The Showroom is an Italian speakeasy bar located above a designer furniture store on Jiaozhou Lu. It’s uber chic, and not your typical speakeasy.

The Showroom, an Italian designer speakeasy cocktail bar in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
The ground floor entrance.
The Showroom, an Italian designer speakeasy cocktail bar in Shanghai.  @ Nomfluence

It’s the brainchild of founder and furniture designer Edoardo Petri, Oscar Zuffada, and Richard King, who’ve drawn on their backgrounds in architecture, hospitality, and wine to create this unique space. The elegant cocktail bar is located above Petri’s showroom. The bar itself is its own exhibit—all the furniture is designer stuff, including some from Petri’s collection, other imported Italian works, and wallpaper from the Toilet Paper Magazine, an Italian art publication.

The Showroom, an Italian designer speakeasy cocktail bar in Shanghai.  @ Nomfluence

That chair you’re sitting on? Probably upwards of ¥30,000. Best mind your drinks!

The Showroom, an Italian designer speakeasy cocktail bar in Shanghai.  @ Nomfluence

There are seven themed rooms plus the bar to accommodate 60 people at full capacity. Each room is set to a theme, has it’s own name, and a signature cocktail created for each. It’s very classy, and you can carve out your own nooks in each room.

The Showroom, an Italian designer speakeasy cocktail bar in Shanghai.  @ Nomfluence
The Showroom, an Italian designer speakeasy cocktail bar in Shanghai.  @ Nomfluence

Cocktails are courtesy of bartender Lilian Sausset, who set up the menu before leaving China. There are seven signature cocktails (from ¥78), one for each room, ten house cocktails (from ¥78), and classic drinks. And because The Showroom is Italian at its core, aperitivo drinks are a requisite—spritz, garibaldi, negroni, bellini, and dirty amaro for ¥78. There’s also an impressive wine selection by sommelier and partner Richard King.

The Showroom, an Italian designer speakeasy cocktail bar in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Coconut Negroni (¥98), Drunk Monkey Bar Counter – Gin, Italian vermouth, Campari, and negroni mix aged in a coconut for 5-7 days. Subtle coconut notes, smooth, balanced, lovely.
The Showroom, an Italian designer speakeasy cocktail bar in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Don Corleone (¥388), Kill Her Room – Noted the price? That’s because it comes with a cigar that you can smoke in the private room. It’s showy, presented on a tray with a flat cap, gun lighter, and frozen bullets as ice. The drink itself is a twist on an old fashioned, made with scotch whisky, sherry, and chocolate bitters.
Speaking of, the private room, which seats up to 20, also caters to private events and dinners.
The Showroom, an Italian designer speakeasy cocktail bar in Shanghai.  @ Nomfluence
Don’t Touch My Tralala (¥78) – Bourbon, lime, passion fruit, mint, and vanilla syrup.
The Showroom, an Italian designer speakeasy cocktail bar in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Spitfire (¥88) – Scotch whisky, citric acid, sherry, and spiced syrup. Sweet caramel notes and citrusy.
The Showroom, an Italian designer speakeasy cocktail bar in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Basil Smash (¥78) – Gin, lime, sugar, and basil cordial. Extremely easy to drink.

The Showroom also has a simple snacks menu, including items like cheese and cold cuts, parmesan truffle potatoes, arancini, cicchetti, guabao, and desserts.

The Showroom, an Italian designer speakeasy cocktail bar in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Arancini (¥68) – Traditional arancini with peas, meat, tomato, and mozzarella.

The vibe? It’s like Milan design week meets Manhattan house party, minus the pomp. The current clientele are friends of the founders (fashion and design industries, and creative), classy unpretentious folk, and city explorers who’ve sought out the hottest new thing in the neighborhood. It’s super cozy (those chairs are hella comfy), intimate, and great for catch up conversations.


The Showroom
Address: 2/F, 556 Jiaozhou Lu, near Changping Lu 胶州路556号2楼, 近昌平路
Tel: 52920982
Hours: Tue-Sun, 6:30pm-12:30am