Had enough of bright lights and buzzing streets? How about transporting yourself far away from the skyscrapers and honking taxis of Hong Kong and saying Aloha to a Polynesian Paradise at Honi Honi. Tucked away in an unassuming building on Wellington Street, this little cocktail den feels like a dessert island haven among the neon and vodka jelly of the streets below. Grab a high stool at the bamboo bar or head out to the leafy terrace and prepare to be blown away by some totally tropical cocktails. Whip up some trouble with the Tropical Storm - Grey Goose, passion fruit, elderflower, guava nectar and fresh strawberries - or go for some group re-hydration courtesy of the Around the World – the king of cocktails, made up of five different rums some obligatory soft, fruity stuff and a whole bottle of Tattinger Champagne – this probably doesn’t end prettily …

www.honihonibar.com/
3/F 52 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong
+852 2353 0885
Google map: bit.ly/ZDV4jz

* Natalie is our local for Hong Kong. You can read all about her here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/hong-kong-local-natalie-robinson.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/natalierobinson
She also has her own blog at: www.3badmice.com/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

If you’ve headed down to hot Peruvian restaurant, Chicha, but can’t get a table, don’t feel bad, we’re all in the same boat. Literally actually – we’re talking the boat themed bar, The Roger Room, right across the road of course! But this isn’t some awful themed bar, this is Chicha’s naughty, rum-swigging, buccaneering little brother – fresh out of the box drinking spot and the place all the cool kids are heading for strong drinks and Peruvian bites. Decked out like a very chic pirate ship, with killer cocktails for the thirsty and tacos for the peckish – peg legs and parrots are optional! Go classic with a Pisco Sour or really shiver those timbers with the bar’s namesake tipple, the Jolly Roger – Pisco, muddled berries, sparkling wine and a spike of chili. Several of those and it’ll be cutlasses at dawn…

G/F, 39 Peel St., Central, Hong Kong
+852 2561 3336
Google map: bit.ly/Y3mvEv

* Natalie is our local for Hong Kong. You can read all about her here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/hong-kong-local-natalie-robinson.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/natalierobinson
She also has her own blog at: www.3badmice.com/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Looking for a little respite from the rowdy crowds on Wyndham Street? How about a little well-heeled refinement and a strong Gin & Tonic? Origin sounds right up your street. This brand new drinking spot specialises in the stiff upper Brit’s favourite tipple, gin. Whet your whitsle with a gin-based cocktail or tickle your fancy with a nip of home-infused gin, think: basil, grapefruit or lemongrass. Like it’s sister bar, The Quinary, lots of new fangled wizardry and some serious science lab-esque equipment, is used to whip up Origin’s menu of delicious concoctions. So hop up onto a tartan-topped stool at the elegant arched bar and watch the mixology magic commence.

G/F, 48 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong.
+852 2668 5583
Google map: bit.ly/ZDVztY

* Natalie is our local for Hong Kong. You can read all about her here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/hong-kong-local-natalie-robinson.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/natalierobinson
She also has her own blog at: www.3badmice.com/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

For a little slice of Cuba in the very heart of Lang Kwai, zip past the lagered-up crowds doing jelly shots and head up to Havana Bar’s huge 4th floor terrace where the atmosphere’s much more Caribbean Carnival. If the Latin beats don’t get you in the party mood, the mind-boggling array of rum is guaranteed to have you salsaing on the tables quicker than you can say Daiquiri. Nab an alfresco cushioned corner seat under the colourful reclaimed shutter wall art, and get the drinks flowing. The Luxury Mojito is a delicious but deadly twist on everyone’s favourite Cuban cocktail – it’s a classic Mojito topped up with champagne.

4/F, The Plaza, 21 D'Aguilar St., Central, Hong Kong
+852 28514880

* Natalie is our local for Hong Kong. You can read all about her here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/hong-kong-local-natalie-robinson.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/natalierobinson
She also has her own blog at: www.3badmice.com/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Anything even vaguely Latin American is super hot in Hong Kong right now. Perhaps it’s not entirely surprising - who doesn’t love the winning combo of tacos and tequila? The latest Latino opening is brand new tequila bar, Ted’s Lookout.
Part slick, New York-style cocktail den, part favela chic dive bar, Ted’s is gritty glam with a generous side of cool. Nestled in a deserted corner at the end of Moon Street, exposed light-bulbs spelling out the bar’s name beckon you in with whispered promises of debauchery and ill-advised dancing.
Sip your liquor alfresco, propped on a high stool by the hurricane lantern illuminated bar hatch, or head inside and settle in to a leather banqueted booth while you watch the barmen shake up what’s sure to be the first of many liquor-laden concoctions. Feeling peckish? Keep the cocktails flowing while you chomp on a round of bite-sized Chorizo tacos and nibble on a plate of prawn ceviche.
Very clearly designed with misbehavior in mind, there’s even a ‘Hiding from Wife’ telephone affixed to the wall. And when naughtiness is expected then you’d better behave accordingly, after all it would be a waste for the night to end before the tequila bottle’s empty…

G/F Moonful Court, 17A Moon St, Wanchai,
Hong Kong.
Google maps: bit.ly/YKwj6U

* Natalie is our local for Hong Kong. You can read all about her here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/hong-kong-local-natalie-robinson.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/natalierobinson
She also has her own blog at: www.3badmice.com/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Lang Kwai Fong - neon-lit tourist trap, home to kebab shops, purveyors of vodka-laced jelly and hawkers selling flashing glasses and glowing devil horns. Prefer your vodka unset and a slightly less lads on tour crowd? Once you’ve had your photograph taken under the Lang Kwai Fong sign, I’d suggest hastily darting down an unmarked alley a little further down the hill. This dank and dirty back street may look like the sort of spot that only cockroaches and thugs would lurk, but persevere and you’ll emerge, Alice in Wonderland like, in the middle of Mexico-City.
Well not quite, but the nearest thing that Hong Kong has to Mexico-City - bar-restaurant, Brickhouse.
Perennially packed and with a strict no-bookings policy, if you spot a spare perch make sure that you grab it immediately. The favela-style décor is the perfect mix of gritty cool – graffitied concrete walls, chunky church candles, mish-mash furniture and sunny, bright murals. Drinks taste dangerously non-alcoholic - the raspberry and chili Diabla is as deadly delicious as it sounds and the pineappley Brickhouse Margarita is a great twist on a classic. Soak up the alcohol with some South American snacks. The chips with five salsas are a total winner - super salty, crunchy tortilla chips with home-made guacamole and an array of other more unusual dips. Follow up with pulled pork tacos, tuna tostadas and Mexican Street Corn (chili mayonnaise slathered BBQ-ed corn on the cob sprinkled with cheese and coriander).
And the best news? Several cocktails later, when you fall out of the alleyway back into Lang Kwai Fong, no one will bat an eyelid, they’ll just assume you’ve had one too many vodka jellies.

www.brickhouse.com.hk/
Brickhouse, G/F, 20A D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong,
+(852) 2810 0560
Google map: goo.gl/maps/CoeU1

* Natalie is our local for Hong Kong. You can read all about her here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/hong-kong-local-natalie-robinson.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/natalierobinson
She also has her own blog at: www.3badmice.com/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Applying El Bulli-style food science to cocktails in a bid to engage all five of your senses, the Quinary shakes up some pretty impressive concoctions. This brand new temple to cocktails is Located on Hollywood Road, right in the middle of Central. The decor juxtaposes comfy leather sofas with a never-ending, sleek, black bar and padlocked, mesh-fronted shelving units crammed with a menagerie of trophies, books and knick knacks.
Mixologist magician, Antonio Lai, whips up his sensory drinks using an arsenal of high-tech kit including a rotary evaporator and a centrifuge which are proudly displayed in a science lab area at the end of the bar. I highly recommend the Quinary take on the Earl Grey Martini which comes topped with a swirl of bubble bath-like foam and laden with petit pois sized spheres of Earl Grey infused 'caviar' (much nicer than they sound). The Touch of Rose and the Oolong Tea Collins are also delicious - my memory of everything after that gets a little bit hazy though. The truffle fries are apparently incredible, maybe an order of those next time will help to make my head a bit less fuzzy the morning after ...

www.quinary.hk/
56-58 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong Island
+(852) 2851 3223
Google map: bit.ly/OqulDy

* Natalie is our local for Hong Kong. You can read all about her here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/hong-kong-local-natalie-robinson.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/natalierobinson
She also has her own blog at: www.3badmice.com/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The views are amazing. It's on the 118th floor of the Ritz Carlton and although the prices for a glass of wine are London prices, you can nurse a glass all evening and enjoy spectacular views of Victoria Harbour as the sun goes down.

www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HongKong/Dining/ozone/Default.htm
International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong
+(852) 2263 2263
Google map: bit.ly/nPeS5I

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends