With an alcohol volume of 35% to 55%, tequila is the drink for booze lovers. Other than its strong feature, tequila has sweet, fruity, and earthy flavours. The classic drink is the life of any party so, it only makes sense that we put the spotlight on it for this month’s edition of Mixologist’s Corner. With Hong Kong’s buzzy selection of bars, there’s no shortage of places to get a shot (or glass). Therefore, we sought the help of mixologist Saan Dhakal of Courtroom for the top places for tequila in Hong Kong.
Origin of tequila
Tequila is a distilled beverage made from the blue agave plant. It originated from the Tequila region in the Mexican state of Jalisco. The red volcanic soils in the Tequila region make it an ideal location to grow the plants. Unsurprisingly, the area harvests more than 300 million blue agave each year.
Many believe that Aristocrat Don Pedro Sánchez de Tagle was the first person to produce tequila. So, he eventually earned the nickname “The Father of Tequila”. In 1595, when King Philip II of Spain banned the planting of new vineyards in Mexico, the aristocrat took it upon himself to build his own tequila factory and make use of blue agave plants.
Saan Dhakal, a seasoned mixologist with a passion for sustainability
Nepal-born and Hong Kong-based mixologist Saan Dhakal boasts over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry. With an insatiable passion for all things hospitality, Dhakal made the leap to move to Hong Kong in 2014 and started working with various bars and restaurants. Not long after, he became a founding member of The Old Man (No. 1 Asia’s Best Bar in 2019) and its sister venue The Sea by the Old Man. Soon, he became the Beverage Supervisor and Sustainability Operations Manager at the city’s first closed-loop cycle bar Penicillin (No. 24 on Asia’s Best Bar in 2024). There, he ran the beverage programmes which helped Penicillin rank in Asia’s 50 Best Bars for four consecutive years.
Later, Dhakal launched Lockdown, a quirky Prohibition Era concept in the heart of Soho. Recently, he teamed up with ex-Tell Camilla neighbour Khatri Ranjeet to launch Courtroom, a cocktail bar that combines inventive mixology and social sustainability. Throughout his career, Dhakal has created and curated libations that blend flavours, textures, and aromas. But at the heart of it all is his multi-dimensional approach to sustainability, backed by his commitment to being socially and environmentally conscious.
Mixologist Saan Dhakal’s recommendations on the top tequila spots in Hong Kong
The drink: Mexican Firing Squad
Oh, you definitely can’t miss Lockdown. It’s the one with a toilet bowl and ladder at the entrance. The curious minds behind this cheeky Prohibition Era-inspired bar? Agung and Laura Prabowo. Dhakal is no stranger to this place; he helped launch it as Group Beverage Director. He also previously worked with the Prabowos at The Old Man and its sister venue as co-founder. Lockdown as its name suggests, is inspired by the Prohibition Era in the US which gave rise to hidden speakeasies.
“Being the prohibition Era (1920-1933) inspired bar that Lockdown is (also referencing the untimely lockdown that we lived through), every cocktail is about vintage spirits and forgotten styles. Mexican Firing Squad is a milk punch-style cocktail that gives guests a silky mouthfeel with an exciting spicy kick, and a hint of chocolate from the cocoa husk.”
Additional Information
Address:
G/F, 27 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday from 5 pm to 2 am, Sunday from 5 pm to 1 am
The drink: Bloody Beef Maria
Having COA on this list shouldn’t come as a surprise. Not only is it a Mexican-inspired cocktail bar, but it’s also one of the best. In fact, the best in Asia for three consecutive years — the only bar to achieve this feat on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list. With COA, bar veteran Jay Khan brings agave spirits to the forefront. The diverse beverage menu features 100% agave tequila, traditional mezcal, and innovative cocktails that draw inspiration from the flavours of Mexico.
“Once you hear the name COA, I don’t think I need to explain further in terms of the cocktail itself! But the lively atmosphere always transports me to Mexico or Brazil as soon as I step foot inside, which makes the tequila and mezcal drinks feel even richer in context. Personally, I’m allergic to tomatoes but still, I take my chances on Bloody Beef Maria every time. It’s a beautifully layered cocktail showcasing four flavour profiles in perfect balance, sweet, sour, umami, spicy.”
Image credit: coahongkong/Instagram
Additional Information
Address:
LG/F, Wah Shin House, 6-10 Shin Hing Street, Central, Hong Kong
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Saturday from 6 pm to 1 am, Sunday from 6 pm to 12 am
The drink: Show Me The Evidence
Courtroom is the latest addition to Dhakal’s stunning portfolio, cementing himself as a seasoned mixologist and hospitality veteran. Industry heavyweight Ranjeet Khatri, the ex-manager of Tell Camilla joins Dhakal in this venture. The “sensibly contradictory” bar is inspired by the range of infamous court cases that blur the lines of convention and blend order with chaos. This philosophy of “sensibly contradictory” extends to their drinks so guests can easily sample interesting flavours that don’t normally go together. In addition to the unorthodox elements, they also offer inventive zero-proof mocktails. Those who love tequila but are on the hunt for something “investigation-worthy” shouldn’t miss out on this one.
“Obviously I’m biased towards Courtroom! Show Me The Evidence came to me in the essence of the bar’s ‘Sensibly Contradictory’ concept. It’s Tequila-based but not in the orthodox sense. It’s herbal in your nose, fruity when you first sip, followed by a bittersweet and briny aftertaste. It goes with the seemingly simple but contradictory interior and ambience that we aim to foster.”
Additional Information
Address:
52-54 Graham Street, Central, Hong Kong
Opening hours:
Sunday to Wednesday from 6 pm to 1 am, Thursday to Saturday from 6 pm to 2 am
The drink: Supernova
Artifact, a speakeasy bar at Basehall 02, focuses on brown spirits. It boasts a stellar team including Beckaly Franks, Ezra Star, J Frank and Nishant Vargas. Even more admirable is the surreal, futuristic geometric interior design that feels as if you’re at an underground cistern or inside the set of Cloud Atlas. Their cocktails are all about “telling the stories of aged spirits” that taste familiar but also unpretentious.
“Artifact is also one of my favourites, given the incredibly conceptual interior, welcoming ambience and immaculate hospitality. I love Supernova especially because of the subtle spice it carries, on top of the refreshingly fragrant notes on the nose.”
Additional Information
Address:
LG/F, Jardin House, No. 1-2, Shop 5 and 7, 1 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Thursday from 5 pm to 12 am, Friday to Sunday from 5 pm to 1 am
The drink: Amor Prohibido
Chicano is a Mexican cantina on Gough Street, Central. Founder Gabe Pérez and chef Edgar Vigo bring LA-influenced Mexican food to Hong Kong. But more importantly, to allow Hong Kong diners to sample chef Vigo’s Mexican grandmother’s traditional recipes and home cooking. Beyond the food, diners can also appreciate the range of drinks. Dhakal himself agrees.
“Chicano is Mexican cuisine’s simplest and most powerful form. Apart from that, I love their whole range of non-alcoholic cocktails. But Amor Prohibido is my favourite and definitely not to be missed. Amor Prohibido is a super refreshing, fruity long drink that keeps you feeling light while you chow down on Chicano’s delicious seabass tacos.”
Additional Information
Address:
15 Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong
Opening hours:
Monday to Wednesday and Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm and 6 pm to 10 pm, Thursday to Saturday from 12 pm to 4 pm and 6 pm to 11 pm
The drink: One Pot Pan
Penicillin is familiar to Dhakal. Also, by Agung and Laura Prabowo, Penicillin is on a mission to become Hong Kong’s first scrap-less bar. That means, to produce as little waste as possible by using kitchen by-products that can be recycled and upcycled. The drinks have a life of their own too, with ingredients made through self-brewing, fermenting, growing, and re-using botanicals locally sourced within Hong Kong. The bar celebrates fermentation and is at the heart of its mission to offer sustainable cocktails.
“To me, Penicillin will always be the loveliest bar in all of Hong Kong. One Pot Pan is the most refreshing and fantastic tequila-based cocktail. The wonderful team, genuine hospitality, and the Koji Fried Chicken — need I say more? And the perfect drink to go with the fried chicken is One Pot Pan. It’s fruity, savoury, with a bit of vegetal notes.”
Additional Information
Address:
L/G, Amber Lodge, 23 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday from 5 pm to 2 am, Sunday from 4 pm to 12 am
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many types of tequila in Hong Kong from classic neat served as a shot to innovative combinations that come in a glass.
Tequila is popular in Hong Kong as there are many different variations to try. Moreover, it can be easily found in many bars and is a popular ingredient in many creative drinks.
