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Header image courtesy of Tai Kwun
Watering holes have evolved greatly from the taverns of old to become as performative as they are functional. Although the objective remains, bars that serve aesthetics with their tipples generally draw a larger and more enthusiastic audience than the rest. A well-designed space delights and surprises trigger-happy patrons with luscious detailing and dramatic centrepieces, so a night out almost feels like a trip to a gallery. Admire these works of art as you sip on your drink—here are the most beautiful bars in Hong Kong to spend a leisurely evening at.
Within the underground floors of an office building hides The Iron Fairies, a whimsical liquor-filled paradise within the hearts of Central. The enchanting cocktail bar is a playground for both party-goers and design enthusiasts, as they can enjoy an eclectic range of music every night whilst surrounded by other-worldly interiors.
Upon entry, guests are greeted with a sumptuous scene of vintage brass walls and steel gates rooted in visions of a West Australian underground mine. Its bar area, The Mixing Room, is furnished with rustic couches, and dry flower bouquets hanging down from the ceiling. The most stunning spectacle here is surely the 10,000 fluttering butterflies suspended from the club’s ceiling, casting shades and shadows within the dimly lit venue. This combination of magical fairies and old-mine extravaganza works surprisingly well, creating a wonderful atmosphere for enjoying exceptional cocktails while conjuring fantasy-like imaginations.
The Iron Fairies, LG/F, Chinachem Hollywood Centre, 1–13 Hollywood Road, Central | (+852) 6202 0000
Inspired by 1920s New York during the Prohibition era, 001 is one of Hong Kong’s first speakeasies which has since garnered international recognition. Hidden in the inconspicuous corners of the Tai Kwun complex lies a sultry scene of hushed blue tones and low-key glamour. Art Deco-inspired detailing spiders across the floor, ceiling, and cabinetry, in-between jewel-toned velvet upholstery and private booths segmented with heavy black velvet curtains. Brass and oak tones dominate while shades of indigo light up the exclusive spaces, conjuring visions of clandestine conversations and covert affairs.
001, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central | (+852) 2810 6969
Paying homage to the once-underappreciated-but-now-ubiquitous element in alcoholic beverages—tea—Tell Camellia tells the story of its namesake camellia tea plant. A casual drinking spot tucked away off Pottinger Street’s cobbled steps, the space is comprised of light wood and green tones, as a reference to the shade of evergreen camellia leaves and Japanese tea ceremonies.
Serving tea-based cocktails from various tea-drinking countries like Sri Lanka, China, and Japan, guests are introduced to the mild flavours with an alcoholic punch. The undulating walls—reminiscent of the arrangement of tea plantations on mountains—and cream-coloured booth seats echo the theme as patrons admire the vast range of tea-related paraphernalia on the back wall and communal bar table in the middle.
Tell Camellia, LG/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central | (+852) 9821 5501
A glittering jewellery box of a space, Dragonfly is a gorgeous Bohemian-style cocktail lounge inspired by Art Nouveau. Located in Tai Kwun, Central’s historic building turned art and performance hub, the bar is masterminded by designer Ashley Sutton of The Iron Fairies and J. Borowski fame. Opulence and decadence are expressed in clusters of teal and turquoise stained glass lamps inspired by American artist Louis Tiffany and master jeweller Rene Lalique.
The winged insect the bar is attributed to can be found on almost every surface—etched on the lamps, perched on the mosaic tables, and resting on the walls. The amount of iron and rich detail juxtaposes with the delicate translucency of a dragonfly’s wing, yet captures the intense iridescence and fire of its shell and name attribution. Orient-inspired lighting fixtures come together and give a sensual and dreamy touch to the bar’s elegant ambience.
Dragonfly, Shop 10, G1, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central | (+852) 9359 0999
As part of the Rosewood Hong Kong hotel, DarkSide resembles the living room of a nocturnal, eccentric millionaire. Antique glass panelling, aubergine velvet armchairs, and a baby grand piano cast an old-world charm. Look up, and witness the hypnotic turn of the sand-filled hourglasses mounted onto the ceiling, handcrafted in Murano, Italy, that captures the romantic passage of time. The polished black marble countertop adds to the glisten of the bronze window frames and the lights along Victoria Harbour, discernible through the windowpanes and on the balcony area. Plank oak floors become final embellishments to the handsome cocktail parlour that exudes charm and glamour.
DarkSide, Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 3891 8732
Glamorous with a hint of playfulness, the St Regis Bar is another location that took its cues from the city that never sleeps. A hand-painted mural by Beijing artist Zhang Gong graces the expansive back wall, celebrating iconic elements of Hong Kong such as the Star Ferry, Victoria Harbour, and colourful street signage.
Designer André Fu blends influences from his hometown, Hong Kong, with the understated elegance of New York’s storied bars. Steel-rimmed cut glass lamps, inspired by traditional Hong Kong gas street lighting, illuminate the bronze and marble fixtures popular during twentieth-century New York below. Highlighted by inviting plush seating and elegant décor, its atmosphere of sophisticated warmth caters to intimate conversations for an exceptionally memorable experience.
St Regis Bar, 2/F, St Regis Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Drive, Wan Chai | (+852) 2138 6800
Everyone loves a story, and this bar has a great one. The fictional Dr Fern pays tribute to his two passions, botanicals and healing, by way of his gin parlour. Flavoured with herbs and botanicals, gin-based concoctions are used to soothe the patient’s ailments and symptoms, made with hand-picked ingredients from locally sourced farms. Styled like a vintage apothecary, Dr Fern’s Gin Parlour is hidden in the basement of Landmark, through a concealed entrance that is a faux doctor’s office. Floral accents are everywhere, from the hand-painted wallpaper to the sconces, reflecting the eccentric speakeasy’s love for aromatic plantations.
Dr Fern’s Gin Parlour, Shop B31A, 1B/F, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central | (+852) 2111 9449
Disguised as a walk-through umbrella boutique for the English gentleman, Foxglove is one of Hong Kong’s worst-kept secrets. Behind the glass-panelled wall cabinets showcasing silver-handled umbrellas lies a glamorous jazz bar inspired by the first-class passenger section on aeroplanes and vintage locomotives, both symbols of luxury and high-class living in the past.
The streamlined, blue leather banquette done in vertical channel tufting alludes to the popularity of the style in automotive seating in the 1930s, and the curved sculptural ceiling ensconces patrons in an imaginary aeroplane cabin, in a time when air travel was considered a luxury and an occasion to dress up for. The VIP area and bathrooms are modelled after train and ship cabins respectively, continuing the theme of high-end transportation. Be transported to a Streamline Moderne world of moody jazz singers and smoky, perfumed gatherings unaffected by the passing of time.
Foxglove, 2/F, Printing House, 6 Duddell Street, Central | (+852) 2116 8949
Named after the 1929 French novel Les Enfants Terribles by Jean Cocteau, Terrible Baby seeks to draw out the childlike wonder in response to the multitude of offerings by the space. Outfitted in a mid-century style inspired by the retro nostalgia of the surrounding neighbourhood of Jordan, the venue plays host to eclectic local and international bands. An outdoor terrace smothered in ferns allows patrons to sip on quirky libations in relative peace, while the indoor bar area features local elements such as metal lift gates and gaudy red mood lighting.
Terrible Baby, 4/F, Eaton Hotel, 380 Nathan Road, Jordan | (+852) 2710 1866
This tempting cabaret bar follows the fictional tale of Maggie Choo, who transformed an old nineteenth-century English bank into an opulent bar venue. Tucked away at the rear of a faux antique shop, guests are immediately welcomed by vintage photos, soft lights, and magnificent chandeliers that whisk you back to the glitz and glamour of 1930s Shanghai.
Behind the cosy couches and grand piano are vault doors luring patrons to its architectural past as an abandoned bank, as well as a bar stall resembling a bank teller’s station. When the wee hours draw near, live jazz and blues flip the mysterious bar into a vibrant discotheque, where guests can dance their hearts away under mesmerising disco lights.
Maggie Choo’s, G/F, Chinachem Hollywood Centre, Hollywood Road, Central | (+852) 6250 6000
A must-visit destination for spirit aficionados, Argo in Four Seasons is inspired by a traditional conservatory but reimagined with the lavishness and grandeur of a world-class hotel. Behold its sweeping architecture featuring a back bar that acts as the focal point of the space: a circular structural column wrapped in faux shagreen, storing bottles of exquisite rare spirits inside jade-hued cabinets. The seating area is coated in porcelain textured wallpaper with a semi-gloss finish and overhead hanging terrariums, while the VIP room dons a spectacular outfit of handcrafted butterfly and beetle-inspired artwork, paired with suspending floral décor that makes the conservatory come to life.
Argo, 1/F, Four Seasons Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central | (+852) 3196 8882
First published on 6 May 2021. Written by Nicole Hurip. Last updated by Stella Li.
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