Global Nightlife Trends: Cotton’s in Shanghai, China
Christine Huang
To kick off our Global Nightlife Trends series, we asked Cotton Ding, owner of Shanghai’s eternally hip bar, Cotton’s, to fill us in on what’s going on after dark in China’s commercial capital. Here are some of her insights:
Tell us about your bar? How would you describe it? Who visits it?
Cotton’s is a friendly, neighborhood-style bar and restaurant located in a three-story, 1930’s French villa in Shanghai’s tree-lined French Concession. In the summer, our guests enjoy their cocktails beneath grand old shade trees lining one of Shanghai’s great patio gardens. In the winter, four fireplaces create a warm and cozy atmosphere for the cold season.
Our customers constitute one of the most diverse and international clienteles in all of Shanghai. Roughly, 30% are local Chinese, and the remainder comes from all corners of the globe. No matter their origins, they are entrepreneurs, professionals, artists, and adventurers. Together, at Cotton’s, they become friends.
What trends are happening within nightlife in your city?
Even, five years ago, Shanghai had only a few bars in a few select districts, and people would travel great distances to visit them. Today, there are many more nightlife options, with two results:
First, the quality of Shanghai’s nightlife offerings has improved in the face of stiffer competition.
Second, Shanghai nightlife has become more segmented, with venues trying to appeal to more and more narrow clienteles. Cotton’s is one of the few destinations left in Shanghai where a diverse group of people – young to old, professional to artistic – still mixes. Bucking the trend has made us special, and we’re proud of it!
Any trends in drinking you’ve noticed at your bar recently?
Yes! Cocktails are definitely becoming much more popular, at the expense of beer and wine. The Mojito has become our most popular offering, and we’ve been known to sell upwards of 200 in a single night.
Is any new drink going to be the next big thing?
It’s so hard to predict the drinking habits of an international crowd. Who could have guessed that Mojitos would become so popular? My somewhat educated guess is that light and fruity Belgian beers have a big future. They appeal to men and women alike – and that’s something that no other beer nation can claim!
Where is your bar? And what night would you recommend we visit?
Cotton’s is located in the heart of Shanghai’s beautiful French Concession, at 132 Anting Road (at the corner of Jianguo West Road).
The right night depends upon your mood and personality. Sundays and the early part of the week are good if you’re looking for a relaxed, low-key place to relax with friends. And, it doesn’t hurt that we have a two-for-one house drinks happy hour from 4 – 8, M-Th.
For those looking for the excitement generated by a diverse and international crowd, then our busy weekend nights can’t be beat.
Thanks, Cotton!
Posted on: Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 4:23 pm 
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