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Wondering where to go for drinks this month? We’ve got your next night out covered with brand-new bar openings and the latest cocktail menus.
Whether it’s Hong Kong’s hottest drinking destination, an unmissable happy hour deal or a must-try new drinks menu, you’ll find it all in our ultimate guide on where to drink in Hong Kong. This month, we’re highlighting a new courtroom-themed bar, innovative cocktail menus, Oktoberfest happenings and more. Plus, keep scrolling for our picks of top bars and speakeasies in Hong Kong!
Read More: Where To Find The Best Happy Hour In Central
New Drinks Menus And Cocktails This October
Courtroom Opens In Central
The verdict is out – Courtroom is set to be the hottest new bar in Soho! Saan Dhakal (former Group Beverage Creative Director of the LOCKDOWN and Penicillin Bar group) and Ranjeet Khatri (ex-manager of Tell Camila Bar) are the heavyweights behind this themed cocktail bar. Open the Cocktail Casefiles to find a mix of 16 experimental cocktails and four equally inventive zero-proof mocktails, all of which will do justice for those seeking a quality tipple.
Courtroom, 52-54 Graham Street, Hong Kong, Instagram: @courtroomhk
Quinary Launches New Sensory Cocktail Menu
Bringing the sensory experience up a notch, Quinary’s new redesigned cocktail menu features seven creative concoctions, each representing a specific texture and aimed to evoke a different feeling. Take “Cotton” for example, the whisky-based drink blended with coconut milk and Ceylon tea feels like a lazy Sunday morning tucked in bed; “Silk” goes down as easy as it sounds, but with a touch of luxury. Talk about an Insta op!
Quinary, G/F, 56-58 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2851 3223, www.quinary.hk
Sample Argo’s New “Combinations” Menu
The award-winning bar at Four Seasons always promises a good time. Exploring layered elements of a single ingredient, the new cocktail menu plays around with different techniques to elevate simple, everyday items like pineapple, grapefruit, kumquat, grapes and more. You can choose a drink that centres around one element or is a combination of multiple to keep things interesting!
Argo, Lobby, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, 3196 8882, www.fourseasons.com/argo/
The Aubrey’s Kaizen Cocktail Menu
The first under the Japanese “Kaizen” concept, The Aubrey’s next chapter in cocktail innovation brings in new ingredients never before used by the bar, namely Hakkasu Rock liqueur, yuzu shu, and Hinoki bitters. Keeping classic Japanese traditions and flavours in mind, the eight new cocktails feature both recreations of The Aubrey’s classic cocktails and new blends. From the Glory Gimlet (a stalwart in the cocktail world) to In Between the Line (a Kaizen version of The Aubrey’s Optimist drink) and Lonely Street (a twist on Whisky Sour), w’ere talking top-class mixology!
The Aubrey, 25th Floor, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong, 2825 4001, www.mandarinoriental.com/the-aubrey
Cool Off With Mott 32’s Cold Teas Cocktail Menu
While you’re at Mott 32 for your Peking Duck fix, why not sample their new cocktail menu? Inspired by the “Fire & Ice” cocktail menu at Mott 32’s Las Vegas branch, the new menu takes on the mysterious and illicit “Cold Tea” culture from the US in the early 1920s (which gave rise to Long Island Iced Tea). The eight new drinks are categorised into pick-me-ups, served hot, dessert and digestives, and with the slightly cooler weather, we’re intrigued by the King of Kyoto and Kowloon Coffee both served hot.
Mott 32, Basement, Standard Chartered Bank Building, 4-4A Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2885 8688, mott32.com
Oktoberfest Happenings 2024
- Happy Valley Racecourse will yet again be transformed into a full-blown festival with numerous beer stalls – stop by on Wednesdays to unwind after work. happywednesday.hkjc.com
- Eaton‘s Flower Years x Carlsberg Y2K Oktoberfest party on Thursday, 10 October for three hours of bottomless draught beer, while enjoying delicious German snacks and exciting games. www.eventbrite.hk
- A specially curated Heimat x CulinArt 1862 Oktoberfest brunch on Saturday, 12 and Sunday, 13 October for unlimited 300-year-old Kaiserdom Beer! Book brunch for Heimat here and CulinArt here.
- The Central Market Oktoberfest will take place from Thursday, 17 October to Saturday, 2 November, transforming the food court into a classic Bavarian festival. www.chefs-market.com.hk
Top Cocktail Bars & Speakeasies In Hong Kong
ARGO – #28 World’s Best Bars 2022
Featuring a collection of the world’s most innovative spirits, paired with stunning interiors (your eyes will keep wandering to the small details that will elevate your whole experience), ARGO is a classy choice amongst bargoers in Hong Kong. Signature drinks here include the single-origin Negroni, the Argo Martini and the Red Rock Sazerac, but really: there’s no such thing as a bad choice here.
ARGO, Lobby, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, 3196 8882, www.fourseasons.com/argo
COA – Asia’s #1 bar and World’s Best #17 for Mezcal lovers!
Topping the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars for the past two years, this Oaxaca-inspired cocktail bar was opened by Jay Khan in 2017 with the mission to bring agave spirits to the forefront of Asia’s cocktail scene. Boasting an impressive 41-page spirit menu, COA serves a diverse range of 100-percent agave tequila, traditional mezcal and cocktails inspired by the flavours of Mexico. With its inviting, candle-lit interior, this drinking den is the perfect stop for weekend drinks or date night.
COA, LG/F, Wah Shin House, 6-10 Shin Hing Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 2813 5787, www.coa.com.hk
Read More: Your Neighbourhood Guide To Poho
The Diplomat – A go-to skip-the-crowd bar
The Diplomat needs no introduction as it’s one of the city’s top drinking destinations. The first speakeasy concept opened by acclaimed bartender John Nugent, it specialises in reimagined classic cocktails (try the Gibson and Tuxedo), with mini cocktails available for those who want to sample more than one. This classy neighbourhood cocktail bar is always buzzing with energy and high spirits.
The Diplomat, Shop 1, LG/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, Hong Kong, 3619 0302, www.thediplomat.hk
Read More: Best Hidden Bars And Speakeasies In Hong Kong
The Old Man – Bar with chic interior design
Tucked away in a corner of Aberdeen Street is The Old Man, an award-winning speakeasy inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea. Helmed by bartender Agung Prabowo (previously of Lobster Bar and Mandarin Oriental), cocktails on offer here carry a sophisticated Hemingway-Asian theme to match the tastefully styled interiors.
The Old Man, LG/F, 37 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong, theoldmanhongkong.com
DarkSide – Premium cocktails, live jazz and classy interiors
Paying homage to Kowloon’s “Dark Side” moniker, The Rosewood Hotel’s swanky cocktail parlour houses a coveted selection of dark spirits that harkens back to the early 19th century, alongside an extensive library of fine rum, whisky and calvados. Lounge on the al fresco terrace, soak in the harbour views and splurge on a premium cocktail — you deserve it!
DarkSide, Level Two, Rosewood Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 3891 8732, www.darkside.hk
Read More: Your Neighbourhood Guide To Tsim Sha Tsui
The Pontiac – The best LGBTQ+ bar in Hong Kong
With a rough and retro rock ‘n’ roll vibe, Soho’s local dive bar The Pontiac is seriously cool. The all-female staff keep it real with strong drinks, plenty of shots and a hell of a lot of fun. This is where you need to go if you’re looking for a wild night out with your friends — trust us, you won’t regret it.
The Pontiac, 13 Old Bailey Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2521 3855, www.facebook.com/thepontiac
Hong Kong’s first fully zero-waste bar Penicillin has taken the culinary world by storm with its sustainable farm-to-bar movement. The magic happens in The Penicillin Lab and Fermentation Chamber, where the mixologist team tests new and creative ways to minimise their carbon footprint while coming up with clever concoctions.
Penicillin, L/G, Amber Lodge, 23 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, 9880 7995, penicillinbar.com
Read More: Your Guide To Zero Waste & Bulk Food Stores In Hong Kong
Dr. Fern’s Gin Parlour – One of the best gin bars in Hong Kong
A hidden gem within The Landmark, Dr.Fern’s is an absolute must for gin lovers. Using organic and locally-sourced ingredients and botanicals, and only premium gin, Dr. Fern’s cocktails are sure to cure any ailment. Tucked away in a corner, you’ll find two tiny office doors — one full-sized and one Alice in Wonderland-sized — that hint at the doctor’s office behind.
Dr Fern’s Gin Parlour, Shop B31A, First Basement Floor, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, 2111 9449, www.mingfathouse.com
Read More: The Best Gin Bars In Hong Kong
Foxglove – Live jazz nights perfect for girls’ night out
Hidden behind what appears to be an umbrella store on Duddell Street, Foxglove oozes old-school luxury and charm. Expect live jazz nights from this vintage-inspired bar, a decadent menu based on traditional Cantonese favourites and a refined atmosphere. Drinks buffs will love the rare selection of cognacs and spirits, along with fine whiskies and expertly crafted cocktails.
Foxglove, 2/F, Printing House, 6 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2116 8949, www.mingfathouse.com
Frank’s Library – The best hidden bar in Hong Kong
Another speakeasy hidden within Foxglove, this discreet space is behind a hidden door in the bar and restaurant (find the hidden elevator buttons and hit the right number to gain entrance to Frank’s secret library!), and serves a menu of “Travel Diary Cocktails”, inspired by its namesake, Frank Minza.
Frank’s Library, 18 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/frankslibrary
Quality Goods Club – An all-rounder option for nights out
Brought to us by the guys behind Shady Acres and Honky Tonks Tavern, Quality Goods Club brings together music, delicious bites and, of course, top-notch drinks for a night to remember in Soho. Signature cocktails and fine spirits in vintage crystal decanters are what this location does best, complemented by exceptional brasserie-style fare.
Quality Goods Club, Basement, On Lok House, 39-43 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/thequalitygoodsclub
The Green Door – Hidden bar in Central with great drinks, food and vibes!
Look for the green door among in the alleys of Graham Street and enter an underground oasis flowing with creative cocktails, wines and plenty of good eats. The Green Door is a great option for getting together with friends and colleagues, and also for date nights. Go in the early evening for a lively and buzzing vibe but as the night progresses, it will get packed!
The Green Door, LG/F, Welley Building, 97 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, Instagram: @thegreendoor.bar
Read More: Top 20 Rooftop Bars And Al-Fresco Terraces In Hong Kong
Main image courtesy of Quinary, image 1 courtesy of Courtroom, image 2 courtesy of Quinary, image 3 courtesy of Argo, image 4 courtesy of The Aubrey, image 5 courtesy of Mott 32, image 6 courtesy of Eaton, image 6 courtesy of argobarhk via Instagram, image 7 courtesy o The Diplomat Hong Kong via Facebook, image 8 courtesy of The Old Man Hong Kong via Facebook, image 9 courtesy of The Pontiac via Facebook, image 10 courtesy of Foxglove via Facebook, image 11 courtesy of thegreendoor.bar via Instagram.
