The Art of Bar-Hopping, As Perfected in Hong Kong

When you think of a city being famous for its bars, it’s easy to imagine a place replete with indistinguishable spots all over. Except that similarity is something that is virtually unheard of in Hong Kong’s bar scene. You could say that is the most Hong Kong thing about the city’s nightlife: that there is no single definition of what a bar in Hong Kong is like. 

And so a night spent bar-hopping in the city can take you to hushed, techno-driven cocktail bars, tightly packed rooms buzzing with the latest hits, and properties that feel like an exclusive private members’ lounge. Yet, amidst this whirlwind of sharply varied experiences, one factor remains the same throughout: the cocktails tuned to perfection.

This is probably one of the biggest reasons why this city is touted as the hub of the best bars in the world. The endless opportunity to explore what a bar can be brings bartenders trained across Japan, Europe, and Australia, and with them, the discipline, technique, and a zest to go beyond what's already been done. The result is a bar culture that has held the top spot on Asia's 50 Best Bars for five consecutive years now, with Bar Leone becoming the first bar in Asia to clinch the No. 1 spot on the World's 50 Best Bars in 2025. In fact, the benchmark for a good Hong Kong bar is so high that it’s not surprising at all to see these highly acclaimed establishments within walking distance of each other.

Take COA, for example. With three consecutive wins on Asia’s 50 Best Bars List (2021, 2022 and 2023), it sets a benchmark few cities can hope to match. At its helm, Jay Khan has become the authoritative voice on agave spirits in Asia, his expertise over the category making COA the definitive spot for agave-forward drinks.

A short walk later, you reach Penicillin, known for rethinking what a cocktail bar could be. Co-founder Agung Prabowo, one of the most decorated bartenders in Asia and the man behind the Ernest Hemingway-inspired The Old Man, came up with Penicillin with the mission to make it the first “scrap-less bar” in Hong Kong. It consistently sets the standard for sustainable practices, all the while maintaining the highest standards for the drinks.

Step back into Central, and the most talked-about stop is Bar Leone. There’s a charming, old-world European spirit here, sharpened for a modern, nostalgic crowd. Founded by Lorenzo Antinori as recently as June 2023, it is a tribute to Italy's drinking culture and has already made it to the number one spot at World's 50 Best Bars in 2025.

Down the road lies The Aubrey, perched high on the top floor of the Mandarin Oriental. This Japanese izakaya-style bar, led by award-winning bartender Devender Sehgal, brings with it a polished, almost cinematic ambience. The skyline does its part to light up the atmosphere, but the shochu-based drinks The Aubrey offers are truly one-of-a-kind.

Before crossing over to Kowloon, don't forget to stop by OZONE. As you step into the bar on the 118th floor of the International Commerce Centre, shades of ultraviolet, blue, and gold usher you into the highest bar in the world. The cocktail programme offers an Asian twist on classic cocktails, alongside drinks inspired by cultural events and historical relics that inspired manager Bryan Benitez.

From here, you cross over to Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, to end your night with vintage cigars and classic cocktails of DarkSide, housed inside a glamorous Rosewood property. Here, a live jazz performance under the deep lighting fills the room. Rare spirits line the shelves that overlook one of the most luxurious bars in all of Hong Kong.

By the time you're on your last drink for the night, it’s only an hour (or maybe even less) till the sun rises on a new day in the city. If your body permits, get to Victoria Peak just in time for a breathtaking (and pleasantly inebriated) view of the city emerging from the morning mist.

Somewhere between that last cocktail and the first light of day, it hits you why Hong Kong continues to sit at the centre of the global bar conversation. One night, amidst the best and most diverse bar experiences in the world, and by the time it's over, it changes how you drink and raises the bar for what a night out looks like.

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