Sometimes, the best things in life are hidden – like these amazing, hard-to-find bars.
In Hong Kong — a city that’s everchanging — no day is quite the same. This town is full of adventure, with plenty of things to do and places to see. However, living a fast-paced life often means it’s impossible to spot any hidden gems — we’re talking about those speakeasies that lurk down alleyways and quirky bars tucked away in commercial buildings.
Here are just a few of our favourite hidden gems in Lan Kwai Fong to discover on your next night out, but with so many bars in the area, there’s always someplace new to find!
Room 309
Bar hidden in a hotel room. Designed and stirred by the celebrated bartender Antonio Lai, newly opened Room 309 located in a Boutique hotel brings you to a new experience. Check out a brand new selection of cocktail and find the signature cocktails on “The Invisible Menu”. Don’t forget to check in and register at the reception to get the room key before you go!
Room 309
3/F The Pottinger Hong Kong, 74 Queen’s Road, Central
www.facebook.com/room309hk/
Havana
Find a tropical oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of Lan Kwai Fong at Havana. While living up to its reputation as one of the city’s best hidden bars, Havana is — just like Cuba — frozen in time, with elegance and charm that takes us back to the old days. Hang out at the bar or breathe in the Cuban-inspired vibes on the terrace. Their extensive collection of rum puts other local bars to shame, offering the best of nearly every country imaginable. Crazy for cocktails? You can’t beat their classic mojito or daiquiris, and they’re both available by the jug.
Havana
4/F, The Plaza, 21 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong; +852 2851 4880
www.havanabar.com.hk
Bar De Luxe
Bar De Luxe is without a doubt one of Hong Kong’s worst kept secrets. Hidden in plain sight — along one of the city’s busiest intersections — this exclusive bar can be found on the 30th floor of a skyscraper. Within Attire House, a gentleman concept store, you’ll find a gleaming bar with all of the old-world charm you can imagine. The open space and wooden furniture all add to its sophisticated atmosphere — and the drinks are no exception, either. Serving the most expensive cocktails in town, their drinks are as appealing to the eye as they are to your taste buds. If you can’t make up your mind, you can also ask for the bartender’s choice (from HK$148). From a Japanese-inspired Old Fashioned to an exclusive cocktail with handpicked seasonal ingredients, we promise it will be an otherworldly experience.
Bar De Luxe
30/F, Asia Pacific Centre, 8 Wyndham Street, Central; +852 3706 5716
attire-house.com/bar
Geronimo
Want to relive your college days? Geronimo is the type of party bar your mom and pop forbade you to go to. With murals reminiscent of a wild west movie and kitschy interior, the Hong Kong edition of the famous shot bar in Tokyo is the place to be — especially if you’re a fan of shooters. Sipping shots at the bar might not sound like much fun but it’s the traditions this bar is known for that guarantees plenty of late-night shenanigans. Bang the drum and buy the entire bar a round of shots — the more strangers you buy shooters for, the more chance you have of snatching the title of ‘chief of the month’. There are at least 40 different kinds of shots to choose from.
Geronimo
2/F Winner Building, 27-39 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong; +852 2833 9951
www.geronimoshotbar.com.hk
Club Qing
Once a Chinese restaurant, Club Qing has become the favoured hangout for whiskey aficionados. From a large collection of Japanese whiskies to vintage Scotch, this cosy and candlelit bar is the ultimate place to kick back and nip on your (new) favourite liquor. The comfortable chairs within this softly lit space creates a laid back setting for pure indulgent. With a rare whiskey selection that spans from past to present, it’s a haven for like-minded people — from enthusiasts to newbies. As for the drinks, serving everything from Yamazaki 山崎to Hibiki 響– and not to forget, Macallan from the 1930’s and 1940’s — there’s plenty to recommend. Feeling lost (or adventurous)? Let the experts guide you to finding your perfect solace in a glass. However, since we’re talking about rare tipples, don’t be surprised if they’ve run out before you get there.
Club Qing
10/F, Cosmos Building, 8-11 Lan Kwai Fong, Central; +852 9379 7628
www.clubqing.com
Stockton
You can’t have a list of speakeasies without one of the first, Stockton. This Maximal Concept spot was one of the first in town to really nail the hidden vibe, and they’re still one of the best. If you can find it, of course. This dark den is upstairs in a small alleyway off of Wyndham Street, with only a small light to give you a hint. But once inside, you know the wait was worth it. Not only is the décor in here incredible, but the drinks are sophisticated and award-winning. Stockton is one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars. Grab yourself a seat and find out why over one of their powerful drinks, from the Minds Undone cocktail menu. Each one is based around a famous literary figure, and they’re as creative as they are delicious.
Stockton
32 Wyndham Street, Central; +852 2565 5268
www.stockton.com.hk
Dr. Fern’s Gin Parlour
The doctor is in, serving up delicious gin-based “prescriptions” for whatever ails you. This charming speakeasy boast’s the city’s largest gin collection, and is “hidden” in plain sight, right inside The Landmark. The décor here is oh-so-chic, with plush banquettes, and Insta-perfect floral walls which give it a Victorian green house feel. They have daily concoctions and tried-and-true favourites, often topped with a beautiful botanical garnish. The doctor recommends you check in once a day, to keep up your health, of course.
Dr. Fern’s Gin Parlour
Shop B31A, First Basement Floor, Landmark Atrium, Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road, Central; +852 2111 9449
www.drfernshk.com
Foxglove
Hidden behind an English umbrella shop, only those in the know can find their way to Foxglove, one of the city’s favourite haunts for live jazz and great cocktails. The Old-World speakeasy looked to the golden-age of prohibition for inspiration on their new cocktail menu, and the result is a playful selection of bold flavours which tell the “stories” of the enigmatic globetrotter Frank Minza. Minza is the elusive figure behind Foxglove, more myth than man – but he sure delivers a great night out. Foxglove is an elegant place to while away the hours over delicious drinks like The Bootlegger, an eclectic fusion of Old Forester 86 Proof Bourbon, cream, crème de cacao, sherry, egg and grated nutmeg.
Foxglove
18 Ice House Street / 6 Duddell Street, Central; +852 2116 8949
www.foxglovehk.com
Hugger Mugger
In search of a clandestine meeting place? Look no further than Wyndham Street, where you’ll find newly opened Hugger Mugger. It’s a British salon concealed behind a simple red door. Though it just opened in August, it’s quickly become a favourite spot for those-in-the-know. Their cocktails are inspired by Britain’s cultural legends, like Pink Flyd, William Shakespeare and Ian Flemming. It’s an understated space, but the drinks are outstanding, thanks to our #BarStar Luca Sergi.
Hugger Mugger
52-60 Wyndham Street, Central; +852 2362 8988
www.huggermugger.hk
Employees Only (Permanently Closed)
Originally a New York favourite, Employees Only is now one of Hong Kong’s go-to spots for amazing service, excellent cocktails and an unbeatable atmosphere. This is another “hidden in plain sight” speakeasy, which proves that sometimes, good things do come easy in this world. Though it may look like a fortune-teller’s lair, inside it’s a world-class bar that attracts industry legends from around the world, and devoted customers too. They serve delicious food until the early hours, and you can even out a private room!
Employees Only
19 Lan Kwai Fong, Central; +852 2468 2755
www.employeesonlyhk.com
Fu Lu Shou (Permanently Closed)
Tucked away in a commercial building along Hollywood Road, Fu Lu Shou is so exclusive, you need a passcode to enter. With nostalgic knick knacks in almost every corner of this cozy restaurant, it’s impossible to forget you’re in Hong Kong. If you’re looking to take a break from the madness, the terrace might be the best spot to sit back and relax. Don’t forget to call in advance for the passcode to enter the building, which changes weekly.
Fu Lu Shou
L7, 31 Hollywood Road, Central; +852 2336 8812
facebook.com/FuLuShouHK