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StarkOffline
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Post  Posted: Nov 19, 2009 - 02:38 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top
Post subject: Tara 57

I'm a fairly regular peruser of this site and I've seen all sorts of places plugged or panned. I usually don't do this, but there is one place that really, really deserves a lot more buzz than they seem to have right now: Tara 57. It's a comfy little cocktail lounge across the street from JZ - 57 Fuxing Lu, near Yong Fu Lu.

What makes it different from anywhere else in Shanghai are the excellence of its cocktails and the terrific happy hour. Honestly, for me these are the best drinks in Shanghai, beating out places like Constellation and the Vault. The bartenders there - one of whom was one of the 5 tapped by CW for their Martini challenge - are really professional and mix just simply fantastic drinks. The girl I was with last night there ordered at random something called a Spicy Cristoph - and inwardly I wondered, given the ingredients - but I might just have to head back there tonight for one after taking a few sips of hers.

Now the best part: these are top-quality drinks, and reflect that in the price. Most are 60-80 rmb (they are better, however, than similarly priced drinks elsewhere in my estimation, like Sasha's). However, from Monday-Friday 7-10 drinks are HALF PRICE! And they are made at the same quality as the non-happy hour drinks! So for 30-40 rmb you get a top-class cocktail - I guess Laris Thursday nights the deal is similar, but this is 5 times a week for three hours! Really, folks, get on over there. It's an excellent pre-post dinner drink before the heavy boozing starts and taste stops mattering.

There. That's quite a rant. But seriously, check it out. Excellent date place, great drinks, great price.
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sienna
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Post  Posted: Nov 19, 2009 - 02:58 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

I heard it's good but I just don't like the name. Tara 57 sounds so tacky for some reason.

"I'm going to Tara 57"
-ehhhhhhhh???

Tara sounds like a chinese farmer girl's english name

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spandexOffline
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Post  Posted: Nov 19, 2009 - 03:08 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Cheers, will give it a try during HH. It must be close to Boxing Cat??? Talking of which, the beer at this place (Boxing Cat) is the worst in the history of brewing .... if you can finish a pint, you've got either a very strong stomach or very dead taste buds. Have been disappointed 3 times there, and won't be going back.

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Last edited by spandex on Nov 19, 2009 - 03:09 PM; edited 1 time in total
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StarkOffline
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Post  Posted: Nov 19, 2009 - 03:09 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Can't argue with that logic Smile

But seriously - Sasha's, Cotton's - Cotton's actually IS a Chinese girl's name (she's really nice, too) - if it's just the name that's keeping people away (and which sounds ridiculous, but I don't run with the 'in' crowd) - I'll tell the folks beyond the bar next time I go in, maybe brainstorm a new, cool-kid approved name. Any suggestions from the peanut gallery?
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Post  Posted: Nov 19, 2009 - 03:13 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Yeah, name it after that rapper, gangster, gold dripping dude, what's his name again, "Twenty Pence" or summat.

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If moths like the light so much why do they only come out when its dark?
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Post  Posted: Nov 19, 2009 - 03:14 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

"Cocktails and Dreams - I see it in pink neon. Blink blink, pinkety blink"
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spandexOffline
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Post  Posted: Nov 19, 2009 - 03:27 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Pink neon may give the wrong impression ....

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Post  Posted: Nov 19, 2009 - 03:53 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Taking your word on this one Stark.. I've been looking for a place to get an awesome cocktail at a decent price

I will be there tomorrow for sure to check out HH

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Post  Posted: Nov 19, 2009 - 04:00 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Cocktales is good there, but music is too loud for such a small place. It's across the street from JZ bar

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Post  Posted: Nov 19, 2009 - 04:09 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

I agree - Fantastic cocktails there made by great bartenders!
last time we were there we had to tell them to turn the music down a little cause we couldnt hear each other (there were 6or 7 of us)
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hammerforlife
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Post  Posted: Nov 19, 2009 - 04:31 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

For once I agree with Sienna, Tara 57 does sound like the msn name of a second rate porn star.
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Post  Posted: Nov 19, 2009 - 04:32 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

ohhh i love their mojito, so curious how they could make it sooo tasty... and it is very hard to find good mojito in shanghai! i sometimes go there on thursday, latin night, really like there, will go tonight also:)
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Post  Posted: Nov 19, 2009 - 04:38 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

The Mojito is not bad at Tara, I prefer the one at the bar in the Portman....
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StarkOffline
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Post  Posted: Nov 19, 2009 - 06:57 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Right on, seems like a few folks are headed over soon. Hope they've got their A-game Smile
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Post  Posted: Nov 19, 2009 - 07:30 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Haven't been in there since the original owners sold up. Have heard good things. Loud doof-doof music sounds like a downer though.

Tara 57 is a stupid name. Taras or something would be better, and I call it that half the time anyway since the 57 is too hard to remember. Something completely different to Tara would probably be better still.

It sounds nothing like the name of a Chinese farmer's daughter mind you.


Now the beer at the Boxing Cat is OK in my book. So much bitching about the Boxing Cat recently. Would all the moaners prefer a Corona with a sparkler in the neck?

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matOffline
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Post  Posted: Nov 19, 2009 - 08:57 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Stark wrote:
Can't argue with that logic Smile

But seriously - Sasha's, Cotton's - Cotton's actually IS a Chinese girl's name (she's really nice, too) - if it's just the name that's keeping people away (and which sounds ridiculous, but I don't run with the 'in' crowd) - I'll tell the folks beyond the bar next time I go in, maybe brainstorm a new, cool-kid approved name. Any suggestions from the peanut gallery?


Cough Cough. Are you taking the piss?

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matOffline
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Post  Posted: Nov 19, 2009 - 08:58 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Boxing Cat Beer is actually quite bloody good. I don't understand the bitching about it.

Cotton on the other hand!!!

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Post  Posted: Nov 20, 2009 - 12:02 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Why all the negativity about the name? I LOVE second rate pornstars!

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vesperOffline
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Post  Posted: Nov 20, 2009 - 02:00 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

I don't care about the name because the drink menu and the service was wonderful.
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Post  Posted: Nov 20, 2009 - 02:05 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Tara57?

Scarlett O'Hare with a bottle of ketchup?

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Post  Posted: Nov 20, 2009 - 07:11 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

hammerforlife wrote:
For once I agree with Sienna, Tara 57 does sound like the msn name of a second rate porn star.


What would be a good name for a first rate porn star

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Post  Posted: Nov 20, 2009 - 09:15 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

mat wrote:
Boxing Cat Beer is actually quite bloody good. I don't understand the bitching about it.


You're taking the p*** right? Their beer is shoite.

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Post  Posted: Nov 20, 2009 - 09:57 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

p1atl10 wrote:
Tara57?

Scarlett O'Hare with a bottle of ketchup?


Laughing
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nrgfinkOffline
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Post  Posted: Nov 20, 2009 - 10:02 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

SnappySammy wrote:
hammerforlife wrote:
For once I agree with Sienna, Tara 57 does sound like the msn name of a second rate porn star.


What would be a good name for a first rate porn star


Definitely read this as "That would be a good name for a first rate pornstar"

And I though... hmm .... Sienna...

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Marakanis
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Post  Posted: Nov 20, 2009 - 10:20 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

spandex wrote:
mat wrote:
Boxing Cat Beer is actually quite bloody good. I don't understand the bitching about it.


You're taking the p*** right? Their beer is shoite.


Gonna have to disagree as well. I'm guessing the only stuff you drink is light lagers like Tsing Tao and Harbing. A stout or a hoppy IPA at Boxing Cat might put you off if those are your gold star standards for beer. If you can get it, try their Golden Ale. I'd be willing to bet it's more to your taste...

This is the part where you flame me because I have no idea what your tastes are.
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