Shanghai Me is leaning into old-world romance this August with Love in Old Shanghai, a one-day celebration staged across its London, Dubai and Doha restaurants on 19 August 2026.
The experience looks to the glamour of 1930s Shanghai, a period remembered for its charged mix of Chinese tradition, Western influence, jazz-age elegance and cinematic intrigue.
Rather than treating romance as a generic theme, the restaurant has built the evening around Chinese storytelling, with drinks and dessert designed to carry the mood from first sip to final spoonful.
At a glance
- Shanghai Me will host Love in Old Shanghai across London, Dubai and Doha on 19 August 2026.
- The celebration centres on two limited-edition cocktails inspired by Zhinü and Niulang, alongside a special Chocolate Fondant.
- In Doha, cocktails are priced at QAR 75 and QAR 80, mocktails at QAR 45 and QAR 50, and the dessert at QAR 75.
A romance staged in 1930s Shanghai
The campaign is framed by the line “When Shanghai Danced, Love Bloomed,” which neatly captures the restaurant’s chosen world for the evening.
Love in Old Shanghai is imagined as a step into the city’s golden-era atmosphere, when dance halls, tailored silhouettes and cross-cultural style helped define one of Asia’s most evocative urban legends.
For Shanghai Me, the setting makes sense.
The brand’s identity has always played with the idea of an elegant, cosmopolitan East, and this activation gives that language a more romantic and narrative-led focus.
Zhinü and Niulang inspire the drinks
The two limited-edition cocktails draw from the ancient Chinese legend of Zhinü and Niulang, one of the country’s enduring love stories.
Zhinü, the Weaver Girl, is interpreted as a soft, floral and elegant serve with a light, effervescent quality.
It’s designed to suggest the celestial image of stars woven into the night sky, keeping the drink graceful rather than heavy.
Niulang, the Cowherd, takes a warmer and bolder direction, reflecting devotion, strength and loyalty.
The two cocktails are linked by shared notes of almond, peach and pandan, a deliberate thread that mirrors the connection between the legendary lovers.
Guests can order them individually, though the pair is clearly intended to be experienced side by side.
Mocktails and a chocolate finale in Doha
Shanghai Me’s Doha pricing has been confirmed for the occasion, with the limited-edition cocktails set at QAR 75 and QAR 80.
Non-alcoholic versions will also be available at QAR 45 and QAR 50, giving the experience a broader appeal without losing the structure of the pairing.
The evening is completed by a special Chocolate Fondant created exclusively for Love in Old Shanghai and priced at QAR 75 in Doha.
It positions the dessert as a rich closing note rather than an afterthought, keeping the menu tightly aligned with the romantic theme.
A one-day celebration across three cities
By bringing the activation to London, Dubai and Doha on the same date, Shanghai Me is treating Love in Old Shanghai as a global moment rather than a single-venue special.
That approach should appeal to guests who enjoy dining experiences with a sense of theatre, particularly those drawn to Chinese heritage, nostalgic design cues and cocktail-led storytelling.
Love in Old Shanghai is ultimately a compact but polished idea, built around a clear mood, a recognisable legend and a menu that keeps the romance close to the glass.
