Step inside and if you listen closely, you can hear it—the clink of glass, the shake of ice, the bursts of laughter, the roar of celebration. It’s a cacophony of cocktails…at one time a Strauss waltz, another a Herrmann score. Even if you wanted to resist it, the pull is too strong.
From the over-the-top opulence of the historic to the sleek and chic of the contemporary, hotel bars are magnetic. They attract out-of-towners and in-towners, haters and lovers, strangers and friends – all sharing secrets and stories over a masterfully made Martini!
This year, in association with Altamura Distilleries, I’ll be exploring some of the world’s most legendary bars—uncovering what makes them the beating heart of the hotel.
Our next stop is Shanghai!
The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong
It’s hard to compete with the view. Ask anyone…actually you don’t even have to ask, they’ll tell you. Bar industry professionals, friends, random people on the street, even strangers – drop the words China and bar into a sentence and literally everyone’s answer is the same: “Don’t miss Flair at The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Pudong, it has the best view in China!” After experiencing it for myself, I am thrilled to report the cocktails might even outscore the view.
Shanghai has always been one of the most glamorous international cities in the world. At the beginning of the 20th century, especially the 1920s and 1930s, the west side of the Huangpu River, informally known as the Bund, rivalled Europe in its grand Neoclassical and Art Deco buildings, such as the former HSBC Building, the Customs House, and the Cathay Hotel (now the Fairmont Peace Hotel). At a time when it was remarkably difficult to travel, international glitterati from movie stars to writers to jazz musicians ventured here for its legendary thrills.
Fast forward 100 years and now the east bank of that same Huangpu River with the Jin Mao Building, the Shanghai World Financial Center and the Shanghai Tower is rivaling its neighboring bank for attention.
The most famous of them, the Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower has since become the symbol of the city. Completed in 1994, the 468-metre-tall monument may be Shanghai’s most futuristic landmark, but its inspiration comes from one of China’s most famous poems written in the noughties, the 800 noughties, that is. “Like pearls, big and small, falling on a platter of jade” from “Pipa xing” by poet Bai Juyi written in 816 informed its sphere-like structure sparkling in the night along the Huangpu River.
But you don’t need a description because each and every one of these iconic sites can be seen from the aerie that is Flair.
Sixteen years ago, The Ritz-Carlton opened atop the latest rendition of Shanghai’s most historic bank, HSBC (Hong Kong Shanghai Bank), making it one of the first hotels in this newly developed part of town. The decor takes its cue from Shanghai’s OG modern era – pure Art Deco. Founded in 1911 in New York by César Ritz, aka “king of hoteliers and hotelier to kings,” it’s no surprise that charm, elegance and exceptional service are written into every visit.
A separate elevator in reception whisks you from the 52nd floor to 58th in seconds. This may be only just six stories, but it feels like another world. Crowned the highest rooftop outdoor terrace in Asia when it opened 16 years so, today it still holds the title of the highest in China. Step onto its tiered terrace and you immediately understand what the fuss is all about. Even inside with the floor-to-ceiling windows closed, you are wowed by THAT VIEW of old and new Shanghai with the Oriental Pearl Tower right smack in front of you.
With Flair’s return, our Ladies and Gentlemen welcome guests to experience the refined pulse of the hotel. It stands today as both a custodian of legacy and a bold statement of modern luxury, offering an uncompromisingperspective of Shanghai. Dale Parkington, General Manager
It might be difficult to be tempted to away from the view to see what’s happening behind the bar, IMHO, equally as exciting. That’s thanks to the leadership of Erzal Stiawan, Food & Beverage Manager and creator of their signature cocktail menu, Milestones.
Originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, Erzal headed straight into the hospitality industry. After starting out at cutting-edge bars in Jakarta, then refining his craft at the greatest hotel bars in the Middle East, he was drawn to China, working in Xi’an and Qingdao before landing at The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai.
His plan when creating the first menu was to gauge exactly what guests wanted and needed. It was all well and good to make cocktails he liked, but more important was discovering what pleased the people drinking them. Since most of the bar’s patrons are tourists, he dedicated the menu to the ones passing through, not just Flair, but Shanghai itself. Every cocktail marks a moment or milestone in the traveler’s journey, a reason why they’d visited Shanghai in the first place.
Flair is the heartbeat of Shanghai’s energy. From above, you witness the city’s story unfold—where old architecture, the river, and the modern skyline exist in perfect contrast. It’s where cultures meet, where people gather, and where moments become memories. Flair is not just a place; it’s a destination. Erzal Stiawan, Flair Manager
Designed to pick up exactly where the last one left off, The Unfinished Story is inspired by conversations between friends that never end. Monkey 47 gin sets the scene, with mango and passion fruit moving the story along before fragrant jasmine tea brings it to a close, and a touch of mint as that denouement.
There’s the invitation to Stay a Little Longer. Many of Flair’s visitors arrive intending to stop in for just one drink. Then the magic happens and they are compelled to linger that little bit longer. The view seduces them, the staff makes them feel at home, and the drink is just too good. A mix of raspberry vodka, sake, basil syrup and cherry juice charms them into remaining just where they are.
Once settled, another surprise awaits. Every evening after 8pm, the Oriental Pearl Tower’s nightly display, shimmering until the clock strikes midnight. Erzal found a way to capture that same spectacle in a glass. The Midnight Spark is fueled by London No. 3 Gin, lychee juice, rose water and Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé Champagne. Arriving on the table, it comes alive with a light show of its own. Between the cocktail in front of you and the skyline beyond, I dare you to say which view is more exciting.
That is the magic of Flair and what makes it the heart of The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai. The skyline may be what first draws people through the door, but it‘s not what they remember. It’s the connection Erzal and his team have built between the energy of the city below, the elegance of the hotel that is its home, and the curiosity of those who make the journey. At first, they might be chasing the view that is on everyone’s list, but they remain for the moments they create while they’re here.
As the ‘Eye of the City,’ Flair isn’t just a rooftop bar—it’s an emotion. Reborn from the memories of countless gatherings, it reignites the soul of The Ritz-Carlton, capturing the very spirit of the hotel. Jane Song, Director of Marketing Communications
