THE OLD MAN
An award-winning Indonesian bartender by the name of Agung Prabowo runs this intimate slick looking bar. The Old Man is inspired by the American novelist Ernest Hemingway, and one can spot his references throughout this bar. The cocktails on the menu are named after Hemingway novels – Winner Take Nothing, Garden of Eden, The Sun Also Rises and To Have and Have Not. Its Garden of Eden is a fresh cocktail made of rotovop honeydew rye whisky, goat milk bourbon, caramelised Sauterne cordial and orange-phosphate bitter.
With a friendly and relaxed atmosphere,the bar is a great place to start a conversation with fellow cocktail enthusiasts.
Where: Lower G/F, 37-39 Aberdeen Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
LE QUINZE VINS
This chain of wine bars has two outposts in Hong Kong. One is in the Wan Chai district and the other in Central. A perfect place for wine lovers, the highlight of the bar in Wan Chai includes its huge selection of French wines ranging from simple table wines to vintages from legendary estates. I love both outlets for a glass of quality vino and the truffle ham.
Where: G/F, No.9 Swatow Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, China; 32 Gage St, Central, Hong Kong
STAUNTON’S WINE BAR & CAFÉ
Situated along the Soho escalators, Staunton’s bar allows your furry friends to hang out with you. Staunton is quite popular among expats and dog owners. I would recommend to choose a table just off the street as you can enjoy sipping your favourite drink while watching the daily Hong Kong life go by.
Where: 10-12 Staunton Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong
STOCKTON
If you are a whisky lover, then this bar has to be on your checklist in Hong Kong. Stockton houses a wide collection of whiskies from around the world. Also, what’s more interesting is that iconic authors of the yesteryears inspire cocktails at this outlet. So, you have a Tender Addict inspired by one of the most prolific writers of his time – F.Scott Fitzgerald. The drink is a mixture of a Tanqueray gin, slay whisky, lime, lemon, egg white and elderflower.
Enjoying with your drink amidst a warm vibe, rugs and deep sofas is perfect way to end your day.
Where: 32 Wyndham St, Central, Hong Kong
QUINARY
This bar has made it to Asia’s 50 best and The World’s 50 Best Bars for multiple years. At the end of the bar is the owner Antonio’s lab showcasing the equipment they use to redistill and slow-cook their own flavoured spirits. Some of the signature cocktails at this bar include Quinary Sour 120, Marshmallow Duo and Crystal 10. Enjoy classics like The Black Pearl featuring Michter’s Rye whiskey and a fruity blend of Italian Vermouth and Mette crème de cassis.
Where: 56-58 Hollywood Rd, Central, Hong Kong
AQUA
Located on top of the One Peking building across Hong Kong Island in Kowloon, Aqua is a fun place to get a couple of drinks and watch the city lights come to life. At 8 pm, you could also watch the daily Hong Kong laser light show. The bar’s impressive Aqua collection includes Sakura, which is a mix of Ketel One Vodka with hints of ginger, lemongrass, passion fruit, honey and lemon; and Japanese Garden comes with Earl Grey infused Tanqueray gin with flavours of lemon, yuzu, and peach egg white.
Where: 29/30F, One Peking, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
aqua.com.hk
SKYE ROOFTOP BAR AND RESTAURANT
SKYE rooftop bar and restaurant is located on the 27th floor of The Park Lane Hong Kong, a Pullman Hotel. Sip your choice of drink and marvel at the beautiful views of Victoria Harbour from this place. Apart from serving contemporary French cuisine, the outlet also specialises in bespoke cocktails, and boasts an extensive wine list.
Where: 310 Gloucester Rd, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
YARDBIRD
Yardbird’s expansive front bar offers Japanese whiskies such as Yamazaki, Fuji Sanroku, Miyagikyo, among others, and traditional cocktails are also popular. Yardbird is also famous for its Japanese beers such as Suntory Pilsner Draught, Hitachino Nest White Ale and Coedo ‘Shikkoku’ Black Lager. To avoid waiting, I would recommend guests to reach early as the place gets busy pretty soon.
Where: G/F, 154-158 Wing Lok Street Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
OPERATION DAGGER
This dimly lit bar with thousands of light bulbs across the ceiling gives a very raw vibe to its guests. Operation Dagger offers innovative cocktails all made with inhouse infused spirits. Try out the Omakase option that includes six customisable cocktails complemented by different quick bites.
Where: 7 Ann Siang Hill, #B1-01, Singapore 069791
EMPLOYEES ONLY
I absolutely love the energy in this bar. The first time I walked in, I was greeted by a friendly barman, given the menu and had my drink perfectly made and served within minutes. I think the team behind the bar is the reason I would go there again. They keep you engaged throughout the evening and as the name suggests, there is absolutely no pretense here.
Where: 112 Amoy St, Singapore 069932
MARTINI BAR
Martini bar offers one of the finest and largest selections of martinis in the city. The bar boasts signature martinis brews such as passion fruit, Rick’s cucumber and espresso. At the Grand Hyatt in Singapore, this gorgeous bar is just the place to start your fun evening after a long day at work.
Where: Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228211
LA TERRE
If you like your wines from the Old World specially France, then this bar is for you. A varied selection of wines, older vintages, Japanese malt whiskies specially from Karuizawa make up the offering here.
Where: 11 Upper Circular Road #01-01, Singapore 058409
MANHATTAN
Manhattan is located at the Regent Hotel in Singapore. The bar offers a selection of artisan spirits, inhouse ingredients and delicious bar bites to keep you company. This is a ideal bar to end your day of making million dollar deals.
Where: Regent Singapore, Level 2, 1 Cuscaden Rd, Singapore 249715
Contact: +65 6725 3377
ATLAS BAR
Atlas Bar is a nod to the 1920’s with a heavier focus on gin and champagne. But it’s not all about drinks, the chef here has honed skills in Michelin starred restaurants in Tokyo and elsewhere. I would highly recommend going back here for a glimpse of what was ‘in’ almost 100 years ago.
Where: 600 North Bridge Rd, Parkview Square, Singapore 188778
D. BESPOKE
If you want to understand Japanese attention to craftsmanship then one must visit D. Bespoke. The team is warm and welcoming, and guides you to your seat. The enormous leather chair at the bar, and the hot towel service sets the tone for a relaxing time. The music played on a turn table and the owner of the bar making your drink himself, is something to watch out for. This chic bar offers innovative cocktails, and a fantastic rum selection.
Where: 2 Bukit Pasoh Rd, Singapore 089816
28 HONGKONG STREET
Not too far from the busy Clarke Quay, 28 HongKong Street is one of the top bars in Singapore. This stylish bar boasts a creative farm-to-table menu, and a friendly staff serving world-class cocktails.
Where: 28 Hongkong St, Singapore 059667
THE AULD ALLIANCE
This bar is truly a whisky heaven. From rare to independent to scotch and bourbon to around the world whiskies from Australia and Japan, you will be spoilt for choices as there are so many whiskies and spirits on the menu. Not only whisky, the bar also stacks single cask and vintage Cognacs.
Where: 9 Bras Basah Rd, #02-02A, Rendezvous Hotel, Singapore 189559
Nikhil Agarwal
