Hong Kong is in love with a drink or two. We love to celebrate the end of the working week and any festival, birthday, wedding, or anniversary with cool tipples and pours. With more than 2,500 bars and drinking holes in Hong Kong, we have too much choice.
Every month, we share with you our curated recommendations of the best bars in Hong Kong you should drink at right now. Check in early next month for more and more bars!
Our recommendations for Hong Kong bars you should drink at this April 2024
Rootdown
Smacked down in Sai Ying Pun’s Art Lane, Rootdown is a bare-bones café that stands out for its bold exterior. They serve coffee and brunch snacks in the daytime, before opening their doors at night for those seeking a quiet drink in the neighbourhood. They close at 11PM at the weekend, so hurry before the last order!
Why you should go: at night, this local spot is perfect for catching up with friends over a simple list of classic cocktails, wine, and Japanese beer.
What you should order: the Old Fashioned, Rootdown’s twist on the classic cocktail, gives an orange-like, aromatic burst with smoky tones.
Rootdown, Shop 16–19, G/F, Two Artlane, 1 Chung Ching Street, Sai Ying Pun
Mizunara: The Library
This Japanese cocktail bar is hidden deep inside a concrete building in Wan Chai, but don’t write off its surroundings just yet. Mizunara: The Library boasts a Japanese zen garden and stylish bar, stocking over 700 bottles of Japanese, Taiwanese, and Scottish whisky. The bartending team are skilled at crafting shochu and sake cocktails for fans of distilled Japanese spirits.
Why you should go: Mizunara: The Library is very close to an authentic Japanese cocktail-drinking experience, from the mixology style to the flavours.
What you should order: Apple (HKD120), a fruity cocktail pairing apple pith and juice with spiced rum, lemon, and orgeat for a creamy, smooth apple taste.
Mizunara: The Library, 4/F, Kiu Yin Commercial Building, 361–363 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, 3571 9797
Moonkok (Mong Kok)
Opened by local craft brewery Moonzen, Moonkok launched its first location in Mong Kok with an interior inspired by old-school Cantonese teahouses and temples. The open-air bar serves local craft beer on tap and Hong Kong-style cocktails. They host one of the only happy hours in Mong Kok, with 20% of all drinks from 4PM till 7PM.
Why you should go: simply for the cool interior and style of the bar, we recommend a visit to plunge yourself into an old-timey teahouse culture.
What you should order: Moonkok (HKD98/470ml) – when in Rome, do as the Romans do by drinking this namesake pale ale, notable for its floral and lemony tones.
Moonkok, 88 Shantung Street, Mong Kok, 2869 6099
Our recommendations for Hong Kong bars you should drink at this March 2024
Qura Bar
Regent Hong Kong expands its dining-destination dominion with the opening of swanky cocktail bar Qura, specialising in rare spirits. The bar is lavishly decorated and exclusive with its cocktail catering – only a few plush seats dot the dimly lit room. The starry hotel bar owns its swagger with a refined European bistro menu and cigar room.
Why you should go: to be pampered with supreme hospitality, booze, and food that complement your temporary five-star stay.
What to order: José Arechabala Ron Blanco Arecha, which dates to a former time of Cuban rum-making and smoky liquor history.
Qura Bar, Lobby, Regent Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2313 2313, book here
Ruggers
Not to be mistaken by its first location on Yiu Wa Street, Ruggers 2.0 is a modern embrace of Causeway Bay beer-drinking and rugby culture. The bar holds a large list of locally produced Hong Kong craft beers and cocktails to sip on. Ruggers is sleek and approachable for group drinking.
Why you should go: if you’re heading to Yiu Wa Street to drink, Ruggers should be on your list for how bright it is (other neighbouring bars are dim and unwelcoming).
What to order: Estrella Galicia (HKD80) hides amongst the list of Ruggers’ local craft beer and cider pints, offering a crisp, lemony finish from the Spanish beer.
Ruggers, 28 Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay, 9757 5637
Socio
Founded by Amir Javaid, the roving bartender finally stomps his heels into the ground at new Soho bar Socio. His mission: to expose the fauna and flora notes of the Asia-Pacific region in cocktails using eco-loving ingredients. Flavours from Taiwan, China, Philippines, Hong Kong, and Australia are embraced at Socio.
Why you should go: beyond the familiar Penicillin Bar, Socio is turning eyes for its cocktail menu that focuses on the nature of our regional home.
What to order: Cumin (India) (HKD120) cures your heart and soul with cumin liqueur mixed with guava soda and yoghurt-washed Stranger & Sons gin.
Socio, 17 Staunton Street, Soho, Central, 9799 3652
Our recommendations for Hong Kong bars you should drink at this February 2024
Dirty Laundry
Dirty Laundry stands out like a sore thumb, but in a good way, on the classic Wan Chai strip. Neighbouring rowdy British pubs and old-school watering holes, Dirty Laundry brings the swagger and glass to the ‘hood with refined, funky cocktails and a rolling soundtrack of Cantopop and 2000s pop tunes. The bar is decked out in pink neon lighting – very daa kaat!
Why you should go: the quirky interior and experimental cocktails offer something new compared to the ancient Wan Chai bars dotting Lockhart Road.
What to order: Afternoon Tea (HKD128) with oolong-infused vodka, peach, and lemon.
Dirty Laundry, 100 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, 5501 1756
Uncle Ming’s
Topping the elusive AKI – MGallery in Wan Chai, Uncle Ming’s pairs whisky cocktails and age-old casket pours with a sweeping view of Kowloon’s lights from beyond the oaky and cosy barroom. Bottles are imported from Japan, Taiwan, China, Australia, the USA, and the UK.
Why you should go: prices are affordable and the bar is a rare gem in Wan Chai, largely undiscovered by many so far.
What to order: Algonquin (HKD125) mixes Bulleit bourbon, dry vermouth, and pineapple juice.
Uncle Ming’s, 25/F, AKI Hong Kong – MGallery, 239 Jaffe Road, Wan Chai, 2121 5023, WhatsApp 9816 1110
LOCKDOWN
Opened by Hong Kong’s bar-veteran couple Agung and Laura Prabowo, who are responsible for the success of Penicillin and Dead&, LOCKDOWN on Hollywood Road is an homage to the secretive boozing and inventive mixology of the 1920s Prohibition era in the USA and 2020s Hong Kong COVID shutdowns. Bar manager Lee Morris is serious about inducing a fun time at one of Hong Kong’s hottest new bars.
Why you should go: the famed Prabowo couple refine their mixing skills here but avoid the pretentious drinking common in Soho.
What to order: The Scofflaw (HKD120) is a hit, bringing together bourbon, dry vermouth, and grenadine and maple, blueberry, and lychee flavours.
LOCKDOWN, 27 Hollywood Road, Central
Our recommendations for Hong Kong bars you should drink at this January 2024
Dead Poets
Served to you by the good people from The Old Man, Dead Poets is a freaky and funky bar concept that brings good coffee and haircuts from Sauce barbers in the daytime and a strong collection of affordable cocktails, starting at HKD80 (and no service charge)! Dead Poets is rebellious with their mixing and what they are providing Hong Kong.
Why you should go: the interior design of Dead Poets alone is mysterious and will beckon us back for more to figure out why we love the bar so much.
What you should order: Ob La Di (HKD80) infuses a traditional Bloody Mary mix with a tinge of sweetness that elevates the sour-spicy drink. The mezcal and tequila used are smooth and refreshing.
Dead Poets, 41–49 Aberdeen Street, Soho, Central
Blotto
Kennedy Town’s newest neighbourhood bar Blotto welcomes locals and visitors far and wide to soak up the rowdy noise and sweet cocktails. Sporting 12 drinks on their mixologist-crafted menu by co-owner Austen Lendrum, each level of booze strength is featured based on how drunk you will get – Slightly, Deffo, Proper, and Am Blotto I? – with prices ranging from HKD75–105.
Why you should go: the bar is filled with interesting characters and fun puzzles to pair with friendly bartenders and easy-drinking tipples.
What you should order: Elevated (HKD75) mixes a sharp pour of Wedges gin with St-Germain elderflower liqueur, soda, and cucumber.
Blotto, 66–68 Catchick Street, Kennedy Town
Ned Kelly’s Last Stand
Dating more than 50 years old and still standing in its original location, Ned Kelly’s Last Stand has seen everything hidden on Ashley Road in the beating heart of the Tsim Sha Tsui neighbourhood. The watering hole offers great beer schooners and pitchers and classic cocktails. Expect nightly jazz and musical performances at this neighbourhood bar.
Why you should go: manager Mike Gordon curates a perfect friendly atmosphere that makes Ned Kelly’s a go-to hang-out for many locals.
What you should order: a Tetley’s pint (HKD77) is a great ode to the pubs of the UK and the smooth, oaky flavours of British draught beer.
Ned Kelly’s Last Stand, 11A Ashley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2376 0562
Spices at The Repulse Bay
With beach days long gone (only to return soon when the weather picks up again), we are eager to not let our Southside love die this winter. That’s why we’re finding ourselves at Spices these days. The funky pan-Asian restaurant housed inside The Repulse Bay offers cut-throat happy-hour prices for all-you-can-drink fruity cocktails, which are way too photogenic once the sun goes down. The weekly happy hour starts at HKD168 per person from 4–6PM.
Why you should go: to catch the waning sunset for a cheeky happy hour from 4PM onwards with one of Hong Kong’s cheapest drinking deals.
What you should order: Southern Gardenia is our first choice at this tropical oasis, bringing together Plantation 3 stars white rum, guava, gin, lime, and Pineau des Charentes.
Spices, The Repulse Bay, 108 Repulse Bay Road, Repulse Bay, 2292 2821, book here