Where Hong Kong’s top bartenders like to drink on their nights off in the city

We talk to Jay Khan, Leo Ko, Jade Lau, Lorenzo Antinori and Ajit Gurung about their favourite Hong Kong bars for beer, wine and cocktails

Reading Time:5 minutes

Top Hong Kong bartenders (from left) Leo Ko, Jade Lau, Lorenzo Antinori, Jay Khan and Ajit Gurung share their go-to bars in the city for beer, wine and cocktails. Photo: Lisa Cam

Published: 6:15pm, 17 Jul 2024Updated: 12:43pm, 18 Jul 2024

Bartenders from all over descended upon Hong Kong for the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 awards ceremony on July 16, and there was a record-breaking number of events – from pop-ups to guest shifts – to celebrate the occasion.

One must wonder, when the chaos dies down, where do the best of the best usually head for a drink? We asked the top bartenders in Hong Kong where they normally like to go on their days off.

Jay Khan

For anyone who follows Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards, Khan is a familiar face; his Mexican-inspired craft cocktail bar, Coa, was number one on the list three times in a row, and is fourth on the 2024 list, and The Savory Project he co-founded took this year’s best new opening award. Khan himself was crowned bartender of the year by The Bar Awards in 2018.

Where would you take out-of-town guests for a drink? I love The Aubrey (10th on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list), Devender is a great host and makes delicious cocktails.

Where would you go for a beer? I usually don’t drink much beer, but if I do, it is usually after a long, tough hike. There are a few restaurants in Sai Kung after you descend into Sai Wan after a hike up to Sharp Peak. The white sand and beach view are unbeatable.

Where would you go for wine? La Cabane on Shin Hing Street (in Central). They are our lovely neighbours and stock really good wines.

What is your favourite place for a darker/brown spirit cocktail? Hands down at the DarkSide (at the Rosewood Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui), and 17th on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list). The atmosphere and their spirit selection are best for a boozy-style drink.