Wondering where to go for drinks this month? We’ve got your next night out covered with new must-try drinks menus and Negroni Week events, alongside a list of our favourite cocktail bars and speakeasies in Hong Kong.
Whether it’s Hong Kong’s hottest drinking destination, an unmissable happy hour deal or a must-try new drinks menu, you’ll find it all in our ultimate guide to where to drink in Hong Kong. This month, plan your Negroni Week stops, savour nostalgic Cantonese-inspired cocktails, revisit the newly reopened 001 at Tai Kwun, bookmark a new happy hour deal and more. Keep scrolling for our pick of the best cocktail bars and speakeasies in Hong Kong.
Read More: Where To Find The Best Happy Hour In Central
New Drinks Menus And Cocktails This September
Reimagined Cantonese-Inspired Cocktails At DIO
DIO’s enticing new menu, “CHOU SON (灶神)” pays homage to the nostalgic flavours of old Hong Kong with a set of four newly crafted cocktails. Standouts include the SALTED LIME HIGHBALL which plays on the age-old Salted Lime 7UP and features a floral kumquat liqueur, and the LEEKGRONI which brings the humble leek to the forefront with a leek-infused gin and fresh leek garnish.
DIO, 8 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong, 9199 3956, dio-store-hk.business.site
The Daily Tot Unveils The 1655 Edition
The team at Daily Tot is pleased to present The 1655 Edition, an all-new cocktail menu showcasing a fine selection of rums from various regions to celebrate the rich history of this liquid gold. Creations of note include The O.G TaiTai, a coconut-y concoction that reinvents the classic Mai Tai, and the Spicy Colada infused for 48 hours with lemongrass, bell pepper, galangal, kaffir lime, coconut milk and pineapple juice.
When: Until March 2024
Where: The Daily Tot, Shop E, Portion A, G/F, 58 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: From $110 – head here to book
“Social Hour” Cocktail Menu At JW Marriott’s Bar Q88
The “Social Hour” at JW Marriott’s Bar Q88 offers an exclusive beverage menu featuring classic and inventive cocktails at $200 for two glasses, while a live band plays away in the background. If wine and beer are more your speed, take advantage of the buy-one-get-one-free offer, also available during Social Hour.
When: Monday to Thursday, 5pm to 9pm, Friday and Saturday, 5pm to 8pm
Where: Bar Q88, Lobby Level, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
How much: $200 for two cocktails and a buy-one-get-one offer on selected wines and more
World Sake Day Festival At PMQ
Coming to PMQ’s historic courtyard, sip and savour over 300 bottles, with a total of 16 booths and over 25 breweries presenting their unique sake. Organised by Sake Central and Singular Concepts to celebrate World Sake Day, you can also expect to find dedicated food stations serving Japanese snacks to pair with your sake.
When: 30 September to 2 October, 12pm to 9pm
Where: PMQ Courtyard & Marketplace, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Standard Earlybird Ticket – $250; Couple Early Bird Ticket – $480 (includes one limited-edition sake cup and five tasting tokens per person) – head here to buy tickets
001 Reopens In Tai Kwun
It was a sad day when Hong Kong’s first-ever speakeasy-style bar announced the closure of its well-hidden den on Graham Street last year, but we’re jazzed to hear that it’s reopened with a brand-new location in Tai Kwun. The bar location remains a little vague, but that’s part of the fun! Expect a drinks programme — curated by Sky Huo, one of the original 001’s bartenders — set to change seasonally.
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday, 5pm to 12am, Friday and Saturday, 5pm to 1am
001, Tai Kwun, Central, Hong Kong, www.instagram.com/001.hk
Negroni Week 2023 Events (18–24 September)
- Vista – Head to Vista on Monday, 18 September for an exclusive kick-off party to celebrate Negroni Week. There will be guest shifts, a Negroni competition and exclusive events at participating bars throughout the week.
- Casa Cucina – Two-hour free-flow Negronis all week long for just $228. This year, Casa Cucina introduces the VLT Negroni, made with Earl Grey-infused gin, Campari, sweet Vermouth and a homemade sour mix.
- Zuma – Zuma presents a special Negroni Week menu featuring the classic Negroni along with three unique twists on the traditional cocktail. For every Negroni sold, Zuma will donate $10 to Impact HK.
- The Daily Tot – Satisfy your sweet tooth with the White Chocolate Banana Negroni. For every Negroni sold in September, $10 will be donated in support of the World Food Programme.
- Zzura – The bar is serving up a special Hail Bay Negroni made with tonka beans, bay leaves-infused gin, Mancino Rosso and Campari. $10 from every Negroni sold will go towards supporting Slow Food.
- Ovolo Hotels – Ovolo Hotels launches the month-long “Mese Del Negroni”, offering premium Negronis for $98 at VEDA, Te Quiero Mucho and Kömune.
Top 14 Cocktail Bars & Speakeasies In Hong Kong
ARGO – #28 World’s Best Bars 2022
Featuring a collection of the world’s most innovative spirits, paired with stunning interiors (your eyes will keep wandering, picking up small details that elevate your whole experience), ARGO is a classy choice amongst bargoers in Hong Kong. Signature drinks here include the single-origin Negroni, the Argo Martini and the Red Rock Sazerac, but really no choice here is a bad one.
ARGO, Lobby, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, 3196 8882, www.fourseasons.com/argo
COA – Asia’s #1 bar and World’s Best #17 for Mezcal lovers!
Topping the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars for the past two years, this Oaxaca-inspired cocktail bar was opened by Jay Khan in 2017 with the mission to bring agave spirits to the forefront of Asia’s cocktails scene. Boasting an impressive 41-page spirit menu, COA serves a diverse range of 100 percent agave tequila, traditional mezcal and cocktails inspired by the flavours of Mexico. Dimly lit by candles, this drinking den is the perfect stop for weekend drinks or date night.
COA, LG/F, Wah Shin House, 6-10 Shin Hing Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 2813 5787, www.coa.com.hk
Read More: Your Neighbourhood Guide To Poho
The Diplomat – A go-to skip-the-crowd bar
The Diplomat needs no introduction as one of the city’s top drinking destinations. The first speakeasy concept opened by acclaimed bartender John Nugent, it specialises in reimagined takes on classic cocktails (try the Gibson and Tuxedo), with mini cocktails available for those who want to sample more than one. This classy neighbourhood cocktail bar is always buzzing with energy and high spirits.
The Diplomat, Shop 1, LG/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, Hong Kong, 3619 0302, www.thediplomat.hk
The Old Man – Bar with chic interior design
Tucked away on a corner of Aberdeen Street is The Old Man, an award-winning speakeasy inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea”. Helmed by bartender Agung Prabowo (previously of Lobster Bar and Mandarin Oriental), cocktails on offer here carry a sophisticated Hemingway-Asian theme to match the tastefully styled interiors.
The Old Man, LG/F, 37 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong, theoldmanhongkong.com
DarkSide – Premium cocktails, live jazz and classy interiors
Paying homage to Kowloon’s “Dark Side” moniker, The Rosewood Hotel’s swanky cocktail parlour houses a coveted selection of dark spirits that harks back to the early 19th century, alongside an extensive library of fine rum, whisky and calvados. Lounge on the al fresco terrace, soak in the harbour views and splurge on a premium cocktail — you deserve it!
DarkSide, Level Two, Rosewood Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 3891 8732, www.darkside.hk
Read More: Your Neighbourhood Guide To Tsim Sha Tsui
The Pontiac – The best LGBTQ+ bar in Hong Kong
With a rough and retro rock ‘n’ roll vibe, Soho’s resident local dive bar The Pontiac has an authenticity that’s seriously cool. The all-female staff keep it real with strong drinks, plenty of shots and a hell of a lot of fun. This is where you need to go if you want a seriously wild night out with your friends — trust us, you won’t regret it.
The Pontiac, 13 Old Bailey Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2521 3855, www.facebook.com/thepontiac
Penicillin – Sustainable speakeasy in Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s first fully zero-waste bar Penicillin has taken the culinary world by storm with its sustainable farm-to-bar movement. The magic happens in The Penicillin Lab and Fermentation Chamber, where Prabowo, Ghale and their team test new and creative ways to minimise their carbon footprint while coming up with clever concoctions. Proudly partnered with ecoSPIRITS, it’s with noting that each cocktail marked with the “eS” logo saves an average of 150g in CO2 emissions. We’ll cheers to that!
Penicillin, L/G, Amber Lodge, 23 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, 9880 7995, penicillinbar.com
Read More: Your Guide To Zero Waste & Bulk Food Stores In Hong Kong
Dr. Fern’s Gin Parlour – One of the best gin bars in Hong Kong
A hidden gem within The Landmark, Dr.Fern’s is an absolute must for gin lovers. Using organic and locally-sourced ingredients and botanicals, and only premium gin, Dr. Fern’s cocktails are sure to cure any ailment. Tucked away in a corner, you’ll find two tiny office doors — one full-sized and one Alice in Wonderland-style — all that hint at the doctor’s office behind. It also whips up seasonal cocktails, and if you can’t decide what to go for, the doctor is always on hand to prescribe the perfect tincture.
Dr Fern’s Gin Parlour, Shop B31A, First Basement Floor, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, 2111 9449, www.mingfathouse.com
Read More: The Best Gin Bars In Hong Kong
Foxglove – Live jazz nights perfect for girls’ night out
Hidden behind what appears to be an umbrella store on Duddell Street, Foxglove oozes old-school luxury and charm. Vintage-inspired, expect live jazz nights, a decadent menu based on traditional Cantonese favourites and a refined atmosphere. Drinks buffs will love the menu that features a rare selection of cognacs and spirits, along with fine whiskies and expertly crafted cocktails.
Foxglove, 2/F, Printing House, 6 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2116 8949, www.mingfathouse.com
Frank’s Library – The best hidden bar in Hong Kong
Another speakeasy that can be found hidden within Foxglove. The tucked away and discreet space is found behind a hidden door in the bar and restaurant (find the hidden elevator buttons and hit the right number to gain entrance to Frank’s secret library!), and serves a menu of ‘Travel Diary Cocktails”, inspired by the namesake character, Frank Minza. Drinks start at $140 and include the inventive Confectionary, with marshmallow-infused gin, cacao white liqueur, mint liqueur, orange bitters and Champagne.
Frank’s Library, 18 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/frankslibrary
Read More: Your Guide To Hong Kong’s Hidden Bars And Speakeasies
KABOOM – Rooftop bar in Tsim Sha Tsui
This rooftop bar in Tsim Sha Tsui has patrons booking tables for its stunning urban views, creative cocktails and a sunset shisha sesh. Spanning two floors (indoor dining with panoramic views and a terrace), KABOOM serves carefully curated South Asian nibbles to pair perfectly with your drinks. Most of the signature cocktails here are light and fruity; if you ask us for tried and tested recommendations, go for Damn Pissed Off (cheekily served in a bathtub), Enough Is Enough (for those who say one drink is enough!) or I Just Want To Go Home (we feel you).
KABOOM, 20/F, Prince Tower, 12A Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, 9176 9986, www.instagram.com/kaboom.hk
Read More: Your Neighbourhood Guide To Tsim Sha Tsui
Finding Daisy – One of the best “themed” bars in Hong Kong
Cocktails and drama (the good kind) abound at this theatre-themed bar on Elgin Street. Exuding all the sleek speakeasy vibes, head here to indulge in classic cocktails with a contemporary twist. Highlights include the Spicy Rancho, a spiced-up iteration of the margarita, and the Daisy’s Gambit, an elevated take on a Gibson.
Finding Daisy, 16A, Elgin Street, Soho, Hong Kong, 5135 7337, www.instagram.com/findingdaisyhk
Quality Goods Club – An all-rounder option for night outs
Brought to us by the guys behind Shady Acres and Honky Tonks Tavern, Quality Goods Club brings together music, delicious bites and, of course, top-notch drinks, for a night to remember in Soho. Quality signature cocktails and fine spirits in vintage crystal decanters are what this location does best, complemented by exceptional Brasserie-style fare. Happy hour runs daily from 6pm to 8pm, and includes pitchers of draught beer, QGC craft cocktails, wines by the glass and $10 oysters.
Quality Goods Club, Basement, On Lok House, 39-43 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/thequalitygoodsclub
Faye – Rooftop bar on top of California Tower
Taking over the rooftop previously occupied by LKF landmark CÉ LA VI, this outer-spaced themed lounge and club promises over-the-top décor (we’re talking an infinity tunnel of ring lights, an inflatable spaceship, neon acrobat rings and more), along with iconic sweeping skyline views. Plus, its creative cocktail selection is out of this world.
Faye, 25-26/F, California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Central, Hong Kong, 3619 4282, www.facebook.com/faye.hkg
Read More: Top 20 Rooftop Bars And Al-Fresco Terraces In Hong Kong
Main image courtesy of Ovolo Hotels, image 1 courtesy of DIO via Instagram, image 2 courtesy of The Daily Tot, image 3 courtesy of Bar Q88, image 4 courtesy of Sake Central via Instagram, image 5 courtesy of 001 via Instagram, image 6 courtesy of Casa Cucina, image 7 courtesy of ARGO, image 8 courtesy of COA via Instagram, image 9 courtesy of The Old Man, image 10 courtesy of The Pontiac via Instagram, image 11 courtesy of Dr. Fern’s Gin Parlour via Instagram, image 12 courtesy of Frank’s Library via Instagram, image 13 courtesy of Fashila Kanakka, image 14 courtesy of Quality Goods Club via Instagram.
