40 Best bars in Central

The beloved speakeasy-style is back and better than ever. This time, they’ve ditched the underground scene and settled themselves above the historic Tai Kwun. Quite a fitting venue for such an iconic establishment. And just like its previous location, finding the entrance to the bar has always been a thrilling part of the drinking adventure. By the bar, you'll find 001's impressive collection of whiskies, including Pappy Van Winkle, one of the most elusive and sought-after bourbons, each dram will set you back between $700 and $1600 per dram. There are 10 cocktails available on the menu, and the only drink that remains from their original selection is the signature Earl Grey Marteani ($158). This refreshing gin sour has a creamy texture due to the addition of egg white, which pairs well with the tea undertones.

Tucked away above Luk Yu Tea House on Stanley Street, 25:00 (pronounced as Twenty Fifth Hour) is a speakeasy-style bar headed by the talented mixologist Kenzo Lee, who's honed his skills at some of the top bars in Hong Kong. The drinks here are inspired by the concept of time, and they serve a cocktail-tasting menu using culinary techniques to present impressive drinks. Whether you're on a romantic date or just out for a night on the town, 25:00 is the perfect hidden spot to nurse a drink in the CBD.

Artifact Bar is the latest speakeasy-style bar addition to Basehall 2. The bar's design is inspired by surreal geometry and the serene atmospheres found in underground water reservoirs, creating a transportative atmosphere that evokes dystopian sci-fi movies. Enjoy seasonal cocktails and explore different flavours with their bespoke highballs served tableside for $150 each.

Apothecary is one of the latest additions to Wyndham Street. The bar is staffed by some familiar faces from the F&B industry, including Austen Lendrum, formerly of Foxglove, and Joe Wong from J. Boroski and Coa. Their menu Awakening Journey, features 10 drinks from milk punch, sours, and highballs. Expect coolers like cucumber-flavoured Guile Waltz, corn-based Brilliant Light, tea-based Unstoppable Entanglement, and other interesting concoctions like the coffee and vegetal Benevolent Singularity and smokey-sour Never Blooming Chasm.

Four Seasons Hotels’ multi-awarded bar Argo is one of the most popular bars in Central and Hong Kong. In just a short time that it opened, it quickly became one of the most visited bars in the city because of its stunning terrarium-inspired decors and innovative and conceptual cocktail programmes. Its accolades include a number three ranking on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022, the top spot at Time Out’s Coolest Bar in the World 2021, and Time Out Hong Kong’s Bar of the Year 2022. Book a table near the glass window and sip drinks from their cocktail menu, spotlighting flavours from Hong Kong’s culinary traditions. 

Located on Bridges Street in Soho, Bar Leone is the first independent venture by award-winning mixologist Lorenzo Antinori, formerly the beverage manager at Four Seasons Hong Kong’s Argo. Bar Leone aims to embody the spirit of the strong, sovereign lion, the symbol of Trastevere – Lorenzo’s hometown – and draw inspiration from traditional Roman bars that are an integral part of the city’s 21 neighbourhoods. Expect burnt orange banquettes, a mahogany bar, church-style candles, beats from an eclectic soundtrack that celebrates Italian pop culture from the 70s to 80s, and a bar programme featuring revived classic cocktails using a ‘low-intervention’ approach and will focus on ingredients and seasonality.  

Located on the busy Wyndham Street, the bar is the taproom of Hong Kong craft beer brand Carbon Brews. It stands out among the party venues and other beer pubs in the area because of its 28-beer tap system and fun contemporary interiors. Along with a vast selection of beers, they also serve delicious gastropub fare that will elevate your beer-drinking experience. 

Cardinal Point is one of the new venues that recently opened at the multi-experience space Forty-Five. The venue offers a bar and a stunning al fresco terrace, providing one of the best vantage points to see the city's skyline and harbour in Central. Led by The Diplomat’s John Nugent, the bar's creative drinks programme celebrates global ingredients with innovative and retro twists. Those looking for classic cocktails can also order off the menu. The venue opens at 12pm, so you can enjoy lunch or an after-work dinner featuring global cuisine crafted by Culinary Director Rafael Gil.

Indulge your love for whisky and music at CNY Bar, located at the new lifestyle destination FOCO. Sip drams of whisky from a selection of 150 expressions while listening to music from their bespoke Kenrick Sound system (a collector's item with a seven-digit price). Along with a good selection of whisky on the menu, you can also order glasses of their signature cocktails. Want to learn more about whisky? Follow them on their social media and get updates on scheduled whisky tasting sessions. 

Angus Zou’s Taipei concept landed here in Hong Kong courtesy of Antonio Lai. The two mixology maestros joined forces on this venture to provide Hongkongers with a place that aims to make cocktail drinking more accessible as the bar allows you to enjoy quality cocktails without breaking the bank. All the drinks are pre-made and served on-tap, so you can try a little taster before committing to a full glass. No more risking $150 on a drink you might not even like. 

Dragonfly – the brainchild of design mastermind Ashley Sutton (the same genius behind Iron Fairies and The Mixing Room) – is hands down one of the best places to hang out in Tai Kwun. The ambience is totally otherworldly, inspired by the beautiful artwork of Louis Tiffany. The bar is adorned with a giant dragonfly at the centre of the bar and a ceiling decorated with mesmerising dragonfly-wing patterned lamps – which you're welcome to use as a backdrop for photos for your Instagram feed. Aside from the cool atmosphere, other offerings that draw people in are its bar bites, quality cocktails, and live performances in the garden. 

Dr Fern’s Gin Parlour has an impressive collection of over 250 premium gins. So if you’re a gin fan, this is the best place to be. It is an excellent place for a casual tipple. On top of a fantastic variety of G&Ts, Dr Fern’s offers an array of imaginative libations, and staff are happy to accommodate specific requests from more discerning customers.

A sister establishment to Dr Fern’s, Foxglove is another hidden affair as the entrance is disguised behind an umbrella shop. The venue is a lively and convivial spot for a drink, bites, and live music. Go further in, and you'll end up in another hidden space called Frank’s Library where you can expect premium cocktails and potent barrel-aged tipples.

If you can’t get a seat at Sushi Zo – or if you want a memorable nightcap after your omakase feast – head to Gishiki Lounge. The bar features no shortage of Japanese touches, from flavoured ice blocks shaped like Hannya masks and small-batch sakes to geisha-influenced performances and cocktails named after characters from traditional Noh theatre. 

Honky Tonks Tavern is a restaurant, wine, and cocktail bar from the group behind Shady Acres. It attracts a trendy crowd that spills onto the outdoor space, especially on busy nights, so you're bound to meet new people and make new friends. Enjoy easy-breezy happy hours, and sip on cocktails that include long drinks, spritzes, and highballs that people can enjoy at the large u-shaped bar. 

House Welley Bar is a hidden modern drinking den created for people who love whisky and those who want to learn more about the liquid gold. Here you'll enjoy an extensive collection of whiskies ranging from single cask, limited edition, distillery exclusive original bottlings (OB), and hard-to-find independent bottlings (IB) from Japan, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, and other world whiskies. There's no menu, so if you are new to the place, ask the servers for recommendations, and check on what's new in their collection.  

Love a good-rated wine? Make a pitstop at world-famous wine critic James Suckling's bar on Staunton Street. Indulge in a well-curated wine list covering James' 100-point rated wines during his decades-long career as a wine critic. Here you can taste an extensive selection by the glass of premium quality bottles, including Italian wines from Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto regions, as well as Bordeaux wines and Port.  

PDT is the famous New York cocktail bar’s second branch, and it’s hidden at the back of MO Bar in the Landmark Mandarin Oriental, accessible via a mock phone booth. The cocktail menu is well-thought-out and serves a wonderful marriage of classics from PDT’s original home in New York and new creations that are sensitive to local tastes and ingredients here in Asia.

Tea and cocktails are the heroes in Tell Camellia's books. Here you can indulge in tea-tail libations and learn a thing or two about mixology and the art of tea. Helmed by industry veteran Gagan Gurung, expect well-thought-of cocktails infused with exotic teas and local spices from particular world regions and house gins redistilled with different flavoured teas. 

One of the latest openings on Gage Street, Orchard is Hong Kong’s first cocktail bar dedicated to showcasing fruit spirits from all over the world. Sip on craft cocktails using eau de vie, brandy, and Calvados. Try out the bar’s signature cocktails, such as Bliss ($125) which uses an aged plum brandy and combines it with a homemade purple sweet potato liqueur, or Butter Me Up ($125) which blends Calvados, VSOP Cognac, and Amontillado sherry.  

Penicillin is the first eco-friendly bar in Hong Kong from The Old Man's founders, Agung Prabowo and Roman Ghale. It is a nod to the modern classic sour cocktail and the antibiotic from which the cocktail got its name. Indulge in boozy libations using ingredients that are upcycled and crafted from their in-house lab, bar, kitchen, and fermentation room. 

One of the best bars on Hong Kong Island offering the best views of the city's skyline atop The Murray hotel. Enjoy a stunning view and spoil yourself with servings of modern European dishes and cocktails inspired by the world of birds. The space is a stunner, a cool blend of class and playfulness, with plenty of Kaws artwork to embellish the walls.  

Backed by F&B veterans The Pontiac’s Beckaly Franks and the proprietors of Shady Acres and Honky Tonks Tavern, Quality Goods Club is one of the most happening places on Hollywood Road where you can catch live music. It resides under the basement space of the former club Drop in Central, making it a hard spot to locate if you’re unfamiliar with the area. But once you’re inside, its energetic vibe will surely get you in the mood for a fun night filled with booze, hearty food, and lively beats. 

Quinary is one of the OG cocktails bars in Hong Kong that spearheaded the molecular mixology movement in the city. It is the finest of Antonio Lai's various cocktail bars and one of the longest-running cocktail bars on Hollywood Road. Quinary is particularly famous for its signature drinks, such as the Earl Grey Caviar Martini and the Oolong Tea Collins, but we enjoy new offerings from their The Timeless Imagination menu, which include The Offertory ($150) made with guava-infused baijiu, pisco lime, agave, fennel, and clarified grapefruit juice. The bar also offers a selection of small plates to pair with your drinks, making it a great spot for a night out with friends or a romantic date. 

Another one of Antonio Lai’s ventures hidden inside The Pottinger hotel. The intimate establishment’s key concept is ‘imagination’ – hence almost everything from the bar’s menu is transparent. Try the umami and spirit-forward Deep Sea Martini served with a side of Japanese soy sauce, rice crackers and seaweed.  

The Aubrey is Mandarin Oriental's bar headed by mixologist Devender Sehgal (Time Out Bar Awards 2021 Bartender of the Year), who was formerly the bar manager at Otto e Mezzo Bombana. Expect a creative cocktail menu that gives you an exciting exploration of the world of shochu. Travel through taste and explore four Japanese prefectures, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Okinawa, and Kagoshima, known for their distinct shochu offerings. 

Just a few steps away from Tell Camellia is The Diplomat, a popular watering hole at Soho's hip and happening highrise, H Code. The bar is the brainchild of award-winning mixologist John Nugent (formerly of Lily & Bloom), known for his innovative twists on old classics. The Diplomat is an excellent American-style cocktail bar where anyone can enjoy good grub and classic cocktails. A night here with friends always guarantees a good time.

In contrast to the colonial stylings of The Pottinger itself, the drinks at this particular venture by Hong Kong’s premier mixologist Antonio Lai are supremely contemporary, offering millilitres of meticulously measured, shaken and stirred concoctions. The drinks here are some of the most eye-catching in all of Hong Kong. 

The Mixing Room is another one of Ashley Sutton’s magical bars located just beside its sister venue, The Iron Fairies. Like its other bars, The Mixing Room is intricately decorated and features thousands of vintage bottles dangling from its ceiling. Along with its comforting lighting and intimate seating, this bar is a cosy hideout spot with a warm atmosphere. On the menu, you’ll find cocktails inspired by the characters from the Iron Fairies fairytale books.

Launched by Hong Kong’s finest local talents, The Old Man is an Ernest Hemingway-themed bar in Central that earned a spot at The World's 50 Best Bars in 2018 and took the top place at Asia's 50 Best Bars in 2019. Tucked away down an alley on Aberdeen Street, the bar offers a Hemingway-themed cocktail menu and serves seasonal cocktails that run for a limited time. 

The Globe is one of the city’s go-to places for top-quality global beer. Their extensive collection of international beers – some of which are poured from their tap system – is an ever-changing proposition and boasts a particularly strong range of British, Belgian, and international microbrews. But it’s not just the beer – the wine list offers great quality and a top price, and this Central gastropub’s pies are some of the best around.

The Green Door is one of the newest hidden drinking spots in HK. Co-owned by F&B industry veterans Arlene Wong (formerly of Awamori bar Awa-Awa) and Dabi Chin (from OBP), the bar is located on Graham Street, hidden amongst the busy wet market stalls, and has taken over the former location of hidden bar 001. The cocktail programme offers twists on classic cocktails and named after women. Guests can also enjoy classic American bar snacks curated by executive chef Gavin Chin (formerly of Brut!), including dishes like Threadfin ($180), Prawn Cutlets ($120), as well as bigger plates like Sirloin Steak ($620), and more. 

Founded by mixology queen Beckaly Franks, the bar – a raucous take on an American dive bar – is now helmed by mixologist Jen Queen. Order any drink from their album-style Now That’s What I Call The Pontiac cocktail menu (nominated for the Best Cocktail Programme at Time Out’s fifth annual Bar Awards), featuring 13 drinks from fizzy to spirit-forward to suit any palate. Or you can skip the menu and go for a classic to your preferred specification to learn why The Ponty is rated among Asia’s 50 Best Bars. 

Jay Khan and Ajit Gurung, the award-winning team behind Coa – top bar at Asia's 50 Best Bars list for 2021 and 2022 recently opened their second concept, The Savory Project, a new bar located in the heart of Soho. The Savory Project’s inception comes after founders Jay and Ajit noticed an increasing demand from customers that requested cocktails that aren’t too sweet. Expect cocktails that are nuanced with earthy and umami flavours, incorporating ingredients such as meat, fungi, and brines to create rich and complex cocktails like Thai Beef Salad ($120) made with beef and peanuts or Teriyaki ($120), a tequila-based cocktail made with masa and white soy sauce.

The Shady is one of the most happening venues on Peel Street. Offering quality wines, cocktails, and tapas-style snacks, the small but cosy space always draws a fun crowd that spills onto the streets, giving the area an incredible, vibrant vibe. Their cocktail programme and a range of wines from across the world – including biodynamic and natural wines – give Shady Acres an edge over some of the other players in the scene. 

The Social Den is a hip, modern, tiki-style bar with killer cocktails and DJs on deck. The menu offers Chinese and other Asian liquor-based drinks with exotic fruit flavours, which are great to pair with Polynesian and Cantonese bar bites. Behind the bar are industry veterans, Filipino mixologists Joe Villanueva (formerly of Lobster Bar and The Wise King) and Bryson Rivera (formerly of JW Marriott's Bar Q88). With two seasoned mixologists shaking up cocktails behind the stick, expect a menu of well-made signature drinks.