The Snapshot

As the sun sets over Shanghai, a new moon rises in the cocktail constellation: Alma de la Luna, or Alma Luna for short, poetically translating to “soul of the moon” in Spanish. Backed by celebrated mixologist and owner of Union Trading Company, Yao Lu, this new rum-focused dram den promises to bring the romance and rhythm of steamy Havana nights to the bustling streets of Shanghai.

After soft opening in early August, Alma Luna has already proven it’s not just another cocktail bar; it’s a moonlit amalgamation of life’s best moments – think sultry nights and spirited conversations that linger long after the last sip.

The Place

Yao Lu, the visionary behind one of Shanghai’s OG cocktail bars, Union Trading Company – an establishment that’s earned its stripes on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list on more than several occasions – has set sail for new horizons with Alma Luna. While UTC is a whirlwind of energetic camaraderie, Alma Luna invites guests to kick back, be present, and connect over the best kind of stories that only unfold over cocktails.

“We wanted to create a place where people can slow down, escape, and create memories that last beyond the evening,” remarks Lu.

Step through the bar’s Xiangyang Lu doors, down a plant-lined hallway and into the glamorous, high-rolling, cha-cha-cha rhythm of Hotel Nacional de Cuba in 1950s Havana. The opulent vintage décor, composed of warm lighting, tufted emerald green banquettes, brass accents, mosaic tiling, arched entryways, and a white orchid-themed back bar mural (the national flower of Cuba), leaves guests expecting to find sequin-bedazzled Tropicana Cabaret showgirls around every corner, cascading ruffles, towering headdresses, and all.

With 43 seats – spanning private booths in the back to convivial tables flanking the sides to a standing bar cutting through the middle, and high-top seating at the main bar, the space’s focal point – Alma Luna is designed for everything from intimate tête-à-têtes to lively gatherings that stretch into the night.

The Drinks

Now, what you’ve all been waiting for, the real stars: the cocktails. Alma Luna’s menu is a dance between classic Cuban cocktails and modern signatures. Both menu sections lean heavily into rum, the national drink of Cuba, paying homage to this spirit’s essential place in Cuban culture.

The seven classic Cuban cocktails see the likes of a Hemingway Daiquiri (RMB98) – a tempting trinity of rum, lime, and sugar that deftly dovetails sweetness, sourness, and strength – culminating as a tasty tribute of the literary giant’s love for the island; a Cuba Libre (RMB98) with a homemade cola reduction, warming spices, and vanilla, a cocktail that’s as liberating as the name suggests...

… And a riff on a Canchánchara (RMB98) – a 19th century almost forgotten Cuban classic of rum, honey, and lime, elevated at Alma Luna with green cardamom tincture, sea salt, orange bitters, and spice mala honey for that added layer and nip of heat.

Other classics span El Presidente (RMB98), Mojito (RMB98), Hotel Nacional Special (RMB98) and Alma Luna’s riff on the beloved Daiquiri (RMB98).

On the flip side, the contemporary roster of the menu fills in the gaps, ensuring there are cocktails for all taste preferences – sour, bitter, spicy, umami, etc. – while still aligning with the bar’s Cuban culture ethos.

Case in point, the Miami Vice (RMB108) is a frozen blend of nostalgia, equal parts strawberry daiquiri and piña colada topped with a requisite paper beach parasol, ideal for Shanghai’s hot summer nights.

At once vegetal and refreshing, the Abuela’s Garden (RMB118) features a refined mix of Del Maguey Vida mezcal and Altos Silver tequila sous vide with cucumber, tomato, bell pepper cilantro, lime and agave nectar, a nod to Cuba’s neighbor: Mexico.

Luz de Luna (RMB118) is also not to be missed, a Monkey 47 gin concoction that tastes like a Korean Melona ice cream bar with a tipsy finish. The ice is sheathed by a pandan cocoa butter that slowly melts into the libation, allowing it to evolve as the evening marches on into night.

There’s also a Cafecito Martini (RMB108), a tip of the hat to Cuba’s rich coffee heritage sheathed by fluffy espumita foam, a roasted banana and sherry concoction infused into Jameson whisky as the Golden Hour (RMB108), a floral gin libation with toasted rice, jasmine, and osmanthus amazake playfully dubbed Flor de Noche (RMB08), and more.

The Food

On the food front, Alma Luna is collaborating with Chef Ling of Spanish restaurant Pirata on a lineup of Cuban-themed sharing plates and snacks.

The Chicharrón & Cuban Guacamole (RMB48) offer an addicting fried pork skin snack, puffed up like crispy coated cotton balls tossed in a signature spice blend. Guacamole studded with pineapple chunks and a gasp of lime acts as ideal dunking fodder.

If there’s only one plate that you order, it must be the self-proclaimed Thicc Cubano Sandwich (RMB68), one that delivers on its hefty promise. Slow-roasted pork is layered with sliced ham, pickles, a generous slather of mustard, and enough ooey-gooey Swiss cheese to sink a ship, all nestled inside a pressed and toasted Cuban bread bun.

Mini Chorizo Fritas (RMB88/3) – Chorizo paddies, shoestring potatoes

A rich explosion of coffee, dark chocolate, and a touch of rum unite as the Coffee Chocolate Pot de Crème (RMB68), a dessert for those aiming for a dessert flavor bomb, sans the sugar high.

The Verdict

Every detail – from the tailored Cuban collared white jacket uniforms to the nostalgia-inducing cocktails to the carefully curated Latin playlist that is guaranteed to have even the most anti-dancer swinging his or her hips by night’s end – is designed to evoke the mambo-overtone essence of Havana evenings.

“Alma Luna isn’t just a rum bar. We are escapism, romance, and real connection, with rum as a backdrop,” adds Lu while simultaneously shaking a daiquiri and pouring another, all with a beaming smile across his face. Alma Luna is where laughter mingles with the clink of glasses under the ethereal glow of moonlight.

Alma Luna, 17-2 Xiangyang Bei Lu, 襄阳北路17-2号