If you didn’t already know Hong Kong has one of the best bar scenes in the world – well, now you do. I mean, one of the city’s local cocktail dens was even named the #1 bar in the world, and somehow still kept its charm.
But that’s Hong Kong for you.
Unlike many of the metropolis heavy hitters, Hong Kong is a wonderfully unpretentious city, where you’ll find a mix of anyone from CEOs to backpackers all in the same room enjoying the best of the best food and beverages. Plus, the Hong Kong bar scene goes beyond that in terms of inclusivity, with most bars offering multiple zero-proof concoction that tastes just as wild and creative as the spirit-forward menu.
So yeah, bars in Hong Kong are something special, but what many don’t realize is the true magic that elevates the scene. The music. Your tongue will be delighted no matter where you go in the city, so this will map the city’s best bars through your sense of hearing.
Consider this your sonic passport to Hong Kong’s nightlife. Bring an open mind and, pardon the 2000ism, a lil swag.
For an immersive reading experience, listen to the music as you read and sip (responsibly) through the article
Sugar King | Central
I know where you think you should start your night in Hong Kong’s bar scene, but the real answer is stowed under bustling Peel Street in an equally bustling bodeguita that pairs warm lighting with drinks that make you feel even warmer.
More specifically, the answer is Sugar King.
The atmosphere is the perfect introduction to Hong Kong’s bar scene, with engaging staff members and friendly regular patrons, who are more than happy to offer both conversation and recommendations if you are new to the city. While the menu features Cuban classics like cortaditos, daiquiris, and Cuba Libres, what keeps fans returning is the bar’s rotating drinks and daily specials. That and the flan. Make sure you get the flan.
Swim Club | Tsim Sha Tsui
It would be criminal to visit Hong Kong and not enjoy the skyline. That’s where Swim Club comes in with a 360-degree view of it. Perched atop the new Kimpton Hotel (new as in less than a year old!), this bar blends speakeasy with 80’s California beach club.
To pair with its bright drinks, Swim Club has one of the best food menus of all the bars in Hong Kong, like smoky BBQ octopus, tableside ceviche, and barbacoa duck nachos (I mean, you have to get duck in HK).
Quinary | Central
If you’re looking for innovation in mixology, then Quinary will be your jam – both for drinks and for music. Quinary prides itself on being a multi-sensory cocktail concept, and with that the auditory experience is also always changing and reinventing itself, often shifting with the mood of the evening to pair alongside the drinks and the audience.
If you want something a bit calmer and comfortable, visit earlier in the evening. If you’re looking for a more buzzy atmosphere, just wait until the night progresses. Again, for both music and beverages. I’m still thinking about that Earl Grey Caviar drink.
With a menu that challenges preconceptions about the cocktail industry, Quinary has something for everyone. And if they don’t, they’ll invent it.
Montana | Central
Montana is a party in a glass. If it’s no indicator from the Latin disco soundtrack, then you’ll feel the energy from the moment you step in (and probably even before). I mean, their motto is “ritmo!” after all.
If you don’t know what that means, you’ll know by the end of the night.
Regardless of where you sit in the two-level bar, you’ll be transported back to 1970’s Miami where funk and salsa meet on an amber washed dancefloor.
The cocktail list starts light with a signature flower-cupped Montana Daiquiri, then builds to something with a bigger punch like their El Presidente aged in a dulce de leche–coated bottle. Make sure to get the name of that stranger you danced with on the way out.
DarkSide | Tsim Sha Tsui
Some bars whisper. DarkSide grooves.
Tucked inside the Rosewood Hong Kong—recently named the world’s best hotel—this sultry jazz bar takes its name from Kowloon’s old “dark side” moniker, and fully embraced it. All against the soulful backtrack of current resident singer Mirella Toussaint, the bar drips in plush velvet against dark Deco paneling, setting the mood for the drinks.
Equally dark.
Rare rums, whiskeys, calvados, and even an exclusive cognac cask that pair beautifully with their onsite dark chocolate collection. But the bar doesn’t pack its tables based on being tall, dark, and tasty alone; DarkSide challenges tastebuds. Hard classics are brightened and balanced with Caledonia raw honey and maple, playing into Hong Kong’s dichotomous 1920’s.
You don’t need a time machine, you just need a table at DarkSide.
Bar Leone | Central
Oh come on, you really didn’t think I’d leave Bar Leone off the list, did you? Ranked the BEST BAR IN THE WORLD (yes, all caps was necessary) for 2025, Bar Leone doesn’t need much of an introduction. This neighborhood favorite has the unique ability of somehow maintaining its “hole-in-the-wall” charm while heavily influencing the entire city’s bar scene.
A word of warning, Bar Leone gets packed. But don’t panic.
While a line often starts forming an hour (or more) before the bar’s opening, Bar Leone is open late and you might have better luck swinging by at the end of your bar crawl night to sample what Bar Leone does best: make you feel at home. Grab a seasonal cocktail, some deliciously shareable Italian bites, and of course their famous olives.
The Pier, First | Terminal 1 Hong Kong International Airport
And because we all need a send off beverage, I had to put you onto the best bar in the Hong Kong International Airport. Cathay Pacific’s First Class Lounge – The Pier, First.
Located in Terminal 1 near Gate 63, the lounge is open to Cathay Pacific First class passengers, along with selected Cathay members and oneworld frequent flyers. The lounge itself is stunning, with relaxing day suites, luxurious showers, private workspaces, and even massage services – all complimentary.
But the bar truly stands on its own. You can grab a seat at the conversational horseshoe-shaped bar or tuck away on one of the comfortable lounges and recliners available. The menu features reminders of Hong Kong with its drinks and bites.
From the streets of Central to the literal airport, Hong Kong’s bar scene welcomes you to groove to the city’s spirits. With the right song to jog your memory, you’ll never have to leave.
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(SCM Jeans via Getty Images)
