001

Watch the video below for a sneak preview of the place:

Over the years, we’ve sadly witnessed many of our beloved watering holes shutting their doors. Blame it on the pesky pandemic and the struggles of being cut off from the rest of the world. For others, it’s the eternal battle with Hong Kong landlords. Even 001, Hong Kong’s very first hidden bar, serving the city’s thirsty souls since 2010, couldn’t escape this destiny. In 2022, it closed its inconspicuous Graham Street market location as they face the end of their lease. 

A year after, the beloved speakeasy-style is back and better than ever. This time, they’ve ditched the underground scene and settled themselves above the historic Tai Kwun. Quite a fitting venue for such an iconic establishment. And just like its previous location, finding the entrance to the bar has always been a thrilling part of the drinking adventure. You’ll find yourself puzzled, scratching your head as you navigate the labyrinthine network of stairs and corridors within Tai Kwun in search of its elusive door.

The doors have the exact same colour and composition as the old Tai Kwun prison. We were so perplexed that we even attempted to pull one of the original prison doors, mistakenly thinking it was entry to 001. The only distinguishing feature of their entrance is its distinctive vintage doorbell, similar to the one at the former Graham Street site. Simply press the doorbell, and the staff will open the black door, welcoming you with a smile on their faces.

If you were a frequent patron of the 12-year-old bar, you would feel a sense of familiarity as you enter. It is dimly lit, and the interior maintains the blue, green, and gold motif, soft suede booth seats, and Jazz Age geometric patterns on the ceiling and walls. The venue seats fewer people compared to the old location, but it feels slightly bigger due to the higher ceiling. A new addition are the vintage phones located at each end of the corridor, reminiscent of prison booths used by inmates to speak to their visitors. The jazzy music playing in the background adds to the atmosphere and is typical of bars inspired by the speakeasy culture of New York City.

By the bar, you'll find 001's impressive collection of whiskies, including Pappy Van Winkle, one of the most elusive and sought-after bourbons, each dram will set you back between $700 and $1600 per dram. They have five of them available, from 10 to 20 years old. 

We perused the menu, which resembles the Art Deco design of the bar. The drinks are curated by Sky Huo, who was one of the original bartenders when 001 first opened. She has returned to join the team while still maintaining her post as the Spirits Alchemist of Nikka Whisky Hong Kong. 001 is renowned for its classic and spirit-forward drinks, but to my surprise, their opening menu features a variety of light, fizzy, and sour drinks with flavours leaning towards the summery side. Expect to find a plethora of tropical and fruity notes. However, the owners said that the menu will change according to the season. 

There are 10 libations available on the menu, and the only drink that remains from their original selection is the signature Earl Grey Marteani ($158). This refreshing gin sour has a creamy texture due to the addition of egg white, which pairs well with the tea undertones. It's a great choice to start with but avoid nursing it for too long as the egg white can separate, affecting the taste. I highly recommend the Piñacillin ($158), a unique twist on the classic penicillin cocktail that combines pineapple flavours with turmeric-infused Johnnie Walker Black and Ardbeg 10 Years Old. Even if you're not a fan of Islay whisky, you'll find this drink appealing. Another exceptional option is the What We Do In The Shadows ($158), a savoury milk punch infused with salinic and umami flavours from the kombu dashi, complemented by the nutty, earthy, and peaty notes of Laphroaig Quarter Cask and matcha.  

I usually prefer spirit-forward options, and a classic Old Fashioned and Negroni from 001 never disappoint. However, I find that the cherry-infused Miyagikyo whisky in their Midnight in Sendai ($178) a bit too sweet and fruity for my taste. Additionally, their Negroni Negroni ($158) was extra bitter due to the multiple blends of bitters, gins, and amaros.

For the food, they offer a wide selection of bar bites. Their oven-baked crab tarts with gochujang aioli ($128), topped with fish roe, are the best on the menu. They are flavourful and addictive. Another great dish to pair with your drinks and share with friends is the whipped brie ($148) with brandied cherry compote, topped with walnuts. It is served with toasted bread on the side. We also sampled their popcorn mushroom ($88), which I thought would be a crunchy snack to complement the cocktails. However, it was a bit too charred and bitter, and the oyster mushrooms were coated with too much spice. Additionally, they have a grilled cheese sandwich ($138) that is quite filling, especially for hungry diners, but it is easily forgettable.

All in all, we’re happy to welcome 001 back into the fold. They opened just a few weeks ago, but their tables are already filling up past dinner time, and you'll even see people lining up late at night on weekends. They have several more bar programmes lined up, so we're excited to see what they come up with in the coming months.

Here’s what our star ratings mean:

★: Not recommended
★★: A disappointing experience
★★★: A good experience
★★★★: A very good to great experience
★★★★★: An outstanding experience

Restaurant and bar reviews and recommendations: How we do it
Read more Hong Kong venue reviews