Pub Crawling on a cold night in Shanghai

So i was back on the weekend in Shanghai. I haven't seen my buddy Greg for a while and decided to meet up for a small pub crawl last night. The first pub we hit was called

Joy Bar and Cafe
345 Wuning Nan Lu, JingAn
near Yuyao Lu and Kanding Lu
TEL: 6230 2015

Basically was looking for some pub grub and a nice beer. We were in the neighborhood and decided to drop by. I had been there once before on a Friday night many weeks ago. Joy Bar's location is a little out there and a little hard to find. Once you made the hike to find this place, it's actually quite a little gem in the area. I got a bacon cheese burger while my buddy got fish and chips. It was decently priced and quite good and I have to say one of best I've had in Shanghai. Beer selection wise is the usual bottled Erdinger and I think they have Carlsberg on draft.

The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting. There are no beer girls pushing you to buy a dozen of beers in which you know you can't finish. Last time I was there, I played several rounds of darts. The interior decoration is a bit mixed. You have the Scottish flag at one corner and a poster of a windmill from the Netherlands on the other. There is also a TV there, so might be handy to watch some games. On both occasions, the bar was rather empty. I think it's because not a lot of people have discovered this place yet. I hope this place will last and I think it's a great place to grab some pub grub and a pint.

A few photos:


The second place we hit that night was:

Kaiba
528 Kangding Lu, JingAn
near Xikang Lu

I read a bunch of reviews of this place since its grand opening several months ago. I am a big Belgian beer fan and I figured it's a must-visit. Finally after several weeks, I have the occasion to visit this joint. It's located at the end of an alleyway on 528 Kangding Lu. When you go to a place with absolutely no offering of food, you know you have entered a serious drinking place. This place is serious about Belgium beers; three fridges in total, two filled with Belgians and one with assorted American, Czech and German beers.

From my memory, they have Achel, Orval, Westmalle (Dubbel/Triple), Rochefort (6, 8, 10), Chimay (Red, White, Blue), Delirium (Tremens/Nocturnum), Duvel, Leffe (Blond, Bruin), Kwak, Waterloo, Gouden Carolus (Amber, Classic, Carolus D'or), Mort Subite (Gueuze, Kriek), Kastell, Maredsous (6, 8, 10) and a bunch of lambics. The other fridge contained, Brooklyn Lager, Erdinger (Weisse, Dark), Budvar, Crown Lager, Gordon Biersch and Rogue. On tap, I think they only have Stella. I probably missed a bunch more they offered thanks to the Delirium Tremens that I had.

The interior is simple, warm and inviting. The bar is comfortable and sits about 8 people or so. Consider it was a Tuesday night, the place is full but not packed. The clientele are mainly expats, tourist and beer advocates. The prices of the beers are typical Shanghai prices, nothing crazy (which can be the case for a lot of the specialty Belgian brews). They were doing a buy two get one free promotion the night we were there.

I rank highly for Kaiba, it's a great place to enjoy some true Belgian brews in Shanghai. I can't believe that I can actually have a Gueuze beer right here in Shanghai.

Some Photos: