Shanghai has a serious new reason to stay out late. Alma Luna — Spanish for 'Soul of the Moon' — opened in August from Yao Lu, the bartender best known for Union Trading Company, the venue that earned six appearances on Asia's 50 Best Bars and a spot on the World's 50 Best Bars list along the way.
The new bar is a deliberately slower affair than its predecessor. With just 43 seats, it's built for unhurried evenings: order a drink, order a plate, settle in. The room leans into that mood with emerald leather, warm wood and brass — a contemporary nod to Havana rather than a themed pastiche of it.
The drinks list splits between Cuban classics and house originals. Signatures like Luz de Luna and Flor de Noche anchor the creative side, while the food menu is built around sharing plates, so it works as a casual dinner-and-cocktails stop rather than a quick pre-dinner drink.
Yao Lu's credentials are worth knowing if you're plotting a Shanghai bar crawl. He was the only bartender from mainland China named to Drinks International's 'Bar World 100' in both 2021 and 2022 — an annual list of the most influential people in the global drinks industry. Union Trading Company put him on the map; Alma Luna is his take on where to go next.
For travellers, this slots neatly into a Shanghai night out. The city has become one of Asia's strongest cocktail cities, and a venue like this — small, chef-driven in spirit, and run by a recognised name — is the kind of place worth building an evening around. Arrive early or book ahead: 43 seats don't leave much margin, and new openings from big-name bartenders fill fast.
If you're already a fan of Union Trading Company, expect a different pace rather than a copy — more romance, more food, and a Cuban thread running through the list. If you've never queued for a Shanghai cocktail before, this is a good place to start.
