What is the dining routine of eaters in Hong Kong, with such advantage of good bars and lounges within and outside of CBD area. The answer is without doubt. 'Just-one-drink'! Every one knows it is impossible to satisfy by just one drink; hope it's not just-one-bottle :P
My favorite drinking area is quite limited within Hong Kong Island or say even smaller, from Wanchai to Central ONLY. Shame on me!!! I should be more open minded and extend my journey to Sheung Wan, Kennedy Town and Causeway Bay at least, but it is not easy to make it for the too-fast changing speed of Hong Kong's Food & Beverage Industry. You find one new-opening restaurant in your neighborhood, and plan to visit it someday, and some day when you pass by, you find it's closed already. A good place for drinks in my mind can be a good restaurant serving alcohol, or a bar/lounge offering purely drinking & talking vibe instead of party!
Here's the small list I visit quite often recently...
Raukikini
white rum with watermelon juice, mango juice, cartoon cocody coconut liqueur, lemongrass, red chili, lime, ginger and pineapple
A Polynesian style bar hidden in Central; terrace, fresh cocktails, live band and weekend DJ, play with art & design, it is the highly recommended place from this list. They have half-half indoor and terrace space; the indoor area is 'painted' in a typical Polynesian and Beach-side feel, which brings a tropical and sea-wave relaxing. Sitting in their terrace is amazing, always stay with cheering or chic music (depends on the days) and never feel cold (tropical trees decoration and heaters in the winter). The lights are in majority dark red which is perfectly matched to the theme of the bar, so does the drink menu, which features a lot of rum base cocktails. More surprise, their cute cocktail glasses, eg. coconut shell, pot (like the one for Chinese traditional medicine), and monkey!!!
3/F Somptueux Central, 52 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong
Market Street Sour $120
Encanto Acholado Pisco, Yellow Chartreuse, lavender, elderberry,
fresh pineapple and lemon juice. Herbal smooth and
exceptionally quaffable.
I was out with my flat-mate and house-guest last weekend, and searching for somewhere in my neighborhood and safe enough as the quality. The renovated, The Pawn, immediately jumped into my brain. The old-British-style restaurant, now has a more garden design comparing to the previous classic British one. I am very glad that they keep the balcony and the main function of each floor keeps as well. Go straight to the 1st floor in Friday's late night, there is a small DJ station to cheer up all Friday off-work faces.
'Tipples' is the special and funny name of their special cocktail chapter. Admit it, for girls, any name related to flower is more attractive than others, even not a flower person... My eyes cannot get off from 'lavender' when scanning the menu, and the drink turns out quite matching to my expectation. It's a well-mixed less-sweeten cocktail, very floral from the smelling to the taste; light and herbal fresh by the first few sips, followed by little stronger scent of alcohol as you go ahead with it.
63 Johnston Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Honeycomb
I was very impressive by the 1st visit to FoFo; Hongkong's seems less famous than Shanghai's, while I have confidence to their tapas and catalan dishes. Their rooftop lounge to enjoy the middle-level night-view and star sky is definitely a place cannot miss in Hong Kong. I like the quiet and talk-easy lounge environment, which is more relaxing, lazy and private to couples or friends, and also not similar to other rooftop lounges, it's spacious and all the tables/sofas are along the edge of the rooftop, backing to the breath-taking Hong Kong night.
* The staff there is soooooo cute and nice. I was reminded warmly by them several time during last visit with friends there, coz I ordered their awarded special cocktail, which is not designed for a lady!!!! Vodka, Rum and Whiskey as the base and flavored a bit, with only honeycomb (exactly where the name comes from). Admit, it's super strong as shot-in-matini-glass, but it tasted mild, similar to the feeling that you are taking a glass of Whiskey-on-the-rock, without ice... So, ladies, go for it to light up your Hong Kong's night (and keep safe) :D
FoFo by el Willy
20/F, M88, 2-8 Wellington Street
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This is long-long time ago, back to the last few month of 2014. I was with friends in the new chic cocktail place on the Hollywood Road, The Woods. A chili winter should be paired with warm drink!!! Yes, they do serve it and serve it well! We tried coffee flavor, tea inspired and fruity scent special winter menu, which are all warm/hot with rum. The most impressive point of The Woods, is the successful and creative combination of cocktail, indoor decoration and the branding, which caters perfectly for a group of people who are looking for somewhere chic, qualified, and naturally commercial under the smart coverage of art & design.
17 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
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Delicious Catalog
The Woods
The Crown
G-fit
Avenue75
Infinity Thai Restaurant & Bar
Ophelia 鳥語花香
Cloudbase
山頂餐廳酒吧 (大角咀店)