Sip and savour: Hong Kong’s best bars

It's hard to rival Hong Kong for the diversity and range of its drinks scene; nearly a fifth of this year’s Asia’s 50 Best Bars are located in the city. 

From luxurious lounges to cutting-edge cocktails, there’s a bar for everyone. What’s your bar-chetype? 

1. Bar Leone 

For the top of the class  

Only the best will do, and you’ll go out of your way to find it. Bar Leone’s debut at the top of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 was testament to star mixologist Lorenzo Antinori’s exacting craftsmanship. Everything is done well on a menu of classics, with seasonal specials – think a Yuzu Shakerato made with Amaro Santoni, yuzu sake, grapefruit and lime – to keep things fresh. 

Order this: signature Negroni 

2. The Savoury Project 

For the adventurer 

You love being surprised by an unconventional drink or setting. Founded by the award-winning team behind COA, The Savoury Project was formed on a simple yet delicious idea: why do cocktails need to be sweet? From the Thai Beef Salad, a rum-based concoction ignited by peanut, coconut, chilli and a biltong stirrer, to a clam and pepper-based Michelada, nothing is as it seems here. 

Order this: Miso Coffee Boulevardier

3. XX 

For the muso  

When a perfectly curated soundtrack is essential to your sipping, what better than the live accompaniment at XX at Rosewood Hong Kong? This month, enjoy the smooth contemporary pop sounds of resident vocalist Daniel Park while discovering drinks from the Sense of Flavours menu, which pays tribute to Chinese botanicals, with ingredients like sesame, chenpi and Chinese parsley shaken into beautiful drinks. 

Order this: Dragon Eye 

4. The Aubrey  

For the party animal  

Pre-drinks, evening meal, after-party: you need a bar offering it all. The Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong’s hip izakaya and cocktail bar The Aubrey just got a glitterball upgrade with the launch of The Aubrey After Dark. Every Friday, local and international DJs spin sounds that celebrate Hong Kong’s nightlife. Drinks like the low-ABV A Day in Yokohama, made with bianco vermouth, fino sherry, coconut, elderflower and oregano, will keep you dancing till late. 

Order this: Utogi  

5. Argo 

For the social sipper  

A cosy lounge always beats a pumping club. Hold court at Argo at Four Seasons Hong Kong, where sumptuous surroundings, a spectacular harbour view and creative cocktails set the scene for hours of quality conversation. Select from a menu of drinks made with locally sourced ingredients. Tequila-based The Breaker uses a sweet potato orgeat, curry leaf, beetroot and citrus for a zingy sip with complex umami notes. 

Order this: Argo Martini 

6. Gokan 

For the trend-setter  

You catch wind of an opening before anyone else and hate feeling like the last person to visit a new bar. The news that world-renowned mixologist Shingo Gokan was setting up shop in Hong Kong had you itching to get through the door. Gokan delivers, with drinks that stimulate the five senses: the Rebujito is a refreshing, guava-spiked take on the classic traditional sherry-based Andalusian cocktail.  

Order this: Khun Tommy’s

7. The Opposites 

For the scientist  

The phrase “molecular mixology” sends a shiver of excitement down your spine, and you want to be as involved in the process behind your drink as possible. Antonio Lai and Samuel Kwok, who have over a decade of collaborative experience at Quinary, conjure up more pioneering wizardry at their new bar The Opposites. .Here you’ll find highly nuanced, expertly mixed drinks like the Soya Sour – pisco, passionfruit and lime shaken with tofu, gingko, ginger, matcha and green cardamom. 

Order this: Selling Seashell 

8. Mostly Harmless 

For the tailor  

You know that off-menu is the way to go, and you delight in testing your bartenders’ skill set. What’s on offer at Mostly Harmless changes daily based on what Ezra Star’s team can source from the market, producing ever-surprising concoctions underpinned by serious talent. In lieu of a standard menu, the team is adept at crafting tailored cocktails based on individual preferences. Don’t be surprised if everyone in the room suddenly wants one. 

Order this: let the team work their magic 

Want to discover all these tantalising watering holes and more? Plan your tour of Hong Kong’s best bars with Discover Hong Kong’s handy nightlife map .