Shanghai’s famed (and beloved) gastrolounge The Cannery has done a near-complete overhaul of its food menu, amplifying its West Coast spirit with new dishes inspired from Vancouver to San Francisco. In addition, they’ve introduced an all-new craft beer program in collaboration with beer expert Erik Liang (Beer Barrel).
The Space
Previously under ownership of MUSE Group, The Cannery recently underwent a management shift, and is now independently run by Mark Klingspon and company. The gastrolounge is known citywide for seafood, cocktails, hella fun bloc parties, and for being dog-friendly. It also celebrated its 7th-year anniversary this month.
The Cannery boasts a spacious patio, a large dining room with low lounge seating, a wrap-around bar with high chairs, and a couple semi-private/private rooms off to the side usually popular for events and birthdays.
The Food
The menu at The Cannery has been revamped with an emphasis on fresh (raw and cooked) seafood, seasonal dishes, iconic firepit-cooked signatures, grill, and tacos, among others.
I’ve been a Cannery regular for years, and I’ve got to say that I love this update! The signatures and beloved classics still remain (firepit salmon, burger, etc.), but now they’re more options than before, and the selection is varied and refined.
That’s food. Now onto the beers.
All-New Craft Beer Program
The Cannery has expanded on their already strong drinks program of wine, whisky, and cocktails by elevating their craft beer selection. They’ve partnered up with Erik Liang Lu, a beer guru and expert, certified beer sommelier, international judge, importer, brewer, and all-round awesome dude. He was previously running his beer program out of Beer Barrel (RIP), a program now being assimilated into The Cannery.
(Image provided by The Cannery)
The beer program, code named COOLSHIP, is represented by the 28 taps at the bar. Of the taps, 20 are reserved for international breweries, some exclusively for The Cannery. Four taps are dedicated to The Cannery’s own house beers, ciders, and seasonal brews, including a lager and white wit produced locally by Erik for the gastrolounge, while four others highlight China-based breweries, be it collabs or takeovers. Takeover taps rotate every 2-4 weeks. House beers are ¥48 for 500ml pours, ¥128 for a 1.5L pitcher.
These beers are a level up in its designation; award winning and considered hard to find in Shanghai. Some could easily feature in a fine dining tasting menu. There’s a seasonal Rice Dumpling Kolsh from Ye Brewing, light in body, tastes like zongzi, and very crushable, the La Vie En Rose, a bright raspberry forward farmhouse ale, and the Hot Irmi, a Berliner Weisse with delightfully creeping heat of ginger and habanero. Beers start at ¥75 for 330ml pours.
Want to explore? You can ask for little tasters at the bar to help decide which pint you end up with.
All interior images provided.
The Cannery
Address: Rm 106, Bldg 1, 1107 Yuyuan Lu 愚园路1107号1号楼106室
Tel: 52760599
Hours: Mon-Thu, 5pm-midnight; Fri, 5pm-2am; Sat, 11am-2am; Sun, 11am-midnight
