You have a solve a mystery before you can enter this Chinese cocktail bar

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 at 11:33

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A cocktail bar where you can’t simply wander into every room? There’s a place just like that in Shanghai. At Sober Company, it’s not just about what’s in your glass. Behind its stylish interior lies a hidden bar, but to get there, you’ll first have to do something special.

Sober Company was created by internationally renowned bartender Shingo Gokan, whose SG Group is behind several successful cocktail bars. The concept brings together several bars, each with its own atmosphere and speciality.

From coffeehouse to Japanese cocktails

The adventure begins as soon as you step inside Sober Kissa, a space inspired by traditional Japanese coffeehouses. The focus here is on easygoing cocktails, including highballs and drinks with a relatively low alcohol content.

Further on, you’ll find Sober Izakaya, a space with a completely different feel. Head up the stairs and you’ll arrive at Sober Sakaba. Here, the spotlight is on creative cocktails inspired by regions across Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa.

Whisky lovers can discover something special here, too. Sober Kissa once featured a Whisky Sawa on its menu, a twist on the classic Whisky Sour made with Japanese whisky, shochu and yuzu. It gives a familiar whisky cocktail a whole new character.

But the most intriguing part of Sober Company isn’t immediately in plain sight.

How do you get into the secret bar?

Somewhere on the second floor is Tipsy, a hidden cocktail bar that’s part of the concept. You can’t simply walk in as you would at an ordinary bar.

The idea is for guests to explore the different spaces at Sober Company first. Order a drink at the bars and you can collect special tokens. Once you’ve gathered enough, you’ll gain access to Tipsy.

Think of it as a scavenger hunt, with cocktail bars along the way.

Inside, you’ll find a more intimate setting serving classic Japanese cocktails with a twist. The hidden room is the reward for guests who have experienced the concept in full.

An award-winning cocktail bar

Sober Company is more than just an unusual bar, as its accolades make clear. In 2020, it ranked 42nd on The World’s 50 Best Bars list. The following year, it climbed all the way to fifth place on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list.

The original venue closed in 2022, but Sober Company made a comeback in 2023 at Fuxing Park in Shanghai. The different spaces got a fresh new look, while the idea behind the hidden bar remained.

Sober Company’s motto sums it up perfectly: ‘Come Sober, Leave Tipsy’.

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FAQ

Where is Sober Company?
Sober Company is located at 109 Yandang Road in Shanghai, China, near Fuxing Park.
What is Tipsy at Sober Company?
Tipsy is a hidden cocktail bar that’s part of Sober Company. It serves Japanese-inspired cocktails and offers a distinctive way to gain entry.
Can you drink whisky at Sober Company?
Yes. Whisky features in creative cocktails such as the Whisky Sawa, made with Japanese whisky, shochu and yuzu.

Did You Know?