Mimosas To Martinis: Where To Drink In Hong Kong This August 2019

From the latest bar openings, to happy hours, new drinks menus and more, here’s where we’ll be drinking this month!

The summer months may be going by in a flash, but there’s still plenty of time to soak up the balmy weather and enjoy a seasonal drink or two. From new unique bars openings, refreshing summer cocktails (and zero waste menus!), to bargain happy hours, here’s where to drink this August. Get excited, there’s even a mention of a special free-flow Aperol Spritz fountain…

New Openings
New Menus & Drinks
Happy Hours

New Openings

Tell Camellia

Due to open in Central’s H Code, Tell Camellia is the latest contemporary cocktail bar to hit the Hong Kong scene. Led by award-winning bartender and industry expert, Sandeep Hathiramani and Gagan Gurung, cocktails will be influenced by the world of teas – as suggested by its name which comes from Camellia Sinensis (a species of evergreen shrub which produces the tea plant). Taking guests on a round the world tour, teas will be sourced from everywhere including Kenya, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and more, and the talented bar staff will create one of a kind concoctions using the unique flavours of the teas and a range of creative ingredients.

Tell Camellia, H Code, LG Floor, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/tellcamellia 

New Menus & Drinks

John Anthony

Since its opening in 2018 sustainability has been at the heart of John Anthony’s message, with eco-driven sensibilities being a key theme in everything from the restaurant’s design to its food, and now it’s going a step further with a new a zero-waste bar programme. Conceptualised by Katelyn Ix, Director of Food & Beverage at Maximal Concepts, and Amir Javaid, Bar Manager at John Anthony, the new menu consists of four house-infused gin and tonics and nine Signature Cocktails, with the ingredients for all creating zero excess waste. Home to one of the largest collections of gin in Hong Kong, John Anthony takes the spirit seriously, house-infusing its own varieties to create four signature drinks (using locally-grown ingredients, sourced from an independent forager and six different farms in Hong Kong), including the Shisho & Elderflower, with gin, green tea, lime, mint and tonic; and the Rhubarb & Ginger, with gin, grapefruit, ginger and a tonic syrup infusion. New zero-waste signature cocktails include the likes of the Bay of Bengal ($90), made with coconut-washed gin, Aveze, cardamom bitters, sandalwood tincture, spiced mango, lemon and Indian tonic; along with the Discovery ($120), made with chocolate malt (sourced from a local beer supplier) infused into Johnnie Walker Black, pineapple skin infused Kamm & Sons, coconut, sherry and local bee pollen sourced from an apiary in Sha Tin. All cocktails and gin and tonics are available now, priced between $90 and $130.

John Anthony, 1 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, www.johnanthony.hk

Bread Street Kitchen

If you’re planning a weekend hike up The Peak make sure to reward yourself with one of the brand new drinks on offer at Bread Street Kitchen afterwards. New summer tipples include the sweet and refreshing Lady Regent, made with gin, Rinquinquin peach aperitif, elderflower cordial and lemon juice; and Blushing Lady, with vodka, Cointreau, lime juice, almond syrup, strawberry cordial and pineapple. Summer sunset specials include the Noble House, made with a mix of tequila, lime juice, egg white, rose syrup, blackberry purée and blueberries; along with the Guilty Crown, a herbal mixture of vodka, jasmine tea, elderflower syrup, honey water and fresh lime. And if you’re in need of a caffeine kick, don’t miss trying the signature BSK Espresso Martini, a velvety smooth combination of rum, espresso and salted caramel.

Bread Street Kitchen, Shop G02, The Peak Galleria, 118 Peak Road, The Peak Hong Kong, www.diningconcepts.com

Dr Fern’s Gin Parlour

Cool down this summer and cure whatever is ailing you with Dr Fern’s new Slushy therapy. A different flavour of the cool and refreshing drink will be specially curated by the team of talented “doctors” each week, but we’ve heard of one such concoction featuring blackberry syrup, tonic water, grapefruit juice, rhubarb and ginger gin and (the secret ingredient!) ice drip lavender water.

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

Happy Hours

ICHU Peru

If, like us, you’re fond of an Aperol Spritz, head over to ICHU Peru this summer. ICHU’s terrace will be serving up the pre-made cocktail straight from a special Aperol fountain for the season and guests can enjoy two hours of free-flow Spritzes for $250! Head to the alfresco spot and enjoy the self-serve special daily between 3pm and 7pm, the perfect complement to seasonal dishes such as Dragon Fruit Ceviche. 

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

ABOVE by Komune

Another rooftop happy hour that’s new for the summer season can be found at ABOVE by Komune. Offering sweeping views of Wong Chuk Hang and beyond, the 23rd floor bar’s new Sunset Hour features a variety of carefully-curated cocktails alongside complimentary snacks. Available Wednesday to Friday, from 5pm to 8pm, drinks on offer include the Chinese Ink ($108), made with Bulleit Rye, homemade local lychee syrup, fresh lime juice, tangerine juice and lemongrass. The refreshing Ma Hang ($108) will also be on offer, inspired by the local Ma Hang Park, and featuring vodka, fresh green juice, lemon juice and a simple sugar syrup. Red, white and rosé wines, will also be featured in the happy hour along with bubbles, draught beers, bottled beers, ciders and craft beers (all $68). The complimentary Sunset Hour snack station will offer a tempting selection of flatbreads, guacamole, hummus and baba ghanoush, plus other bites created fresh in Kömune’s kitchen downstairs. 

ABOVE by Komune, 23/F Ovolo Southside, 64 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, www.komune.com.hk

Te Quiero Mucho

If you’re after a late-night drinks deal, look no further than Te Quiero Mucho’s new Hora Oscura. Taking place from 10:30pm until close every Sunday to Thursday, guests can indulge in a selection of cocktails and beers at happy hour prices. Draught beers, including Kozel Dark and Rogue Dead Guy Ale, and bottled beers such as Dos Equis XX and Bohemia will be priced between $55 and $75, plus a range of TQM’s classic Mexican cocktails (including Tequila Old Fashioned, Margaritas and Micheladas) will be available for just $60. For those looking for an earlier offering, the bar and restaurant will still be serving its usual happy hour on weekdays between 3pm and 7pm, featuring up to 50% off regular drinks prices! 

Te Quiero Mucho, Mojo Nomad, 286 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, www.mojonomad.com