This is for the 2nd floor-- happy hour, specifically.

On a Tuesday night there were still lots of small groups of people just meeting up after work or smoking hookah to unwind, so I don't think an awkward empty atmosphere is anything to worry about here. The decor is dark, themed, with faux-flickering lights (it's funny to catch them dimming and lighting them cause it snaps you back to the reality of produced ambiance).

Mixed drinks for happy hour claim to use premium spirits-- Grey Goose, etc-- which I might believe if I could taste any of it at all. It's a shame though because they offer a fair happy hour (50% off, 68 RMB normally) but all you'll really get it a tall glass of mixed juice. After two drinks I got fed up and switched to beer. They carry a small beer list upstairs, I'd say about 8 or so, but they do have an Australian beer called Pure Blonde that tastes better and is offered at the same price as say, a TsingTao.

I ordered the eggplant mushroom pizza (the only vegetarian item on the happy hour menu by the way) and it was done very well, I was very surprised as my experience with pizzas in Shanghai so far hasn't been great. The pizza could be shared by two slightly hungry person or just one really ravenous one.

Overall, go for the happy hour tapas, stick with the beer, ogle the ambiance, just to say you "did Barbarossa."

Needing a break from the City`s grime a visit to Peoples Park seemed sublime, A winters weekend walk through the plants and tree`s seemed finally to put our minds at ease. Barbarossa beckoned, we longed for a feast with some food, drinks and ambiance from the Middle East. Met at the door without reservation and minimal of fuss shown to a table given a menu and left to discuss.
The first floor was busy with a nice atmosphere of “chill”, it was warm and seductive and for Shanghai very tranquil. Cold Erdinger on draft and a bottle of red wine, food was ordered and life was just fine. Our foursome wanted meat and Lamb was the call, We opted for breads and dips and the famous Moroccan Lamb Meatballs. The bread was crusty and warm and the dips were tasty albeit small but not as addictive as our fantastic lamb meatballs. Served with a mint yogurt dip right on the side, the lamb was well seasoned, juicy in which the flavors did collide.
Pasta Fruit de Mer you can`t really get wrong, but is usually drab, ours was fresh packed with white fish, prawns and crab. Chicken Tajine is a signature dish we were well informed and was a “must”, it came out juicy and the aroma of garlic with cous cous made us all lust.
The Lamb is a staple on any Moroccan list so the “just pink rack” we ordered with rosemary potato`s and the Chef we could have kissed. Two of our number were greedy and wanted something sweet, we asked for a recommendation and the Manager we did meet. Its rare in China to meet a Manager that does care, he obligingly brought out small samples of all the sweets for all of us to share. Although not originally from Morocco the desserts stood out on their own, the cheesecake, the caramel apple crumble and the well named “Toblerone”
The latter was a mix of Hazlenuts,Kahula, Baileys, Almonds and Cream and was basically a “dream on a plate” or a sweet lovers wet-dream.
Full to the brim and not wanting to leave into the cold, we put our plans to go home on ultimate hold. We headed upstairs for a Mojito`s, Wine and Jack & Coke and a nice burnt cherry Hookah for us all to smoke. The bar was heaving, no-one was leaving we stood near the Dj where people wear dancing and weaving. A good night out, the best by far, thanks to all there and “Rock The Casbah”

Shanghai is a pretty surreal place but a Moroccan palace surrounded by a moat of waterlilies in the middle of a city straight out of Star Wars certainly takes the cake. The venue is fabulous and the upstairs bar has been magnificently decorated to give an authentic feel of Morocco with hookah's, lots of glass lamps, a bar under a Bedouin tent and a beautiful roof top courtyard adorned in colorful tiles. We were there for happy hour and certainly made the most of it with delicious Dirty and Lychee Martini's.
The only slight let down was the Bistro style Restaurant downstairs with it's outdoor furniture and more casual and contemporary ambiance. This was certainly compensated for by great service and wonderful food. We loved the beautiful Moroccan dips as appetizers and were more than surprised at how great the 1/2 Roast Chicken and Mushroom Pasta are. Not particularly Moroccan choices on our part, but they were available to choose from as well.
All in all it was a surprising trip to another world in the middle of another world. Loved it!

As first time visitors to Shanghai we found lots of great places to eat and drink. Barbarossa in the middle of People's Park is a gem! It is different from all the others but not just because of its absolutely picturesque location on the lake.

The Morroccan bar and roof top has a sophisticated and sassy ambience and happy hour made our cocktails great value for money. Lychee Martini - yum! I could have stayed all night (I think some do!)

We finally adjoined to the restaurant and must say the food was fabulous. An international, ecclectic "something for everyone" menu included local favourites and some Moroccan specialties. Everyone at our table of 4 enjoyed their meal immensely but some really high points were the capsicum hommous and eggplant dip - so good we had to order more - and the roast chicken...a huge portion, traditionally done and got a big thumbs up. Think the comment was "I think I'll have to start coming to Shanghai when I want a roast!" Mushroom pasta dish was presented in a huge bowl, and had excellent flavours (which is why I got into so much trouble for repeated pinching "just a little bit more" from my dining companion!) Some philistine once said you can judge a good restaurant by its chips - that being so, try these - THE BEST!

As a wine drinker, the wine list was the only low point - not a good selection and highly priced. OK, I am in China..but an easy fix I would have thought....