One of Hong Kong’s many positive qualities is that you never have to look very hard to find a good drink. Not only do we have a wide array of watering holes, from dive bars to posh cocktail dens, but we also have, every month, new cocktail menus, pop-ups featuring world-class mixologists, and, of course, new bar openings. That’s the purpose of this monthly column: to keep track of everything for you. We’ll be focusing solely on new drinks and drinking spots here, but if you want a list of our favourite bars of the moment, look no further than our Hot 10. Without further adieu, here’s where you should be toasting and tippling this month.
The Bar Awards Hong Kong Week 2017
Having debuted in Hong Kong last year, The Bar Awards returns to our fair city this month to quench your thirst with more than a dozen events taking place from 14–20 August, culminating in a ceremony that gives awards in 12 categories to top bars and bartenders. Highlights of the week include events at NEO Cocktail Club, Lily & Bloom, Foxglove, Aberdeen Street Social, and Employees Only. Note that some events are only open to F&B industry professionals, but it’s going to be a very fun week nonetheless.
Download the schedule of events here. More info at The Bar Awards.
The Coffee Academics
This month, master mixologist Antonio Lai is set to launch six new cocktails in collaboration with The Coffee Academics. Reasonably priced at HK$78 for a small cocktail and HK$88 for a large cocktail, all six offerings will, unsurprisingly, be coffee-based. We’re looking forward to sipping on the Morning TCA (coffee, pandan syrup, gin, rosso and pandan leaves) and the TCA Espresso Martini, a concoction of vodka, espresso and Kahlua coffee liquor. The cocktails will be on the menu at most TCA locations on an ongoing basis from Monday 7 August.
Available at all locations of The Coffee Academics except for Metta and WeWork branches
Tai Ping Shan Pop-up Party
This Thursday (3 August), get ready for a taste of the tropics as Beef & Liberty bar manager Pawel Mikusek, Honi Honi owner Max Traverse, and chef Uwe Opocensky team up to bring you island-inspired drinks, bites, and tunes. Mikusek is creating five variations of the Piña Colada (from HK$90 each), which will be served alongside Opocensky’s gourmet tacos (HK$68–$88), with fillings including lobster, pork, and corn. The pop-up party kicks off at 5pm, making it the perfect excuse to dip out of work a bit early for some cheeky sunset drinks.
252 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Cafe ÉPURE
Yes, it’s hot outside, but there’s still something nice about having an al fresco drink or two, especially when it’s on the expansive terrace of Cafe ÉPURE. To help you beat the summer heat, they’ve introduced five new summer coolers and five mocktails as well. If you need a break from shopping at Harbour City, we’d suggest grabbing a seat on the terrace and ordering a Lava Flow, a classic Piña Colada made unique with the addition of strawberry purée.
Cafe ÉPURE, Shop 403, Level 4, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 3185 8331
Veuve Clicquot’s Yellow Hour: Clicquot With a Sticq
Having featured popcorn and fries for happy hour snacks, Veuve Clicquot’s Yellow Hour is turning its attention to food on sticqs — er, make that sticks. As with previous Yellow Hour promotions, Cliquot With a Sticq features happy hour-friendly combos of a glass of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label and tasty treats. Running from 7 August–15 October, the new Yellow Hour can be enjoyed at 15 participating restaurants: Apinara, Armani / Aqua, Aqua TST, Ayuthaiya, Bib n Hops, Cassio, Cé La Vi, Chi Chi Cham, Fang Fang, Koh Thai, Mak Mak, Mama Malouf, Picada, and Shore.
Singapore Sling Happy Hours at Fang Fang
Beginning 10 August, Fang Fang will introduce its weekly Singapore Sling happy hour from 5–7pm, every Thursday, during which you can enjoy new versions of the classic cocktail crafted by bar manager Gagan Gurung — with complimentary canapés, to boot. That same day, Jay Khan will also do a special guest bartending shift. Formerly at Foxglove, now a brand ambassador for Rémy Cointreau, Khan will stir and shake up drinks behind the Fang Fang bar from 6–9pm.
Fang Fang, 8/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2983 9083
Tsuru
We’re big fans of the drinks made by Japanese mixologist Katsuhisa Hirakawa at this laid-back Wyndham Street spot, so we’re looking forward to trying his new seasonal cocktails and sangrias, including the Sakura Mojito (HK$120) and a Negroni made with sake (HK$130). If you want to try something fun with a group, go for the Sake Daru Sangria (HK$500 for 1 litre), a blend of two sakes with umeshu and Japanese citrus fruits. Served in a traditional sake daru, you’ll be asked to crack open the wooden lid of the vessel for good luck before you start drinking. And if you want some snacks to go with it, an additional HK$200 gets you servings of shrimp tempura, seared bonito, and a negitoro roll — the perfect amount for 4–5 people.
Tsuru, G/F, Parekh House, 63 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2523 9968
Et cetera
In last month’s column, we reported on new cocktail bar The Old Man, which was slated to open by the end of July. They didn’t quite happen, but the space is undergoing its finishing touches and should open any day now. Whisky lovers only have a few days left to experience the Black Rock pop-up at Frank’s Library (inside Foxglove) — it ends on 5 August. Champagne lovers, meanwhile, shouldn’t skip out on the Krug x Mushroom promotion available at several top restaurants around town this month — see the full list of participating venues in our original report.
Michael Alan Connelly
Head of Digital Content
A Chicagoan by birth and a New Yorker by habit, Michael has more than a decade of experience in digital publishing at leading titles in the U.S. and Asia. When he's not checking out Hong Kong's newest restaurants and bars or jet setting around the globe, you'll find him hanging out with his dog Buster and enjoying an Aperol Spritz.
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