In Shanghai, China, there is an unusual bar where the customer's pulse is checked before they order a drink. Based on the results of this check, a special cocktail is prepared, which has attracted significant public attention, and videos of this bar have gone viral.
At the Niang Qing Bar in Shanghai, visitors consult with specialists in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), who examine their pulse. For this, clients extend both wrists. After examining the pulse, the bartender-mixologist prepares a cocktail for the client using specific herbs and roots. Thus, every guest is served a unique drink here.
A feature of this establishment is also its atmosphere. Unlike ordinary bars, bottles of alcohol are not the only things visible here. The walls are decorated with various herbs and roots, including goji berries and angelica root, which are used in the preparation of some special drinks.
Similar bars based on TCM are appearing in various cities across China. This trend is particularly popular among young people who strive to take care of their health despite work pressure and a hectic lifestyle. This phenomenon is called 'punk wellness'. Simply put, people are trying to stay informed about their health despite habits such as late rising, consuming fast food, and workplace stress.
According to TCM experts associated with the bar, the combination of Chinese medicine and alcohol is not entirely new; it was previously known as 'medicinal wine'. However, the goal of this bar is not to treat any diseases. Here, through pulse checking and special drinks, the aim is to raise people's awareness of their own health.