The Sukhothai Shanghai recently launched the renewed URBAN Lounge, upgraded as the Gin Library – a full array of more than 300 gins, ever-rotating, plus tasting flights, trolley service and master classes abound. 

Curated by Attila Balint, the Bar and Beverage Manager and his team, the Gin Library features everything from large gin distilleries to rare, artisan bottles hailing from small-batch raft gin makers across the globe. 

Inspired by the classically elegant living room concept, the URBAN Lounge acts as a haven for both work and respite. The rich hues of velvet and lush silk cover plush, softly rounded armchairs and sofas, accented by marble topped tables.

The 12-meter-long teakwood bar spans across the lounge, grounding the 4-shelves stacked high with all matter of gin, organized by region, style and flavor profile.

The menu is a master class in and of itself; patrons can start with the first page’s gin tasting wheel that draws them to different cocktails through color coding. Whether you lean towards citrus, floral, fruity or herbal gins – or your aim is purely navy strength – there are pages of options and tonic pairing recommendations provided accordingly for this G&T-focused spot. 

If you have any interest whatsoever in flavor profiles, pairing suggestions and facets of gin styles, you will undoubtedly learn something new from the menu. 

But, what piqued our interest the most are the Gin Around the Globe (RMB140-160) tasting flights – organized by destination or style – with three separate 20ml pours, plus a tonic and garnish.

For a bit more than a regular G&T, sippers can sample three mini versions, each enhancing the others. The current sets range from Chinese gins to Flower Garden, Out of the Box – like milk and honey washed gin or white truffle – and Tea Lovers – gins infused with tea from Japan, the USA and the UK.

For those craving that Old World charm, the Sukhothai Martini Trolley (RMB140) arrives tableside where guests can observe the art of martini making, an iconic act with an added touch of drama, resulting in one of the most balanced martinis on this side of the Yangtze.

In the future, URBAN Lounge will arrange trolley pop-ups, featuring various gins as the martini base where visitors can meet the people behind these beloved gin brands and relish in their version of the perfect martini. 

The Juniper Diary section of the menu offers diners choosing to abstain from drinking non-ABV cocktail options in five distinctly herbaceous Seedlip flavors. 

To pair with the gins, URBAN Lounge showcases a continental style menu, with bar snacks, skewers, Asian bites, salads and burgers. 
 

And where there’s gin and nibbles, there’s live music – every Friday and Saturday from 8-11pm – with the Jazz Trio and Jojo Zhang on vocals, Yang Hongbing playing piano and Wu Liang strumming the bass. 

For the curious to the connoisseurs, URBAN Lounge will offer a gin-focused monthly master class followed by a cocktail-centric guest shift. If you’re interested in learning more about the world of gin, the next event takes place on October 29 with Broff from the Hope Group in Shenzhen in collaboration with White Sheep and Mahon gins. 

During the following months, URBAN Lounge is offering a daily, two-hour G&T free flow special for RMB238 net per person. Come by any time before 8pm and sample your way through as many of the gins as you want – across regions, styles and tastes.

From interested gin neophytes to serious gin aficionados, URBAN Lounge's Gin Library serves as a guide offering an engaging experience for every guest.

About The Sukhothai Shanghai 

Located in the shopping and tourist hotspot of West Nanjing Road and Shimen Yi Road, The Sukhothai Shanghai is a contemporary lifestyle hotel that forms an integral part of the HKRI Taikoo Hui mixed-use complex, which also includes Grade-A office towers and a premium shopping mall. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the hotel is an inspired work of design by the internationally-acclaimed Neri&Hu Design and Research Office, featuring 170 well-appointed guest rooms and 31 suites ranging from 44 to 172 square meters, event space up to 450 square meter, five inspiring lifestyle dining venues, a state-of-the-art fitness studio complete with a 25-meter heated indoor pool, and The Retreat spa specializing in revitalizing wellness programs. Upholding our goal to deliver experiential hospitality, The Sukhothai Shanghai strives to offer personable services and unforgettable experiences to guests visiting the bustling metropolis.

About The Sukhothai Hotels & Resorts

The Sukhothai hotel logo consists of 22 diamond droplets forming the Chedi design that was inspired by Sukhothai, the first capital of Siam. Each drop of diamond, polished to an identical marquise shape and seemingly finding its own position within the whole represents the individuals of the qualified hotel associates who, guided by intuition yet precise in every detail, anticipate our guests’ needs and cater to them exceptionally. Each property within the brand portfolio remains distinct and uniquely designed while maintaining the essential quality that is the hallmark of the brand.

About HKR International Limited  

HKR International Limited has diversified interests in real estate development and investment, property management, luxury hotels and serviced apartments, healthcare services and other investments in Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland and across Asia. The Company’s diverse portfolio includes Discovery Bay and CDW Building in Hong Kong, HKRI Taikoo Hui in Shanghai, and a number of premium residential and commercial properties in Thailand and Japan. HKRI has been listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong since 1989, under the Stock Code of 00480. Website: www.hkri.com.

URBAN Lounge, 1/F, 380 Weihai Lu, by Shimenyi Lu, 威海路380号1层, 近石门一路.