We love Bar Leone, Coa and Quinary as much as the next girl, but sometimes we want to sit down and have a drink somewhere a little more lowkey…
Sometimes you just want a cosy neighbourhood bar to meet up with your girls — one with good vibes, great drinks and no pretence. From neighbourhood hangouts to hidden speakeasies, these local Hong Kong bars prove you don’t need a top 50 list or sky-high prices to enjoy a lovely little night out.
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Ping Pong 129 Gintoneria — Sai Ying Pun speakeasy and gin bar
Redesigning an old ping pong hall into a stylish speakeasy, this gin bar is one of Hong Kong’s worst kept secrets. But the laid-back gin bar is popular for good reason — not only does it offer some of the best G&Ts in the city, the spacious Sai Ying Pun venue will likely seat your whole group.
Ping Pong 129 Gintoneria, L/G, Nam Cheong House, 129 Second Street, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, 9835 5061, www.pingpong129.com
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Coffee Analog — Mong Kok café and nighttime whisky bar
This artsy café in Mong Kok takes its coffee seriously, but that doesn’t stop it from turning into a whisky bar when the clock strikes 5pm. This cosy joint is run by Malt Cask, an online liquor retailer, and serves over 100 indie whiskies — along with a daily mystery cake to keep things fun and surprising!
Coffee Analog, 169 Sai Yeung Choi Street North, Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 6112 9994, coffeeanalog.hk
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Dionysus & Loong — Modern Hong Kong BBQ and bar in Tin Hau
Helmed by two former fine-dining chefs, Dionysus & Loong is a fusion Cantonese izakaya joint in Tin Hau known for its “secret menu items” and buzzing atmosphere. The drinks may not be as good as the food, but the vibe is right if you’re in the mood for a late-night gathering.
Dionysus & Loong, 3 Tsing Fung Street, Tin Hau, Hong Kong, 6587 5174, Instagram: @dionysus_loong
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Tomo — Tai Hang’s favourite neighbourhood bar
Open Wednesday to Sunday, Tomo is the perfect place to pop into for light bites, guest bartender shifts and herbal tea cocktails. It’s not the most affordable on our list, but it makes up for it with its open-to-all neighbourhood events, like block parties and pop-up markets.
Tomo, 37 Sun Chun Street, Tai Hang, Hong Kong, 9282 5247, Instagram: @tomo_taihang
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Tai Lung Fung — Wan Chai bar with a dose of nostalgia
A Wan Chai neighbourhood favourite for nearly 13 years, Tai Lung Fung is known for its neons and nostalgic charm. Beyond the fun and photo-worthy interior, we love the two-for-one beer deals (wine too!) and their signature cocktails — especially the lemongrass martinis, which are a little too easy to drink.
Tai Lung Fung, 5 Hing Wan Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2572 0055, tailungfungbar.com
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Blend & Grind — K-Town café by day, bar by night
Blend & Grind is a favourite café around Hong Kong Island for its outdoor seating and Australian coffee, but did you know it turns into a bar at night? The venues are quieter in the evenings once the coffee crowd clears out, so it’s always easy to grab a seat!
Blend & Grind, 20 Catchick Street, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong
Blend & Grind, 1 Sun Street, Starstreet Precinct, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 6361 2711, blendandgrind.com
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Bambino — Casual wine bar on Peel Street
This lovely little Peel Street wine bar takes inspiration from the kind of restaurant more typically seen in France and Italy — casual and romantic, with an excellent wine selection. This spot likely offers the best food on our list, but don’t miss on the reasonably priced cocktails ($80 to $110) and beer ($60) either.
Bambino, 45 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong, 5265 0573, www.bambinohongkong.com
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Ned Kelly’s Last Stand — Tsim Sha Tsui jazz bar with live music
An oldie but a goodie, Ned Kelly’s Last Stand has been around since what feels like the beginning of time. This grungy Australian joint is known for its casual and cosy atmosphere and for playing some of Hong Kong’s best live jazz. Just skip the overpriced grub — TST has plenty of better and more affordable food options.
Ned Kelly’s Last Stand, 11A Ashley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2376 0562, www.facebook.com/pages/Ned-Kellys-Last-Stand
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Lung Fu Pao — Campy Japanese sex-shop concept in Soho
Lung Fu Pao is a go-to for raucous nights out in Soho full of Japanese fusion food and daring drinks (shout out to the delectable Dutty Marge!). The decor is fun and campy — sex dolls plastered to the ceiling, porno mags taped to the walls — and the happy hour deals are A1.
Lung Fu Pao, 47B Elgin Street, Central, Hong Kong, 3460 4609, www.lungfupaohk.com
Hero image courtesy of Ping Pong, all images courtesy of their respective establishments.