Instagram story viewer> @ellenxuzh> Posts

Ellen Xu

@ellenxuzh

3.5K

followers

2473

following

🍸@chimney_hangzhou
🥚@eg._by_chimney
🏆2026 @jamesonhosts China
🏆2024 @woodfordreserve WR Grand Finale
🏆2024 @remymartin 300 BTA China |🥈Global
🐻UCB

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Infinite pride & gratitude

Today @chimney_hangzhou is noticed by the world.
On paper, it is #91 Asia’s @50bestbars 2026

To me, it is:
- The 1st cocktail bar I ever opened. (I originally wanted to do yakitori)
- The longest roller coaster I have ever ridden: 7 years and counting.
- The place that kidnapped me into becoming a bartender, then sent me back out into the world.

Getting a city like Hangzhou noticed is not easy.

Looking back over the past 7 years, we have simply kept moving and doing the same thing: deep storytelling through our drinks and believing that every tiny detail matters.

Then, somehow, the world looked over and said:
“Ohhh. There is a place in China called Hangzhou.”

What makes me even happier？
What this recognition can bring: a bigger horizon for our team, more attention for our industry, and a little more light on Hangzhou—the city we love, and the city that has shaped everything we do.

Thank you to the Chimney community, the bartending community, and everyone who has supported us along the way.

At this point, I think it may be a little difficult for me to switch back to yakitori.

Onwards and upwards!

Chimney, On My Way.

#asias50best #50bestbars @perrier taken in Hangzhou, China by @ellenxuzh

420

54

3 months ago

🍅SHAKEGGMATO🥚

Nothing beats the approval from granny Suqin, an 85-year-old life time restauranteur who runs this little hawker joint for 30 years.

Food taps into nostalgia, and nothing tastes better than nostalgia. Everywhere I go, my Chinese stomach calls me back to this “unofficial national dish”:

- 番茄炒蛋 Stir-Fried Tomato Egg!

You’ll find it on dinner tables across the country. In Hangzhou, Suqin starts the process differently by frying the egg with Chinese yellow wine (fermented rice wine).

Charred twice, the yellow wine is wrapped by tomatoey sauciness and rounded acidity. Integrated through heat, activating deep aromatics!

This is the same philosophy I find in Jameson Black Barrel:
Wood, warmth, and time working together to bind flavors into harmony.

Inevitably, my cocktail SHAKEGGMATO!

Torch, juice then smoke the pink tomato with oak wood to activate nutty Maillard notes that mirror barrel char. Sweet Yellow Wine is infused with tree tomato for a layered umami and creaminess.

A touch of local sour honey echoes the nuttiness of the whiskey. And a dish isn’t complete without seasoning: white soy sauce, white pepper and Angostura Bitter to bring up baking spice.

Taken the logic of 番茄炒蛋，built with Jameson Black Barrel, garnished with a mini egg tomato.

The result is homecoming. It is where the palate and heart returns.

Had to fight for it with granny Suqin💚

🍅Shakeggmato🥚

45ml Jameson Black Barrel
30ml Charred Pink Tomato Juice
30ml Tree Tomato Sweet Yellow Wine
2 Dash White Soy Sauce
1 Bar Spoon Sour Honey
1 Pinch White pepper

Garnish: Mini Egg Cherry Tomato

@jamesonhosts @jamesonwhiskey
#jamesonbartenderseries26 #competition #Bartenders #JamesonBlackBarrel taken in Hangzhou, China by @ellenxuzh

637

66

9 months ago

🥈Rémy Martin 300Y BTA Global Final🇫🇷🇨🇳

Words can’t do it justice of what I’ve experienced in Cognac, France.

First of all, imagine 4 days spent with those legends @rumandwhisky @demie_kim @shingo_gokan @mightyschneidey as our beloved judges.

Waking up to golden hour of sunrise and sunset; having 3-hour long dinner at Rémy Martin Le Club with the family of Rémy Martin; riding bicycles down Grande Champagne vineyard before the harvesting day; tasting elegant blend of eaux-de-vie and RM Coupe 300th Anniversary edition with cellar master Baptiste Loisau.

“You’re going to get tired of our surprises” - @maximepulci

Cruising at sunset, changing presentation rules and making drinks at the kitchen, becoming a judge and tasting drinks made by the best 24 bartenders across the world. Exchange, collab, drinking fig Julep by the fig tree cuz “localism & seasonality are the future”. We bartenders were brought to the heart of Cognac, feeling the beat of its terroir in a French spontaneous tempo with the most sensational rhythm.

During the dinner I asked @loicrakotomalala which matters the most to RM, the sun, the moon or the star? “The star” he said, then added it’s actually the light, which is crucial for Ugni Blanc to grow. France has been using the word “enlightenment” to define its culture since Renaissance.
I was smiling the whole time. He must have no idea that my competition cocktail is based on “light”. It feels so good to feel aligned✨

After countless glasses of Cognac, a moment of truth:
I got the second place of Rémy Martin 300Y BTA Global Final. Lights, applause, hugs. It occurred to me @alexlefrench told me it was a good seat when he brought me to the table.

@delphine.devienne was my judge at the domestic competition. She started her speech at the ceremony by talking about Ellen and China’s market. Thank you for being there witnessing and supporting❤️

My heart was so full. I know I'll wake up to the golden hour the next morning. Thank you @remymartin.bta for a life-time experience. Living there with croissants and Cognac would be my life goal.

Congratulations to @marnovak 🏆 @matthisverhaeghe 🥉and shout/shots out to all winners!

@remymartin taken in Cognac Remy Martin by @ellenxuzh

284

10

2 years ago

เกสต์ชิฟต์จากบาร์เทนเดอร์ทั่วโลก ใน Bangkok Bar Show 2026
.
23 ตุลาคม
เวลา 18:00 พบ BOP จากสิงคโปร์ ที่ Cherry Olive
เวลา 19:00 พบ Backdoor Bodega จากปีนัง ที่ The O.S.S Bar
เวลา 20:00 พบ Tjoget จากสตอกโฮม ที่ Messenger Service
เวลา 22:00 Opening Party ที่ Aqua Bar โดย 4 บาร์ จากกรุงโซล Villa Records Bar, Kiez, Soko และ AceFourClub
.
24 ตุลาคม
เวลา 18:00 พบ 1930 Cocktail Bar จากมิลาน ที่ Bar Sathorn
เวลา 18:00 พบ Waltz จากลอนดอน และ wú จากไทเป ที่ Cherry Olive
เวลา 18:00 พบ Barro Negro จากเอเธนส์ ที่ Vesper
เวลา 19:00 พบ Bee‘s Knees จากเกียวโต และ Craftroom จากโอซาก้า ที่ Stella Bar
เวลา 19:00 พบ Mother Bar จากโทรอนโต ที่ Opium Bar
เวลา 21:00 พบ Cantina Ok! จากซิดนีย์ ที่ La Copita
เวลา 23:00 งาน Leading Ladies of Asia พบ 3 บาร์ mius จากฮ่องกง, Foo Bar จากเซี่ยงไฮ้ และ Bar Pine จากไทเป ที่ Zuma Bangkok
.
25 ตุลาคม
เวลา 13:00 งาน Cocktails, Tapas & Friends ที่ The St.Regis Bar พบ Nouvelle Vague จากติรานา แอลแบเนีย, Argo จากฮ่องกง, Osmo จากจาการ์ตา และ CMYK จากฉางชา
เวลา 18:00 งาน A Shanghai & Hangzhou Affair ที่ Ruby’s และ Bar.Yard พบ Chimney จากหางโจว, Asian Flush จากเซี่ยงไฮ้ และ Speak Low จากเซี่ยงไฮ้
เวลา 19:00 พบ Hanky Panky จากเม็กซิโกซิตี ที่ Zuma Bangkok
เวลา 19:00 พบ Artesian จากลอนดอน ที่ Dry Wave
เวลา 20:00 พบ The Bar In Front Of The Bar จากเอเธนส์ ที่ Bar Us
เวลา 20:00 งาน Best of China พบ MO Bar จากเสิ่นเจิ้น และ Pony Up จากเซี่ยงไฮ้ ที่ F*nkytown
เวลา 20:00 งาน Sensei vs Deshi พบ Punch Room และ Bar LIBRE จากโตเกียว ที่ Bar Scofflaws
เวลา 20:00 พบ Nomad Lab จากมองโกเลีย ที่ Aman Lounge
เวลา 21:00 พบ Bar Bon Funk จากสิงคโปร์ ที่ Rabbit Hole
เวลา 23:00 งาน SEA Takeover พบ Offtrack จากสิงคโปร์, The Spirits Library จากมะนิลา, The Cocktail Club จากจาการ์ตา และ teru•mi จากกัวลาลัมเปอร์ ที่ The Norm by @ellenxuzh

34

0

3 days ago

NOT THEIR FIRST TIME IN HANGZHOU. IT'S A COME BACK.

@shen.pdf celebrated Chimney‘s 5-year-birthday. 2 years later, he and @backdoorbodega had made it to the podium of World’s 50 Best Bars - Best Cocktail Menu ”Backdoor Bodega Guide To Penang“.

We got lucky. The best is yet to come, to come back to Chimney‘s Lucky 7-Year-Anniversary. Not only Shen, but also the ”doorman“ , aka supervisor of the backdoor, the boilermaker, the Buro bartender of the year @stayin6ftunder

📅October 16th, Friday night.
🕒8:30pm - 11:30pm
Two floors, two legends.
No town like George Town, back in town🎰

#backdoorbodega #penang
#chimneyhangzhou #anniversary
#50bestbars taken in Hangzhou, China by @ellenxuzh

240

3

4 days ago

High spirits, exceptional craft, and remarkable company. Our sincere thanks to everyone who joined us, and to COA Shanghai and Chimney Hangzhou for bringing their distinctive vision and creativity to MO Bar Shenzhen.

@mo_shenzhen_
@chimney_hangzhou @coashanghai

#MOBarShenzhen #GuestShift
#MandarinOrientalShenzhen #ImAFan by @ellenxuzh

38

1

14 days ago

This time, @waraprawn from @bar.san.chiangmai is crossing over to Hangzhou, here with the fizz that's beyond ordinary.

For @chimney_hangzhou Lucky 7th Anniversary, Bar San is bringing Northern Thai flavors east: local ingredients, Thai food memories, and cocktails built around them, poured for a special night in Hangzhou.

See you at Chimney this Oct 7.
Limited seats and drinks available, be well prepared and reserve your spot.

@waraprawn @bar.san.chiangmai @ellenxuzh @chimney_hangzhou

#SinghaSoda #FizzSynergy #AsiaCrossOver #BeyondOrdinaryFizz by @ellenxuzh

147

0

17 days ago

Chimney, Hangzhou, China (No. 91, Asia's @50bestbars 2026)
I travelled 6000 kms just to visit this bar. 🍸✈️
Tucked away in Hangzhou’s historic old streets, Chimney is a tiny loft bar where old-world charm meets bold Chinese flavours.
My pick? The Diving Pickle — mezcal, tequila, pickle-pear shrub and Sichuan pepper air. Smoky, tangy and seriously tingly. 🌶️
And while you’re there, head upstairs to Bar Eg, Ellen Xu’s new bar-within-a-bar.

No. 91 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars.
Definitely worth the journey.

Rating: 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5

#ChimneyHangzhou#HangzhouNightlife#ChinaBars#Asias50BestBars#BestBarsInAsia

Chimney Hangzhou, Chimney bar, Hangzhou cocktail bars, best bars in Hangzhou, Diving Pickle cocktail, Sichuan pepper cocktail, Asia’s 50 Best Bars by @ellenxuzh

110

2

23 days ago

Chimney is turning Lucky 7 years old!

If you see this post, comment “7” for good luck!
And honestly, what a good number 7 is.

7 years ago, we landed at 524 Zhongshan Middle Road, all because of a chimney sticking out from the balcony. We put down our roots here, with absolutely no idea what kind of ride we were about to get ourselves into.

It felt a little like dropping our first coin into a machine — spinning the wheel and never knowing what the next round would bring.

But if life really is a lottery, the biggest jackpot we’ve scratched has been the people we’ve met along the way: Chimney team and every single one of you who has walked through our door.

Therefore the theme for Chimney’s 7th anniversary:
GET 7UCKY, GET LOTTOS! 🎰

7 bartenders from around the world, 4 parties.

1️⃣09.26 — CHINA ALL STARS
@hopeandsesame @bar_longfong_beijing ⭐️
2️⃣ 10.07 — CMI CHILL CLUB
@bar.san.chiangmai 🍹
3️⃣ 10.16 — CHIMNEY BODEGA
@backdoorbodega Penang🏖️
4️⃣ 10.28 — GOOD LUCK!
@goodman.shanghai 🍔🦪

Every party lies a few mystery eggs.
Come to one, come to all four! Scratch a lotto and say it with us: LUCKY 7!

Invitation letters & Chimney, on my way. 🎟️🍀 taken in Hangzhou, China by @ellenxuzh

159

7

24 days ago

We are super honored that Chimney has been voted as one of

- @tatlerchina best 30 bars Mainland China🍸
- Best In Class, founder @ellenxuzh as the Rising Star🌟

Huge thank you to everyone who steps into the door and helps us shape our dream. From dream to reality, this one is for you Chimney team. Thank you all for your effort, distinctive yet brilliant characters to put Hangzhou on a bigger map!

Congrats to all the peers and stars on the list. What a way to kick start our 7-year-anniversary. Celebrations and champagnes awaited!

#tatler #tatlerasia #sunsetbar
#chimney烟囱 #risingstar taken in Hangzhou, China by @ellenxuzh

322

32

25 days ago

Back with @latelierbycyrilkongo #GlobalScene Bar Takeover.

@ellenxuzh of @chimney_hangzhou has joined us in Bali, beginning the journey at Samsara Living Museum with a glimpse into Balinese culture and the craft of bamboo.

Then, the excitement moved to the 17th floor of @kempinskibali ‘ @latelierbycyrilkongo ‘, where we enjoyed bold pours and a dash of Hangzhou energy behind the bar. Did you catch her in action? by @ellenxuzh

161

4

a month ago

We love chocolate,
especially the award winning ones from @allyouwantcn

We love Sake,
especially @ohminesake Sake from Yamaguchi, Japan.

Smoked Choco-Melon
=Chocolate Sake + Peated Whisky + Watermelon

This one falls under ”Edge“ section of Comfort Zone Menu. There is a kind of beauty that only appears at the border — where comfort begins to loosen, and curiosity starts to take over.

Bangers

#comfortzone #newmenu
#chimneyhangzhou #menudesign
#cocktails taken in Hangzhou, China by @ellenxuzh

3

0

a month ago