Hong Kong’s rooftop bars are spectacular places to post up and enjoy the stunning city skyline and jaw-dropping sunsets, no matter which side of Victoria Harbour catches your fancy. When it comes to Island East, there’s a clear choice for where to go: Sugar at the East Hong Kong hotel. In a move we didn’t see coming at all – seriously, when did they find the time? – this iconic rooftop bar has quietly revamped its entire concept, and naturally, there are new food and drinks menus that bring excitement to the table.
Flip through the Golden Age menu which collects seven creations dreamed up by award-winning resident barman Alvin Ching. Ching pays homage to Hong Kong cinema classics and cult favourites through cocktails like the Chungking Express, putting a spotlight on the film’s unforgettable canned pineapple motif with a citrusy and tropical cocktail blended with Japanese gin. Kung Fu Hustle, based on Stephen Chow’s rip-roaring comedy, is an earthy concoction served with a lollipop as a nod to the protagonist’s journey through the film, while Initial D is a special cocktail referencing the main character’s tofu deliveries, bringing unlikely ingredients such as malted soybean ice cream, vodka, and hazelnut liqueur together. Films such as Wong Kar-wai’s unmissable In the Mood For Love, The Lucky Guy, Infernal Affairs, and Fly Me to Polaris also feature on the menu as movie inspiration for Sugar’s tasty tipples.
Sous chef Wing Yuen of East Hong Kong matches Sugar’s new selection of drinks with some clever Japanese-meets-Hong Kong bar bites of his own. On the Hong Kong Classics dim sum series, the grilled eel and sakura shrimp turnip cake, negi toro siu mai, salmon and avocado cheung fun, and crab miso spring roll are choice mouthwatering morsels.
All of this is paired with panoramic views of Victoria Harbour and Kowloon, so you can toast cinema-inspired bevvies against a cinema-worthy backdrop! Guests can also choose to watch cocktail demonstrations and experts at work at the new chef’s counter. With the weather in Hong Kong finally taking a pleasantly cool turn, now’s the best time for that long-awaited rooftop gathering among friends.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox
Recommended stories:
Hong Kong snatches fencing gold at the National Games 2025, ending with a total of 9 gold medals
The best Thanksgiving menus in Hong Kong for 2025
One of the coolest streets in the world is only three hours away from Hong Kong