Hong Kong’s best new bars to try in December 2021, reviewed: Wood Ear offers 400 rare whiskies from Scotland and Japan, while Brooklyn Yakuza gives Lan Kwai Fong a serious izakaya

Dec 17 , 2021

The innovative cocktails at hip new hangout Wood Ear in Central, Hong Kong. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong’s bar scene hasn’t slowed down during Covid-19 and continues to evolve as Christmas approaches – we sampled the cocktails and ambience of 3 of the best new openings

Quality Goods Club expertly blends fine dining with live music and innovative cocktails while Brooklyn Yakuza offers Japanese-American food and a sake bar

Out with the old, in with the new. Hong Kong’s bar scene hasn’t stood still during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite some strict restrictions for a time. Rather, brave bar owners have been using this period to think of new ideas and gaps in the market.

Nor are things slowing down for Christmas. In the run-up to the festive period, a slew of new openings have landed. Here are three of the best to try for when you’re feeling parched.

Quality Goods Club

B/F, On Lok House, 39-43 Hollywood Road, Central

It’s rare in Hong Kong to come across a unique F&B concept, but Quality Goods Club is just that. Not for nothing does co-founder Beckaly Franks say she wants her new venture to “change the narrative”. Fast, fun and flirty, QGC is part bar, part casual fine dining, part live music venue – plus whatever else the team can think to do in the old Drop space.

Although the concept is Franks’ baby, Alex “Happy” Gilmour is the main man behind the bar day to day. Responsible for some of Sydney’s best nightspots, including the highly rated Cantina OK!, Gilmour has helped put together a menu for everyone, from those looking for a drink to pair with their food to those looking for somewhere to finish their night during the early hours of the AM.

The cognac mojito (HK$130) is the illegitimate child of a sazerac and a mojito, packed with Pierre Ferrand 1840 cognac, Pernod absinthe, lime, mint and soda. Hugely refreshing, the mint and absinthe pair surprisingly well. It’s ideal to sip during a live set. The Goodie Two Shoes (HK$100) is a negroni variation made with Australian cherry gin, mescal, Aperol and Punt e Mes vermouth with grapefruit as garnish. Despite its punchy ingredients, it is weighted just right, with an engaging fruit front-end maturing into a smoky finish.

The frozen martini (HK$120) is one of the bar’s “heroes”, a Vesper featuring Plymouth Gin, Absolut Elyx vodka, Cocchi Americano, young coconut and lemon oil. Intense but not overpowering, the coconut softens the edges of the base spirits, while the lemon oil provides a burst of freshness.

No place in Hong Kong can match QGC for its mix of dinner, all-night cocktails and live music. You could spend the entire night here and everything would be, literally, quality.

Brooklyn Yakuza

G/F-1/F, 29 Wyndham Street, Central, 2866 1034