Hong Kong’s nightlife gives you a lot of surefire and popular choices, but there’s nothing really quite like discovering hidden bars that shows you a different side of the city. Often covered by a shop front, hidden in a dark alley and dotted on quiet roads, these few spots are definitely no Wetherspoons (a pub chain in the UK).
But from 20’s glitz and London glamour to scent-inspired cocktails, these five handpicked bars are worth taking a trip off the beaten track, even if it’s just for a drink.
001
Hidden among the wet market in Central, 001 is a true speakeasy bar with just a dimly lit doorbell to hint its existence. Beyond the staircase down, you’ll enter a world of Gatsby glamour with Victorian chairs, classy jazz tunes and finely crafted cocktails.
My favourite is their signature Earl Grey Marteani – a fresh and fragrant concoction that’ll have you craving for another round. If you’re a serious whisky fan, you’ll appreciate their array of whiskeys exclusively available at 001.
001 Hong Kong
Address: L/F, Welley Building, 97 Wellington Street, Central
Contact: +852 2810 6969
Foxglove
Founded by the same crew behind Mrs. Pound, Foxglove is a masculine bar masked behind the pretense of an umbrella shop. Behind the façade you can enjoy a prohibition-era cocktail in a 50’s styled first class cabin setting while snapping a few Instagram-worthy shots. If you go on the right night, you might even enjoy a night of live jazz.
Foxglove Hong Kong
Address: 2/F, Printing House, 6 Duddell Street, Central
Contact: +852 2116 8949
Stockton
A hidden favourite that differs from the rowdy bars that populate Lan Kwai Fong, Stockton’s tightly guarded secret entrance opens up into a Londonesque social club complete with a secret library cigar room.
The perfect setting for a salon with your friends, the lush bar serves up a killer drink made for sharing – the Ribston Apple. Feeling a bit peckish? I recommend their divine scotch eggs.
Stockton Hong Kong
Address: 32 Wyndham Street, Central
Contact: +852 2565 5268
Back Bar
If you’re looking to grab a drink the in Wan Chai area, don’t just head straight for Lockhart Road! Instead, try Back Bar. With the entrance nestled in an alleyway, this bar is quite literally at the back of Ham & Sherry, the Spanish restaurant by Jason Atherton.
Behind the tinted two-way mirror, you’ll find a myriad of cocktails inspired by Hollywood smash hits, and an opportunity to see the buzzing restaurant from a brand new angle.
Back Bar Hong Kong
Address: 1-7 Ship Street, Wan Chai
Contact: +852 2555 0628
High Line
This bar offers to please not just your taste buds. Apart from being a speakeasy bar hidden behind its sister restaurant Street Meat on the busy Wyndham Street, it’s also a bar that does cocktails inspired by scents.
High Line partnered up with British perfumery, namely The Penhaligon’s, to present a series of concoction pairings to go with some of their signature scents like Juniper Sling. Truly a unique experience, you pick your drink not by your preference of liquor but by aroma instead.
High Line
Address: 50 Wyndham Street, Central (enter through Street Meat)
A third culture kid in Hong Kong, Karen loves to explore cities one bite at a time, preferably also with a glass of wine. A fashion blogger turned lifestyle writer, you’ll find her reading digital marketing books, refreshing her socials and looking for the next new restaurant to try.
