Author's Note: Lounge by Topgolf has closed since the original date of this article's publication

The Place

Topgolf is an international global entertainment company hailing from the USA known for innovating the driving range experience by adding technology to the tees and quality food and drink options in a full-on entertainment format. 

Image courtesy of Lounge by Topgolf

This past summer, Topgolf opened its doors to China, with its first outpost in Shanghai. Lounge by Topgolf offers higher-end entertainment options in an upscale setting, designed by Shanghai design agency hcreates.

Image courtesy of Lounge by Topgolf

Image courtesy of Lounge by Topgolf

Image courtesy of Lounge by Topgolf

The entertainment-centric space features mini golf, seven swing suites (five of which are private) loaded with more than 80 golf courses around the world, as well as other interactive sports games.

On the food and drink front, Asian fusion meets pub grub designed by Danyi Gao (Shake, Bun Cha Cha, Black Rock) and drinks by Colin Tait (Shake, Black Rock).

Image courtesy of Lounge by Topgolf

Image courtesy of Lounge by Topgolf

Image courtesy of Lounge by Topgolf

A unique feature of the Shanghai location, a 9-hole mini golf course was inspired by Chinese calligraphy and watercolors. Designed by Zachary Pullman, it ties together American nostalgia for the sport with local flair. Essentially, it's an all-in-one entertainment complex that fits the bill for everything from team buiding to birthday parties, from bachelorette parties to golf outings, from date options to friend gatherings. 

Image courtesy of Lounge by Topgolf

However, Topgolf isn’t just a sports bar or driving range, Shanghai has enough of those already; it is an immersive sports entertainment venue that appeals to people of all walks of life, with a strong focus on high-end service that differentiates itself from other sports or entertainment concept bars. 

If your interest lies in food, beverage, sports, gaming, KTV or just socializing, having fun and making memories beyond the typical night lineup of going out for dinner or drinks, Topgolf has got something to offer. 

The Food

More than just your average pub grub, the menu at Topgolf provides an elevated alternative with more of an Asian twist; thoughtful fusion that ties in local flavors, making a meal more interesting than your average burger and fries. 

Snacks begin with Crispy Pig Ears & Cracklings (RMB68) served with a spiced aioli or Salted Egg-Yolk Potato Chips (RMB38).

Instead of the usual, expect tasty pairings like Olives with Spicy Bean Sauce (RMB48) and Shanghai OG Seaweed Peanuts (RMB38).

Chicken wings are an American sports bar must, but – of course – Topgolf serves up theirs with a twist, like the punchy Malaysian Belacan Shrimp-Paste Fried Chicken (RMB78), arriving tableside extra crispy with homemade pickles and calamansi. The tender meat inside remains juicy, without the added heft of an extra-thick coating. 

Wings are also available in Special Spicy, American Southern and Korean Sweet & Spicy paired with pickled daikon. 

A Taiwanese street snack, the Pork Belly & Preserved Vegetable Gua Bao Buns (RMB78) come in sets of three, par for the sharing course. Plush mantou buns nestle sweet stewed meat and a multitude of fresh herbs.

Korean meets Mexican with the Wagyu Beef Bulgogi Tacos (RMB78) – a heaping portion of Korean-spice marinated beef, topped with pungent kimchi on a toasted flour tortilla shell, a flavor mashup we can definitey get behind. 

Jumping over to the islands, the Hawaiian-style Fried Spam & Kimchi Musubi (RMB78) showcases the naughtiest hand-rolled rice, wrapped in crispy-coated seaweed and drizzled in spicy aioli. This is truly a texture bomb – crispy coating, sticky rice, soft egg and springy spam – one that is ideal for prepping the stomach for another round (of cocktails or golf; pick your poison.)

Wagyu Cheeseburger & Fries (RMB88/single, RMB136/double)

Instead of traditional brick-oven pizza, Topgolf presents Turkish Pide (RMB78), with an airier dough that crisps around the edges but won’t make you too full. We loved the salted, yeasty dough, a flavorful crust that is only enhanced by an array of equally tasting toppings. 

Oblong-shaped, the dough is stuffed with Turkish-style beef, mozzarella, feta, tomato, jalapeños and olives.

Beyond the handheld classics, there are sharing courses spanning Suckling Pig (RMB888/half, RMB1,688/whole), Pandan-leaf Roasted Spring Chicken Stuffed with Lemongrass & Spices (RMB138), Slow-Braised Short Ribs (RMB358), Seafood Platters (RMB688) and Wagyu steaks (RMB288-1,088). 

Tee up dessert with the ‘Hole In One’ Chocolate Cake (RMB88) – a stacked dense cocoa cake, piped with dark chocolate frosting and crowned with a white chocolate golf ball oozing with white chocolate liqueur.

If you’re looking to par-tee (we couldn’t help ourselves), drinks cover the gambit and then some – from beer and wine to pre-batched cocktails, plus and highballs and seasonal sippers, it’s hard to not find something to your fancy.  

Highballs like the refreshing Apples on Apples (RMB88), featuring Dewar’s Caribbean 8yr Whisky, Laird’s Applejack, lemon, soda and sliced apple offer a refreshingly light way to simultaneously inebriate and hydrate.

Cocktails, like the Sumo Smash (RMB88) – a gin based sour libation with curry leaf, bergamot, calamansi and egg white – offer a fragrant, oh-so crushable bevvie to slam all night.

Finally, if you’re drinking plans involve brunch, the Miso Bloody Caesar (RMB78) cannot be missed; a Canadian-cum-Japanese twist on the Bloody Mary with vodka, white miso, chipotle hot sauce, clamato and citrus.

The Vibe 

Topgolf is so much more than just a place to play golf – it’s a full-on entertainment venue with options for fun, regardless of age and interest.

It’s a pioneer in the integration of sports and entertainment, featuring high-tech multi-sensory interactive facilities in the heart of Shanghai.

Be it a group of friends, an athletic association, an elementary school class, a family, or a work team outing, Topgolf offers entertainment and good times conducive to creating memories for all. 

It is also a place to enjoy the 19th hole, as they say in the lingo.

Image courtesy of Lounge by Topgolf

Image courtesy of Lounge by Topgolf

Chengdu Rendering, Image courtesy of Lounge by Topgolf

Get ready to experience even more Topgolf fun as their flagship sports entertainment venue will open in Chengdu in late 2022! Their second China outpost will be a 12,000 square meters space, including four bars and three restaurants for all-day dining and drinking

There are also plans for additional Chinese mainland locations that haven’t been officially announced yet.

(Hint: think warm.) 

Lounge by Topgolf, 227  Huangpi Bei Lu, 黄陂北路227号.

[Cover image courtesy of Lounge by Topgolf]