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Photograph: Courtesy Argo
Photograph: Courtesy Argo

The 50 best bars in Hong Kong

We put our livers on the line to show you all the best spots in town to wet your whistle

Cherry Chan
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November 2024: There’s only one more month before 2024 wraps up, but Hong Kong’s bar scene is still buzzing with energy and unveiling new menus. Some new highlights include Argo’s cocktails made from hybrid combinations, Kinsman’s new menu inspired by Hong Kong’s indigenous communities, Courtroom’s creative and experimental creations, and more! 

Our city is known for having plenty of great restaurants that offer all kinds of cuisines at varying prices, and the same can be said for Hong Kong’s bar scene. From opulent rooftop bars where you can pop bottles of bubbly to grungy dive bars where you can expect to dance on the table at the end of the night, there’s something for everyone. Here at Time Out, we’ve taken the city’s bars and whittled them down to the 50 best drinking venues that you need to try.

Our rankings change depending on the latest and most creative offerings, so bookmark this page to keep updated and get some inspiration for where your next tipple could be.

RECOMMENDED: Feeling hungry? Check our rankings for the 50 best restaurants in Hong Kong.

The 50 best Hong Kong bars

  • Sheung Wan

What is it? Bar Leone (2024 Time Out Hong Kong Bar Awards’ Bar of the Year and winner of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024) is a casual Italian-themed bar on Bridges Street in Soho, founded by award-winning mixologist Lorenzo Antinori.

Why we love it: It is a fun, no-fuss venue that reflects the playful character of its founder. They offer excellent and approachable cocktails perfect for your next night out.

Time Out tip: Queues for this bar start early, so be prepared to wait patiently by the door if you’re popping by for a late-night drink. Plus, their mortadella focaccia and smoked olives are to die for. 

  • Soho

What is it?: A courtroom-themed concept created by Penicillin’s former group creative beverage director, Saan Dhakal, and Tell Camellia’s former bar manager, Ranjeet Khatri.

Why we love it: From courtroom-related decor to cocktails named after legal terms and jargon, Courtroom doesn’t take itself too seriously. Additionally, this bar proudly makes its own distillates and infused spirits in its secret lab, which are used in experimental cocktails such as Sworn Affidavit, an orange rum-based cocktail fat-washed with homemade buttercream.

Time Out Tip: Want to end your evening with a bit of revelry before heading home? Courtroom offers free shots to all customers at midnight to the Law & Order theme song.

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  • Soho

What is it? Kinsman (winner of 2024 Time Out Hong Kong Bar Awards' Spirit of Hong Kong Award) is a new Cantonese bar concept by Singular Concepts, created in collaboration with dining editor Gavin Yeung.

Why we love it: This bar proudly celebrates local heritage and traditions by introducing Cantonese and Chinese spirits like Yuk Bing Siu and baijiu to a new generation of enthusiasts.

Time Out tip: This season, Kinsman has launched a new menu that pays homage to Hong Kong’s largest indigenous communities – the Cantonese, Hakka, Chiuchow, Hoklo, and Tanka. Menu highlights include Chiuchow Children made with rice-scented baijiu and sacha paste, or Orh Nee topped with sweet potato foam to reimagine a classic southern Fujian dessert.

  • Central
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

What is it: A joint venture between Antonio Lai and Samuel Kwok, two of Hong Kong’s bar industry veterans.

Why we love it: Lai and Kwok take timeless tipple recipes and both whip up innovative renditions of each cocktail, meaning you can enjoy and contrast two versions of the same drink.

Time Out Tip: Try The Opposites’ locally inspired bar bites, such as the Sichuan sour fish fingers with Sichuan pickled cabbage dip, or ‘hot wave’ fries served with typhoon shelter-style aioli.

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  • Central

What is it: Renowned Japanese mixologist Shingo Gokan’s first outpost in Hong Kong.

Why we love it: The bar’s menu is separated into chapters based on the five flavours, with each flavour represented by different cocktails served one of three ways – as a highball, on the rocks, or strained without ice.

Time Out Tip: Gokan’s culinary team – made up of Zaiyu Hasegawa of Tokyo’s two-Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant Den, alongside head chef Tsukasa Uraguchi – have crafted irresistible Japanese dishes such as assorted oden, Napolitan spaghetti, and even mountain-high bowls of kakigori for something sweet.

  • Central

What is it? The 2024 Time Out Bar Awards' Best Innovative Bar and number nine on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024, Argo is Four Seasons' innovative bar that aims to challenge how we think about drinks.

Why we love it: Argo has been making waves since it opened in the city, and was named as Time Out's Coolest Bar in the world in 2021.

Time Out Tip: Their latest menu, Combinations, showcases a dynamic exploration of single ingredients and botanicals such as corn, cacao, bergamot, hops, and marigolds. Each ingredient featured in the menu gets used in various ways throughout the cocktails, thus showing the bar’s unwavering testament to sustainability.

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  • Tsim Sha Tsui

What is it?: Qura, (2024 Time Out Hong Kong Bar Awards' Best Restaurant Bar winner) is all about the good stuff – rare spirits, wines, and cigars.

Why we love it: The bar boasts unrivalled views of Victoria Harbour from the TST side. Indulge in bites while soaking up the stunning harbour scenery. They have a great food menu and a solid selection of classic and creative cocktails.

Time Out tip: Feeling spendy? You can opt for vintage options like a Negroni ($1,250), El Presidente ($1,350), or sazerac ($1,800), made with spirits and amaros from the 1950s to the 80s.

  • Central

What is it? Mandarin Oriental's Japanese izakaya with three different bar experiences in which guests can enjoy Japanese craft cocktails, Japanese whiskies, sake and Champagne. 

Why we love it: Time Out Bar Awards 2021 Bartender of the Year Devender Sehgal has brought his expertise to the hotel's drink programme. His passion, knowledge, and execution make him the reason we keep coming back to the bar.  

Time Out tip: Swing by to try the bar’s newly launched cocktail menu, which showcases eight signature shochu-based cocktails that pay homage to time-honoured classics like the Gimlet, Boulevardier, or Old Fashioned.

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  • Tsim Sha Tsui

What is it? Avoca (winner of 2024 Time Out Hong Kong Bar Awards' Best Cocktail Programme) is the new bar inside TST's Mondrian Hong Kong. Located on the 38th floor of the hotel, this fresh spot is a modern bar with stunning views of Hong Kong Island and Victoria Harbour.

Why we love it: Beyond the chic interiors perfect for date nights or wowing clients, get ready for cocktails that blend Hong Kong's flavours. Spray the cocktails from perfume vials before selecting your full-sized favourite.

Time Out tip: Check out their cosy bed nook with a stunning harbour view for relaxing and snapping pictures. Our favourite sips feature the Haam Neng Mung ($138), inspired by cha chaan teng salted lemonade, and the refreshing Bloody Mary twist, LGM Mary ($128).

  • Sheung Wan

What is it: Renowned mixologist Sandeep Kumar’s 1920s-slash-Peaky Blinders-inspired cocktail bar.

Why we love it: This speakeasy-style bar is the spot to go if you want old-fashioned cocktails done right. Customers can find various takes on classics like martinis, sours, or cobblers made with aged spirits.

Time Out Tip: Can’t find the bar’s entrance? Head further down the dark alley where The Old Man is, then turn left and go up the small flight of stairs to find a set of sliding wooden doors. 

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  • Cocktail bars
  • Soho

What is it? Winner of Timeless Bar Award at the 2024 Time Out Hong Kong Bar Awards, Quinary is the finest of Antonio Lai's various excellent cocktail bars and ground zero of molecular mixology in Hong Kong. 

Why we love it: Quinary provides a multisensory experience for its customers unmatched anywhere in the city. Not just about excellent taste, but attention to detail in aesthetics, feel, and smell – all the receptors are stimulated within stylish, usually buzzing surrounds. 

Time Out tip: The bar has recently revamped its menu with a new cocktail series inspired by touch and texture, but you can still order Quinary’s signatures like Earl Grey Caviar Martini or Oolong Tea Collins.

  • Cocktail bars
  • Sheung Wan

What is it? The Best New Bar winner at fifth Time Out Bar Awards’, Mostly Harmless is an omakase cocktail bar headed by mixologist extraordinaire Ezra Star (2024 Time Out Hong Kong Bar Awards' Bartender of the Year)

Why we love it: Unlike other omakase-style cocktail bars that serve over the top or intricate concoctions with a ceremonial presentation, Mostly Harmless is informal and not intimidating. It's a relaxed bar with a fun atmosphere that serves well-crafted cocktails. They are also the recipient of the inaugural Bar of Tomorrow Award in Hong Kong for their dedication to reducing their ecological footprint, which goes beyond just the menu. 

Time Out tip: The menu at Mostly Harmless changes every day based on what’s available on the market, so if you find something you like, we encourage you to order another round or you might not get to have it again in the future.

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  • Central

What is it? Artifact Bar (2024 Time Out Hong Kong Bar Awards' Best Transportative Bar) is a speakeasy-style bar located at BaseHall 02. The bar’s design draws inspiration from surreal geometry and the serene atmospheres found in underground water reservoirs, creating a transportive atmosphere reminiscent of dystopian sci-fi movies.

Why we love it: The interior of the place is unique and unlike anything you’ve seen in Hong Kong bars. Additionally, the establishment boasts an all-star F&B team, including Michael Larkin, Beckaly Franks, and Ezra Star, so patrons can expect offerings that are nothing short of excellent.

Time Out tip: Drop by Artifact to try their latest cocktail menu that spotlights the timeless French cognac brand, Pierre Ferrand.

  • Central

What is it? Hong Kong's first eco-conscious bar and the latest concept from The Old Man Hong Kong founders Agung Prabowo and Roman Ghale. It also made it to Time Out's list of coolest bars in the world in 2021, representing establishments that go above and beyond the call of duty and push the boundaries of today's drinking culture, one drink at a time.  

Why we love it: The bar creates drinks with an eco-friendly twist that does not only cure any cocktail fix but hopefully the bar industry's quandaries on sustainability.  

Time Out tip: The venue is concocting some new delicious cocktails for its upcoming menu. Watch this space for updates!

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  • Central

What is it? Conceived by the award-winning duo Agung and Laura Prabowo, Lockdown is right across from its sister bar, Penicillin. It welcomes guests with a cheeky entrance: a toilet, setting it apart from the city's more traditionally hidden speakeasy-style bars.

Why we love it: It's one of Central's most inviting hotspots, thanks to its convivial and lively atmosphere. A significant part of its charm comes from the cheerful bar staff, who instantly brighten your arrival with welcoming smiles and greetings as soon as you enter the door. 

Time Out tip: Don't miss their cool terrarium-style seating and request a spin on the rotating bar station. Try the must-have Silk Stocking Cocktail or inquire about off-menu drinks for the season. Got money to splurge? Treat yourself to cocktails crafted from antique spirits. 

  • Cocktail bars
  • Sheung Wan

What is it?: Brought to you by the creative minds behind The Old Man Hong Kong, Dead Poets in Central transforms from a cool cafe by day to a trendy cocktail bar by night.

Why we love it: It’s a morgue-themed space decked out in sleek stainless steel with splashes of crimson from the glowing Dead Poets logo. It's the kind of offbeat cool that'll have you coming back for both the cuts and the cocktails. 

Time Out Tip: The bar’s drink selection is inspired by iconic musicians. Order the savoury Supervillain Kon Queso ($80) or Ob-la-di Ob-la-da ($80), or check out their weekly seasonal cocktails. Need a bite? They also serve Sonny's Pizza for $40 per slice. 

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  • Cocktail bars
  • Central

What is it? One of Antonio Lai's bars buried inside The Pottinger hotel

Why we love it: Almost everything from the bar's 'invisible menu' is worth ordering – and for the flavours too, not just the gimmick of their transparent appearance. 

Time Out tip: Try the bar's popular creations from their invisible menu, or enjoy cocktails inspired by fairytales like Peter Pan, Cinderella, and Aladdin from their Room of Tales menu.

  • Hotel bars
  • Wan Chai

What is it? The St. Regis Bar is the flagship bar of The St. Regis Hong Kong, and it honours the hotel's rich lineage by serving signature drinks such as the Bloody Mary, first created at the St. Regis New York in 1934.

Why we love it: Along with a well-crafted cocktail menu, The St. Regis Bar is a great hangout place for after-work drinks in intimate surroundings.   

Time Out tip: The iconic Bloody Mary is the signature cocktail of The St. Regis hotels worldwide. Indulge in four variations at the HK location, including the Canto Mary ($168), inspired by Hong Kong's cultural identity and heritage.

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  • Central

What is it? Cardinal Point (2024 Time Out Hong Kong Bar Awards' Best Al Fresco Bar) is one of the venues at multi-experience space Forty-Five. Led by The Diplomat’s John Nugent, the bar’s creative drinks programme celebrates global ingredients with innovative and retro twists.

Why we love it: A perfect spot for romantic dates, drinks with friends, or celebrations, the venue offers a bar and a stunning al fresco terrace, providing one of the best vantage points to see Central’s skyline and harbour.

Time Out tip: Treat yourself to a sky-high brunch happening exclusively on Sundays and public holidays. Enjoy a four-course menu along with free-flow packages and live DJ performances.

  • Sheung Wan

What is it? Crowned the best bar in Asia at the 2023 Asia's 50 Best Bars, Coa is an Oaxacan-inspired cocktail bar helmed by Time Out’s Trailblazer awardee, Jay Khan. 

Why we love it: The extensive mezcal, tequila, and raicilla menu here is the best of its kind in the city. Owner and founder Jay Khan is hugely affable and incredibly knowledgeable about mixology and agave spirits. 

Time Out tip: If you feel intimidated by agave spirits, you can always ask the bartenders for recommendations, and if Jay is around, he will guide you on your orders, and if he can't convince you to sip on cocktails with Mexican liquors, they have other spirits to satiate your palate. 

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  • Cocktail bars
  • Central

What is it? A tea-focused cocktail bar helmed by mixologist Gagan Gurung. The cocktail menu is split between signature Teatails – all of which are infused with exotic teas and local spices from particular world regions – and house gins that have been lovingly redistilled with different flavoured, you guessed it, tea. 

Why we love it: The bar is located in the hip and happening H Code so expect to be around a trendy drinking crowd. Cocktail servings here aren't the biggest, but considering the location and quality of experience offered, the drinks are far from overpriced. 

Time Out tip: In the mood for coffee cocktails instead? Swing by Gagan’s cafe-bar Barcode just a few steps away.  

  • Cocktail bars
  • Central

What is it? 001 is Hong Kong's first hidden bar, serving the city's thirsty souls since 2010 from its inconspicuous location in Graham Street market. This year, the venue relocated to the historic Tai Kwun.

Why we love it: The drinks and bar atmosphere are typical of bars inspired by the speakeasy culture of New York City. They serve well-crafted cocktails curated by one of its original bartenders, Sky Huo, who is also currently the Spirits Alchemist of Nikka Whisky Hong Kong.

Time Out tip: The bar presents an 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. They have five of them available, ranging from 10 to 20 years old.

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  • Soho

What is it? The Savory Project (2024 Time Out Hong Kong Bar Awards' Rising Star Awardis the latest venture of Jay Khan and Ajit Gurung, the award-winning team behind Coa. This bar features food-inspired cocktails made with high-concept techniques that often include caviar, saline, mushrooms, and other kitchen ingredients.

Why we love it: Although you can find culinary cocktails in most bars in the city, The Savory Project takes this trend to a new level by offering an entire menu emphasising the savoury taste profile.

Time Out tip: Before ordering your drink, check if you are allergic to any of the ingredients listed on the menu. 

  • Cocktail bars
  • Central

What is it: A speakeasy-style cocktail bar – co-owned by F&B industry veterans Arlene Wong and Dabi Chin –  at the former location of 001.

Why we love it: Their menu provides a wide range of cocktails based on booziness, so there’s bound to be something for every kind of drinker. What’s more, they’ve got one of the best apple pies in town.

Time Out Tip: To find the bar’s entrance, wander through Graham Street Market and look out for the dark green door with an awning. 

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  • Cocktail bars
  • Central
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

What is it: The first Hong Kong outpost of the popular Taiwanese cocktails-on-tap bar founded by renowned bartender Angus Zou, created in collaboration with local mixology master Antonio Lai.

Why we love it: This bar is a hotspot for drinkers who want quality, crushable cocktails on tap at wallet-friendly prices.

Time Out Tip: If their venue on Wyndham Street gets too crowded for your liking, take a quick stroll down to BaseHall 02 at Jardine House to sip on their cocktails, or hop on the tram and visit their Causeway Bay branch instead.

  • Central

What is it? 25:00 (Twenty Fifth Hour) is a speakeasy-style cocktail bar tucked above Luk Yu Tea House on Stanley Street. Headed by passionate mixologist Kenzo Lee (formerly of W Hotel's Woobar and East Hong Kong's Sugar), the bar serves well-thought-of cocktails inspired by the concept of time.  

Why we love it: It is a perfect place if you're looking for a one-of-a-kind cocktail experience or a place to bring someone for a first romantic date. The bar's unique cocktail tasting menu, which will occasionally change, is unlike anything you'll try in the city and is definitely a conversation starter.  

Time Out Tip: Customers on Fridays and Saturdays can enjoy heartwarming bowls of double-boiled chicken soup to soothe their stomachs after a night full of back-to-back cocktails.

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  • Soho

What is it? A drinking den founded by bar professionals Amir Javaid (formerly of VEA Restaurant and John Anthony), Max Bajracharya (co-founder of Finding Daisy), and Elton Sherchan (formerly of Tiffany’s New York Bar). 

Why we love it: The bar marries great taste with doing good, emphasising flavours from neighbouring regions and incorporating upcycled ingredients sourced from nearby restaurants. Expect expertly crafted drinks and the discovery of novel, unique ingredients that may be unfamiliar to you.   

Time Out tip: Menu highlights include the easy-to-drink Cumin made with yoghurt-washed gin and cucumber, and Jasmine which uses rhubarb-infused gin paired with jasmine tea and guava.

  • Central

What is it? The bar inside award-winning fine French restaurant Caprice, housed in the suave Four Seasons Hotel. 

Why we love it: Caprice Bar is a tasteful, intimate, and comforting fine wine and cheese room perfect for winding down after a busy day at the office. 

Time Out tip: For the ultimate Caprice Bar experience, try the wine and cheese pairings. If you're in the mood for cocktails, savor their new Terroir Volume Two menu highlighting a variety of French terroirs.

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  • Tsim Sha Tsui

What is it? Winner of the 2021 Time Out Bar Awards' Best Bar and ranked number nine on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023, DarkSide is the flagship bar of Rosewood Hong Kong. 

Why we love it: If you’re looking for groovy live music together with drinks, it’s one of the best places to visit in Hong Kong. The food and drink menus are filled to the brim with options, including port or Cognac from the barrel and a wide selection of premium spirits such as whisky and Armagnac. 

Time Out tip: Still got room for another drink? Head upstairs to find XX to sip on classic cocktails while relaxing on their plush couches.

  • Cocktail bars
  • Sheung Wan

What is it? An Ernest Hemingway-themed bar in Central that earned a spot at The World's 50 Best Bars in 2018 and took the top place at Asia's 50 Best Bars in 2019.  

Why we love it: It is an essential part of Asia's cocktail scene, and it's tucked away from the bustling crowds of SoHo. 

Time Out Tip: The Old Man changes their menu fairly often, so be sure to stay updated with their Instagram for the newest offerings.

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  • Soho

What is it? Created by Beckaly Franks and led by bar manager Jen Queen, The Pontiac is a grungy, American-style bar that looks like it would fit in just as well in downtown NYC as it does on the steep slope of Old Bailey Street. 

Why we love it: It's not just the dive bar vibes that make this spot a popular destination in Central. The drinks are spot on, especially the classics, and the staff are among the most fun and engaging in the city. 

Time Out Tip: If you love espresso martinis, be sure to try The Pontiac’s interpretation of the crowd-pleasing cocktail, which uses croissant-infused vodka for a buttery and indulgent twist.

  • Cocktail bars
  • Central

What is it? The Diplomat is Time Out Bar Awards Best New Bar for 2020, and it's a perfect watering hole for people looking for after-work drinks.

Why we love it: The drinks are relatively affordable, while the cosy gastropub's burgers, fries, and truffled mac and cheese are to die for. For drinks, we love their mini-sized cocktails. 

Time Out tip: Though its location is not so hidden, the bar does hide a secret pink VIP room that you can only enter through a referral from regular patrons. 

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  • Admiralty

What is it? Located at The Upper House hotel, Salisterra is a restaurant and bar offering a contemporary setting with top-class views of the Kowloon skyline.

Why we love it: Perfect for lunch and date nights, you can indulge in contemporary Mediterranean dishes or sit at the bar to enjoy meticulously crafted cocktails made with housemade ingredients like pickles, infused tinctures, and seasonal garnishes.

Time Out Tip: Try the Sour Cherry Smash, a tequila-based cocktail ($138), or opt for the Sunset Dreams, a whisky-based concoction infused with strawberry and grapefruit flavours and topped with an orange and thyme foam ($138). 

  • Cocktail bars
  • Wan Chai

What is it? Mizunara is a Japanese-style bar hidden away on the fourth floor of a commercial building on Lockhart Road. 

Why we love it: The bar serves well-crafted tipples and more than 600 whiskies from its collection.  

Time Out tipIn case you are in Tokyo, do check out their new branch in Japan. Be sure to follow their Instagram account to watch out for 'bartender-in-chief' Masahiko Endo guest's shifts whenever he's back in town.  

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  • Central

What is it? Honky Tonks Tavern is a restaurant, wine and cocktail bar from the group behind Shady Acres with Ryan Nightingale and Mike Watt. 

Why we love it: Honky Tonks Tavern is backed by familiar fixtures from the F&B scene. For easy-breezy, happy hours, the cocktail programme includes long drinks, spritzes, and highballs that people can enjoy at the large u-shaped bar. 

Time Out tip: The bar attracts a trendy crowd that spills onto the outdoor space. Come by on busy nights, and you'll most likely meet new people and make new friends. 

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  • Jordan

What is it? Located in Eaton HK, Terrible Baby, headed by bar manager Axel Gonzalez, shakes up a selection of fun, creative cocktails and offers a varied selection of spirits. 

Why we love it: It's one of the best bars to visit in Jordan. The concept, decor, and aesthetic are hip and cool, and they even have an al fresco space which is perfect for sundowners.  

Time Out tip: Order their fruit-forward cocktails such as Boo Hoo, Dong Ling Cha, or Lassi for Adults. 

  • Craft beer pubs
  • Central

What is it? Located on Peel Street, it is the taproom of Hong Kong beer brewery Yardley Brothers Craft Beer.  

Why we love it: The bar offers 12 taps focused on signature brews, including their famous sours, ales, stouts, lagers, and limited-release barrel-aged selections.   

Time Out tip: If there’s one beer you need to try while you’re there, it’s the Thai Chilli Getaway. This hazy sour-style beer is infused with basil and Thai bird’s eye chillies, making for an aromatic ale that packs a punch.

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  • Central

What is it? Apothecary is an apothecary-themed bar aimed at curing whatever ails you with their innovative concoctions.

Why we love it: The bar prides itself on its menu, which encompasses everything from easy-going cocktails like the Matcha Irish Coffee, all the way to much stronger and punchier drinks like the Daikon Consomme.

Time Out Tip: If you like your drink on the savoury side, don’t pass on Apothecary’s Ramos Gin Fizz, which features scallions as its main ingredient.

  • Sheung Wan

What is it? Named after the famous song You Can Call Me Al by American musician Paul Simon, Call Me Al is a new cosy neighbourhood restobar from F&B industry stalwarts Beckaly Franks (The Pontiac) and Ezra Star (Mostly Harmless).

Why we love it: The venue opened in Sheung Wan in December 2022, and it's fast becoming one of the stomping grounds of locals residing in the area. The vibe and the drink menu are fun and easy-going, and the bubbly personality of Call Me Al's general manager Chloe Rose lights up the place. 

Time Out tip: Had a long day at work? Order the boozy Old Fashioned cocktail, Crazy Train ($120), and get an entertaining fire show from Chloe to jam up the heat. 

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  • Cafés
  • West Kowloon

What is it? Rest Coffee Gin (Time Out's Best Cafe Bar in 2021) is a coffee shop that turns into a gin bar at night. 

Why we love it: In the morning, coffee is brewed from one of ten different kinds of single-origin coffee beans, and after sunset, you can sample almost a hundred different gins from their collection with an equally interesting and flavourful tonic. 

Time Out tip: Try one of the signature tea cocktails, too, as the bar offers gin that is infused with teas. 

  • Cocktail bars
  • Sheung Wan

What is it? Excellent and understated whisky and cocktail bar on the steps of Shin Hing Street. 

Why we love it: The area is intimate, and the interior is decked out in muted greys and faux wood decals. Their extensive whisky bottle collection features distilleries from Scotland, Japan, and Ireland. Aside from whisky, the bar also offers a selection of cocktails that uses gin and vodka as a base. 

Time Out tip: Start your whisky exploration with the bar’s Whisky Tasting Flights and get to sample five drams from around the globe.

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  • Central

What is it? A contemporary whisky bar offering an extensive collection of whiskies from Japan, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, and other world whiskies. 

Why we love it: Veering away from the usual gentleman's leather den, House Welley Bar exudes a modern vibe that appeals to whisky noobs and enthusiasts. Expect to find single cask, limited edition, and distillery exclusive original bottlings (OB) and hard to find independent bottlings (IB) from the likes of Yamazaki, The Macallan, to Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), as well as vintage expressions from Bunnahabhain, Clynelish, and Bowmore.

Time Out tip: There's no menu, so if you are new to the place, ask the servers for recommendations, check what's new in their collection, or request something fun, like whiskies from your birth year. 

  • Central

What is it? Foxglove is a 1950s-style bar disguised as an umbrella shop on Duddell Street, a concept based on the travels of fictional Englishman Frank Minza.

Why we love it: Entering the bar will transport you back to the fabulous 50s with an interior reminiscent of the luxurious first-class aeroplane cabins of that era. The drink menu offers classic cocktails with house signature twists and a selection of rare cognac and spirits – some bottled in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. 

Time Out tip: It's one of the best places to go for live music in the city. Their live events run a gamut of genres, including Latino and world music, but it's the jazz nights that they're renowned for. 

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  • Wine bars
  • Soho

What is it? Wine bar by world-famous wine critic James Suckling located on Staunton Street. 

Why we love it: The bar presents a well-curated wine list covering James' 100-point rated wines during his decades-long career as a wine critic. 

Time Out tip: Those interested to learn more about wine can take advantage of their regularly scheduled open-tasting sessions. Always check their site for updates on the latest wine promotions and happy hour deals.

  • Craft beer pubs
  • Sheung Wan

What is it? A diamond among the tourist tat of Upper Lascar Row, Blue Supreme is Hong Kong's classiest craft beer bar. 

Why we love it: When it comes to beer, the focus is on the wide range of funky, wild and live brews born out of Belgian traditions: farmhouse ales, Saisons, spontaneously fermented lambics, sour brown ales and more. Owner Ted Lai really knows his stuff. Talk to him a bit, and he can help ease you into a style that suits your palate. 

Time Out tip: Be sure to order something to eat, too – Blue Supreme pays equal care and attention to its food menu.

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  • Central

What is it? Orchard is a cocktail bar on Gage Street dedicated to showcasing fruit spirits.

Why we love it: Orchard is the only bar in the city that specialises in fruit spirits such as eau de vie, brandy, and Calvados, highlighting their unique characteristics and versatility in creating complex cocktails.

Time Out tip: Try the Butter Me Up, a delightful blend of fruit spirits including Calvados, VSOP Cognac, and Amontillado sherry.

  • Cocktail bars
  • Central

What is it? A gin bar tucked away inside the Landmark, brought to us by the team behind Mrs Pound (which is now sadly closed) and Foxglove

Why we love it: The bar houses over 250 gins showcasing premium bottles from all around the world. 

Time Out tip: Enjoy the gins straight up or in an array of creative cocktails. You can choose your prefered gin flavour profile from citrusy or sweet to the more spicy and savoury or fruity and floral. 

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  • Central

What is it? Designed by Ashley Sutton, this cocktail bar features a striking decoration of thousands of vintage bottles dangling from its ceiling.

Why we love it: It's located just beside The Iron Fairies, and like its sister bar, it transports you into a fairytale world with IG-worthy libations to match its out-of-this-world ambience. 

Time Out tip: Head next door to catch live music performances, or go around the corner to check out the group’s Shanghai-style cabaret bar, Maggie Choo’s

  • Cocktail bars
  • Central

What is it? Located in Tai Kwun, Gishiki Lounge is the cocktail bar of the Japanese restaurant Sushi Zo

Why we love it: The bar's sleek interior and relaxing environment makes this spot a great venue to stretch your legs, or to warm up with a couple of drinks before dining next door.  

Time Out tip: Gishiki’s latest menu pays homage to three distinct decades – the 2000’s, 2010’s, and 2020’s – and some of the defining flavours and techniques used to create popular cocktails from the eras.

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