COA Shanghai is a bar that specializes in agave spirits and cocktails. Founded by bartender Jay Khan, COA Hong Kong ranks #7 in The World’s 50 Best Bars. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence

COA Shanghai: High-Profile Agave Cocktail Bar in Jing’an

  • September 27, 2024

This venue is now closed. For more bars in Shanghai, click here.

High-profile cocktail bar COA has finally opened in Jing’an, Shanghai. The concept comes via Hong Kong, and brings agave spirits to the forefront of Shanghai’s drinking scene, backed by its original location’s ranking in The World’s 50 Best Bars.

The Space

COA Shanghai, a cocktail bar serving agave spirits, mezcal, and tequila; from Hong Kong's COA, #7 on World's 50 Best Bars. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Entrance

Founded in 2017 by bartender Jay Khan, the essence of COA is in its spirits—agave. Named after the machete-like tool used for harvesting agave, Jay founded COA with the vision of promoting and celebrating agave spirits and the culture surrounding it. The Shanghai location seeks to do the same. Currently, COA Hong Kong is #7 on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2021 and #1 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2021.

COA Shanghai, a cocktail bar serving agave spirits, mezcal, and tequila; from Hong Kong's COA, #7 on World's 50 Best Bars. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
COA Shanghai, La Cantina, first floor.
COA Shanghai, a cocktail bar serving agave spirits, mezcal, and tequila; from Hong Kong's COA, #7 on World's 50 Best Bars. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
COA Shanghai, El Salon, second floor.

Located on Jiaozhou Lu in a three-story lane house, COA Shanghai is cozy, intimate space. To be honest, it’s a bit of a squeeze, which is, perhaps part of the charm. La Cantina, the main cocktail bar is on the ground floor, El Salon on the floor above has a small terrace, and at the top is El Atico, an invite-only tasting room.

COA Shanghai, a cocktail bar serving agave spirits, mezcal, and tequila; from Hong Kong's COA, #7 on World's 50 Best Bars. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
COA Shanghai, a cocktail bar serving agave spirits, mezcal, and tequila; from Hong Kong's COA, #7 on World's 50 Best Bars. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
COA Shanghai, El Atico, third floor.

How one gains entry to El Atico is vague. According to staff at COA Shanghai, they’ll scan the room for people who take an interest in agave, and bring them up to the room. Once you’re there, you’ll join the other lucky few in a guided introduction to mezcal.

COA Shanghai, a cocktail bar serving agave spirits, mezcal, and tequila; from Hong Kong's COA, #7 on World's 50 Best Bars. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Soft décor and detailing is evocative of Mexican art, while the overall feel is supposedly inspired by bars in Oaxaca, Mexico, the region where mezcal is produced.

The Drinks

COA Shanghai, a cocktail bar serving agave spirits, mezcal, and tequila; from Hong Kong's COA, #7 on World's 50 Best Bars. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

Countless bottles of agave tequila and mezcals line the bar’s back wall. Eight signature cocktails (from ¥118) feature prominently on the menu, the same ones from COA Hong Kong, plus six more classic and contemporary cocktails.

COA Shanghai, a cocktail bar serving agave spirits, mezcal, and tequila; from Hong Kong's COA, #7 on World's 50 Best Bars. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

If you’re looking to sample numerous agave spirits, there’s a flight of four mezcals (¥288), featuring Espadin, Madre Cuixe, Tobala, and Tepeztate. If not, there are these cocktails:

COA Shanghai, a cocktail bar serving agave spirits, mezcal, and tequila; from Hong Kong's COA, #7 on World's 50 Best Bars. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Clarified Milk Punch (¥118) – A slew of ingredients that make a deliciously rich and smooth drink. Tamarind, coffee, coconut cream, pineapple, lemon, cardamom, salt, aged rum, over-proofed rum, and dry sherry. Make a beeline for this one.
COA Shanghai, a cocktail bar serving agave spirits, mezcal, and tequila; from Hong Kong's COA, #7 on World's 50 Best Bars. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Bloody “Beef” Maria (¥118) – Beef stock, morita chile, Sichuan pepper, tomato cordial, and Mezcal Joven. This one is more my pace. It’s smoky beef consommé with booze. Delicious.
COA Shanghai, a cocktail bar serving agave spirits, mezcal, and tequila; from Hong Kong's COA, #7 on World's 50 Best Bars. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Siniestro (¥138) – Punt e Mes, crème de cacao, Michter’s bourbon, Mezcal Karwinskii, and 75% cacao chocolate. A viscous, syrupy sweet concoction. Not for me.
COA Shanghai, a cocktail bar serving agave spirits, mezcal, and tequila; from Hong Kong's COA, #7 on World's 50 Best Bars. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
La Fresca (¥118) – Pink peppercorn, clarified strawberry, malic, London Essence tonic water, and Mezcal Joven. Light, if not plain, and a tad sweet.

As for food, COA Shanghai has a small snack menu, mostly chips and guac and tacos. The food is pricy like the drinks, and the portions are tiny. You’re not here for the food anyway. More dishes will be added in the near future.

COA Shanghai, a cocktail bar serving agave spirits, mezcal, and tequila; from Hong Kong's COA, #7 on World's 50 Best Bars. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Carnitas Taco (¥65/two) – Mexican-style confit pork with onion, cilantro, and salsa verde. Tasty, but not worth ¥65.
COA Shanghai, a cocktail bar serving agave spirits, mezcal, and tequila; from Hong Kong's COA, #7 on World's 50 Best Bars. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Quesadilla (¥55) – Flour tortilla, cheese, pico de gallo, salsa roja. The tiniest quesadilla I’ve ever seen in my life. It tastes fine.

Cocktails start from ¥108, but the ones you really want start from ¥118. That’s a little steep, but considered acceptable for Shanghai. It’s a small space, easy to fill, which would ensure that that electric, inquisitive vibe is maintained.

COA Shanghai, a cocktail bar serving agave spirits, mezcal, and tequila; from Hong Kong's COA, #7 on World's 50 Best Bars. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

Mezcal is very new to Shanghai (and China). Mezcal is not popular yet—La Mezcaleria, located right behind COA, is the only other high-profile mezcal bar in the city—and it probably has a long way to go in terms of market penetration. However, there are enough curious folk living in this city (and beyond), which if properly enticed, is perhaps enough to fuel an agave revolution.

COA Shanghai, a cocktail bar serving agave spirits, mezcal, and tequila; from Hong Kong's COA, #7 on World's 50 Best Bars. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

COA Shanghai officially opens on March 8.

COA Shanghai
Address: 313 Jiaozhou Lu, near Xinzha Lu 胶州路313号, 近新闸路
Tel: none listed
Soft Opening Hours: Tue-Thu & Sun, 7pm-midnight; Fri-Sat, 7pm-1am; closed Monday

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1 comment

  1. “COA Shanghai is a high-profile, trendy spot in Shanghai that attracts a lot of people. The cocktails are delicious and the service is excellent.

    Food lovers must try these places for authentic cuisine and mezcal is still a new concept here but a must-try. Thank you for sharing the article. “

    Reply
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