Bar entertainment in Hong Kong
-
A
Bar 109
Tired of rubbing, er, shoulders with working girls in the Wanch? Well, even if not, the 109 will give you 110 reasons to flock here. It’s a serious chill-out zone cobbled from a 1920s-vintage bakery and divided into three sections, including a bar, a covered ‘outside’ area and a 1st-floor balcony.
reviewed
-
B
Club 71
This friendly place occupying a quiet, tucked-away alley north of Hollywood Rd is named after the huge protest march held on 1 July 2003. It’s a quiet spot with a pleasant little terrace, ideal for some low-key beers among its left-field customers. Find it by taking a sharp right down a narrow alley off Hollywood Rd or via a small footpath running west off Peel St.
reviewed
-
C
East End Brewery
This place out in Quarry Bay is a beer lover’s must-visit. You can choose from more than 30 beers and lagers from around the world, including a couple of local microbrews. There’s wi-fi access, too. The branch at Causeway Bay (Ground fl, Sunning Plaza, 10 Hysan Ave) serves up much the same beer and fodder if you can’t make it this far out.
reviewed
-
D
Executive Bar
You won’t be served if you just turn up at this clubby, masculine bar high above Causeway Bay – it’s by appointment only. Odd perhaps, but worth the trip if you are serious about whisky and bourbon. Several dozen varieties are served here, in large brandy balloons with huge ice ‘cubes’ designed by the Japanese proprietor to maximise the tasting experience.
reviewed
-
E
Where
Occupying a floor above this increasingly interesting corner of TST, it’s worth seeking this place out for its stylish white couches, softly lit interior, mellow music and leafy, spacious terrace, ideal for alfresco drinking. Look for the neon Hollywood Game Zone sign and take the lift up.
reviewed
-
F
Courtney's
This hotel snack room-bar, decorated with original and attractive artwork by local painter Pauline Courtney, has a fabulous outdoor terrace, allowing you to watch the goings-on in lively Minden Ave below. Don't expect crowds though; this is a great place for a quiet drink and some elbow room.
reviewed
-
G
Bit Point
Owned by the same lot as Biergarten, Bit Point is essentially a German-style bar where beer drinking is taken very seriously. Most beers here are draught pilsners that you can get in a glass boot if you have a thirst big enough to kick. Bit Point also serves some pretty solid Teutonic fare.
reviewed
-
H
Maya
This lovely new bar has a name that apparently means ‘illusion’ in Sanskrit. It’s a design-minded oasis in Wan Chai. We love the bold black-and-white patterns on the wall, the bright-red bar and, of course, the (almost) never-ending happy/relaxing/two-for-one hour (s).
reviewed
-
I
Tivo
One of the best of a lively little string of bars along lively Wyndham St, Tivo is a cut above the peanuts and beer standard of the ‘Fong, just around the corner. Wine, aperitivo (Italian pre-dinner snacks) and an often glamorous crowd make a winning combination.
reviewed
-
J
Red Rock
This attractive place, backing onto the walkway above Lan Kwai Fong, is a very successful chameleon: a decent Italian restaurant at lunch and dinner and a popular dance venue by night (cover around HK$100). A dozen cocktails and as many shooters go for half-price at happy hour.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Sparkz
Run by a former sommelier, Sparkz’ back-lit bottles of wine lining the walls and the comfortable seating say it all – it’s about wine, boasting 150 different varieties. It’s a cosy place for a drink and a chat among a well-heeled professional crowd.
reviewed
-
L
Captain’s Bar
This is a clubby, suited place that serves ice-cold draught beer in chilled silver mugs, as well as some of the best martinis in town. This is a good place to talk business, at least until the cover band strikes up at 9pm. Dress is smart casual (no shorts or sandals).
reviewed
-
M
Dada
Upstairs in the strikingly styled Luxe Manor hotel, Dada is an attractive, intimate cocktail bar decked out with florid wallpaper, bold purple and silver, and a couple of real Dalí paintings. The crowd is creative, professional mid-30s and the vibe is jazzy.
reviewed
-
N
Mes Amis
This easy-going place is in the lap of girly club land. It has a good range of wines as well as a Mediterranean-style snacks list. There’s a DJ from 11pm on Friday and Saturday. There’s also another branch in Tsim Sha Tsui (15 Ashley Rd).
reviewed
-
O
Bar
For mellow 1940s and ‘50s jazz, take your smoking jacket along and sip cognac at the Peninsula’s most stylish watering hole. Your fellow tipplers will be serious business types, coutured couples and new money trying to look old (er).
reviewed
-
P
Philia
A short escalator ride from the throngs along Wyndham St, intimate Philia caters to a hip crowd of 20-something music lovers. Depending on the night, the DJ will be playing rare hip hop, jazz, edgy house, electro or indie music you can dance to.
reviewed
-
Q
Paradiso Lounge
If you want to drink with the sand between your toes and a towel around your waist, this relaxed beach spot, with a marine theme including a fish tank and sea shells, will oblige. At night it gets dressier and the dance floor fills up.
reviewed
-
R
Champagne Bar
Take your fizz in the sumptuous surrounds of the Grand Hyatt’s Champagne Room, kitted out in art deco furnishings to evoke Paris of the 1920s. Live blues or jazz happens most evenings and the circular main bar is always busy.
reviewed
-
S
Old China Hand
This place is hardly recognisable as the gloomy old dive where the desperate-to-drink (no one we know) used to find themselves unhappy but never alone at 3am. Now it has a generous happy hour, internet access and cheap set lunches.
reviewed
-
T
Martini Bar
In the plush Royal Garden Hotel, the Martini Bar is one of Hong Kong’s premier cocktail lounges for well-mixed drinks and swift service. Ideal for low-key drinks away from the crowds, it also boasts its own cigar lounge.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
U
Bar George
This large and raucous place is probably Lan Kwai Fong's biggest meat market; if you can't make it here, you won't make it anywhere. There's a lounge section and a dance floor at the back, with a second bar at the dance floor.
reviewed
-
V
Lotus
This cool little style bar takes the art of mixing cocktails to entertaining extremes. With a nod to molecular gastronomy it plays with taste and texture by foaming, heating and freezing various ingredients. Silly but fun.
reviewed
-
W
Balalaika
Russian theming – from the dacha-style walls to the music, the food and, of course, the vodka – set a fun tone here. Don a fur hat and coat and step into the ice bar if you really want to go to extremes.
reviewed
-
X
Bridge
This large and airy bar, with great windows overlooking the frenzy of Lockhart Rd, is open 24 hours, serving cocktails to the denizens and the doomed of Wan Chai. It’s less frenetic than most of its neighbours.
reviewed
-
Y
Aqua Spirit
This magnificent restaurant-bar on top of one of Kowloon's new skyscrapers is everyone's favourite place for a brew with a view, which is spectacular enough to take your mind off the equally stratospheric bar bill.
reviewed
