Mimosas to Martinis: Where to Drink in Hong Kong this January 2019

From the latest bar openings, to happy hours, new drinks menus and more, cheers to these drink specials in the 852!

Not taking part in Dry January this year? Here’s where to head to this month to find the very best new openings, drinks deals and cocktails. And if you’re already getting excited for Chinese New Year (Tuesday, 5 February to Thursday, 7 February), we’re letting you know of a couple of drinks specials that’ll have you feeling lucky.

New Openings
New Menus & Drinks
Happy Hours

New Openings

ICHU TERRAZA

Hong Kong’s newest Peruvian dining destination, ICHU Peru, may have opened back in September, but at the tail end of 2018, the restaurant unveiled its brand new outdoor space, ICHU TERRAZA. The urban jungle-inspired rooftop bar is open daily from 3pm until late, and serves a range of artisanal cocktails, along with select wines and spirits. Those looking for a drinks deal should head to the bar on weekdays between 3pm and 6pm for its happy hour, featuring house wine, beers and prosecco for $40, and selected cocktails starting at $50. Ladies can also take advantage of Senorita Tuesday’s, with a live DJ, free-flow prosecco, wines and cocktails from 8pm to 10pm.

ICHU TERRAZA, ICHU Peru, 3/F H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, www.ichu.com.hk

The ThirtySix

Set to open on Hollywood road this month, The ThirtySix is a cocktail bar promising elegant Art Deco interiors, with touches of nostalgic Japanese pop culture. Home to a boutique selection of premium spirits, that includes a curated selection of whiskies, signature cocktails, and a great list of creative Highball renditions. Choose to enjoy your tipple in the main bar area, inspired by the carriages of a luxury train carriage, or in the intimate private room. True connoisseurs will also have the opportunity to store their bottles in The ThirtySix’s rare and fine whiskies vault.

The ThirtySix, 2/F Amber Lodge, 23 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, www.thethirtysix.hk

New Menus & Drinks

Dr. Fern’s Gin Parlour

If you’re in need of a remedy for your winter cold, and don’t want to miss a night out, the new Vegetable Gin Cocktails at Dr. Fern’s may be for you. They feature a range of local botanicals and vegetables that have been foraged from local farms, chosen and combined with the ingredients’ various health properties in mind. We love the sound of the Cucumber Sling ($170), a mixture of Fragrant Harbour Gin, Chartreuse Gentian, cucumber juice, ginger syrup, fresh coriander, lemon juice, celery bitters and tonic. But for an extra green boost, go for the Kale Sour ($140).

Dr. Fern’s Gin Parlour, Shop B31A, First Basement Floor, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/DrFernsHK

Back Bar

Looking to go out-out and make the most of those extra days off this Lunar New Year? Head to Back Bar in Wan Chai and you may just get lucky. Tally up a bill of $250 or over, and you will have the chance to have a spin of the bar’s CNY wheel, which includes prizes such as a free round of drinks and vouchers for use at the venue. We hear that the bar will also be serving up limited-edition Chinese New Year cocktails for just $50 a piece, too!

Back Bar, 1 – 7 Ship Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, www.hamandsherry.hk

Stazione Novella

Everyone’s favourite SoHo bar has caught our attention recently. We’ve long loved Stazione Novella, but the bar is now helping us get one of our favourite cocktails with none of the wait, by offering up espresso martinis on tap (you read that right!). Stop by and you’ll be sipping on the velvety concoction in no time – perfect if you’re needing a little pick-me-up this month.

Stazione Novella, 52-56 Staunton Street, SoHo, Hong Kong, www.stazionenovella.com

Beef & Liberty

And if you love espresso martinis, but are trying to avoid alcohol this month, Beef & Liberty has you covered. Available at all of its locations until 24 February, the burger restaurant is serving up its new Espresso MartiNO – made with Seedlip non-alcoholic spirit, it promises all of the flavour with non of the hangover!

Beef & Liberty, multiple locations across Hong Kong, www.beef-liberty.com/hk

Happy Hours

Aberdeen Street Social

At Aberdeen Street Social this month it’s bye-bye to January blues, with its boozy take on Dry Jan. Offering up dry gin and tonics, English cider, white wine, rosé wine and martinis for just $50, every day from 5pm throughout the month, it’d be rude to not pop down and have at least one.

Aberdeen Street Social, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.aberdeenstreetsocial.hk

The Optimist

An oldie, but a goodie when it comes to happy hour deals in the city, we’ve been frequenting The Optimist a lot recently and have fallen back in love with its chic and cosy interiors. Perfect for a drink on any night of the week, the happy hour runs daily from 3pm until 7:30pm and includes drinks such as house wines and prosecco, beers, spirits and select cocktails for $48, $68 or $88. We’re especially fond of the Gin on Ginger cocktail, made with gin, fresh finger, sugar, mint and ginger beer. If you’re feeling peckish after a few, the menu also includes bar snacks available for only $48.

The Optimist, G/F, 239 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, www.theoptimist.hk

Classified

Another classic 852 happy hour that’s perfect for the tightening of the purse strings that January brings, comes from Classified. With a selection of wines, beers, spirits and cocktails priced at just $30, you can be sure to have a good time even if you’re trying to stick to your New Year budget. And with multiple locations across the city to be found, there’s sure to be one near you that you can pop into for a quick drink.

Classified, multiple locations across Hong Kong, www.classifiedfood.com