5 new Hong Kong bars to visit this summer

There’s nothing quite like hitting up a brand new bar for the first time, and there’s also no better way to beat the heat of a hot Hong Kong summer night. For the sake of your post-work nights out, we’ve rounded up the top four new bars in the city that you need to check out:

Frank’s Library

“Frank’s Library” is a speakeasy straight out of a James Bond film, discreetly nestled within the depths of the legendary Frank Minza’s retro jazz bar Foxglove. The lounge-bar will be led by Derek Tsui, former Bar Captain at the only Michelin three-star rated Italian restaurant in Asia, 8½ Otto E Mezzo Bombana, where he perfected his skills as an expert mixologist. For the menu this summer, Tsui has masterminded a cocktail menu complete with house-infused spirits and fresh ingredients, resulting in a total of six brand new cocktails to choose from including the guest-favourite Barrel-aged Vieux Carre, a brilliant cocktail comprised of Hennessy VSOP, Bulleit rye whiskey, Antica Formula, Cocchi Barolo Chinato Angostura bitters and Peychaud’s bitters, decorated with a lemon twist.

Frank’s Library, Foxglove, 18 Ice House Street, 6 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2116 8949

The Wise King

With a philosophy inspired by the developments made in mixology during the 13th century—a time that is recognized as being the golden age of culinary and mixology exploration—and the story of King Alfonso X of Castile famous for pioneering tapas food, The Wise King is a modern take on the classic drinking experience. The atmosphere of the bar is designed to be warm and indulgent—a setting fit for a king yet social and welcoming. Founded by Joe Villanueva and Sandeep Kumar, the bar is an entrepreneurial venture helmed by two experienced veterans of the industry. Their menu draws from an expansive catalog of ingredients. Their El Sabio cocktail (HK$108) is a fruity drink with a spiced peach and pineapple wine reduction and Cava, while the Joya (HK$88) blends together Jodhpur gin, Pomace herbal brand liqueur, Mancino Rosso and orange bitters.

Sunday to Thursday 5pm-1am, Friday and Saturday 5pm-2am

The Wise King, 25 Staunton Street, SoHo (Entrance on Tseng Wing Lane next to Pure Fitness SoHo), +852 2326 5822, thewiseking.com

Agave

The re-branded and revamped Agave now sitting on Hollywood Road, is the perfect spot for casual Mexican bites. Aside from the mouth-watering nachos, quesadillas, and other snacks, Agave also boasts a drinks menu featuring over 100 different kinds of tequila, complete with tasting options. Their “Introduction to Tequila” option (HKD$88) includes three most common types of tequila (namely young, mellow, and aged tequila), while their “Highland vs. Lowland” flight option (HKD$118) allows you to discover tequila from different parts of the world.

Sunday to Thursday 5pm-2am, Friday and Saturday 5pm-4am, Happy Hour from 5-8pm

Agave, 9 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2973 0168, facebook.com

Dragonfly

If you thought Ashley Sutton was done after opening Dear Lilly and J. Boroski, think again. The Australian design virtuoso will be opening a new concept in Tai Kwun called Dragonfly. Many of the shops and boutiques at Tai  Kwun are built around the military style of the building, making the design of Dragonfly an especially exciting prospect. Sutton’s appreciation for glass artist Louis Tiffany makes its way into the decoration of the bar. The interiors are outfitted with hand-cast tables and bar tops which gives the bar his classic Instagrammable flair.

Set to open this July 

ROOM 309

Cleverly disguised as a hotel room at boutique hotel The Pottinger Hong Kong, ROOM 309 is a private cocktail parlor headed by Tastings Group’s award-winning Executive Mixologist Antonio Lai. Guests can acquire special keycards from a special reception area on the third floor of The Pottinger, granting access to the inconspicuous drinking haven. Decorated with a plethora of antique brass fixtures, the ambience of ROOM 309 feels traditional and classy. The cocktail menu will be masterminded by Lai himself, which means that we can safely assume that the drinks at the bar will look as good as they taste; Lai was responsible for the renowned “Kyoho Grape Bathtub” cocktail at Origin—a drink that is served in a miniature bathtub (complete with a rubber duck!).

The venue is scheduled to open later this month.