Cotton's Xinhua Lu: Cotton's is back again

The second eponymous outpost from local entrepreneur Cotton Ding, Cotton’s on Xinhua Lu retains the charming, laid-back atmosphere of the original Cotton's location, while spreading the love a bit further across the city.

In fact, you can think of it as a more spacious version of Cotton’s Anting Lu. Like its sister bar, Cotton’s Xinhua Lu is housed in an old villa, surrounded by a leafy terrace. Perfect for al fresco summer drinks or a cozy winter rendezvous.

The setting is lovely and the drinks are well done, although the menu of mid-range Western fare is nothing to write home about. Some people think of Cotton’s Xinhua Lu as a restaurant, but you’d be wise to keep it filed firmly in your mental “bar” category.