using Monkey 47 Gin with a variety of aromas.
Private Room at Black Glove, providing the feel of a ship's galley. Photo Courtesy of Black Glove.
A private room is like a hidden galley—Chan says the couch shakes from the kitchen activities below. Here, secrets can be told and kept…
Tasting glass and specialty gins at Black Glove. Photo by Heather Millet / That's.
Gin selections range from well-known and local—such as Citadelle or Peddler's—to unique and collectible—like unusual peated gin or small bottles from France.
Chan has used his years of experience across Vietnam, Hong Kong, and the Chinese mainland to craft his theatrical signatures inside this haunted galleon.
Lucifer (RMB128): Gin, Beet Root Puree, Apple Juice, Yuzu Juice, Ginger Ale. Photo Courtesy of Black Glove.
Like the interior, the cocktails are marvelously photogenic, such as the Lucifer (RMB128), which presents as a flute of blood-red liquid.
Masquerade (RMB128): Tanqueray Gin, Elderflower Syrup, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Chrysanthemum Tea, Honey Water, Baijiu. Photo Courtesy of Black Glove.
Over-the-top is the Masquerade (RMB128), arriving adorned in a mask. The sparkling gold drink is accompanied by a classic perfume spray bottle of bitters to add to taste.
Dancing Jellyfish (RMB128): 3 Sips Seaweed Gin, Grape Juice, Lillet Blanc, Absinthe, Lemon Juice, Sea Salt . Photo by Peggy Chang.
At first, the delicate glass of the Dancing Jellyfish (RMB128) is a puzzle to hold. "Kiss the Jelly Fish," Chan says slyly, while presenting this unusual glass.
Comfort settles from the excitement of a bursting smoke bubble, and the absinthe of the cocktail.
Rose Fragrance Bubble Bath (RMB128): Beefeater Strawberry Gin, Cream, Bergamot Puree, Lemon Juice, Rose Syrup, Rose Flower Water, Rose Molecular Bubbles.
Black Glove even gives us the ultimate relaxing elixir—the Rose Fragrance Bubble Bath (RMB128) served in a miniature bathtub with rose petals.
Unique sink at Black Glove. Photo Courtesy of Black Glove.
Lastly, the plague doctor is in ready to provide tableside bottle service throughout your voyage on the good ship Black Glove.
Expect guest shifts, immersive theatre, and a place to kneel before the alcohol gods…
Sun-Thu, 7pm-1.30am
Fri & Sat, 7pm-2am
Black Glove Room 116, No. 171, Jianguo Zhong Lu, Huangpu District, Shanghai 黄浦区建国中路171号116室
No comments:
Post a Comment