Speak Low Shanghai: Reservation, Menu, Photos and Hidden Door Tips

Quick Answer

Speak Low is a hidden cocktail bar at 579 Fuxing Zhonglu in Shanghai. Go around 18:00 if you want the easiest walk-in chance, use the OCHO barware shop entrance, expect cocktails around 95-160 RMB depending on the floor, and reserve ahead if you want the quieter upper levels.

Last updated: 2026-06-22.

Before You Go: Reservation, Photos and Menu

Use Speak Low as a planned Shanghai cocktail stop, not a last-minute "maybe" if you care about the upper floors or photos. The safest plan is to arrive close to opening for the 2nd floor, reserve ahead for quieter upper-level seating, and re-check the current hours or reservation channel on the day you go.

Question	Practical answer
Do I need a reservation?	The 2nd floor is the easiest walk-in target; upper floors are safer with a reservation or direct confirmation.
When should I arrive?	Around opening time has the lowest wait risk. Later evenings are better if you accept queue or seating uncertainty.
Is it good for photos?	Expect low light, narrow spaces and crowded angles. Use phone night mode, avoid flash unless staff allows it, and ask before filming people.
What should I budget?	Treat it as a cocktail stop, not a cheap bar. Drinks and snacks vary by floor, so check the current menu before making it the only plan for the night.
Who should skip it?	Skip it if you want a bright social bar, guaranteed seating without planning, or a quick drink right before another timed reservation.

My Real Shop Visit Record

Last Saturday, my friend and I were wandering around Fuxing Zhonglu in Shanghai. We were supposed to go grab some drinks on Yongkang Road, but she mysteriously pulled me into a place called OCHO, which sells barware. I was totally confused: Aren't we here to drink? Why are we shopping for glasses? Then she told me to find the hidden door myself—wow, turns out this is the legendary Speak Low!

Mysterious Start: Finding the Door Feels Like an Escape Room

I fumbled around the row of barware for about 3 minutes, nearly knocking over a whiskey glass before I finally felt a hidden handle on the right side of the shelf. As soon as I pushed it open, the dim red light and jazz music hit me like a wave, taking me back to the 1920s. At that moment, I realized, "finding the door" is basically the first cocktail to get you in the mood.

Level Up, One Floor at a Time

• 2nd Floor: Retro American vibes, the bar is made of old wood and copper pipes, and orders are all in English. It’s a chill atmosphere. We walked in at 6 PM and sat right at the bar—by 8 PM, people were already lining up to the stairs.
• 3rd Floor: You have to climb a narrow staircase; the lighting is darker, and the seating is leather booths. The menu mixes Japanese and British styles, and the drinks are a step up, each glass costing 30-50 yuan more than the 2nd floor, but the glassware, ice balls, and garnishes are much fancier. For photos, the 3rd floor is darker than it looks; use phone night mode, avoid flash unless staff clearly allows it, and expect crowded angles.
• 4th Floor: There's a security guard at the elevator who won’t let you in without a reservation. I shamelessly asked and was told it was a “private event.” Alright, guess I’ll have to email ahead next time.

My Three Drinks & Zero Regrets

1. Speak Low (signature drink) Matcha rum + sherry, rimmed with dark chocolate shavings. It starts bitter, then sweet; the matcha powder really softens the alcohol taste, great for a warm-up drink.
2. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes The drink arrives under a glass dome filled with smoke, and when the cinnamon stick is lit, everyone at the next table goes “wow.” It has a whiskey base+applewood aroma, and the coaster is a printed sheet music—after you finish, you can take it as a bookmark.
3. Sexy Colada They serve it in a whole pineapple, with coconut milk made light and sweet, but not too overwhelming, perfect for the ladies' night, and gets a perfect score for photos.

Snacks Steal the Show More Than Drinks

• Crispy Foie Gras with Coffee Beans: A roasted coffee bean underneath; take a bite of the foie gras mousse, it melts away, then chew the coffee bean—bitter + fragrant + fatty, one bite just brings you back to life.
• Foie Gras Mapo Tofu Pizza: A 6-inch thin crust with mapo tofu sauce and foie gras bits. Surprisingly works well together, the spice level is okay for locals, pairs perfectly with whiskey.

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Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

Item	Details	Tips
Specific Address	579 Fuxing Zhonglu, near the intersection of Yongkang Road and Urumqi Zhonglu	About an 8-minute walk from Exit 7 of South Shaanxi Road Station on metro lines 1/10/12
Average Cost	220-300 yuan	2nd floor drinks average 95-120 yuan/glass, 3rd floor 120-160 yuan/glass, and snacks are 60-90 yuan/portion
Opening Hours	Sun-Thu 18:00-01:30, Fri-Sat 18:00-02:30	Arrive 5 minutes before 18:00; you typically won't have to wait
Reservations	2nd floor is walk-in, 3rd floor can be called in, 4th floor only through email	Reservation phone: 021-6415 0133, English communication
Photography	Very low light; do not rely on flash	Ask before shooting people, use phone night mode, and keep expectations realistic
Payment Methods	Accepts Alipay, WeChat, and credit cards	No service fee, but it will ask if you want to tip the bartender 10%

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Common FAQs

Q1: Can I go if I don’t drink? A: Yes, you can order non-alcoholic mocktails; just say "virgin" at the 2nd floor bar and the bartender will whip up something special, priced around 78 yuan.

Q2: Can I bring a coat/luggage? A: There are lockers at the entrance of the 2nd floor, and you can leave your suitcase at the front desk for free.

Q3: Is there a minimum charge? A: There’s no minimum on the 2nd floor, but on the 3rd floor, you need to order at least one drink per person.

Q4: Do I need a passport/ID? A: They only check if you look under 25, and a domestic ID is fine.

Q5: How do I get to the sister bar Sober Company? A: It's a 10-minute walk; Sober Company is located at 99 Yandang Road on Fuxing Zhonglu, also with a hidden door gimmick. You can hit it up first and then head back to review Speak Low again.

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Next Goal: Check out the 4th floor; I’ve heard there's a hidden menu “Owner’s Pour” that only VIPs get to see. I’ll email to make a reservation and update you all next time.

Internal Links

• Plan the wider Shanghai trip
• Pair this nightlife stop with daytime vintage shopping
• Check China payment setup before bars and restaurants