“I suppose it’s the way New York used to feel,” says Ian Schrager of Shanghai, a city beloved by the hotelier and his team, and also one of the newest homes for EDITION. “[There’s] so much energy and it’s so organized; it’s just a spectacular place where anything seems possible.” The Chinese hub is famous for its dazzling mix of historic and contemporary architecture, lending the city an East-meets-West vibe reflective of its rich and diverse culture. “The food’s great, the shopping’s great,” Schrager continues. “The people are fashionable and they love to party—it’s just a great city.” Below, Schrager and EDITION Hotels vice president of brand experience Ben Pundole divulge the Ian Schrager Company’s go-to spots in the city.

To Eat
Old Jesse
A tried-and-true Shanghai hangout, the cramped restaurant is known for having some of the best local cuisine in the city. “It’s a nondescript and basic restaurant as far as design and atmosphere, but the food is incredible,” says Pundole.

Mercato
Local firm Neri & Hu designed this “beautiful, elegant restaurant on the Bund,” reports Pundole. Helmed by longtime ISC collaborator and chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the space is dressed in reclaimed wood and warm leather that juxtaposes exposed steel and iron.

Neri & Hu’s design for Mercato redefines farmhouse chic

Din Tai Fung
Part of a Taiwanese restaurant chain, the Xintiandi Square outpost of Din Tai Fung occupies an unremarkable spot in a mall, but is a true local haunt. “Although it could be considered a little touristy, Din Tai Fung is delicious—and a staple,” Pundole points out.

To Drink
Flask
Local architect Alberto Caiola returned to craft the second incarnation of Flask after the original closed in 2016. Patrons enter through a casual Taiwanese eatery, which leads to a futuristic neon-lit tunnel. Inside, tufted sofas, gold chenille poofs, and a gilded light fixture create a moody and indulgent ambiance. “It has excellent cocktails—a bit kitschy, as all the drinks come in flasks, including one hidden in a teddy bear—and great music,” adds Pundole.

The new iteration of Flask features a ceiling installation of cascading angular cubes

Bar No. 3
Architecture and design firm OHA Shanghai designed Bar No. 3 as an intimate cocktail lounge “favored by the low-key fashion set,” says Pundole. Sofas and low-level seating options mix with wood details and exposed concrete for a casual, industrial feel.

Beverly
Sitting atop Shanghai’s Le Baron nightclub, Beverly is “an explosion of fabulousness, a see-and-be-seen hangout,” says Pundole. Outfitted in bright pink, neon, and gold, the plush bar and lounge has a playful 1960s vibe, complemented by a playlist of funk and soul.

Shopping
Dong Liang
Local designers showcase the latest in Chinese fashion across three floors of a repurposed villa. With a different theme and design story on each level, the store is “Far more progressive than you’d ever imagine,” says Pundole. “Shanghai’s contemporary fashion scene is alive and well at Dong Liang.”