Picture this. You’re a grumpy iron miner in Western Australia, forced to craft fairies out of the ore. Then one day you wake up to find that the fairies have come alive and transformed your workshop into an enchanted den of magic and mystery.
What to do but have a drink and a good time?
The Hong Kong outpost of The Iron Fairies – the others being in Bangkok, Tokyo and New York – completely transports you to this world. Once you enter the bar, give yourself a few minutes to take in the details. There are over 10,000 butterflies on thin copper rods hung from the ceiling. Around the bar are 12,000 bottles of fairy dust. In the centre of each circular table in the main workshop area there are thousands of the aforementioned iron fairies. You have to see it to believe it. To complement the heavy iron elements, hand-hewn timber and supple leather were used to warm up the space.
The idea for The Iron Fairies came from designer Ashley Sutton’s (of Ophelia and J. Boroski fame) real-life experience working in the iron mines of Western Australia. Showing off his talents, he did some of the welding and handcrafted some of the decor – check out the stunning chandeliers. Years ago, he wrote a children’s book trilogy about mischievous fairies taking over an iron ore workshop, and it’s incredible seeing the story come to life. If you want to better understand the vision behind the bar, the books are available for purchase.
Sustenance is needed to keep up the revelry, so there is a selection of carefully crafted cocktails (the watermelon daiquiri with fairy dust is sophisticated and not as sweet as the name suggests), boutique beers and wines. Food-wise, signature dishes include the fried pork knuckle, honey toast and a range of handcrafted Australian beef burgers.
The cosy space can fit up to 80 guests. In addition to the tables in the main room, there are six private (two-inch-thick iron!) furnace and casting rooms – great for dates or small groups.
To further enhance the enjoyment, there will be an ever-changing roster of jazz and blues acts.
LG/F, Chinachem Hollywood Centre, 1–13 Hollywood Road, Central (entrance on Pottinger Street)
Reservations (furnace and casting rooms): 2603 6992, info@ironfairies.com.hk