Brimming with fine establishments that cover the gamut of prices, tastes, flavours, and specialities, Hong Kong’s bar scene is second to none. The best drinking spots really double as business centres; cocktail diplomacy, wheeling and dealing, mergers and acquisitions occur in the finest confines of carpeted cocktail establishments, especially those with a view that induce deep reflection over an aged whiskey. 

On the eve of the release of Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards, we did an ad hoc vox pop with VIPs in town, and asked them what their favourite spots were for a tipple—with a view. Most of the usual suspects are listed, with a few novelties and the odd surprise.

Alto

On the 31st floor of V Point Tower in Causeway Bay, Alto looks down on the incorrigibly crowded streets far below, as the rooftop steakhouse and bar is head and shoulders above the thick of traffic. A respite in the clouds, the place is photographed often for its stunning interiors—award-winning designer Tom Dixon furbished the venue in his signature style. With the views of mountains, sea, and sky, Dixon tried to capture earth, wind, and fire—no, not the band—but the elements to inspire the colour palette of the entire venue. Blackened timber table tops, molten metal brass fittings, green marble, and terrazzo stone all add to the glamour, which is great for Instagram, but for the epicurean, you’ll find a little something to whet your appetite and wet your lips, too. Alto’s wide range of international wines is excellent to pair with a curated menu that brings you the best of East and West, including grill favourites, the finest beef, British dry-aged rib-eye, Japanese green tea-fed pork chop, and Argentina 21-day wet-aged tenderloin. 

Darkside

Sultry jazz with views of Hong Kong Island, the blues resonate in your heart a bit longer with the live band at the DarkSide, Rosewood Hong Kong’s signature bar. Classic cocktails, rare spirits, aged whiskey—they have it all. Many in town knock on their doors for the exclusive casks of single harvest tawny port from the 1990s, and Grande Champagne cognac, aged in oak, or to peruse the extensive library of rare rum, whiskey, and calvados. The wise should sit in the furthest corner and watch the boats go by. A pet peeve is a menu the size of a telephone directory (remember those?), but here, thumb through the concise cocktail list that just got updated this past May. Currently ranked No. 13 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars, we expect the place to climb a few notches higher this year. 

The Lobby Lounge

At The Regent, the Lobby Lounge serves the Botanicals collection. Made with distilled botanical essences and naturally sourced sweetness, the concoctions are perfectly paired with tonics from London Essence Co. Peek over the menu to look for the Peak, as the best views of Hong Kong Island come from across the pond, not from the island itself. Other bars listed here are propelled into higher floors for a bird’s-eye view of the scenic city, but closer to sea level at the Lobby Lounge, you get to see the emblematic Hong Kong ferry lull its way back and forth, docked ships of staggering size off on the horizon, and the occasional yacht and speedboat race by. A most relaxing affair, peruse the Curated Aperitifs selection, the Curated beer selection, and the Champagne collection—clearly, there’s something for every sagacious drinker of all shapes and sizes here.

Ozone

As the elevators rocket to the top, you’re prone to believe that “we are entering the highest rooftop bar in the world, Ozone,” as per the PR. At that gravity-defying level, it’s all about the view, of course, but Spanish tapas, Japanese finger food, and the bar’s own take on classic cocktails are served on a silver platter (literally). But really, all and sundry come for the vast vistas of Hong Kong Island provided by the view at 118 storeys above sea-level. Designed by Tokyo-based interior designer Masamichi Katayama, it’s all ultra-chic and modern. You’ll see a melange of nights out for first dates and anniversaries, when not looking out at the clouds and a distant chopper (that seems alarmingly close). 

Popinjays

With a 420-square-metre wraparound terrace, there’s a view at every corner on the balcony, be it the mountains on one side, the sea on the other, or the towering skyscrapers Hong Kong is known for. Popinjays is often overlooked as it is so centred in the hustle and bustle of the city, on the precipice of Admiralty and Central. In the thick of heat and humidity, the alfresco sip and sliders may not be for everyone, but when the weather is great, Popinjays is perfection, with its European dishes, a world-class selection of champagne, classic cocktails, speciality spirits, and bar snacks. It’s one of the few places in the concrete jungle where you’ll see a flock of feathers fly by—the resident cockatoos along Garden Road and Hong Kong Park whizz by on occasion, hence the moniker (a term once assigned to parrots).  

Sevva

Pronounced “savour,” derived from the Sanskrit “to serve from the heart,” on any given night, the top floor of Prince’s Building, reserved exclusively for Sevva, is the place to be seen and heard. Celebrities of all stripes, captains of industry, and a plethora of bankers come dressed to the nines at this chic rooftop restaurant and bar. A fine-dining establishment serving Asian and Western fare with equal aplomb, with experience we state, it’s the place to have a drink with a 360-degree panoramic view of Hong Kong. Be there at the bewitching hour of dusk; as the sun sets on one side, the city lights flicker to life on the other. Imbue your favourite cocktail and truly savour the moment as there’s nothing quite like it in Central. Since its refurbishment in the summer of 2019, the entire location looks refreshed and renewed—when it didn’t even need a makeover. But the ever-fashionable Bonnae Gokson, Sevva’s owner and famed fashionista, loves to mix it up, so you’ll find refreshed menus, novel cocktails, art, and colour from floor to flower-festooned ceiling. 

Waterfall Bar

An alfresco bar adjacent to Grand Hyatt Hong Kong’s signature resort pool, which faces the harbour (do you see a trend here?), the mezcal cocktails on ice are just perfect for the summer sizzle in the city. Currently, the fine barkeep are collaborating with Mexican liquor brand Zunte Mezcal, so watch out for the perilously dangerous and delicious shots by hotel head mixologist Drew Chigorimbo. Grand Hyatt has the grand tradition of excellence and grandeur, but really, the happy hours here are worth your time and money.

All images courtesy of the respective location.