11 best bars in Hong Kong for masterful mixology

Having lived in Hong Kong for almost two decades, I’ve seen the city’s nightlife in many guises – a fresh-eyed arrival partying into the midnight hours, a lifestyle writer hunting down the hottest new openings, a long-time resident with my favourite regular hangs, and a constant tour guide to visiting friends, showing off the city’s best.

As the years have passed, my tastes have somewhat evolved (the less said about those vodka shots in a Russian bar’s ice room, the better) alongside the city’s bar scene itself – and the crowning of our hometown hero, Bar Leone, as the winner of World’s 50 Best Bars for the second year running, aptly reflects the purple patch we’re currently in. These days, you no longer need to choose between amazing drinks, food or vibes; the top bars here offer all the above and then some, with creativity and chutzpah to spare.

Narrowing down my best bars in Hong Kong is no mean feat – but these are the ones that my friends and I find ourselves hankering to return to the most, a cross-section of the diversity on offer, where I’d always be happy to sink back a bevvie (mostly non-alcoholic nowadays!), take a tourist or simply soak up some vibes. Cheers to that.

The best bars in Hong Kong

Bar Leone

A roaring success that’s worth the hype – and the inevitable wait for a table. Twice anointed the title of World’s Best Bar, this unpretentious spot helmed by Italian Lorenzo Antinori was built around the idea of “cocktail popolari”, aka cocktails for the people. Inspired by traditional neighbourhood bars in Rome, the vibes are immaculate: warm, laidback and approachable, even after all the accolades. Drinks are well-balanced, minimal and the antithesis to style over substance – seasonal Negronis and iced teas, a velvety Olive Oil Sour, an umami-loaded Filthy Martini. Cancel the dinner reservation; their smoked olives and mortadella-laden focaccia are also nothing short of legendary.

Address: 11-15 Bridges Street, Central
Website: barleonehk.com

Mius

Sleek, stylish, sophisticated. Quiet confidence is very much the order of the day at Mius, the buzzy neighbourhood bar helmed by native Hong Konger Shelley Tai – and her “simple things done right” ethos is showcased in every element, from the invitingly elegant mid-century design to a drinks menu defined by modern classics, sometimes done straight up (a crisp, clean Highball), other times with a refined twist (a Strawberry Negroni that effortlessly straddles the line between sweet and bitter). Order comfort food plates like vodka rigatoni and beef sukiyaki toast and you’re set for the night.

Address: 29 Gough Street, Central
Website: mius.hk

Kinsman

Paying homage to the past while firmly looking toward the future; Kinsman strikes the perfect balance between golden-hued nostalgia and 21st-century cool, spearheaded by co-founder Gavin Yeung’s championing of once-overlooked indigenous Chinese spirits. Drinks here are bold, quirkily inventive and unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere – Milk & Honey features yuk bing siu, a rice wine macerated with pork fat, while other creations are inspired by historic Chinatowns; shout-out too for their well-judged non-alcoholic selection (the taro-coconut Orh Nee 2.0 tastes like dessert in mocktail form, without tipping into oversweet territory). Don’t sleep on the food either, which proffers a fresh spin on Cantonese classics, including a supersized prawn toast made with smoked pork lard.

Address: 65 Peel Street, Central
Website: kinsman.hk

COA

You don’t top Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for three years running without knowing a thing or two about great drinks. Inspired by the Mexican drinking dens frequented by founder Jay Khan during his travels, COA is a celebration of all things agave – with a 41-page agave spirit-dedicated menu that delves deeper into varieties, terroirs and producers. Tequila and mezcal get their chance to shine on the tightly curated cocktail list, which spotlights Mexican flavours and seasonal ingredients, with new concoctions debuting weekly. Cosy and intimate, this is a temple of knowledge that wears its expertise lightly.

Address: Shop A, LG/F, Wah Shin House, 6-10 Shin Hing Street, Central
Website: coa.com.hk

DarkSide

While plenty of bars Kowloon-side offer ringside seats to Hong Kong’s spectacular harbour views, not many do so with the elan of DarkSide. This refined cocktail parlour in the uber-glam Rosewood Hong Kong hotel delivers innovative cocktails inspired by Kowloon’s heritage, alongside an extensive library of dark spirits like rum, calvados and whiskey – including an exclusive house-crafted cognac blend. It feels only right that this sophisticated selection comes soundtracked by sultry live jazz into the midnight hours – plus those all-important glittering vistas really do their best work at night.

Address: 2/F, Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Website: rosewoodhotels.com

The Green Door

Happening upon a hidden door, feeling like you’re in on a particularly dishy secret – there’s just something special about a speakeasy and The Green Door is one of Hong Kong’s best. Nestled amid the stalls of Graham Street wet market, this underground hideaway is inspired by Alice in Wonderland, with sweeping curved arches and cushy leather banquettes. The drinks offer playful takes on classics while the all-American apple pie, served with lashing of golden caramel, has its own fan club.

Address: LG/F, Welley Building, 97 Wellington Street, Central
Website: instagram.com

Terrible Baby

When the weather gods are smiling, nothing hits quite like a cheeky sundowner on Terrible Baby’s leafy rooftop terrace. Located bang in the midst of Jordan’s urban sprawl at the artsy Eaton hotel, Terrible Baby boasts a hip laidback vibe, with idiosyncratic cocktails to match – try Dong Ling Cha, their rum-based remix of a quintessentially Hong Kong iced lemon tea. Live music sets, customisable shisha blends and pup-spotting opportunities add further to the fun.

Address: 4/F, Eaton Hong Kong, 380 Nathan Road, Jordan
Website: terriblebaby.com

Gokan

Precision begets perfection; that’s the philosophy at Gokan, the first Hong Kong venture from renowned Japanese mixologist Shingo Gokan – resulting in ingenious drinks like Watermelon Koffeez, which transforms gin, clarified watermelon juice and lightly roasted coffee into something far more magical than the sum of its parts. With the word “gokan” also playing on the Japanese for “five senses”, the drinks menu is arranged into the five fundamental flavours (sweet, spicy, sour, bitter and savoury), with each available as a highball, on the rocks or strained. The substantial food menu complements affairs perfectly – and yes, it too is divided into five sections, spanning everything from hearty claypot rice to a fruit-filled kakigori shaved ice dessert.

Address: 30 Ice House Street, Central
Website: instagram.com

The Globe

In a city that often feels like it’s chasing the next big thing, a venue lasting over 30 years must be doing something right. Once you try The Globe, a down-to-earth gastropub, you’ll know exactly why it’s endured – an expansive craft beer selection, including ever-changing guest taps and dozens of hand-picked local brews; a banging food menu, starring their signature plate-sized pies (vote for the monthly special via their Instagram) and a top-notch Sunday roast; and an unassuming, relaxed ambience that makes the place feel like home. The local we all wish we had.

Address: Garley Building, 45-53 Graham Street, Central
Website: theglobe.com.hk

BOUND Kowloon

With most of Hong Kong’s buzziest bars located a stone’s throw from each other in Central, the city’s CBD, finding something special further afield feels all the more exciting. BOUND is a defiantly low-fi, indie joint that has become a much-loved stalwart of Kowloon’s flourishing creative scene; part coffee shop, part eatery, part bar – all executed with flair. Expect local bands, funky pop-ups and playlists you’ll be saving for the journey home, served alongside a nifty selection of interest-piquing cocktails and natural wines.

Address: 32 Boundary Street, Prince Edward
Website: boundkowloon.com

Montana

Hong Kong just can’t get enough of Lorenzo Antinori – and the brains behind Bar Leone has struck gold again with his next project, Montana. Channelling Cuba’s golden age of cocktails by way of 1970s Miami grooves, Montana is heaps of fun, with drinks that boast just as much mojo as the pulsating salsa-disco soundtrack. The Montana Daiquiri is based on an original 1930s Cuban recipe, while the Pina Colada features juicy pineapple barbequed there and then behind the bar.

Address: 108 Hollywood Road, Central
Website: montanabarhk.com