New Drinks Menus This January: Best Bars And Speakeasies For Cocktails

Wondering where to go for drinks this month? We’ve got your next night out covered with new must-try drinks menus, alongside a list of our favourite cocktail bars and speakeasies in Hong Kong.

Whether it’s Hong Kong’s newest drinking destination, an unmissable happy hour deal or a must-try new drinks menu, you’ll find it all in our ultimate guide to where to drink in Hong Kong. This month, we’re drinking cautiously (well maybe for just the first two weeks of January!) but for those doing Dry January, we’ve also listed out mocktail options too! Keep scrolling for our pick of the best cocktail bars and speakeasies in Hong Kong.

Read More: Where To Find The Best Happy Hour In Central

New Drinks Menus And Cocktails This January

Amber’s First Ever Dark Toast Wild Ale

Brew it up this season at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental! Amber has partnered with beloved local brewery Young Master to introduce the first-ever Amber Dark Toast Wild Ale made using upcycled sourdough. Diners can either purchase the bottles at Amber or Young Master Brewery or enjoy it with pals at Amber, MO Bar and Please Don’t Tell where this new ale is available in free-flow packages.

Amber, 7/F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2132 0066, www.mandarinoriental.com/amber

Read More: Your Guide To Hong Kong-Made Spirits and Liqueurs

Yardbird x Masumi Sake Pairing

For a limited time only, until Saturday, 14 January, enjoy a Yardbird coursed menu with sake pairing, all hand-selected by Sake Samurai, Elliot Faber. The experience comes with projected scenes of sake brewing together with beautiful natural scenery of Suwa, Nagano. Book your table here.

Yardbird, 33-35 Bridges Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 2547 9273, www.yardbirdrestaurant.com

Ozone’s Gourmet Cocktails And Snacks For Chinese New Year

Heading to the highest bar in the world is one way to celebrate The Year of the Rabbit! Savour new snacks at Ozone, namely deep-fried bean curd sheet roll with shrimp, trio BBQ pork puff, and Sichuan-style fried chicken, each of which comes with a creative cocktail pairing.

Ozone, 118/F, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2263 2270,www.ritzcarlton.com/ozone

Read More: 10 Unique And Unusual Things To Do In Hong Kong

ICHU’s Reset, Refresh And Replenish Drinks

Who says self-care means sacrificing satisfaction? Parties and get-togethers are equally fun with mocktails! ICHU’s Achiote mocktail is an anti-inflammatory powerhouse made with beta-carotene-rich carrot, turmeric, citrus and annatto seeds. Pair it with some crispy sweet potato wedges and some Salmon Anticuchos, classic Peruvian skewers.

ICHU, 3/F, H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, 2477 7717, www.ichu.com.hk

mato Modern Coffee And Wine Bar

Coffee in the morning and wine at night is how we like our days to go! With superior coffee and a deep wine cellar, mato marries the caffeine and wine aficionados, with a team of experts as its founders. The team has crafted an exclusive “Coffee-Wine Omakase” with recommended coffee and wine options for guests according to their preferences and meal selections, this modern cafe slash bar is the place you need to look out for!

mato, Shop G02, G/F, Nan Fung Place, 173 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, WhatsApp: 5977 3288, www.matocoffeewine.com

Top 14 Cocktail Bars & Speakeasies In Hong Kong

ARGO – #28 World’s Best Bars 2022

Featuring a collection of the world’s most innovative spirits, paired with stunning interiors (your eyes will keep wandering, picking up small details that elevate your whole experience), ARGO is a classy choice amongst bargoers in Hong Kong. Signature drinks here include the single-origin Negroni, the Argo Martini and the Red Rock Sazerac, but really no choice here is a bad one.

ARGO, Lobby, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, 3196 8882, www.fourseasons.com/argo

COA – Asia’s #1 bar and World’s Best #17 for Mezcal lovers!

Topping the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars for the past two years, this Oaxaca-inspired cocktail bar was opened by Jay Khan in 2017 with the mission to bring agave spirits to the forefront of Asia’s cocktails scene. Boasting an impressive 41-page spirit menu, COA serves a diverse range of 100 percent agave tequila, traditional mezcal and cocktails inspired by the flavours of Mexico. Dimly lit by candles, this drinking den is the perfect stop for weekend drinks or date night.

COA, LG/F, Wah Shin House, 6-10 Shin Hing Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 2813 5787, www.coa.com.hk

Read More: Your Neighbourhood Guide To Poho

The Diplomat – A go-to skip-the-crowd bar

The Diplomat needs no introduction as one of the city’s top drinking destinations. The first speakeasy concept opened by acclaimed bartender John Nugent, it specialises in reimagined takes on classic cocktails (try the Gibson and Tuxedo), with mini cocktails available for those who want to sample more than one. This classy neighbourhood cocktail bar is always buzzing with energy and high spirits.

The Diplomat, Shop 1, LG/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, Hong Kong, 3619 0302, www.thediplomat.hk

The Old Man – Bar with chic interior design

Tucked away on a corner of Aberdeen Street is The Old Man, an award-winning speakeasy inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea”. Helmed by bartender Agung Prabowo (previously of Lobster Bar and Mandarin Oriental), cocktails on offer here carry a sophisticated Hemingway-Asian theme to match the tastefully styled interiors.

The Old Man, LG/F, 37 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong, theoldmanhongkong.com

DarkSide – Premium cocktails, live jazz and classy interiors

Paying homage to Kowloon’s “Dark Side” moniker, The Rosewood Hotel’s swanky cocktail parlour houses a coveted selection of dark spirits that harks back to the early 19th century, alongside an extensive library of fine rum, whisky and calvados. Lounge on the al fresco terrace, soak in the harbour views and splurge on a premium cocktail — you deserve it!

DarkSide, Level Two, Rosewood Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 3891 8732, www.darkside.hk

Read More: Your Neighbourhood Guide To Tsim Sha Tsui

The Pontiac – The best LGBTQ+ bar in Hong Kong

With a rough and retro rock ‘n’ roll vibe, Soho’s resident local dive bar The Pontiac has an authenticity that’s seriously cool. The all-female staff keep it real with strong drinks, plenty of shots and a hell of a lot of fun. This is where you need to go if you want a seriously wild night out with your friends — trust us, you won’t regret it.

The Pontiac, 13 Old Bailey Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2521 3855, www.facebook.com/thepontiac

Penicillin – Sustainable speakeasy in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s first fully zero-waste bar Penicillin has taken the culinary world by storm with its sustainable farm-to-bar movement. The magic happens in The Penicillin Lab and Fermentation Chamber, where Prabowo, Ghale and their team test new and creative ways to minimise their carbon footprint while coming up with clever concoctions. Proudly partnered with ecoSPIRITS, it’s with noting that each cocktail marked with the “eS” logo saves an average of 150g in CO2 emissions. We’ll cheers to that!

Penicillin, L/G, Amber Lodge, 23 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, 9880 7995, penicillinbar.com

Read More: Your Guide To Zero Waste & Bulk Food Stores In Hong Kong

Dr. Fern’s Gin Parlour – One of the best gin bars in Hong Kong

A hidden gem within The Landmark, Dr.Fern’s is an absolute must for gin lovers. Using organic and locally-sourced ingredients and botanicals, and only premium gin, Dr. Fern’s cocktails are sure to cure any ailment. Tucked away in a corner, you’ll find two tiny office doors — one full-sized and one Alice in Wonderland-style — all that hint at the doctor’s office behind. It also whips up seasonal cocktails, and if you can’t decide what to go for, the doctor is always on hand to prescribe the perfect tincture.

Dr Fern’s Gin Parlour, Shop B31A, First Basement Floor, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, 2111 9449, www.mingfathouse.com

Read More: The Best Gin Bars In Hong Kong

Foxglove – Live jazz nights perfect for girls’ night out

Hidden behind what appears to be an umbrella store on Duddell Street, Foxglove oozes old-school luxury and charm. Vintage-inspired, expect live jazz nights, a decadent menu based on traditional Cantonese favourites and a refined atmosphere. Drinks buffs will love the menu that features a rare selection of cognacs and spirits, along with fine whiskies and expertly crafted cocktails.

Foxglove, 2/F, Printing House, 6 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2116 8949, www.mingfathouse.com

Frank’s Library – The best hidden bar in Hong Kong

Another speakeasy that can be found hidden within Foxglove. The tucked away and discreet space is found behind a hidden door in the bar and restaurant (find the hidden elevator buttons and hit the right number to gain entrance to Frank’s secret library!), and serves a menu of ‘Travel Diary Cocktails”, inspired by the namesake character, Frank Minza. Drinks start at $140 and include the inventive Confectionary, with marshmallow-infused gin, cacao white liqueur, mint liqueur, orange bitters and Champagne.

Frank’s Library, 18 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/frankslibrary

Read More: Your Guide To Hong Kong’s Hidden Bars And Speakeasies

KABOOM – Rooftop bar in Tsim Sha Tsui

This rooftop bar in Tsim Sha Tsui has patrons booking tables for its stunning urban views, creative cocktails and a sunset shisha sesh. Spanning two floors (indoor dining with panoramic views and a terrace), KABOOM serves carefully curated South Asian nibbles to pair perfectly with your drinks. Most of the signature cocktails here are light and fruity; if you ask us for tried and tested recommendations, go for Damn Pissed Off (cheekily served in a bathtub), Enough Is Enough (for those who say one drink is enough!) or I Just Want To Go Home (we feel you).

KABOOM, 20/F, Prince Tower, 12A Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, 9176 9986, www.instagram.com/kaboom.hk

Read More: Your Neighbourhood Guide To Tsim Sha Tsui

Finding Daisy – One of the best “themed” bars in Hong Kong

Cocktails and drama (the good kind) abound at this theatre-themed bar on Elgin Street. Exuding all the sleek speakeasy vibes, head here to indulge in classic cocktails with a contemporary twist. Highlights include the Spicy Rancho, a spiced-up iteration of the margarita, and the Daisy’s Gambit, an elevated take on a Gibson.

Finding Daisy, 16A, Elgin Street, Soho, Hong Kong, 5135 7337, www.instagram.com/findingdaisyhk

Quality Goods Club – An all-rounder option for night outs

Brought to us by the guys behind Shady Acres and Honky Tonks Tavern, Quality Goods Club brings together music, delicious bites and, of course, top-notch drinks, for a night to remember in Soho. Quality signature cocktails and fine spirits in vintage crystal decanters are what this location does best, complemented by exceptional Brasserie-style fare. Happy hour runs daily from 6pm to 8pm, and includes pitchers of draught beer, QGC craft cocktails, wines by the glass and $10 oysters.

Quality Goods Club, Basement, On Lok House, 39-43 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/thequalitygoodsclub

Faye – Rooftop bar on top of California Tower

Taking over the rooftop previously occupied by LKF landmark CÉ LA VI, this outer-spaced themed lounge and club promises over-the-top décor (we’re talking an infinity tunnel of ring lights, an inflatable spaceship, neon acrobat rings and more), along with iconic sweeping skyline views. Plus, its creative cocktail selection is out of this world.

Faye, 25-26/F, California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Central, Hong Kong, 3619 4282, www.facebook.com/faye.hkg

Read More: Top 20 Rooftop Bars And Al-Fresco Terraces In Hong Kong