second draft
Photograph: Facebook/Second Draft
Photograph: Facebook/Second Draft

The 13 best beer bars in Hong Kong

Where to knock back a great beer or three in town

Tatum Ancheta
Written by: Time Out editors
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Hong Kong is booming with homegrown craft breweries bursting onto the scene one after another. Such fast-paced growth has naturally coincided with an explosion in the number of great bars serving craft beer across the city. In fact, it’s fair to say that no matter where you are in Hong Kong, you’re never too far from a quality beer bar. The next time you’re feeling thirsty, drop into one of these excellent places and settle down for a great time. Cheers!

RECOMMENDED: Hop on a ferry and check out some of the best bars in Macau!

The best craft beer bars in Hong Kong

  • Craft beer pubs
  • Central

From a small pet project that grew and made a considerable following in Lamma Island – where they started their brew spot, The Beer Shack – Yardley Brothers Craft Beer is now one of the most popular beer breweries in the city. They've now expanded their offerings with cafe-bar, Yardleys, on the bustling Peel Street, taking over the former spot of The Roundhouse. The bar offers 12 taps focused on their signature brews, including their famous sours, ales, stouts, lagers, and limited-release barrel-aged selections. Head there for quality brews and join their fun quiz nights, where you can win a whole keg of beer, bottled beers, shots, and other treats. 

  • Craft beer pubs
  • Causeway Bay

After closing its Tai Hang spot, Second Draft reopened its doors in its new home in Causeway Bay, just beside Little Bao Diner, featuring its signature Star Ferry-inspired aesthetics. Twenty-three taps are available in the venue, showcasing Young Master Brewery's signature brews, its ready-to-drink line of highballs, Higherthan, and other beers from local and overseas craft breweries, as well as a selection of natural wines and cocktails. On the food menu, expect Hong Kong-inspired gastro-pub fares like Jer Jer beef tendons and their signature Tai Hang Fries.  

 

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  • Craft beer pubs
  • Central

Carbon Brews, one of the largest breweries in Hong Kong, has opened its first taproom in the city, taking up the former space of Solas on Wyndham Street. Unlike the usual beer bars you'll see in Hong Kong, Carbon Brews sports a contemporary design which feels like you're stepping into a club more than a regular taproom – reflecting the funky and modern look that the brand is known for. Sip on craft beers – from IPAs, sour ales, stout, and any of the available brews from their 28-tap system, which includes their popular releases – and munch on yummy grub from their well-thought-off food menu filled with dishes with a Mediterranean twist. 

  • Craft beer pubs
  • Sai Kung

Set right on Sai Kung's waterfront, this independent, al fresco resto-bar always draws a crowd. Momentai regularly offers a rotating lineup of craft beers on tap, so you're bound to try something new on your next visit. Pair your chilled beer with their no-frills comfort food like quesadillas, Caribbean skewers fresh off the grill, burgers, and more.

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  • Craft beer pubs
  • Mong Kok

Moonkok is a photogenic taproom located on Shantung Street in Mong Kok. Inspired by Cantonese culture, the bar's interior is full of vermillion and emerald green, resembling elements of a Chinese temple. Choose craft brews from a selection of 12 beers on tap featuring local brews and guest additions. We thoroughly enjoy escaping the bustle of the city and perching at the bar and getting a cold one poured, accompanied by some of the tasty snacks on offer. You can also visit their spacious branch with a more contemporary design in K11 Art Mall and the newly opened bar in SoHo's latest lifestyle destination, FOCO.

  • Craft beer pubs
  • Sheung Wan

This beautifully decorated craft beer bar often draws crowds that spill out onto Cat Street in Sheung Wan. Blue Supreme specialises in funky, wild, and live brews born out of Belgian traditions – think farmhouse ales, saisons, spontaneously fermented lambics, sour brown ales, and more. Live beers not your thing? The bar also serves beers from local breweries that are a little more accessible.

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  • Causeway Bay

The Madhouse CWB is an offshoot of Mong Kok's The Madhouse Taproom. The fun beer joint is decked in a Carnival-themed interior design, offering snacks and 20 draft taps of craft beers and a bottle selection from around the world, including exclusive imported award-winning craft beers from Norway, the UK, Netherland, and Belgium. 

  • Craft beer pubs
  • Central
  • price 2 of 4

Ho Lan Jeng (formerly called 65 Peel because of its old location in Peel Street) a play on the common Canto phrase used to describe something as 'so fucking good' – is all about showcasing the local craft beer scene. You'll find everything from brews by Citibrew, Moonzen, Yardley Brothers, Mak's Brewery and more, to a selection of Hong Kong-themed cocktails. 

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  • Pubs
  • Soho

A venerable institution housed in a surprisingly spacious location – at least for Central – The Globe is one of the best places in Hong Kong to settle in with a pint. A member of the Craft Beer Association of Hong Kong and home to more beers than you can shake a stick at, The Globe is a must-visit for any hop head. If all the many various brews aren’t enough for you, be sure to snare one of the unmissable homemade pies.

  • Sheung Wan

This bar-slash-bottle shop in residential Poho is a real winner. Scan around and take your pick from the shop's well-stocked fridges. IPAs, stouts, sours, wheat beers, and ciders – everything you could ever want is represented here. Craftissimo's beer selection is always expanding with new imports and local releases, so you'll always get to try something new. They also offer a rotating list of beers on tap that includes some kegs from local breweries like Hong Kong Beer Co and Young Master. 

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  • Craft beer pubs
  • Tai Kok Tsui

This small, independent bar brings great craft beer to Tai Kok Tsui by offering brews from some of Hong Kong's most interesting craft breweries. From sour ales and house-brewed IPA to Doppelbocks and Gose – there's an impressive range of styles on the tap list here. Considering the space is just barely big enough for you to order your beer from the bar, expect the action to spill out onto the street quite frequently.

  • Craft beer pubs
  • Mong Kok

The Ale Project (TAP) has a relaxed vibe that will make anyone feel welcomed. With a well thought out selection of locally brewed beers, esoteric brews fermented from wild yeast, and not forgetting their collection of beer from international breweries from the likes of New Zealand or the USA, there's bound to be something hoppy that will suit your taste.

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  • Craft beer pubs
  • Tsim Sha Tsui

Kowloon is killing it when it comes to craft beer. There are tons of small bars and shops selling some of the freshest, rarest and most interesting beers in Hong Kong. Tipsy Tap stands at the vanguard of that movement. With a 20-strong line-up of craft beers on tap from all around the world and a menu with page after page of bottled beers, the bar puts the spotlight on beers and breweries that might otherwise go underrepresented in the city. It's an ideal spot to hang out and enjoy freshly poured brews over hearty snacks with other beer enthusiasts.

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