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The 11 Best Cocktail Bars in Hong Kong I Found After 2 Weeks of Bar Hopping
Even though I want to lie and say this is simply part of my job, I made it my personal mission to find the best cocktail bars in Hong Kong.
What drove me towards this path, you ask? Well, because I want you to discover world-class drinks and prove that some of Asia’s best drink spots are actually here!
This list includes some of the world’s most renowned bars as well as hidden speakeasies that are more vibes than taste. To put it simply, every option here has one thing for somebody.
Up for a drink? Bookmark these options!
1. Argo
Media credit argobarhk
Address: 8 Finance St, Central
Contact Details: +852 3196 8882
Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday: 7:00 AM – 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM–1:00 AM
Price: $$$
Inspired by the myth of the “Argonauts,” Argo takes its guests on a solid exploration of cocktail options. Easily one of Hong Kong’s best bars, this venue at the Four Seasons Hotel offers stunning harbor views to match any drink.
The cocktail experience here is luxurious, and yes, the prices really reflect that. However, considering the service (aka staff that personalizes your cocktails based on dietary restrictions) and the dark, intimate (sexy, really) interior, it’s worth every penny!
During my visit, I got the Kumquate and Hop Paloma cocktail. It was light and acidic, and had this awesome fruity fragrance to it. It’s also a nice option for non-drinkers as the bartenders can make it 0% Alcohol by Volume (ABV).
2. The Aubrey
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Address: 5 Connaught Road, Central
Contact Details: +852 2825 4001
Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Price: $$
Beautiful cocktails, good service, no-fuss options – if that’s your ideal cocktail night out, The Aubrey is your friend. The venue itself is classy, with a notable luxurious touch, thanks to the views of Victoria Harbour and Exchange Square.
Now, there’s actually little room for creativity here, especially during Saturdays when it can be a bit busy. Your cocktail selection is pretty much limited to the ones they have readily available already.
On the good side, though, there’s little to no wait times – just sip and have fun!
I highly recommend trying their Negroni. It has a well-balanced bittersweet taste, but it’s rich and crisp, with a bold punch. Drinks here are pricey, but this one is just priced right.
3. Bar Leone
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Address: 11-15 Bridges St, Central
Operating Hours: Sunday – Friday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Price: $$$
Dubbed the “best bar in Hong Kong” by locals, Bar Leone isn’t something you can miss during your visit (even just for the bragging rights!). Inside, the bar is designed with Italian home-style decor that feels more like a living room than a bar.
When it comes to drinks, you have plenty of options: one includes their yuzu Negroni, which is their fresh take on the Italian classic. For this one, they use Japanese yuzu liquor yuzushu, giving it its distinct taste.
Other concoctions include their olive oil sour, which includes bourbon, sherry, and more. There are plenty more to name, so if you want to experience each one, come by early! This is a popular spot and there’s always a queue!
4. The Captain’s Bar
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Address: G/F, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Rd Central, Central
Contact Details: +852 2825 4006
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM | Saturday – Sunday: 3:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Price: $$$
For cocktails that come with an experience, The Captain’s Bar needs to be on your must-visit. This high-end hotel jazz bar has everything you can wish for in a cocktail bar: comfortable leather seats, good music, and some of the best drinks in the city.
For something stiff yet sweet, you can’t go wrong with their old-fashioned bourbon – you might catch hints of smoky char or dark fruit. White Russian is also good. It has a smooth texture that’s almost velvety.
Drinks are served with chili peanuts and BBQ crisps so no need to order food if you’re not hungry. Just take note to arrive early with a reservation as the place tends to get full by about 10:00 PM.
5. COA
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Address: Shop A, LG/F Wah Shin House, 6-10 Shin Hing Street, Central
Contact Details: +852 2813 5787
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Price: $$
Specializing in agave-based cocktails, COA is the perfect place to enjoy a wide range of cocktail options.
I tried the Smacked Cucumber Cocktail here and absolutely loved its taste. It’s not too strong for a tequila-based cocktail, so the aroma wasn’t in-your-face the entire time I was drinking it.
If you want something where the tequila is a lot more recognizable, you can opt for their La Chinesca or Pepper Smash, which are similar to cocktails with a mix of mezcal.
Here’s a pro tip to secure a seat: drop by and register for the waiting list. Once they have an available slot, they’ll block the seat for 15 minutes and notify you via WeChat or WhatsApp that it’s ready.
6. The Diplomat
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Address: Shop 1, LG/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger St, Central
Contact Details: +852 3619 0302
Operating Hours: Monday -Saturday: 6:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Price: $$
Out of the many bars I’ve visited, The Diplomat is one of the few ones that I can say is perfect for that meet-up and chat vibe. The place is actually quite small – in fact, it only has about 4 to 5 tables available. Surprisingly, it doesn’t feel cramped at all!
As for the drinks, they have a lot of classics to offer. I loved their classic punch which uses panda-infused gin. It also has some noticeable hints of coconut water and clarified orange juice.
And yes I know you’ll be checking it out for the cocktails, but you can’t miss their food as well! They have many comfort food options: their chicken nuggets are super tender and their signature burger has a nice pull-off-the-meat tenderness to it.
7. The Green Door
Media credit thegreendoor.bar
Address: G/F, 97 Wellington St, Central
Contact Details: +852 3619 0302
Operating Hours: Monday – Wednesday: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM | Thursday – Saturday: 5:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Price: $
Want to impress your friends? Take them to The Green Door! Aptly named, this hidden speakeasy in Central is located between street vendor stalls, with only a green door leading to a basement.
What makes this place extra cool is that the cocktails are ranked based on their strength. I do want to say, though, that the cocktails are really strong! There isn’t enough room for customization, but they’re alright for relatively cheap drinks.
Take note though that the place is very hip – crowd is young and the music is literally loud. You have to practically shout to hear your friends!
8. Mostly Harmless
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Address: 2 f, 110 Queen’s Rd W, Sai Ying Pun
Contact Details: +852 3619 0302
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Price: $$
It’s hard to describe just what Mostly Harmless is offering when it comes to cocktails, but before you judge, it’s not really a bad thing. The reason is their cocktails literally change every week, so there’s always something new to check out!
The common denominator with the cocktail, though, is in their preparation. Their processing is similar to that of how natural wines are processed – there’s minimal filtration, so you can really taste the ingredients. Everything they make comes from the farm too.
Just take note: it’s in a rather random location that’s a bit far from the station – it’s best to use Google Maps to really find the place. It’s the one with the black walls and mirrored doors!
9. The Savory Project
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Address: 4 Staunton Street, Soho, Central
Contact Details: +852 2318 1588
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 6:00 PM – 1:00 AM | Sunday: 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Price: $$
Hands-down one of the most creative cocktail bar options in the city, The Savory Project really takes nights out up a notch. If you can’t tell yet by the name, the place is famous for a cocktail menu that’s based around having a savory element.
That means you can have a cocktail that has miso in it – for example, their miso coffee boulevardier has a nice savory kick to it, thanks to the ingredient. The rim has white chocolate, though, so there’s still a bit of sweetness.
The place is small, so expect a crowd. Fortunately, they have a virtual queue and WhatsApp updates to let you know if a spot is ready.
Keep in mind, though, that wait times will be roughly one hour!
10. Quinary
Media credit quinaryhk
Address: 56, 58 Hollywood Rd, Central
Contact Details: +852 2851 3223
Operating Hours: Sunday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Monday – Saturday: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Price: $$$
Quinary is pretty unbeatable when it comes to offering a multisensory experience to mixology. This multi-awarded cocktail bar is an experience itself, with combinations that focus on different textures, appearances, and even sounds for cocktails.
You absolutely can’t miss their signature Earl Grey caviar martini, which is filled with bursting “caviars” of tea. This one is a mixture of Ketel One vodka, Cointreau, and elderflower syrup.
By the way, when you come inside the place, make sure to check out their Gachapon machine (you can find this by the door). You can get their Earl Grey caviar martini enamel pin there – and trust me, you’ll want one, even just to flex around with your friends!
11. Bar Butler
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Address: Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mody Rd
Contact Details: +852 2724 3828
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday: 5:00 PM – 3:00 AM
Price: $$$
For a fresh cocktail experience, take the time to visit Bar Butler! This Japanese bar has the cool concept of having a “fruit of the day” cocktail, so you’re pretty much in for a surprise at every visit.
During my search, I managed to try an apple cocktail and kiwi cocktail. I loved the fresh fruit taste that both drinks had, with the tequila base only having a subtle taste.
If you’re lucky enough to come by during strawberry season, though, you might score a strawberry cocktail to make a Bellini with Prosecco. I heard from the staff that they import the strawberries straight from Japan!
Important note: the bar is really small and can only take in a maximum of 20 persons at a time. This makes the service a bit slow (limited staff), but it’s also a nice way to kill time as you wait.
