Exploring Cocktail Culture in Hong Kong: Best Bars to Visit

by | Oct 28, 2024 | Bar & Lounge Reviews

Hong Kong cocktail culture at upscale bars with signature cocktails

Hong Kong cocktail culture is thriving, with bars that push the limits of creativity, from eco-friendly concoctions to elegant Negronis and mezcal-forward cocktails. Whether you’re a fan of classics or inventive twists, Hong Kong’s best bars showcase a diverse cocktail scene that has something for every taste. Here, we explore top bars like Bar Leone, COA, and DarkSide, each offering signature drinks that highlight the city’s cocktail craft. Dive into these venues and bring a taste of Hong Kong cocktail culture home with our curated recipes and insights.

1. Bar Leone: Grapefruit Negroni

Bar Leone brings a slice of Rome to Hong Kong, and the Grapefruit Negroni is one of their top cocktails. This version adds a citrusy, refreshing twist to the classic Negroni.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz Campari
  • 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
  • 1 oz Grapefruit-infused Gin (or regular gin with a splash of grapefruit juice)
  • Ice
  • Grapefruit peel for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Combine Campari, sweet vermouth, and gin in a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Stir until well-chilled and strain into an old-fashioned glass over fresh ice.
  3. Garnish with a grapefruit peel for added aroma.

Visit Bar Leone for more on their cocktail creations​

2. COA: Horchata de Pistachio

COA’s mezcal and tequila cocktails are legendary, and their Horchata de Pistachio is a rich, creamy concoction perfect for mezcal lovers.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz Tequila Blanco
  • 1 oz Rice Milk (or almond milk)
  • 0.5 oz Pistachio Orgeat (almond orgeat with pistachio flavoring as a substitute)
  • Dash of cinnamon
  • Sweet potato powder or ground cinnamon for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Shake tequila, rice milk, and pistachio orgeat together with ice until cold.
  2. Strain into a lowball glass over ice.
  3. Sprinkle sweet potato powder or cinnamon on top for garnish.

For more on COA, check them out here​

3. DarkSide: DarkSide Negroni

At the elegant DarkSide, the DarkSide Negroni is aged in-house, enhancing its depth. While aging isn’t feasible for everyone, you can enjoy similar results by mixing this strong, flavorful cocktail.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz Bombay Sapphire Gin
  • 1 oz Campari
  • 1 oz Vermouth Rosso
  • 1 dash of orange bitters
  • Orange peel for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Stir all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass until well-chilled.
  2. Strain into a chilled old-fashioned glass with ice.
  3. Garnish with an orange peel for a rich aroma.

Read more about DarkSide and its classic ambiance here.​

4. Mostly Harmless: Fig Sour

Mostly Harmless offers a farm-to-glass experience, and their Fig Sour cocktail is a celebration of seasonal ingredients with a tangy, fruity twist.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz Gin
  • 0.75 oz Fresh Fig Purée
  • 0.75 oz Lemon Juice
  • 0.5 oz Honey Syrup
  • Egg white (optional, for froth)

Instructions:

  1. Shake all ingredients without ice to froth the egg white (if using).
  2. Add ice and shake again to chill.
  3. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a thin slice of fig.

Find out more about the innovative cocktails at Mostly Harmless here.​

5. The Pontiac: Hobnail

Known for its vibrant energy, The Pontiac serves up the Hobnail, a crowd favorite with bold flavors from rye whisky and ginger.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz Rye Whiskey
  • 0.5 oz Averna Amaro
  • 0.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 0.25 oz Ginger Syrup
  • Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Shake all ingredients with ice until well-chilled.
  2. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice.
  3. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Experience the lively atmosphere at The Pontiac here​

6. Avoca: Haam Neng Mung

Avoca’s Haam Neng Mung takes inspiration from Hong Kong’s cha chaan tengs, reinventing the salted lemonade into a boozy delight.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz Vodka
  • 1 oz Lemon Juice
  • 0.5 oz Salted Lemon Syrup (or add a pinch of salt to lemon juice and simple syrup)
  • 0.5 oz Soda Water
  • Salted lemon slice for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Shake vodka, lemon juice, and salted lemon syrup with ice.
  2. Pour over ice into a tall glass and top with soda water.
  3. Garnish with a salted lemon slice.

To learn more about Avoca’s unique Hong Kong-inspired cocktails, visit them here.​

7. Penicillin: One Penicillin, One Tree

Penicillin’s signature drink, One Penicillin, One Tree, is crafted sustainably, with ingredients that support reforestation. This twist on a smoky whisky sour is both eco-friendly and delicious.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz Scotch Whisky
  • 0.5 oz Honey-Ginger Syrup
  • 0.75 oz Lemon Juice
  • A dash of smoky Islay whisky for float
  • Lemon wheel for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Shake the Scotch, honey-ginger syrup, and lemon juice with ice.
  2. Strain into a rocks glass over ice and float a dash of smoky Islay whisky on top.
  3. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Visit Penicillin’s Instagram for more on their eco-friendly cocktails here.​

8. GlowBall: Murder in the Ball Pit

GlowBall’s Murder in the Ball Pit is a vibrant cocktail that combines gin and guava for a tropical vibe, perfect for sipping while lounging in a sea of glow balls.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz Gin
  • 1 oz Guava Juice
  • 0.5 oz Lime Juice
  • 0.5 oz Simple Syrup
  • Fresh mint for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a tall glass over fresh ice.
  2. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

Check out the fun at GlowBall here.​

9. The Stage: Summertime

The Stage in Wan Chai offers live entertainment alongside creative cocktails. Summertime is a light, refreshing drink inspired by tropical flavors.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz White Rum
  • 1 oz Pineapple Juice
  • 0.5 oz Lime Juice
  • 0.5 oz Coconut Water
  • Pineapple wedge for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass.
  2. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.

For more on The Stage’s entertainment and drinks, visit here.​

10. Room 309: Invisible Martini

Room 309’s Invisible Martini is both a visual trick and a delicious gin-based cocktail, served completely clear to play with the senses.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Gin
  • 0.5 oz Dry Vermouth
  • A dash of bitters
  • Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Stir the gin, vermouth, and bitters with ice until chilled.
  2. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

Find out more about Room 309’s unique cocktail experiences here​

Hong Kong’s bars not only offer incredible drinks but also unique experiences that can transport you across continents and eras—all within this bustling city. Try recreating these cocktails at home or add these bars to your must-visit list!