As one of Southeast Asia’s top nightlife capitals, Hong Kong boasts one of the most vibrant bar scenes in the region; from award-winning cocktail bars to Japanese izakaya-style bars that will simply blow your mind. Much of its nightlife might revolve around the every-rowdy Lan Kwai Fong district, but that’s barely scratching the surface!
Here, we uncover the best cocktail bars of the moment in the lively district of Sheung Wan.
1. Ginger Whisky Bar – Opens till Midnight Daily (CLOSED)
Easily missable, Ginger—located along On Wo Lane—is a great place to consider if you’re keen to savour a broad variety of rare whiskies from around the world. Opened by passionate whisky enthusiast, Tony Leung (not the actor), the bar’s menu is comprehensive; with a huge emphasis on his massive whisky collection along with signature cocktails built using varying whisky types. Tony himself possesses a lot of experience in the field of whisky. But rather than keeping his lips pursed in the face of novices, he’s always excited to share his knowledge.
Address: 12 On Wo Ln, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 5PM – 12AM (Mon to Sat), Closed on Sun
Contact: +852 2868 0486
2. RŌNIN – Advance Reservations Recommended
One of his forays into the realm of Japanese cuisine, Matt Abergel—the maestro behind Hong Kong’s acclaimed, Yardbird—opened this Japanese izakaya-style dining bar to reflect the techniques and flavours of Japanese cuisine. Elegant but small, the restaurant-bar can only accommodate up to 14 people—not counting counter seats—so prior booking is a must. Though a heavier emphasis is placed on their seasonal seafood, their selection of drinks are something worth commending as well. Neatly arranged behind the counter, you’ll see over a hundred Japanese whiskies, Japanese wines as well as craft beer.
Address: 8 On Wo Lane, Ground floor, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 6PM – 12AM (Mon to Sat), Closed on Sundays)
Contact:+852 2547 5263
3. Sake Central – Located in PMQ
Armed with, hands down, one of the best and biggest selections of sake in the city, Bar Sake Central takes the cake when it comes to being a top place for intimate gatherings. The perfect hideaway located off the beaten path, their extensive sake list is amazing and the way their menu is designed sees a wide range paired alongside an array of delicious dishes spanning anything from pickled vegetables, freshly shucked oysters to richer, meatier courses.
Going above and beyond your average sake bar, Sake Central strikes all the right chords, harmonising impeccable service, food and drink into one flawless melody.
Address: PMQ – Showcase, S109 – S113, Block A, 35 Aberdeen St, Central, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 12PM – 11PM (Tue to Sun), Closed on Mondays
Contact: +852 2656 6552
4. SAKETEN – Sake Aperitivo Hour from 5 to 7 During Weekdays
Located behind Hong Kong’s NOJO Ramen x Tavern on Pottinger Street, the concept of SAKETEN is centred around the Japanese ideology of drinking sake which involves tasting it, appreciating it and learning about it. Like a Japanese izakaya, the space is small but the sake is plenty.
The joint can only accommodate up to 8 people at any one time so arriving super early (or super late) is recommended. Don’t miss their Sake Aperitivo hour on weekdays between 5 pm to 7 pm where any order of a glass of sake or draught beer will be served with a complimentary bite.
Address: Car Po Commercial Building, G/F, Shop 4, Lower Block, H Code, 45 Pottinger St, Central, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 6PM – 1AM (Mon to Wed), 6PM – 2AM (Thu to Sun)
Contact: +852 6704 2570
5. SOHOFAMA – Creative Cantonese-inspired Cocktails (CLOSED)
Built around the ideology of sustainability, this farm-to-table dining concept—or rather table-to-farm (we’ll touch on this in a bit)—takes its cue from classic Cantonese comfort food such as herbal soups along with dishes that reflect the multiculturalism of modern Hong Kong—but recreated using organic ingredients.
Shedding light on our previous point, the outdoor dining area is converted into a mini-farm where a variety of herbs and vegetables are grown. Their list of cocktails, similar to their food, are made using organically-grown herbs, spices and natural ingredients such as honey, fruit juices and tea.
Address: Unit SG09-SG14, Block A. G/F PMQ, 35 Aberdeen St, Central, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 12PM – 11PM (Daily)
Contact: +852 2858 8238
6. The Black Star – Conveniently Across Sheung Wan MTR (CLOSED)
Right opposite the Sheung Wan MTR station (Exit A2) The Black Star is a cosy, intimate dig that’s convenient to get to and houses an impressive selection of quality spirits. Minimalistic in design, this no-frills bar is exactly the sort of place you’ll want to find yourself after a long day.
The atmosphere is incredibly chill and the staff are friendly and accommodating to a plethora of drink preferences. If you’d rather skip the glitz, the glamour, the over-the-top LKF crowd and dive straight into the booze, The Black Star is where you go.
Address: 81 Wing Lok St, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 12PM – 1AM (Mon to Sat), Closed on Sundays
Contact: +852 2399 0207
7. The Old Man – Hemingway-inspired Bar with an Asian Touch
Winner of several prestigious bar awards, The Old Man, is without a doubt one of the city’s top cocktail bars. Inspired by the 1952 Ernest Hemingway novel, The Old Man is the first Hemingway-themed bar in Hong Kong with a distinctly Asian touch.
Their bar team features some of the best in the industry and the drinks they concoct, cocktail mastery of the highest level. From stiff, exotic Hemingway-inspired drinks to ones more approachable, here is where fans and cocktail aficionados alike can gather to sip on excellent craft cocktails and celebrate the memory of the late, great Ernest Hemingway.
Address: Lower G/F, 37-39 Aberdeen Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 5PM – 2AM (Mon to Sat), 5PM – 12AM (Sun)
Contact: +852 2703 1899
8. Yardbird – Super Popular Japanese Eatery/Bar
Frequented by the creative crowd in Hong Kong and beyond, Yardbird sports a stylish and minimalist interior that’s cosy and good for convivial gatherings and tasty food but that’s far from what this place can conjure up. Chef Matt Abergel, who’s also the owner of izakaya-style dining bar, RŌNIN, whips up a Japanese yakitori-forward menu, serving beak-to-tail yakitori, where different parts of the chicken are skewered and served in more than two dozen ways. The drinks menu is crazy extensive, covering a comprehensive list of Japanese sake, shochu and umeshu in addition to house signature cocktails.
Address: 154-158 Wing Lok St, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 12PM – 2PM, 6PM – 12AM (Mon to Fri), 6PM – 12AM (Sat), Closed on Sundays
Contact: +852 2547 9273
Read our guide to Hong Kong’s nightlife.
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