Pour One Out: This Week’s Closures… (some major)
The big item this week, which we talked about already right here, is the imminent closure of Bund staples M on the Bund and Glam in February 2022. Since the announcement a few days ago, the news has been met with an outpouring of shock, sadness, and heartache on social media online, the likes of which perhaps not felt by the Shanghai community since the earth shattering, world destroying, soul obliterating closure of Munchies in 2019.
Admittedly, Munchies never hosted in Amy Tan, John Ralston Saul, or Gore Vidal for delightfully bookish chats against the backdrop of that stunning Shanghai Bund skyline. But still.
That one hurt.
M on the Bund
And this one does too. They’re taking reservations at both venues now if you’d like to pay your last respects before February.
There’s a bit more from owner Michelle Garnaut on the closure at this FR article, including this lovely bit of insight:
“Restaurants are places for people, hospitality, ideas, exchanges and memories. That’s what they are for. Anyone who thinks they are for [Michelin] stars and accolades is barking up the wrong tree. They are public living rooms.”
This is the right and good perspective.
So yeah. It’s just not easy out these days if you’re still rocking that mid-‘00s Shanghai energy: the Kings of the Cobb Salad, Element Fresh have enacted a wave of closures, including their venues at Kerry Center, Metro City, Yueda 889, Superbrand Mall, and even K.Wah.
Element Fresh
Yikes. Sounds pretty grim. Feels like Monopoly, like when you land on someone else’s Boardwalk-with-a-hotel and you have to cash in everything you’ve got.
In conceptually related news, Wagas is seeking a valuation of USD 800 million - 1 billion. (!)
Huh. Makes you think.
Rounding out this week’s closures, Pirata is closing up at Columbia Circle and moving to a not-in-Columbia-Circle location on Xingfu Lu in February next year. Which seems wise.
Raise a Glass: New Openings
Everything that can be scaled is being scaled. There are Popeyes everywhere now. Chalk up three more locations for Alimentari, coming soon to Nanjing Xi Lu, Maoming Lu, Wuxing Lu. Le Coq has opened another one on Jianguo Lu. Shake Shack is adding an IAPM location. Da Marco is opening an express concept on Hongqiao Lu.
Shake Shack
Nanjing-based egg & burger place Eggsoul is entering the Shanghai market and already setting up a chain: They have four locations in town, including one on Maoming Lu and one in Julu 758. Our colleague sitting right next to us says it’s good.
After much anticipation, homegrown sports bar success story Cages is finally opening their second location in Huangpu District on December 17 and then another one in Changning after that, perhaps signaling that The Great Age of Changning District Being The Next Thing is finally upon us. We hear rumors as well that Cages is scouting a massive venue space in Xuhui around Caobao Lu
More Changning: a big, beautiful, “modern craft beer bar” Beer & Space is also now open in Changning on Wuyi Lu, right around the corner from the popular Lotus Eatery, also known by us as “Flying Lotus Eatery”.
Cages (Jiangning Lu)
Fine dining Korean bistro Genesis is now open in Hong Kong Plaza with a menu designed by Chef Tom Ryu of Jeju Izakaya. They’re serving traditional and personal Korean creations from the aforementioned chef.
The people behind Mustache restaurant have opened a new concept on Maoming Lu. Olla Tapas & Wine joined the Shanghai moveable feast on December 8.
“Neo bistro” Juke is opening soon on Dongping Lu from chef-about-town Michael J. They are “not Western or Asian” and instead taking “inspiration from Mediterranean flavors that are appropriated with Asian accents.”
Rounding Off with Some Quick Nightlife Stuff
Deep Whiskey Club is like… exactly what it sounds like, and now open on Nanjing Xi Lu.
SPINN is a “bistro” AND a “club”.
Celia is back open again at the Xingfu Lu location. This time it’s called “Celia Original”, not to be confused with “Celia Academy” which is still packing the 24-hour party people in at their location in Jing’an.
Celia Academy
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