Big toys for big boys

Urban 18's golf simulators, which are rented out by the hour, suit for  both experienced golfers and beginners. Photos Provided to China Daily

The food in Urban 18 is casual, with a hint of fusion.

Shanghai

In China for business and forgot to bring your golf clubs and pool cues? Don't fret, Shi Yingying tells you how to scratch that itch.

Thanks to Urban 18's smart idea of bringing virtual golf courses to a downtown sports bar, you can now play a couple of holes watching Tiger Woods. And you don't need an exclusive country club membership away from the city center.

"The sports bar, to date, is not a universally accepted thing here. But we hope all will change with the launch of Urban 18," says its chef-entrepreneur David Laris, who is happy with the concept of promoting golf culture in Shanghai.

"It provides a location for individual gatherings, small events and corporate activities. It is also a place where parents can take their children during the day and weekend for lessons and coaching. In the process perhaps, the next great player may come out of China," says the internationally renowned chef.

Urban 18 is just across the street from the Shanghai Grand Theater, off the western edge of People's Square. This slick outfit is divided into several areas, with a retail shop at the entrance, the golf simulator and VIP's private rooms, as well as the bar and dining spaces.

Run very much like the karaoke concept, Urban 18's golf simulators are rented out by the hour. These machines are among the most realistic in the world and were developed for professional golfers to improve the many facets of their games such as driving and putting.

"If you're an experienced golfer, it's perfect for getting feedback and analysis of your swing on screen, and as a beginner it's undoubtedly environment to nail down the golf basics," says Matthew Four, the technical consultant from the simulator provider.

Professional coaches are also on hand for individual assistance. "We have an American and two Chinese coaches on staff," says general manager Sophie Huang. "Our aim is to make it very easy for people to learn to play golf."

The laid-back atmosphere extends to the other end of Urban 18, its restaurant and lounge area. The space also features a bar where golfers can unwind after a round or two.

With Chef Laris at the helm, the food here is casual, with a hint of fusion.

The green papaya salad dressed with mint is very popular and its sweet, sour and spicy flavors will wake sleepy taste buds on a hot afternoon.

The mini-burger is most representative of the fusion concept at Urban 18. Instead of the usual beef patty between the bite-sized buns, there is a piece of sweet soy-braised Chinese dongpo rou (pan-fried pork belly).

Other options are fish and chips as well as bangers and mash. All of which you can wash down with Urban 18's signature drink of Urban 18. Aptly named Passion at 18, it uses fresh passion fruit rather than syrup and fuses the flavors of orange, lemon, apple and peach.

Hobby-themed bars and lounges are now popping up in the city.

From the greens to the air, plane lovers can head up to Rosemonde Aviation Lounge located on the lofty 14th floor of the Peninsula Shanghai. Here, a full-sized copy of a Loening Air Yacht - a 1930s sea plane - presides and guests can indulge by lounging in the luxuriously appointed cabin or, by invitation, sit in the pilot's seat and take the controls.

The usual cocktail menus help smooth the flight.

At Big Bamboo, the sticks you pick are pool cues. With two pool tables, four dartboards, one football table, an air hockey table as well as 16 television sets and a big projector, Big Bamboo customers are dead serious about their sports. It is one of the finest sports bar chains across Shanghai, and now has three outlets and a flagship venue located on Nanyang Lu.

The bar pledges to show all the Champion League and National Hockey League games, and serves up a good selection of beer as well.