The mighty Aperol Spritz seems to be having a moment right now. An Italian bitter orange apéritif mixed with prosecco and soda, it’s the perfect accompaniment to the Summer days which are just around the corner. Glasses of the unmistakable orange beverage can be spotted all over town, and what better way to ease into the warmer days than with a little Aperol crawl. Here you’ll find a mini Aperol tour of Sheung Wan, guiding you from bar to bar and, in most cases, happy hour to happy hour. Please note that I take no responsibility for any Aperol addictions – or hangovers – that may arise from following this (not so) cultural tour.
Selfishly starting as close to home/the office (delete as applicable depending on the time of day/week), Duecento Otto is always my go-to starting point for an Aperol fix. With a daily two-for-one happy hour from 3pm to 7pm, there’s also Italian canapes to help yourself to between 5pm and 7pm. And the service from the smiley staff here is always spot on.
Where: 208 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
When: Happy hour is daily, from 3pm to 7pm
How much: During happy hour, all drinks are buy-one-get-one, with Aperol’s priced at $95
What makes it special: On weekdays, some complimentary Italian nibbles are also available between 5pm and 7pm!
www.208.com.hk
This Soho staple always has people spilling out onto the pavement – and road, much to the delight of taxi drivers – of Staunton Street. With Aperol on tap (insert praise hands emoji), Staz, as it’s affectionately known, has become a magnet for Aperol lovers. Italian bar snacks are served free from 5pm to 8pm, and if you venture to the wine side be sure to try your hand at throwing the cork into the box on the wall; a treat on the house may be in store if you’re lucky!
Where: 52-56 Staunton Street, Central, Hong Kong
When: Happy hour is Monday to Friday, from 5pm to 7pm
How much: $88 per Aperol, with complimentary bar snacks!
www.stazionenovella.com
When searching the 852 for a top-notch Aperol Spritz, it would be rude to not mention Pici. The new SoHo location fits perfectly in with our boozy crawl, and if you fancy sticking around for a while – make sure to try out some of the authentic Italian delights on offer here! Grab a seat by the window and enjoy your drinks for $90, whilst people watching and munching on copious amounts of cold cuts…
Where: G/F, No. 24-26 Aberdeen Street, Soho, Central
When: Open daily from 12pm to 10:30pm
How much: Spritz are priced at $90
www.pici.hk
Not just for coffee and avocado toast, Fineprint serves up a cracking happy hour from 4pm to 8pm, Monday through Saturday. At two-for-one per person, how I didn’t know of this deal until last month is quite frankly a mystery to me. Bread – sourdough, naturally – and cheese are the only things on the evening menu, and the intimate setting makes for a peaceful stop away from the nearby crazy streets of SoHo. Always try and nab the window seat here to enjoy watching many a photo shoot in front of the Uma Nota wall mural.
Where: 38 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong
When: Happy hour is Monday to Saturday, 4pm to 8pm
How much: During happy hour, all drinks are buy-one-get-one, with Aperol’s priced at $108
What makes it special: The intimate setting makes for a great date night – order some sourdough bread, cold cuts and cheese, and you’ll be set for the night.
www.fineprint.hk
Not typically a place that would come to mind when thinking of Aperol Spritz, (largely in part to the somewhat addictive kaffir lime margaritas), this well known SoHo hotspot manages to nail the Spritz also. Whilst there might not be any Aperol drink deals in sight, there is plenty of Vietnamese street food to go around and people watching to your heart’s delight.
Where: 58 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong
When: Open daily, 5pm to late
How much: Aperol is not on happy hour, but all cocktails are priced between $98 and $118
What makes it special: Aperol may not be on happy hour here, but get there early and start your evening off with a bucket of Vietnamese Fried Chicken for $88 and a jug of beer for $148 (available between 5pm and 7pm, daily)
www.chomchom.hk
When bar hopping for Aperols, it’s only right to tuck into some New York-Italian fare along the way. Enter Linguini Fini, a solid SoHo spot for groups of any size. Sadly there aren’t any Aperol happy hours here, but the food more than makes up for it. Personal favourites are the fried calamari, eggplant parm, and vodka pasta – which as far as I’m aware doesn’t count as mixing drinks.
Where: 49 Elgin Street, Central, Hong Kong
When: Open from 8am to 12am, daily
How much: Aperol is sadly not on happy hour here, but the standard price is $79
What makes it special: Similar to Chôm Chôm, Linguini Fini also offers a cracking happy hour for beer lovers: head there between 5pm and 7pm on weekdays and enjoy all you can eat chicken wings, fries and Peroni for just $98
www.linguinifini.com
If you’ve not yet been to Pastis, you will have more than likely navigated the crowd taking over the entire pavement outside. Nestled on the corner of Wyndham Street, this can be your final stop before you venture to the LKF life, if you so dare. There’s another great happy hour to be had here, with Aperols at just $55 a glass from 3pm to 7pm every day.
Where: 65 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong
When: Happy hour is daily, from 3pm to 7pm
How much: During happy hour, Aperol’s are $55 a glass
www.french-creations.com/pastis
A firm favourite because it allows me to combine the beach AND Aperol, Lido offers very generous sized glasses. What’s more, they will serve them in plastic cups (please dispose of accordingly and NOT on the beach/in the sea), so you can sip on whilst making the most of the Hong Kong outdoors.
Where: G/F, West Block, Deep Water Bay Beach, Island Road, Deep Water Bay, Hong Kong
When: Open daily from 11:30am to 11pm
How much: $85 for a glass, or $320 for a jug!
What makes it special: There may not be an Aperol happy hour here, but we recommend ordering the jug to get the most for you money!
www.facebook.com/LidoItaliana
If you’ve already made it as far as Deep Water Bay, we suggest hopping on the bus and carrying on down to Amalfitana in Repulse! In true Italian style, the menu here offers a range of variations on the classic Aperol Spritz. Stick to the classic or be adventurous with your choice! We love the Al Fresco ($120), made with gin, elderflower, Aperol, grapefruit cordial, prosecco and soda.
Where: 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay, Hong Kong
When: Open daily from 12pm to 10pm
How much: Spritz are priced between $90 and $120
What makes it special: Don’t want to sit in the restaurant to enjoy your spritz? Amalfitana offers to go cups, so you can enjoy your tipple on the sand! May we also suggest ordering a pizza to go, too, for a perfect beach picnic.
www.amalfitana.hk
