[EDITORS NOTE: Since this article was first published, Robin Bar has closed its doors. The owner is presently searching new premises.]
Robin Bar is the place to go if you fancy some really well-made cocktails in an environment akin to a small private club. Watching Robin prepare a cocktail is excellent therapy for a frustrated sufferer of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). No matter what random, disorganised chaos your day or week at work might have brought you, watching Robin mix drinks behind his impeccable bar will start your healing process before you have even taken a sip.
Robin explained that making cocktails is a hobby for him. He has another job during the day, but making cocktails is what he likes doing, and it shows. He does not like his bar to get too busy. He says his preference is for up to 5 or 6 people so that he can give each creation the attention it deserves. He has some ingenious cocktails, but this is also a place for perfectly made classics. Where better than to have an Old Fashioned, a Sazerac, a Negroni, a Manhattan or a Martini?
The bar itself is a magnificent sight, with sparklingly clean bottles beautifully arranged and illuminated. There is a tremendous range of high quality ingredients. Nothing is out of place. The bar top is spotless. As you order each cocktail (from an iPad), the ingredient bottles are carefully laid out in front of you.
Your choice of seating should be the lovely, soft and stylish chairs that line the bar. However, there are also some very comfortable leather Chesterfields that feel every bit the gentlemen’s club. It is a theme carried over from the external window display, which is a take on a bespoke tailor’s display.
If cigars are your thing, you are in luck. If you’re not a fan of smoke, you would do well to avoid the later part of Friday and Saturday evenings.
Usually you will be given a free shot or two as you sup your way through the evening. However, in my opinion that does not work well here. The cocktails are so good that a quick shot of bourbon (or whatever) can be a rather unwelcome distraction. Inevitably the giveaway spirits are not going to be the finest from the collection. If you’re eating at Le Gavroche, Michel Roux Jr. does not slip you a free McDonald’s cheeseburger to have alongside the lobster mousse. However, perhaps I should desist from inspecting too closely the mouths of gift-horses.
Robin bar does not serve food or beer. However, if fine cocktails alone are not enough to attract you, then perhaps a curry next door might? The authentic Jianate Indian Restaurant is owned by Bilal (an Afghan), together with Praveen, the ever-present and affable Indian waiter.
It is unusual not to see members of Nanjing’s Indian community eating there, which is surely a good sign. It’s a great place to watch international cricket (Praveen is an obsessive fan). They don’t serve alcohol, but you are welcome take your own; the My Town bar a few minutes’ walk away (Hubei Lu, just before the junction with Hunan Lu) has a large selection of chilled craft beer that you can take away.
Robin Bar and the Indian restaurant may have little in common other than location, but they combine to make a great night out if you fancy the Four Cs.
English is not spoken at Robin Bar, but the coctkail menu is in English. English is spoken at Jianate Indian Restaurant.
Robin Bar / Jianate Indian Restaurant are located at 2 Zhonghua Minyao Alley, Shiziqiao Pedestrian Street. Tel: 19805147532 / 5223 5776 respectively.
