By Cristina Ng (cityweekend.com)
Updated: 2008-03-04 15:15

Some like their cocktails served with a side of competition and, well, some people are just pool sharks. If pool's your thing, head over to Racks in Xintiandi.

Located next to the now "other" Xintiandi fifth floor club, Racks' elaborate, well-lit pool tables are the stars of the show. Nobody even flinched though when a patron hopped on one to make her perfect shot. (Unfortunately it ended up giving many other patrons their own perfect "shot.") Although we aren't huge pool fans, we were able to relax with the other spectators on brown leather sectionals and cowhide ottomans and groove to old school hip-hop and R&B.

It's possible to rack up a large bill–RMV2,500 minimum on tables during peak hours–but rest assured, Racks has more than enough staff on hand to rack your balls so at least you know where your money's going. We joined the well-dressed crowd during peak hours but played for the standard rate of RMB98 per hour with a warning that if the club filled up, our time was up.

As for drinks, we emptied our pockets for a heavy-handed (on the sour) Whiskey Sour (RMB58), a perfect Sidecar (RMV68), and a few bottles of imported beers (RMB48) and had a solid start to a fun night out.

Add: 5/F, No. 7, South Block, Xintiandi
Tel: 6384-2718