Epic in Shanghai was named Campari One To Watch at this year’s Asia’s 50 Best Bars, an award given to the bar that has the potential to break into the top 50 list in the future.  This is the first time a bar in mainland China has been given the accolade.

Epic, located in Shanghai’s old French Concession, is a neighborhood cocktail bar spanning 3 floors that serves great cocktails and awesome music. Since it opened in late 2014, Epic has lived up to its name and become a mainstay in Shanghai’s vibrant cocktail scene, while also making waves outside of China. 

Cross Yu, industry veteran and founder of Epic, wanted to focus on three things when he opened the bar: music, space, and staff. “Epic is about attitude,” Cross says. “Obviously, we want people to remember our name, so we tried to do every single detail, to make it perfectly, then you will say ‘Wow, this is an epic night!’” 

The bar lived up to this promise with a solid funky disco track, edgy visuals, and an all-local staff that is committed to personalized and cheerful service. “I want to create a cool bar, in a very international way, cool attitude, with a 100% local bar team,” he continues. “And we trained the service that way, don’t be shy – be confident, put your personality out there, with just a little bit of Epic style. And for me, my team is my family.”

Epic’s all-local team

“Winning this award means a lot,” he shares. “We’re a 100% Chinese team. We want to build an international drinking culture based in Shanghai.”    

The Campari One To Watch Award is the third in a series of special awards to be announced in the weeks leading up to the big reveal of Asia’s 50 Best Bars at 6:00 pm on May 6, 2021. This will be preceded by the inaugural 51-100 list, on April 29. There will also be a series of three bartender discussions entitled “Breaking The Ice” before the final countdown scheduled for May 2 – 4.

Watch the announcement of Asia’s 50 Best Bars for 2021 on May 6 at 6:00 pm via The World’s 50 Best Bars Facebook page and 50 Best Bars TV YouTube channel.


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