In tourist areas, Hong Kong’s bars and pubs scene is more than varied: faux British and Irish pubs rub shoulders with slick contemporary cocktail bars. Knutsford Terrace, a pedestrian street in Tsim Sha Tsui, has a laid-back atmosphere with bar tables spilling outdoors. The grandaddy of the bar scene, Lan Kwai Fong,is still a magnet for the well-heeled drinking crowd; a few streets away, the smaller cosy bars and pubs around Soho’s Staunton and Elgin Streets beckon. Wan Chai bars range from lively open-fronted ones to the go-go variety. Tsim Sha Tsui is one of the tourist favorites when it comes to nightlife in Hong Kong. Here you'll find the sophisticated Sky Lounge, which boasts dramatic views over the port; and the lively Bahama Mama's. Felix at Peninsula Hotel is still considered one of the finest in Hong Kong. More high-class waterholes in Central Hong Kong, around Lan Kwai Fong.
In existence for over a decade (almost a miracle in fickle Hong Kong), Bahama Mama’s was one of the first on the now-thriving scene of Knutsford Terrace. It’s an odd place – a mix of faux foliage, table football and dance music – but with a terrace out front it keeps pulling in the punters.
Cocktails and wine are the most popular drinks at Lotus, at this Australian themed cocktail bar and restaurant. Cocktails are muddled or ‘foamed’ by mixologists rather than bartenders; the flavored foam gives an interesting dimension to the drinks. Black-clad bar staff and a hip velvety chocolate interior attract an international professional crowd. At the back of this open-fronted bar is a restaurant with a tasty take on Thai food.
Delaney’s is a Hong Kong Irish pub institution. Much better value is its excellent pub grub – the daily lunch carvery is among the best in town and starts at a reasonable HK$68. Downstairs is a great setting to sip your beer, while upstairs is more action-packed, with a big-screen TV showing football and rugby.
The sleek but minimally decorated Sky Lounge, with its panorama of the sparkling harbor and Hong Kong Island, is a dimly lit mellow spot where drinkers can hear themselves talk. More than 30 quality wines by the glass (and many more by the bottle) complement a menu that offers tapas-sized portions of Asian and western fare.
The bar at the restaurant FINDS – an acronym for the Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden – has been a perennial hit with the Central cocktail set since it opened in 2004. Scandinavian small plates (called ‘scapas’) can be had with an otherwise not very Scandinavian drinks list – Swedish vodka, in cocktails or with mixers, is the exception. A terrace overlooks the revelers spilling out of the street-level bars below.
Felix boasts the best view – a magnificent panorama of the Hong Kong skyline. Perched at the top of the Peninsula hotel, it attracts a chic crowd and has a feel of exclusivity to rival anywhere in the world. The Philippe Starck designed interior is a visual treat, with a cool island bar and cocooned private rooms. The bars here – there are two – sometimes get less attention than the gents' loos, whose urinals look out over Kowloon. A shame as the Long Table bar is one of Hong Kong’s best cocktail spots.
Befitting an oak-paneled, leather armchair and booth-seated establishment that at one time was a gentleman’s club, the preferred refreshments at the Chinnery Bar are a single malt whiskey or beer served in a silver tankard. There are more than 200 varieties of the former to choose from. This cozy bar has a rack of international magazines and newspapers to browse through, and a substantial British menu – of which the fish, steak and kidney pies are the gastro-pub-like standouts.
Overlooking the Outlying Island and Star Ferry piers from the breezy rooftop of the IFC Mall, Red pulls a buzzing crowd every night for its fairly pricey cocktails, wine and beers. Plenty of suits from nearby Exchange Square end up staying till the wee hours. The chilled-out space here (and at next-door Isobar) makes for a laid-back alternative to LKF and SoHo.
Bowl up for ‘Blue Hour’ (5.30-7.30pm) to enjoy a gratis small buffet spread of Indian and Mediterranean snacks. A weekday after-work banker crowd soon dissipates, to lend a more sedate and relaxed atmosphere to this blue-tinged bar overlooking Victoria Harbour. Blue Bar’s cocktail list includes 88 that are coloured – you’ve guessed it – blue. Blue Ferrari is one example, loaded with vodka, blue curaçao and amaretto. The mock tail list is also long, with some blue items present. Otherwise, there is plenty of wine or beer, none of it blue.
