Hong Kong is a shopper’s paradise and a foodie’s dreams, but more importantly, it is an imbibers oasis. We spent ten days in Hong Kong over the 2018-2019 Christmas and New Years holiday. The sheer amount of bars can be a bit daunting. Before our trip, I made a list of some cocktail bars to hit, but after arriving and talking with two bartenders, my list changed. Over the ten days in Hong Kong, we went to a multitude of bars, high-end cocktail bars, rockin’ dive bars, tequila bars, lounge bars, secret bars, and everything else in between. The one thing that all of these bars have in common is hospitality.
Here is our list of bars to check out in Hong Kong.
1. The Old Man
The Old Man could quite possibly be the best bar I’ve ever been to. An Ernest Hemingway themed bar with a small intimate atmosphere, chill vibe, and fantastic cocktails. Don’t let the batched cocktails put you off, these cocktails are flavor bombs created with the help of science.
2. Stockton
If you are looking for a hard-to-find bar, then the Stockton is it. Tucked away on Wyndham street, up some steps hides a dimly lit cocktail bar. With seating at the bar, a table, or a leather couch you are sure to enjoy to yourself with friends and drinks. Their cocktail menu, at the time, was based on Darwin’s theory of evolution, which made for some intriguing cocktails.
3. COA
Named after the spear-like cutting tool used to trim agave plants down for tequila or mezcal production, COA has everything in Mexican liquor you’d ever want. Tequila, mezcal, raicilla, sotol, tuxca, bacanora, and charanda, you name it they’ve probably got it. Our flight of sotol and raicilla was fantastic, and the carefully crafted cocktails were extraordinary.
4. The Envoy/ Room 309
Nestled in the Pottinger hotel is Room 309. To enter, you must go to the hostess at The Envoy on the third floor and request a key. Upon entrance, a bartender will greet you and show you to your seats. The meandering bar is long and cozy. The lights are low with small accent candles to add a level of ambiance. When we were handed the “invisible” menu, I knew we were in for a special treat.
5. Foxglove/ Frank’s Library
Another out in the open yet hidden away bar is in the back of Foxglove. After having a drink at Foxglove and talking with the hostess, we were escorted to Frank’s Library. The library holds maybe 16 people along with one bartender. The menu boasts imaginative cocktails along with a
6. Draft Land
Newly opened Draft Land Hong Kong is the perfect place to grab delicious cocktails with all the science and mixology done behind the scenes. Everything is on draft, literally, two beers, two mocktails, and 20 cocktails. There is something for everyone here, and it’s instant service.
7. The Pontiac
Who’s up for a dive bar playing ’80s and ‘90s rock? You’ll find it at the Pontiac along with awesome cocktails and rad service. Looking for a beer, they got that. Looking for a well-balanced cocktail, they’ve got that too. There is also a bottle of Plantations Stiggins’ Fancy Pineapple Rum ready for shot service if you are so inclined.
8. Bar Q88
A hotel bar with a great happy hour featuring music, food, and exceptional cocktails. Inside the JW Marriott, you will find Q88 with a cocktail menu inspired by 50s and 60s pin-up girls and poster boys. If you can’t find anything on the menu be sure to let them know, and the bartenders will help find the right cocktail for you.
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