Over the past decade, the Hong Kong bar scene has truly flourished, with new openings springing up across the city, and countless MICHELIN-recommended hotels transforming their traditional bars into cool cocktail spots. From unique interiors to memorable menus, here are eight of the best hotel bars in Hong Kong.
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Cordis, Hong Kong: The Garage Bar
The bar specialises in local craft beers, with Big Wave Bay IPA a firm favourite. The bar also offers a curation of special cocktails, such as the Pineapple & Ginger Vinegar, which combines gin, local ginger vinegar and pineapple juice to create a distinctly Hong Kong aperitif.
What to Drink at The Garage Bar:
Infused with grapefruit juice and jasmine, the Jasmine Aperol elevates the traditional Aperol with a beautiful floral aroma.
Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong: Argo
Tucked in the basement of Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, Argo is an artsy cocktail bar driven by innovation. Designed by AB Concept, its conservatory-inspired interiors feature hanging terrariums and insect-themed installations, while the central column encompasses a revolving display of spirits. (hero image: ©Argo)
Argo’s seasonal cocktail menus are thoughtfully crafted around a central theme, with the latest “Combinations” menu showcasing a dynamic exploration of blended single ingredients including pineapple, grapefruit, grapes, corn, bergamot, hops, marigolds and wood.
In addition to minimising waste by using every part of the ingredients, the bar team collaborates closely with local suppliers to source key ingredients, such as kombucha from Tabooch.
What to Drink at Argo:
Refreshing, fruity and savoury, the Pineapple Highball is crafted using Havana Club 7 rum, fermented pineapple honey, jasmine-infused pineapple and pineapple tomato shrub.Served in a wooden cup, the Bergamot & Wood Gimlet invites guests to apply bergamot and sandalwood hand cream before sipping the cocktail to create a harmonious interplay of scents and flavours. The cocktail features Grey Goose Vodka, fino sherry, sandalwood-smoked bergamot and citrus.
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Grand Hyatt Hong Kong: Champagne Bar
The Champagne Bar at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong boasts an impressive collection of over 80 Champagnes, 16 of which can be ordered by the glass. From famous Champagne houses to lesser-known selections such as Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2015, Tellier la Goutte d’Or 2017 and the rare Masumi Sparkling Junmai Ginjo, guests can sip their way through an impressive variety.What’s more, the bar features a selection of Champagne cocktails, including the Champagne Colada, a reimagined Piña Colada in which fine bubbles liven up a tropical treat.
What to Drink at Champagne Bar:
Airmail For You combines tequila, citrus honey, lime and Champagne for an energising, sweet-and-sour cocktail.
Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong: Lobster Bar and Grill
Located in the central business district of Admiralty, Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong, is one of the city’s most historic hotels. Home to seven restaurants, including the one-MICHELIN-star Summer Palace and Petrus, the hotel has attracted the attention of many gourmets over the years, and its bar is now stealing the limelight.The Lobster Bar and Grill frequently hosts guest mixologists from around the world, with many of its patrons enjoying classic cocktails such as the Martini, Old Fashioned and Negroni. The bar also boasts an extensive selection of spirits and wines. Live jazz performances from Thursday to Saturday add a touch of romance to the bar’s classic ambience.
What to Drink at Lobster Bar and Grill:
Smoked Peach is a concoction of Rinomato Aperitivo Deciso, crème de peche and Da Hong Pao tea, which is topped with soda water to release a captivating tea aroma.
Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong: The Aubrey
Located on the 25th floor of the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, The Aubrey boasts stunning interiors and spectacular views, serving as both a Japanese restaurant and a bar. The focal point of the cocktail menu here is shochu, a Japanese liquor that can be distilled from 50 different ingredients, including sweet potato, barley, rice, buckwheat and cane sugar. Its alcohol content is generally lower than vodka, gin or whisky, making it easy to drink and an excellent base for cocktails.The menu from late 2024 features cocktails crafted with shochu sourced from Japan's four main production regions, including Satsuma Shochu from Kagoshima, Iki Shochu from Nagasaki, Kuma Shochu from Kumamoto and Ryukyu Awamori.
What to Drink at The Aubrey:
Glory Gimlet incorporates bergamot and cardamom, blending Imo Shochu with Nikka gin and Yuzu liqueur for a refreshing flavour.In Between the Line features a mix of Yasuda Imo Shochu and gin, complemented by Spanish habanero for a spicy kick.
Mondrian Hong Kong: Avoca
Perched on the top floor of Mondrian Hong Kong, Avoca features vibrant décor and beautiful views. At the helm of the lively hotspot is Joe Villanueva, an award-winning mixologist who adds a touch of local culture to his cocktails. Signature drinks include the LGM Mary, a nod to the classic Bloody Mary with a twist of Lao Gan Ma chilli sauce; a vodka martini inspired by Hong Kong’s yuanyang (a blend of coffee and tea); and the Pickled Cucumber Gimlet, a playful cocktail that draws inspiration from the smacked cucumber salad.What to Drink at Avoca:
A tribute to Hong Kong’s street food, the Sesame and Peanut Butter Sour combines sesame and peanut with whisky as a creative reinterpretation of the classic Whiskey Sour.RELATED: The Evolution of Cha Chaan Teng: Exploring Hong Kong’s Iconic Dishes and Local Dining Culture
Rosewood Hong Kong: DarkSide
Situated in the basement of Rosewood Hong Kong in East Tsim Sha Tsui, DarkSide takes its name from the jest of Hong Kong Island residents, who playfully refer to Kowloon as the “dark side”. Since opening in 2019, DarkSide has captivated guests with its opulent décor, a rare collection of aged spirits and live jazz performances, swiftly becoming one of Kowloon’s most talked-about bars.
Equally renowned for its conceptual approach, DarkSide has featured cocktail menus inspired by yin-yang, traditional Chinese philosophy and even games like mahjong. At the end of 2024, it returned to its roots with a series celebrating iconic bars from the 1920s and 30s, paying homage to classic cocktails.
What to Drink at Darkside:
Brown Derby is a testament to Old Hollywood glitz and glam, crafted with Matusalem 15 Rum, Michter's Bourbon, grapefruit, honey and maple. This cocktail originated at the Vendome Club, the epicentre of celebrity culture on Sunset Boulevard in the 1930s.
The elegant Champs Elysees combines Rémy Martin VSOP Cognac with Chateau de Laubade VSOP Armagnac. Inspired by the classic Sidecar, it exudes exquisite herbal and citrus aromas.
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The Upper House Hong Kong: Salisterra
Located on the top floor of The Upper House Hong Kong, Salisterra is a Mediterranean restaurant bursting with vibrant colours and flavours. In 2025, the restaurant invited Chef Ricardo Chaneton from one-MICHELIN-star restaurant Mono as a culinary consultant, elevating its cuisine to new heights.Adjacent to the restaurant, the bar has become a popular spot for the office crowd in Admiralty, offering breathtaking city views that are especially enchanting at dusk. The cocktails feature house-made pickles, infused spirits and seasonal ingredients while incorporating many Mediterranean elements. The Galician Lemonade blends Nordés gin from Galicia with Ceylon tea, lemon, pineapple and rosemary for a mildly sweet and tart flavour.
What to Drink at Salisterra:
Green Silk Martini blends yoghurt, parsley, olive oil and orange juice to create a refreshing and savoury cocktail that resembles a drinkable salad.The article is written by Gloria Chung and translated by Iris Wong. Read the original article here.
All photos courtesy of respective hotels and bars.
Further Reading: Beyond Bar and Clubs: Experience Hong Kong’s Late Night Like a Local
