Though there are myriad bars in Hong Kong, many of which serve a proper cocktail, and many of which have a decent selection of whisky on show, we suggest these five bars for an experience that goes beyond the liquid in the glass. Whether the bartender is particularly knowledgeable or the ambience worthy of a first date, these bars are that little extra special, especially if whisky is your poison.
Here are the best places for whisky in Hong Kong to help you prioritize your drinking goals:
Stockton
You can drink whisky in a bathtub, on a train or even on the corner of D’Aguilar St on a Saturday night, but one of the best places to do it is at Stockton, inspired by the decadence of 1890s Europe, and is conveniently smack bang in the middle of the city.
Stockton is also one of the first whisky bars in Hong Kong to carry the Singleton of Dufftown 21 year old. After more than two-decades of beauty sleep, only one in 20,000 casks are used to craft this liquor. The rich toffee and burnt orange with a delicious long and dry finish are why people like it, says head mixologist Sandeep, further confirming Stockton as the ideal spot for those who fancy a wee dram.
32 Wyndham St, Central
2565 5268 or website
Mizunara
Mizunara gets so many points for the extra care they put into their cocktails. A bit of a black sheep amongst its peers on Lockhart Road, Mizunara is worlds apart, secluded on the fourth floor. The head bartender is Masahiko Endo, who hails from Fukuoka, and he is as meticulous with how the drinks are served as a Michelin chef would be with their food. Endo san recommends enjoying any of the whiskies as a single malt on itself (i.e. either neat or few drops of water or on the rocks…depending on the preference of the consumer cocktail and you’ll get a square of chocolate made by Endo san.
They have a minimum spend policy of $400 per person from 9pm onwards.
Fourth Floor of Kiu Yin Building, 361-363 Lockhart Road, Wanchai
Tel: 3571 9797 or website
Bar Butler
This mysterious bar dazzles with a sexy interior and witty bartender who will make you a drink to suit your mood. Although the drinks will set you back a couple of hundred dollar bills, the ambience of this bar and the mystery surrounding your bespoke cocktail make it worthwhile. Depending on your budget we recommend testing out the bartenders’ skills by asking for a couple of bespoke creations.
5/F, Mody House, 30 Mody Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: 2724 3828 or website
Nocturne
Peel Street has always been charming, and Nocturne fits right in, nestled among other watering holes below Hollywood Rd. Making a statement with classy décor, the menu features champagne, burgundy white and a whisky tasting set, and its attic wine cellar houses more than 250 different wines and champagnes, plus 150 different Scotch, Japanese, Bourbon and Taiwanese whiskies.
35, Peel Street, Soho, Central
Website
Ginger
This speakeasy is nestled in at the back of Gough Street on On Wo Lane. Great for people who love cocktails and extensive selections of international whiskies (which should be pretty much everyone) including Japanese and Scotch varieties. It’s definitely the place to go if you’re looking for 1) a wee dram and 2) potentially the most sophisticated, stilled getaway in LKF.
G/F, 12 On Wo Lane, Central