As an imbiber based mostly in Los Angeles, I’ve made peace with the truth that an evening of barhopping entails some forethought. Residing in an city sprawl with restricted public transportation, many would-be revelers need to concentrate on a neighborhood with an excellent 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 trip—of each other. This previous July I traveled to Hong Kong for Asia’s 50 Greatest Bars awards and had the prospect to go to just a few bars from the listing and to perform a little exploring alone. Listed below 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 Greatest Bars listing (No. 9 on Asia’s). Positioned on the bottom flooring 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 stunning by illuminated compartments crammed with spirits. Jaw-dropping awe extends to its menu of revolutionary cocktails. This previous summer time, the menu theme was “Forestry,” which spotlighted components 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 flooring of the Mandarin Oriental, it’s laborious to tear one’s eyes away from the scene round this elegant Japanese izakaya, with totally different plush settings by which to benefit from the intensive drink choices. Seize a seat in entrance of the bartenders on the important 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 group craft refined, 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 Greatest 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 environment. Proprietor Lorenzo Antinori, previously of Argo, opened this Central district aperitivo bar simply final yr as a nod to the comfortable caffès and bars he grew to like in his hometown of Trastevere, Rome. With its informal, jovial vibes, you possibly can come as you’re, make new associates, and luxuriate in “low-intervention cocktails,” that means non-fussy drinks. Nonetheless, 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 subsequent new sizzling spot, the Mandarin Oriental’s 60-year-old foyer bar—with its purple leather-based armchairs and sofas, mahogany wood-paneled partitions, and straight-up traditional 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. Severe regulars typically get the tankard engraved with their initials and maintain 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 position No. 1 thrice on the listing) educates all who enter about agave spirits—a ardour of proprietor Jay Kahn. Pore via the bar’s 41-page menu that includes over 200 bottles of agave spirits, the biggest assortment within the metropolis. Coa additionally hosts mezcal and tequila workshops with all the proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity.
The Diplomat
There’s a again bar tucked inside this Soho district speakeasy that solely the invited can enter. You must know somebody to get into the Social Membership, a pink-walled house with a curated expertise. It additionally hosts visitor shifts and a dwell DJ. Fortuitously, 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 top 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 search out 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, in search of 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.
Principally 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 visitors enter the upstairs bar, the bartender asks for his or her title 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, constituted of components sourced regionally. Star is the primary individual to highlight the farm-to-glass idea in Hong Kong. Simply don’t fall in love with anybody cocktail, as they replace the menu practically each day based mostly on what is available in from native farms.
The Savory Venture
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) seen a pattern of visitors 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, chook’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 strong savory end.
