Douglas Williams/Shanghai Daily news

There are worse places a tired and weary Christmas shopper could recover than the new Windows Scoreboard on No. 681 Huaihai Road M. The latest addition to this little family of now four is a radical departure from the previous thinking in every way, excepting the pricing policy which thankfully remains exactly the same.
Whilst the older three entertain those economically challenged and tolerant individuals with a penchant for loud R&B, threadbare surroundings and have a thick skin when it comes to toilets Windows Scoreboard follows more of a Big Bamboo/Plan B type mold.
Rock and sport, even sport metal, rule the Windows Scoreboard roost with a brand spanking new pool table and a colossal screen showing sport, predominantly NBA. Other TV screens around the place have sundry sporting action as well.
Arriving very soon will be darts boards, two full time fixtures and another two that will figure on darts night Tuesdays when Windows Scoreboard joins the darts league. Entry to the Shanghai pool league is on the horizon too. Shanghai seems to be going pool and darts daft!
It is a Windows and the staff remain similarly indifferent as in the other three, but with the most expensive drink at 20 yuan (US$2.47) and most at 10 yuan forgiveness is easy. Cheap snacks are available.
It isn't really a cocktail type place, so don't have unrealistic expectations of those on offer. The Made in Shanghai cocktail, 20 yuan, was quite spectacularly underwhelming. It is a sort of baseball cap, beery, boyish type of hangout but a bottle of wine can be had for 150 yuan, so it may be possible to tempt the better half in after a harrowing afternoon's shopping.
Rest assured, the conveniences are decent and with its generous fourth floor proportions a table and probably a booth are almost guaranteed.
A date for the diary: December 23 will be Windows Scoreboard's party. That Friday night, between 9pm and 11pm, all draft beer and 10 yuan bottles will be free.
Find Windows Scoreboard East of Ruijin'er Road before Sinan Road on the South side of Huaihai Road M., shortly after the book shop.