As an imbiber primarily based in Los Angeles, I’ve made peace with the truth that an evening of barhopping includes some forethought. Dwelling in an city sprawl with restricted public transportation, many would-be revelers must concentrate on a neighborhood with a very good focus of bars, since rideshares across the metropolis can get dear. So I used to be ecstatic when I discovered that in Hong Kong, among the greatest bars in Asia, and even the world, are inside steps—or an escalator journey—of each other. This previous July I traveled to Hong Kong for Asia’s 50 Greatest Bars awards and had the possibility to go to a number of bars from the listing and to perform a little exploring by myself. Listed below are my picks for the place to take pleasure in cocktails in Hong Kong, a mixture of Asia’s greatest and native favorites.
Argo
One can’t assist however gasp when first getting into this beautiful resort bar, which positioned No. 34 on final 12 months’s World’s Greatest 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 crammed with spirits. Jaw-dropping awe extends to its menu of progressive cocktails. This previous summer time, the menu theme was “Forestry,” which spotlighted components impressed by Hong Kong’s farming system, corresponding 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 arduous 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 in depth drink choices. Seize a seat in entrance of the bartenders on the principal bar, sip on bubbly on the sake and Champagne bar, or go in for a personalized cocktail expertise at its four-seat omakase bar. Beverage supervisor and award-winning mixologist Devender Sehgal and the expert bar crew 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 cozy environment. Proprietor Lorenzo Antinori, previously of Argo, opened this Central district aperitivo bar simply final 12 months 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’ll be able to come as you’re, make new pals, and luxuriate in “low-intervention cocktails,” that means non-fussy drinks. Nonetheless, because of 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 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 domestically by prime Hong Kong craft brewer, Younger Grasp Brewery. Severe 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 take pleasure in a curated flight of mezcals or a frozen Batanga. The No. 4 greatest bar in Asia (and, final 12 months, the primary bar to position No. 1 3 times on the listing) educates all who enter about agave spirits—a ardour of proprietor Jay Kahn. Pore by way of 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 reside 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 tip of the world. The principle bar is to not be missed with its pleasant crowd and compelling riffs on classics, corresponding 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, 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 ingenious and kooky takes on classics, all named after ladies 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 quite a lot of cups, corresponding to a Snoopy glass or a memento stein. However the main focus is on the cocktails, constructed from components sourced domestically. 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 almost each day primarily based 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 development of company shifting 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, fowl’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.
