Founded in Taipei by Xinrong Zhao a.k.a Royal and Zhenchuan Chen, two veterans who’ve earned their spurs in the Taiwanese capital’s hospitality scene, WAT is a trendy bottled cocktail brand which is now ready to take Shanghai. Following the launch on home turf of a bar in classic style and, in stark contrast, an understated convenience store, the founders have opened a new venue in China‘s fast-evolving fashion and lifestyle capital. The duo entrepreneurs have secured a location in Jing’an, a buzzing neighbourhood in Shanghai specifically known for its abundance and variety of bars and eateries. The new venue on Julu Lu, one of the area’s main arteries, is both a shop and a streetside café. Interestingly, TOPOS DESIGN, the local design practice commissioned to design the venue’s interior, had a say in picking the location. The venue occupies a 42 sqm. (452 sq.ft.) unit situated in the plinth of a residential building, on the premises of an existing restaurant format which needed a boost, and also borders the restaurant’s indoor corridor. The rectangular space, now entirely clad in green terrazzo tiles, sees a back wall featuring product placement, cabinets, large refrigerators and a small counter serving corridor foot traffic, all unified by light bar running along the entire length of the wall. A small section directly opposite houses An elongated counter with a rotating belt laden with WAT’s full range of innovative cocktail drinks literally takes centre stage, and comes with a suspended electronic message board canopy following its contours. Large windows on the street side allow in floods of daylight, but also provide for a seating area with a counter and seven stools. Contrary to the original concept launched in Taipei where the clientele are served my model bartenders, things are a tad more down to earth here. In fact, you’re expected to select the cocktail of choice and mix it yourself.
WAT
758 Julu Lu (Jing’an)
200040 Shanghai
Publishers Note
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