Quiet bar street lures visitors to scenic hills

West Lake is alluring not only during the day, but also at night when the moon shines and lights glimmer.儲存 It’s an area both for strolling along the water to enjoy tranquility or visiting restaurants, cafes, bars and tea houses near the lakeside.Unlike roads next to the lake with water views, scenic Shuguang Road at the foot of Baoshi Hill offers other appeal for walkers, both day and night. The scenic area is quiet and green.Shuguang Road is also a street of small bars, nothing big and really loud, just pleasant live music, affordable drinks, snacks and meals. Many are around 10 years old, since the bar industry is relatively new in the area.Shanghai Daily visits five bars along the road.Traveller BarEvery night, bands and singers perform in front of Queen Elizabeth, Yasser Arafat, Yao Ming and many celebrities whose portraits are painted on a wall of the Traveller Bar.Independent rock and folk music are the bar’s main vibe. Owner Zhang Zheng also runs JZ bar on Nanshan Road, a jazz bar, as well as a local music festival in Hangzhou.The Traveller Bar features underground bands and independent singers, including well-known musicians such as Hao Fei’er, Hai Feng and Sweet Kids Band. They all began their musical careers at the Traveller.Because of its popularity, reservations are required every night for the first floor.Drinks are affordable, cocktails around 50 yuan, beers are 30-40 yuan.Address: 176 Shuguang RdTel: (0571) 8796-8846Maya BarMore than 80 percent of the customers are Westerners because 迷你倉aya Bar, run by an American, is a typical American bar, offering authentic Mexican meals and mellow music that doesn’t overpower.It’s a place for good food, relaxation and conversation. Drinks are affordable.It has an outdoor patio with seating. Large TV screens show live sports events.Address: 79 Bai Sha Quan (old Shuguang Road)Tel: (0571) 8799-7628Mint Lounge and Cocktail BarThis quiet Mint bar gets its name from the fresh mint that grows in its garden and climbs over the outer walls that muffle the street noise.Cakes are served with mint leaves.Situated in the Tea Boutique Hotel, Mint’s garden has comfortable rattan furniture. There’s no loud bar scene. It serves a range of wines and cocktails, including mojitos, martinis and absinthe.Interior decor is simple and tasteful, with wooden paneling and upholstered furniture.Address: 124 Shuguang RdTel: (0571) 8799-5929Old CaptainThis rustic bar with seafaring decor features mostly young local bands playing folk and pop tunes. The first floor is for live shows; the second floor is more for conversation.It’s smaller than its neighbor Traveller Bar. It’s decorated with rudders, lines, anchors, models of sailing ships and old navigation equipment.Address: 176 Shuguang RdTel: (0571) 8796-8805  You To BarYou To is a dimly lighted bar where people play pool, shoot dice, drink and listen to live music.Outside, vendors sell delicious lamb kebabs, grilled fish and grilled oysters at night.Address: 75 Shuguang RdTel: (0571) 8797-6788 儲存倉