As an imbiber based mostly in Los Angeles, I’ve made peace with the truth that an evening of barhopping entails some forethought. Dwelling in an city sprawl with restricted public transportation, many would-be revelers need to concentrate on a neighborhood with a superb focus of bars, since rideshares across the metropolis can get expensive. So I used to be ecstatic when I discovered that in Hong Kong, a number of the finest bars in Asia, and even the world, are inside steps—or an escalator experience—of each other. This previous July I traveled to Hong Kong for Asia’s 50 Finest Bars awards and had the possibility to go to a couple of bars from the listing and to perform a little exploring by myself. Listed here are my picks for the place to get pleasure from cocktails in Hong Kong, a mixture of Asia’s finest and native favorites.
Argo
One can’t assist however gasp when first coming into this beautiful lodge bar, which positioned No. 34 on final yr’s World’s Finest Bars listing (No. 9 on Asia’s). Positioned on the bottom ground of the 4 Seasons, it boasts views of Victoria Harbour proper off the Central Ferry Piers. The surroundings is partially obstructed by a large load-bearing column made lovely by illuminated compartments full of spirits. Jaw-dropping awe extends to its menu of revolutionary cocktails. This previous summer season, the menu theme was “Forestry,” which spotlighted substances impressed by Hong Kong’s farming system, comparable to a milk punch made utilizing goat yogurt and a Margarita riff with roasted candy potato orgeat. However the must-have cocktail is the Argo Martini made with seasonal hydrosols (natural distillates) and served with a spherified olive.
The Aubrey
Even with the uninterrupted views of Victoria Harbour from the twenty fifth ground of the Mandarin Oriental, it’s exhausting to tear one’s eyes away from the scene round this elegant Japanese izakaya, with completely different plush settings during which to benefit from the in depth drink choices. Seize a seat in entrance of the bartenders on the predominant bar, sip on bubbly on the sake and Champagne bar, or go in for a custom-made cocktail expertise at its four-seat omakase bar. Beverage supervisor and award-winning mixologist Devender Sehgal and the expert bar staff craft subtle, Japanese-infused cocktails with a concentrate on shochu, such because the seasonal Cheek to Cheek, a Painkiller-inspired cocktail with Okinawan pineapple, rum, Kumamoto rice shochu, and coconut cream. The bar’s high-caliber program landed it the No. 10 slot in Asia’s 50 Finest Bars.
Bar Leone
Come to see what the No. 1 bar in Asia is like and keep for the Olive Oil Bitter, beloved mortadella sandwich, and comfy ambiance. Proprietor Lorenzo Antinori, previously of Argo, opened this Central district aperitivo bar simply final yr as a nod to the comfy caffès and bars he grew to like in his hometown of Trastevere, Rome. With its informal, jovial vibes, you possibly can come as you might be, make new buddies, and luxuriate in “low-intervention cocktails,” that means non-fussy drinks. Nevertheless, due to its quite a few accolades, there could also be a wait to get in.
The Captain’s Bar
In a metropolis populated with high-level cocktail bars and folk flocking to the following new sizzling spot, the Mandarin Oriental’s 60-year-old foyer bar—with its crimson leather-based armchairs and sofas, mahogany wood-paneled partitions, and straight-up basic cocktails—is a welcome respite for informal drinkers and the after-work crowd. Cease in for a Gimlet or draft beer served in a calming silver tankard. The bar has its personal beer on faucet brewed regionally by prime Hong Kong craft brewer, Younger Grasp Brewery. Critical regulars usually get the tankard engraved with their initials and preserve it on the bar for his or her subsequent go to.
Coa
This candlelit Mexican-inspired bar is the spot to get pleasure from a curated flight of mezcals or a frozen Batanga. The No. 4 finest bar in Asia (and, final yr, the primary bar to put No. 1 3 times on the listing) educates all who enter about agave spirits—a ardour of proprietor Jay Kahn. Pore by the bar’s 41-page menu that includes over 200 bottles of agave spirits, the most important assortment within the metropolis. Coa additionally hosts mezcal and tequila workshops with the entire proceeds going to Feeding Hong Kong and Impression Hong Kong.
The Diplomat
There’s a again bar tucked inside this Soho district speakeasy that solely the invited can enter. It’s a must to know somebody to get into the Social Membership, a pink-walled area with a curated expertise. It additionally hosts visitor shifts and a stay DJ. Happily, proprietor John Nugent set me up with a tiny Gibson, simply the factor after an evening of barhopping. However not getting in isn’t the tip of the world. The principle bar is to not be missed with its pleasant crowd and compelling riffs on classics, comparable to the favored Irish espresso. Even throughout very humid nights, bargoers hunt down this comforting mixture of Irish whiskey, Cognac, espresso, and demerara topped with chilly cream. Make it to closing time and rating a “midnight cookie,” which the bar passes out as a thanks.
The Inexperienced Door
For a transportive bar expertise, ascend the world’s longest outside escalator system and navigate the moist markets, on the lookout for the inexperienced door. The New York-inspired speakeasy by veteran bartender Arlene Wong, Dabi Chin, and Daniel Eun (previously of The Varnish in Los Angeles) options creative and kooky takes on classics, all named after girls each fictional and nonfictional. Anastasia is an elevated Rusty Nail made with double-cask scotch, soju, Drambuie, Amaro Nonino, hazelnut Angostura bitters and garnished with a hazelnut chocolate balanced on an absinthe spoon.
Largely Innocent
The off-the-beaten-path omakase cocktail bar by Ezra Star (The Pontiac and previously of Drink in Boston) takes hospitality to a different enjoyable degree. When company enter the upstairs bar, the bartender asks for his or her identify and promptly writes it on the white-tiled wall behind the bar. The visitor is then invited to decide on a water glass from a cupboard containing a wide range of cups, comparable to a Snoopy glass or a memento stein. However the major focus is on the cocktails, produced from substances sourced regionally. Star is the primary particular person to highlight the farm-to-glass idea in Hong Kong. Simply don’t fall in love with anyone cocktail, as they replace the menu practically each day based mostly on what is available in from native farms.
The Savory Mission
Umami-loving cocktail drinkers will delight within the taste bombs at this Soho district bar by co-founders Ajit Gurung and Jay Khan. After the duo (additionally behind Coa) observed a development of company transferring away from candy cocktails, they determined to create a savory, culinary-focused cocktail program. Assume Thai Beef Salad, a clarified sipper made with peanut-infused rum, beef essence, coconut water, chicken’s eye chili, and kaffir lime. For one thing uniquely refreshing, there’s the Gari Gari, a highball made with whisky, ponzu, ardour fruit, pickled ginger, and seltzer. It packs a robust savory end.
