Top 10 new bars and clubs in Hong Kong for October

It seems like a new bar opens up every ten seconds in Hong Kong – so to keep you on top of it all, here’s our roundup of the top ten newest and coolest bars and clubs in Hong Kong for October. Get your drinks on!

Barsmith
If you fancy something different to whet your whistle, try out Barsmith, a brand new bar offering artisan Japanese cocktails! Still in its soft opening phase, this place should be roaring to go within the month, so make sure you check it out sharpish. Tucked up the side of Wellington Street, Barsmith has a secluded feel, away from the noise and buzz of Lan Kwai Fong; if you’re feeling adventurous, Barsmith will certainly get you trying something new, with a huge range of hard-to-find liquors and special house-infused spirits.

If you’re a hard-core whisky fan, be sure to sample their huge range of specialty tipples, including unique Japanese whiskies such as 21-year-old Hibiki Suntory Whisky, Hakushu single malt whisky and Ichiro’s pure malt whisky. If hard liquor isn’t your thing and you’re looking for a fun cocktail instead, you must try some of Barsmith’s delightfully different signature cocktails, like their fresh peach cocktail with house infused chilli vodka… phew! They also have a delicious mystery apple cocktail with freshly muddled apples, tonic, and a secret ingredient; meanwhile, if you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll love their version of a liquid dessert – a fresh banana cocktail with butterscotch, caramel liqueur and vanilla infused vodka… absolutely scrumptious!

Barsmith 4/F, 60 Wellington Street, Central
2613 2680 www.barsmith.com.hk

closed Sundays

121BC
Wine connoisseurs, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s a new addition to Soho’s wining and dining scene. 121BC has come over all the way from Surry Hills in Sydney to delight wine lovers here in the ‘Kong, having already enjoyed huge success and impressed many an Australian food critic in its hometown. Known for its enormous range of top-class wines, which include biodynamic and esoteric brands and some great value wines too, 121BC is set to be the go-to wine bar for enophiles here in Hong Kong. With seasonal and regional Italian wine and food, this is a guaranteed night out of great food and even better drink – given that the original Aussie 121BC had wines from all 20 regions of Italy, then we sure do expect some great things of their HK outpost! A cool minimal interior, which can seat up to 45-50 people, makes this a great space to try if wine is your tipple of choice. Aim high, wine sippers!

121BC 42-44 Peel Street, Central
2395 0200 www.121bc.com.hk

closed Sunday-Monday

SHOW Club
The loss of Wooloomooloo in Lan Kwai Fong has been filled with a brand new night out destination, SHOW Club, which sits in prime position at the corner of Wyndham Street and LKF. This brand new space has just finished construction and is gearing up to get ready for revellers; the massive venue has a huge dancefloor with the capacity for 600 people and aims to become one of Central’s new hotspots for partying, dancing and entertainment events. Promising a range of dazzling new shows (hence the name!), live music (Jay Sean headed up their opening party), international DJs, prestigious after-parties and delicious food and drinks, this is sure to become a huge new addition to the Hong Kong partying scene.

Show Club G/F-1/F, 29 Wyndham Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central
2656 9338 www.facebook.com/SHOWclubhk

The Black Star
Sheung Wan has another brand new addition to the bar scene, and it’s the perfect place you’d want to have round the corner from your office. The Black Star couldn’t be more conveniently located – it’s right opposite the Sheung Wan MTR station… you can’t miss it! This fresh new venture is the sister of our beloved The Blck Brd on Lyndhurst Terrace, and promises an equally good selection of quality booze! The Black Star does what it says on the tin – neither pretentious nor too minimalistic, it’s exactly the right combination of everything you need to make you feel completely at ease and ready to sit back and enjoy a good after-work drink.

With a chilled out atmosphere and some simple but mega tasty, comfort-food dishes (think Wagyu meatballs, wild mushroom risotto and of course, good old fish and chips!) as well as a huge variety of drinks (including quality craft beers such as Lebanese 961 beer and classic cocktails with a twist such as the Hemingway Daquiri), this is a great little find you don’t want to miss out on. We recommend the original house cocktail, Lil’ Red Rooster – Beefeater Gin with fresh strawberries, basil, black pepper and a hint of Tabasco for a real spicy kick! The Black Star is currently still in its soft opening stage, but it should be fully open by mid-October. Get there soon before it becomes super busy and try out some of their barrel-brewed cocktails!

The Black Star G/F, 81 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan
2399 0004 www.facebook.com/theblackstar.hk

6 Degrees
Long-time classic Hong Kong F&B group Café Deco have got a new bar on Wyndham Street, replacing their previous hotspot, Pulp. As the sun goes down, the combination of Wyndham Street’s buzzing atmosphere and 6 Degrees’ sleek new interior is the perfect setting for a night of chatting, cocktails and fun with a group of friends. Sit back (or get up and dance!) to some catchy tunes from the vast range of music that the bar offers – 6 Degrees has got some great themed music nights up its sleeve, from indie to the 80s and 90s, plus Ladies Night and “Swag Thursday”… this place has got a night for everyone! As its name implies, this is the perfect new party spot to meet people and make some connections over their wittily named signature cocktails, including the Friend of a Friend and Separation. Alas, no Kevin Bacon cocktail just yet though!

6 Degrees 55 Wyndham Street, Central
2868 6026 www.facebook.com/6degreeshongkong

Yu Club
Looking for somewhere really unusual and cool to chill out with a small group of friends? Yu Club is an unashamedly small space with some really different nostalgic Hong Kong décor – parts of it feel as though you’re in a time warp of someone’s apartment! The walls are donned with framed old Chinese newspaper cuttings and retro wallpaper, quirky 70s-esque furniture, and even the drinks menus come in old-school exercise books! In fact, it almost makes us feel like we’re on a miniature set of Chinese Mad Men – all we need is Don Draper waiting for us with a cocktail!

Speaking of the drinks, Yu Club prides itself on its creative cocktail list, which is comprised of over 100 handcrafted creations that change according to the seasonal availability of fresh fruit. Their Pop Rocks shots (made with popping candy!) are sure to give your tipple a tingle, whilst we loved their Strawberry Kiss made with fresh strawberries, SKYY Vodka, strawberry liquor and sprinkles of chocolate powder – an indulgent cocktail fit for any Sassy lady – and their amazing Waterfall drink is an event in itself. The care and attention to the drinks along with the funky décor make this cool little place definitely worth a visit… just make sure you book beforehand or you’ll miss out on one of the very limited seats!

Yu Club 24-26 Stanley St., Central, Hong Kong
2868 1833 www.facebook.com/yuclubhk

K-Town Bar & Grill
If you want to get away from the crazy hustle and bustle of Lan Kwai Fong and Soho, move further west to Kennedy Town and check out K-Town Bar and Grill! Castelo Concepts’ newest venue has a great laidback atmosphere, with simple, rustic décor and whitewashed, bare-bricked walls perfect for getting you in relax mode. The drinks list is the perfect length, giving you lots of options but not overwhelming you with choice. Cocktails at $85 include the refreshing K-Town Cooler (with vodka, pure strawberry, orange juice, soda water, fresh lime and a “special surprise”), whilst if you need a bit of caffeine, try the Cappuccino Martini with vodka, Kahlua, cappuccino puree and Illy Coffee to perk you up! K-Town Bar also have a selection of liquor coffees, champagne cocktails, shots and the usual spirit suspects, plus an extensive a la carte food menu, meaning you’re guaranteed to find something to suit you as you have a chilled catch-up with a group of girlfriends.

K-Town Bar & Grill G7 & G8, G/F Sincere Western House, 44 Forbes Street, Kennedy Town
2855 136 www.casteloconcepts.com/locations/hong-kong/k-town-hong-kong/k-town-hong-kong-location

Premium
Replacing one of Hong Kong’s best underground clubs, XXX (which has since moved down to Des Voeux Road in West Sai Wan), is Premium. This multi-purpose music, entertainment and arts space hosts a variety of events and club nights that offer a range of different music and sets by some of Hong Kong’s best upcoming DJs. Founded by DJ Lucas Luraka, the club is decorated in a mix of vintage and recycled items that give this place a cool, indie vibe. Like XXX, Premium is still BYOB, so if you fancy a night of dance music, beers and basement fun, this is the place to be. Great for spotting Hong Kong’s trendiest peeps and bopping to the freshest beats on the music scene… grab your 7/11 Tsing Taos and get ready for a crazy night!

Premium 212-216 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan
9175 1402 www.facebook.com/premium.club.hk

Alfie’s The Reserve
Quintessentially British, award-winning restaurant Alfie’s has opened a luxurious new whisky and wine bar section inside its premises, called The Reserve. With leather-panelled walls, a long oak bar, copper trimmings and a relaxed private club feel, Alfred Dunhill’s new venture is an exclusive and discreet bar that boasts all things British, including some fabulous original cocktails infused with fresh fruit and British summer favourite, Pimm’s. There’s also a top quality selection of liquor, including single malt whisky, brandy and of course, a range of fine wines and champagne (and some top-notch British pub classics on the food menu) too. The Reserve should be perfect for the Anglophile in you, and prove as a welcome escape from the manic buzz of city life. Splendid, old chap!

Alfie’s The Reserve M18-19, Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Road, Central
2530 4422 keeclub.com/hongkong/index.php/archives/2162

7Heaven
In the heart of Lan Kwai Fong (just above 7/11, where Mella used to be) is the new club 7Heaven, brought to us by the same people by the more intimate Bar Six on Wyndham Street. Perfect for a good night of classy clubbing, 7Heaven has a sleek, sophisticated look – the quintessential party location for the glamourous city lights of Hong Kong! With a plush VIP lounge and a full ceiling-to-floor video screen, 7Heaven is the perfect spot to dance the night away for any special occasions. Expect personalised service if you opt to go VIP; if you really fall in love with 7Heaven’s chic look and club tunes, you can buy a membership that will give you priority table bookings and, best of all, two complimentary bottles of champagne for you and three guests! It’s time for our dancing queen transformations, ladies… Top photo also from 7Heaven

7Heaven 1/F, 17 Lan Kwai Fong, Central
2811 1100 www.7heaven.hk