A place where babes and baddies hang out, Tākō is the nightlife equivalent of that goth girl in your high school geography class who seemed too cool for school but, as you found out after being put on the same project, turned out to be the biggest sweetheart, and fast became your new best friend.
Roxie’s reincarnation has literally gone through a facelift in that its façade is now a smouldering red and opens up on to a tattoo and piercing parlour — but it is still very much the space that regulars know and love.
Even the iconic spinning pole that has supported the weight of countless customers is there, though tattoos and cocktails (hence ta-ko) are now the bar’s centrepiece.
“One reason we’re (offering tattoos and piercing services) is to provide the artists with a playground. I think this is even more important now that lots of Shanghai’s underground stuff is no more...”
TingTing, Tākō’s co-founder and head bartender, vehemently believes that it is important to, “let the artists make art — and we’ll take care of the promotional side of things.”
An artist herself, TingTing taps into different tools of the trade: instead of ink and needles, she wields stirrers, shakers and strainers, and has whipped up 10 ‘kocktails’ for Tākō (75 RMB each) that riff on classics.
Sidestepping the traditionally ‘sludgy’ texture of the Bloody Mary cocktail in favour of clarity and cleanness, the Mary Not Bloody uses five different tomatoes and is rimmed with a Greek spice mix — pick this if you have a predilection for savoury cocktails.
Other ‘same same but different cocktails’ include the Humble Artist Whisky Sour with delicious nutty afternotes from almond; the OCD Mojito with48-hour mint-washed rum; and the Smoked Cosmo with more character than the classic cranberry-laced member of the Gimlet family — delicious doses of liquid courage before you give the bar’s spinning pole a go.
Shot for Timeout Shanghai
Writer: Sammi
We’re not ‘pollen’ your leg: you can try beekeeping in Shanghai! 🍯〰️🐝
This buzzworthy activity is made possible by Urban Bees Shanghai, which was founded by Marco Sentinelli in 2023.
As the most efficient pollinators, did you know that if bees were to disappear, our planet would be at peril? They are pivotal to food security, which makes ethical beekeeping all the more important.
Shot for Timeout Shanghai
Writer: Sammi
Promo and social media photos for TABB Baijiu.
Hosted at Lucky Mart Shanghai
Host of the night was Beaverhausen & Erica Assdika
Promo and social media photos for TABB Baijiu.
Hosted at BONBON Shanghai
The theme of the evening and show was all centered around Britney, the performers were:
Baby one more time Britney @reverse_cowboy
Knives Britney @s_daxiong
Oops i did it again Britney @haruka_power
Toxic Britney @pillowlipbeaverhausen
Modern Kingdom Wrestling Championship in Shanghai.
Put together by Modern Kingdom Wrestling
The wrestlers of the evening were:
Yuki - https://www.instagram.com/yuki_kamifuku/
Crystal - https://www.instagram.com/imvernice/
Uncle Money - https://www.instagram.com/_unclemoney/
Zombie Dragon - https://www.instagram.com/thezombiedragon/
Chairman Al - https://www.instagram.com/alantse2003/
Big Sam - https://www.instagram.com/sjdburgess/
Gaoyuan - https://www.instagram.com/gaoyuan_wrestler/
Honwan - https://www.instagram.com/honwanwrestler/
Maria - https://www.instagram.com/memariia_7575/
Hoho - https://www.instagram.com/hoholun719/
Sunny - https://www.instagram.com/sunnyz_pse/
Junjie - https://www.instagram.com/wrestle_junjie/
Wangtao - https://www.instagram.com/wrestler_wangtao/
Opening weekend for Even Corner and also Chinese Valentines Day, bartender of the day was @Ironjackie
Little Catch Pocket needed new photos of the new seasonal dishes for their menu and delivery apps in Shanghai.
Chef Jiayi from Little Catch Pocket was hosting a Chefs Table at Egg. The place was packed, food amazing and hostess Camden was serving delicious wines.
Chef Jiayi was backed up by a great time:
Andrew Moo
Lucas Sin
Simon Sunwoo
Photos for Timeout Shanghai’s article about Maison Lamelouie in Shanghai.
Towering above the other categories of French restaurants in more ways than one, Maison Lameloise is perched on the 68th floor of the Shanghai Tower, and offers comprehensive tasting menus that mirror the essence of Burgundian cuisine while exploring Chinese ingredients. Thanks to Chef Yann Klein for hosting us and Sammi Sowerby for the great article.
Brand images for Eastern Folklore Whiskey, a new product from Crimson Pangolin.
Sofar Sounds in Shanghai!
Bands for the day were:
The Quiz Kids
Brewlosophy, a local Shanghai brewery, launched their new beer “Tupac” at Yayas restaurant.
Famoir candles is a brand that can’t be seperated from it’s amazing founder, she’s a strong woman, with a stronger will. Every candle has a unique story and meaning to her, but it doesn’t have to be. The reason for the names and the stories are to inspire others to bridge connection and memories to their own moments in time.
This was a favorite project of mine to work on, client was amazing, crew was amazing and everything went smooth. What else can you ask for?
Producer and set designer: Tom at Sha Studio
What do you do during COVID? Nowhere to go, nothing to do, can’t buy anything… look at what you have again, closely.
These are all objects that we used often, and probably ran out of at some point.
It was a lot of fun shooting the super talented, upcoming stand-up comedians from Shanghai, China.
If you’re ever in the city, make sure to check them out. There’s always a performance happening, weekdays or weekends.
Some of the comedians featured below:
Lily Ma
ChiFan For Charity takes the standard concept of a large gala dinner and throws it out the window!
10 years ago, founder Michael Crain had an idea and convinced a few restaurants in Beijing to participate in this innovative concept, using his network and friends to spread the word. From this, Chi Fan for Charity was born. ChiFan for Charity (CFFC) takes place at various renowned restaurants across Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
I was invited to photograph 4 restaurants in 1 evening.
Frasca
Suntory
Yaya’s
Henke’s
Thanks to marketing producer Tom at Sha Studio
Drink photos for a new bar headed up by world famous bartender Mark Lloyd.
1 Year anniversary for TapThat with beers from Sad Gorilla Club and Brewlosophy with food from Omar.
I was asked by Studio Stare, once again, to do portraits for another team member of the Volvo interior design team. This time the client was looking for something more personal and appropriate for print. It was a nice half-day at 1933 Old Millfun, a popular location for photoshoots in Shanghai.
Thanks to Tom for being my assistant for the day.
Food photography for Sopexa International Agency.
Shot together with Nico De Rouge
Producer Tom Tang
DECK ON THE BUND
Photos for Timeout Shanghai and their article covering restaurants in Shanghai. This part was about Deck on the Bund.
Writer: Sammi