When we think of drinking districts in Hong Kong, there are three main contenders – Wan Chai (the strip), Tsim Sha Tsui (encompassing Hart Avenue and Knutsford Terrace), and Central, where the magic happens.
Stretching over downtown Central, Soho, and Lan Kwai Fong, the Central area boasts Hong Kong’s highest concentrations of top bars, tracing a long history with funky themes, designs, and tipple offerings.
Central is the usual Hong Kong spot where many drinkers, be that local or visitors, like to land for a night of boozy fun. Catch our recommendations below on where you really should place yourself on a night out in Central.
The best bars in Central
Bar Leone
The brainchild of Hong Kong’s hottest Italian bartender Lorenzo Antinori, Bar Leone opened in June 2023, sharing the true essence of Rome’s neighbourhood bars and the heritage of Italian cocktail culture. The cocktail menus rotate monthly and seasonally, with Italian cocktails featuring Campari showing strong.
Bar Leone, G/F, 15 Bridges Street, Central
The Old Man
An original cocktail bar to the scene opened in the mid-2010s, The Old Man dedicates its mission to telling the stories of Ernest Hemingway’s literature and his illustrious lifelong career. Each cocktail crafted by the expert team is inspired by the author’s philosophy.
The Old Man, LG/F, 37–39 Aberdeen Street, Central, 2703 1899
Penicillin Bar
Run by power couple Laura and Agung Prabowo, Penicillin is Hong Kong’s top farm-to-table bar concept, serving upcycled drinks via ingredients sourced sustainably in Asia. The cocktails are priced fairly and aim to heal your soul with eccentric, vibrant liqueurs.
Penicillin Bar, LG/F, Amber Lodge, 23 Hollywood Road, Central, 9880 7995
The Daily Tot
Located just off the side of Peel Street, The Daily Tot is Hong Kong’s home for rum in all its depth. Bottles are sourced from the Caribbean, the Americas, Australia, and Asia, with cocktails created to complement the rich, oaky, and smoky tones of the ubiquitous liquor.
The Daily Tot, Shop E, LG/F, Felicity Building, 58 Hollywood Road, Central, 2366 6836, book here
The Savory Project
Founded by Jay Khan and Ajit Gurung of COA – number 1 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2021, 2022, and 2023 – The Savory Project brings to light the powers of umami, spice, and savouriness, empowering flavour profiles beyond sweet tipples. The cocktail menu is designed to play with your palate.
The Savory Project, G/F, 4 Staunton Street, Soho, Central, 2318 1588
Socio
Masterminded by Amir Javaid and Max Bajracharya, Socio is an experimental new bar promoting Asia’s regional liquors, ingredients, and cocktail recipes. The flavours of Taiwan, China, Australia, Nepal, India, and more are represented through fruity drinks at the bar.
Socio, G/F, 17 Staunton Street, Soho, Central, 9799 3652
Draft Land
Imported from Taipei, Draft Land is a regular stop for many weekend drinkers, beloved for its tap system featuring a number of pale ale, pilsner, and lagers from Asia, plus special mixed classic cocktails crafted on-site. The crowds can be heavy in the warmer months, making for a buzzing night out.
Draft Land, G/F, 63 Wyndham Street, Central, 2711 8809
LOCKDOWN
Opened by the same team at Penicillin, LOCKDOWN is an ode to the century-old struggles during the USA’s restrictive Prohibition era and how cocktails were secretly crafted in the 1920s. A collection of rare spirits are imported from abroad to craft a series of expensive-yet-worth-it drinks.
LOCKDOWN, G/F, 27 Hollywood Road, Central
Yardley’s Taproom
Yardley’s Taproom is an upper Peel Street addition that serves classic and experimental brews by home-grown Yardley Brothers. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the beer served on tap comes with a story, sourced from the New Territories brewery and other partner Asia-based taprooms.
Yardley’s Taproom, G/F, 62 Peel Street, Soho, Central, 5592 3557
The Iron Fairies
Any drinks trip planned to Central cannot be complete without a visit to the mystical and hyped The Iron Fairies. A busy night will command a long line trailing outside its door, promising for an interesting night of dancing coupled with strong drinks. At The Iron Fairies, the cocktails are crafted in tune with the theme of a magical fairyland.
The Iron Fairies, LG/F, Chinachem Hollywood Centre, 1–13 Hollywood Road, Central, 6202 0000
Dead Poets
Founded by The Old Man team, Dead Poets is a new bar to the scene that charges affordable prices for its sweet and sharp cocktails, inspired by the famous 27 Club. Housed in a daytime barbershop, the cocktail spot is affable and has a great neighbourhood vibe.
Dead Poets, G/F, 41–49 Aberdeen Street, Central
001 Bar
Opened as Hong Kong’s first speakeasy on Graham Street, the location of Central’s iconic fruit and vegetable market, 001 is now hidden inside Tai Kwun and is incredibly hard to locate. Once found, enter into an underground New York-style bar offering a menu packed with classic American cocktails and paired snacks.
011 Bar, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, 2810 6969
COA
COA topped Asia’s 50 Best Bars list in 2021, 2022, and 2023, leading the regional pack with an inspiring menu. Mexico’s beloved tequila and mezcal are promoted in cool Mexican-style cocktails, attracting many to sample founder Jay Khan’s extreme attention to detail.
COA, Shop A, LG/F, Wah Shin House, 6–10 Shin Hing Street, Central, 2813 5787, WhatsApp 5610 4695
Foxglove
Concealed from the main Lan Kwai Fong drag, Foxglove is Hong Kong’s most exclusive speakeasy, priding itself on its live jazz programme and menu filled with gin, rum, wine, and cocktail mixes. If you’re there early enough to dine, you can also enjoy Foxglove’s creative dim sum menu.
Foxglove, 2/F, Printing House, 6 Duddell Street, Central, 2116 8949, book here
Tell Camelia
Tell Camelia is a first for a Hong Kong cocktail bar, combining Cantonese and Asia-sourced teas with alcohol. The bar’s tea cocktails feature a unique blend of sour and medicinal tones. At Tell Camellia, the drinking is light, approachable, and educational.
Tell Camelia, LG/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, 9821 5501
ARGO
Led by brilliant Four Seasons Beverage Manager Federico Balzarini, ARGO is a glitzy concept bar at one of Hong Kong’s top hotels. Previously run by Lorenzo Antinori of Bar Leone, this bar is known for its innovation, sourcing ingredients locally and regionally to craft emotions, not just drinks.
ARGO, G/F, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central, 3196 8882, book here
Sam Fancy
Sam Fancy is inspired by the families of Asian descent who immigrated to the USA in pursuit of better lives, when Chinese culture was pickled in history and unique identity. The cocktails are influenced by the world’s Chinatowns and the Cantonese flavours found on the streets of Hong Kong and Guangdong.
Sam Fancy, 3/F & 4/F, The Plaza, 21 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central
The Aubrey
Standing high on the top floor of the Mandarin Oriental, The Aubrey is a blend of classic British style with Japanese flair and flavour. The fancy izakaya celebrates the art and flavours of shochu, the ever-popular Japanese liquor gaining popularity abroad.
The Aubrey, 25/F, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road Central, Central, 2825 4001, book here
Gishiki Lounge
Another bar sequestered inside the monolithic Tai Kwun, Gishiki Lounge is a mysterious bar that hinges on the stories of Asian and Hong Kong drink told through the lens of tea and herbal ingredients. Japanese elements of ritual and mixology around found throughout the bar.
Gishiki Lounge, LG1/F, Block 01, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, 2884 0114
Quinary
A legend on the scene for more than a decade, Quinary had a role in kickstarting the city’s cocktail scene. Their cocktails borrowed techniques from the wave of molecular gastronomy that still hold up today, gracing your Instagram feed daily and in conversations about where you need to hit up for the first of many after a long week of work.
Quinary, G/F, 56-58 Hollywood Road, Central, 2851 3223
The Wise King
A real if-you-know-you-know venue, The Wise King prides itself on their cocktail curation and mysterious bar space. Whilst their interior space is dated, this adds to the feel of the bar, which speaks a homely tune to customers. We recommend their signature cocktails with touches of pistachio and beetroot flavours.
The Wise King, G/F, 25 Staunton Street, Central, 9805 3165
Orchard
Orchard is Hong Kong’s first fruit-forward cocktail bar, priding itself on employing farm-fresh sweet produce to concoct alcoholic liquid creations made for partying. The bar space itself is located at the edge of the Graham Street Market, which reveals a buzzing atmosphere most weekends when thirsty patrons storm in.
Orchard, G/F, 28 Gage Street, Central, 9881 1984
GOKAN
Opened by famed bartender Shingo Gokan, GOKAN is his first and only eponymous Hong Kong bar carries a strong Japanese identity, with infusions of Hong Kong, Korean, and Chinese touches throughout. What makes drinking here fun is their funky menu, featuring a range of sweet, sour, spicy, bitter, and umami cocktails served in highball, on the rocks, and up.
