The 10 best bars in Hong Kong: from Four Seasons’ Argo, The Mandarin Oriental’s The Aubrey and cocktail hotspot Penicillin, to OG molecular mixologist Quinary, Rosewood’s DarkSide and speakeasy 001
- Tears were shed when two-Michelin-starred restaurant Pierre closed its doors in The MO, but new omakase cocktail bar The Aubrey with its seasonal cocktails is a hit
- COA showed that Hong Kong was indeed ready for tequila and mescal while Rosewood Hong Kong’s DarkSide’s allure regularly draws crowds away from Hong Kong Island
The Covid-19 pandemic has been a rough period for Hong Kong’s best bars. Many establishments had to close for periods due to government restrictions and even those with restaurant licenses that could stay open had to contend with restricted opening hours and numbers of customers.
Despite these troubles, the local bar scene is arguably in better shape than it has been in some time. COA became the first Hong Kong bar to be top of Asia’s 50 Best Bars two years in a row, and only the second bar in the region to ever accomplish this feat. Other local bars featured prominently in the annual awards, but beyond these headlines there exists a new generation of younger bartenders learning the trade and featuring in prominent positions.
That makes it an exciting time in Hong Kong bar scene, with many excellent options if you’re looking for a good cocktail. To help you find your ideal tipple, here are 10 of the best bars in Hong Kong right now.
1. 001
There were fears that standards might drop at 001 when key staff left to pursue other projects, leaving sizeable boots to fill. But fans of Hong Kong’s oldest and most authentic cocktail speakeasy need not have worried: Kinou Chen has done a sterling job since taking over as head mixologist.
In March, 001 announced plans to move from its location amid the Graham Street market stalls, which provokes fresh concerns about whether the bar will be able to maintain the attractive atmosphere of the original. But so long as house rules like “no groups over six” remain, we’re confident the intimate feel will be preserved.
Assuming the menu doesn’t change during this transition, the bar’s signatures should still be inventive come reopening – try the bewilderingly good Beast Inside, a mix of rye whiskey, mescal/tequila, coffee amaro, Aperol and elderflower liqueur. Meanwhile, classics are elevated through subtle tweaks like the kaffir lime syrup in 001’s version of The Last Word.
Temporarily closed. New location to be announced.
2. Argo
