By Lisa Weir (cityweekend.com)
Updated: 2008-03-03 16:15

A note scrawled on the mirror of Hush, the perennially nearly-open companion bar to Kommune, asks customers to help the establishment remain Shanghai's secret.

Apparently, it has gotten its wish. Arriving with six in tow around 10pm on a Saturday, we found the bar empty. Situated across the alley from Kommune's back entrance, Hush is sumptuously decorated with inviting armchairs and plush drapery.

Almost as an afterthought, this theme is juxtaposed by a red plastic moose head hung on the wall and chintzy aluminum tables. The message on the mirror also said that Hush was only partially open, so we saw it as a lounge in progress. There's no waitstaff in Hush, so we had to retrieve our drinks from Kommune, although we enjoyed our RMB50 cocktails, RMB40 imported beers and RMB40 glasses of red wine.

This, coupled with a lack of music, made the operation feel a little like a high school party before the keg arrived. Setting aside, the drinks were solid and once we dimmed the lights it began to feel more like Hush was a secret we wanted to keep to ourselves.

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Tel: 6466-2416