Say ‘Kowloon City’ and usually Thai restaurants or rustic local eateries spring to mind, but recently there’s been a new addition to the neighbourhood – a cocktail and whisky bar called Balcony. The bar is a small, clean space with only 36 seats, and the decor is lively and inviting, with live jazz music playing every Friday and Saturday. It reminds us of similar establishments in Knutsford Terrace, but less rowdy.
There’s a decent range of beverages on offer – hot and cold cocktails, wines and liqueurs. We go for the bar’s signature cocktail, Balcony ($98), which is fruity and refreshing, with a delicious dash of lime juice and a good alcoholic kick. We follow this with some Macallan 18-year ($160) – a brand of single malt that needs no introduction. This woody tipple gives way to oaky notes, ending with hints of crème anglaise, apple blossom and marmalade. It’s well worth its fame. There are a few hearty snacks on the menu if you are feeling hungry, such as baked sweet potatoes or French mussels, but they could perhaps add some deep fried items to the list, such as fries and buffalo wings, to line our stomachs for more of a session. The service here is down-to-earth and helpful, and the bartender is very happy to tailor cocktails to specific requests. As we are used to the cripplingly hefty prices in LKF these days, we find the tab for the night rather budget-friendly. So, for a great vibe and live music at a good price, maybe it’s time to think ‘Kowloon City’. Stephanie Ko
Balcony 57 Sa Po Rd, Kowloon City, 2383 3125. facebook.com/pages/Balcony