Herbal Bar Shanghai: Rx and Its Chinese Prescription Cocktails

Why Rx 方子 Is a Herbal Bar

Rx 方子 is a herbal bar in Shanghai's French Concession, known for a Chinese prescription-book cocktail menu and drinks that sometimes incorporate Chinese medicinal herbs. While exploring the tree-lined streets on a balmy summer night, perhaps as part of a French Concession walking tour, you might easily miss its discreet doorway.

Behind the unassuming wooden entrance is a cozy, dimly lit space with a warm, traditional Chinese ambiance. Wooden screens, apothecary-style cabinets, and a mysterious, almost medicinal aesthetic set the scene.

Once inside, you'll discover a cocktail experience unlike any other in Shanghai.

A Prescription-Book Cocktail Menu

Rx 方子 takes its theme further with 14 prescriptions representing 14 states of mind. The cocktail menu resembles a traditional Chinese prescription book, with each drink designed around a particular mindset or emotional state.

The 14 cocktails, known as “prescriptions” (方子), include intriguing names such as 躺平 ("Let It Be"), 自有 ("Freedom"), 有钱 ("Wealthy"), and 今日如旧 ("Same As Always"). Each uses a unique blend of ingredients, with some incorporating Chinese medicinal herbs.

The presentation is as imaginative as the drinks themselves, and the menu feels like a poetic journey through moods and mindsets.

Bartenders and Restaurant Menu

The bartenders here are true artisans. The lead mixologist previously worked at Speak Low, which has been ranked among Asia's Top 50 Bars.

Although the drinks are undoubtedly the highlight, Rx 方子 also operates as a full restaurant rather than only a bar. We didn't get a chance to try the food ourselves, but the menu includes a curated selection of dishes designed to pair well with the cocktails.

Look Out for the Robot Dog

Keep an eye on the entrance because you might be welcomed by a small robot dog. If the bar isn't too crowded, the owner will sometimes invite the mechanical pup to greet guests, one of the charming quirks that makes this place even more unforgettable.

Address, Hours, and Prices

• Address: No. 115 Ruijin Er Road (瑞金二路115号)
• Opening hours: 11:30 AM to 2:00 AM
• Price range: Cocktails are typically ¥70 - 100. If you're dining, expect to spend around ¥150 - 200 per person.