After the absolute triumph at The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025, where Bar Leone was crowned The World’s Best Bar, the next chapter unfolds in Shanghai, in the heart of Huangpu.
By Eleni Nikoloulia
The new bar by Lorenzo Antinori and Justin Shun Wah, opening its doors on November 9th, promises to bring Leone’s signature dolce vita energy, its simplicity, and its “Cocktail Popolari” philosophy to a city that is rapidly becoming a global culinary hotspot.
Bar Leone Shanghai will be open daily from 6 PM to 1 AM, remaining true to the founding philosophy of its Hong Kong counterpart: “Cocktails for the People.”
The new Leone unfolds across two floors, each with its own distinct personality and mood. The menu features signature cocktails, seasonal spritzes, and spirit-forward creations, while the food holds an equally important role. No one leaves without tasting the now-iconic mortadella focaccia and the smoked olives, served both as a snack and in one of the best Martinis you can find anywhere in the world. For the Shanghai opening, additional exclusive dishes will be introduced to enrich the experience.
Different levels, different concepts
The ground floor of Bar Leone Shanghai functions as a Bar di Passo – or “passing bar.” Inspired by the legendary Italian sports bars of the ’80s and ’90s, the Bar di Passo is a tribute to everyday Italian culture: simple, authentic, and full of life.
At its heart stands the Spritz Bar, a space dedicated to spritzes served on draft, with highlights like the Spumoni, made with Earl Grey–infused Campari, grapefruit cordial and quinine, or the distinctive Leone Vermouth Service, a house blend of vermouths served with orange foam, accompanied by Taralli biscuits and Parmigiano.
Moving upstairs, guests encounter a more classic cocktail-bar atmosphere with stronger, spirit-forward creations from the Vecchi & Rari (Old & Rare) program, which showcases aged cocktails and rare spirits crafted with precision. Among the highlights is the 28-month Aged Dry Martini, featuring a blend of five gins, Marsala, and orange bitters, the 21-month Aged Manhattan with American whiskeys, Jamaican rum and vermouth, and the Black Truffle Godfather, infused with Yunnan black truffle and aged for six months.