Room 309 brings a flair of Victorian-era alchemist’s den. Its richly decorated interior is a perfect getaway for those who seek a certain cosy intimacy. To access the mixologist Antonio Lai’s Room 309, you must acquire a key
card and fill out a check-in form from The Envoy—the adjacent bar in The Pottinger—to be able to enter.

The bar’s outstanding cocktail menu features 8 “invisible” drinks that mix colourless ingredients in an attempt 
to focus on the taste rather than aesthetics—to this end, unconventional ingredients such as peanut butter, salted egg yolk and yoghurt contribute to one of the most unique cocktail experiences in recent memory.

Photo credit: World’s Best Bars

Address: 3/F The Pottinger Hong Kong, 74 Queen's Road Central, Central
Operating Hours: Mon - Thu: 5:00pm - 12:00am, Fri-Sat: 5:00pm - 2am, Sun: Closed
Website: www.room309.hk
Nearest MTR: Central Station

Nestling in happening Sai Ying Pun, transformed from an old ping pong hall into spacious, urban chic interior, and hidden hangout vibe, where to enter you have to find a small red door with “Ping Pong City” inscribed in Chinese. It is the hip spot for stylish sipsmith’s and cocktail casualistas alike.

This stylish Gintonería, as the name entails, focuses on gin-based Spanish-style drinks. Artisanal pours from the spiritual home of the now cult cocktail dominate the list, each served with garnishes and accompaniments expressly added to draw out the flavours of the specific gin or tonic involved.

Photo credit: Pinterest

Address: 129 Second Street L/G Nam Cheong House, Sai Ying Pun
Operating Hours: Mon-Wed: 18pm-12:30am, Thurs:12pm-1am, Fri-Sat:12pm-2am
Tel: +852 9835 5061
Website: www.pingpong129.com
Email: info@pingpong129.com
Nearest MTR: Sai Ying Pun Station

The recently opened XX is a chic, luxuriously furnished, Hong Kong’s first speakeasy for ladies only. XX, named after the chromosomal combination only females possess, tucked into a hidden corner of the Rosewood Hong Kong hotel. To enter the venue, head through the grand double doors, up the elevators and down a dim corridor somewhere within the walls and you will find an inconspicuous knob. Flip the panel up, enter the password, and with a resounding whoosh, the wall will open inwards. It is by reservation only.

Expect sultry and intoxicating cocktails, among others: Sexy, a champagne-based cocktail, is a concoction of jasmine, bergamot orange, fizz and London No. 3 Gin. BFF, a refreshing, light, easy-on-the-throat highball that pairs Fair vodka with cucumber juice, pine needles, and yuzu vinegar and Macho, a Japanese influenced, equally sophisticated in its blend of lemongrass, matcha, Palo Santo, and Lillet Blanc.

Photo credit: Prestige Hong Kong

Address: 5/F, Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
Operating Hours: Tue-Sat: 6:00pm - 12am. Sun-Mon: Closed
Tel: +852 5239 9219
Website: www.xxspeakeasy.hk
Nearest MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui Station

This bar packed a true sense of a bar within a bar, hidden in the mezzanine level on MO Bar entering through a secret phone booth, it is the haven for stellar cocktails and equally amazing snacks. This hip and intimate spot is a unique collaboration with the operators of the iconic New York cocktail bar PDT (Please Don't Tell), PDT Hong Kong features creative cocktails developed by renowned mixologists Jim Meehan and Jeff Bell, with a talented bar team led by New York transplant and Bar Manager, Malaika Suarez alongside Head Bartender Kervin Unido.

Don’t miss PDT NYC’s legendary cocktails such as Benton’s Old Fashion and Big Fan, created for Hong Kong with locally brewed Moonzen Fujian radler. A range of delicious hot dogs, Impossible Burger served with a generous heap of waffle fries and tater tots are designed by two Michelin-starred Chef Richard Ekkebus.

Photo credit: JetSetReport.com

Address: Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen's Road Central, Central
Operating Hours: Mon–Sun: 4pm-12am (Temporarily Closed)
Tel: +852 2603 6020
Website: www.mandarinoriental.com
Email: LMHKG-RESTAURANTS@MOHG.COM
Nearest MTR: Central Station

Le Boudoir oozes chic and sexiness thanks to its French bed-chamber inspired décor, with chandeliers, paintings in gilded frames, and Art Deco mirrors, mixed with Asian accents. It might be a little hard to find, hidden in the basement level right by sister venue Pastis, with its subtle entrance on Wyndham Street, but once you’re in, you will be blown away.

Under the crystal chandeliers, Le Boudoir’s mixologist, Max Traverse, whips out elegant cocktails, specially designed for Le Boudoir’s clientele, go for the Elle for Leather cocktail, a tantalizing champAgnesed concoctions or the Boudoir Collins, an elevation of a classic is prepared with fresh mint leaves and elderflower cordial to impart a fresh, grassiness to the Beefeater gin-based drink.

Photo credit: The Honeycombers

Address: Basement, 65 Wyndham St, Central
Operating Hours: Mon-Sat: 7pm-2am, Sun: 7pm-12am
Tel: +852 2884 9566
Website: www.pastis.hk/boudoir
Nearest MTR: Central Station

The name gives away the vibe of this hidden little gem, considered to be one of the best bars in Wan Chai, Back Bar is hidden via a side door in an alleyway on Ship Street, adjacent to the adjoining restaurant, Ham and Sherry. Just look for the yellow neon Back Bar sign near Ham and Sherry, then walk 5-6 metres down the side alley and you'll find an unmarked door to your right. 

This nostalgic yet vibrant speakeasy pays homage to Hong Kong’s iconic cha chaan tengs (Hong Kong Style Cafés) with a selection of creative, colourful cocktails by award-wining Ryan Nightingale, to match the retro vibe. The signature cocktails names play on movie titles and the drinks list is a book of parody movie posters. Chic and dimly lit, these den is the perfect spot for after-work drinks, or for a get-together with friends on weekends. Sample their diverse menu of tapas, including a Sunday special burger and fries combo.

Photo credit: SMCP

Address: 7 Ship St, Wan Chai
Operating Hours: Mon-Thu: 5:30pm-1am, Fri-Sat: 5:30pm-2am, Sun: 5:30pm-12am
Tel: +852 2555 0628
Nearest MTR: Wan Chai Station

Missy Ho’s is hidden away on Kennedy Town’s Forbes Street. There is no signage from outside, so unless you know what you’re looking for, you may have trouble finding it. The concept is unique, embracing the idea of Missy Ho who hailed from Shanghai in the era of the 20s, running the most elusive speakeasy in town and serving the best illegal alcohol, cool jazz, and wild entertainment. She was always the star of the party. And now she is celebrated here in Kennedy Town, Hong Kong.

The décor, much like the concept reflects old and new Hong Kong, with birdcages, old photographs, Union Jacks, traditional Chinese pottery, as well as more weird and wonderful trinkets that even include a swing! The funky Asian fusion cuisine and the array of cocktails that are both familiar and different will definitely make you come back for more.

Photo credit: Foodie Hong Kong

Address: 48 Forbes St, Kennedy Town
Operating Hours: Mon-Sun: 12pm-11pm
Tel: +852 2884 9566
Website: www.casteloconcepts.com
Email: mattjeyam@missyhos.com
Nearest MTR: Kennedy Town Station

Japan is famous for its hidden little bars, tucked away in a back alley of an old suburb like Ginza, Tokyo. They’re part of the nightlife culture in the Land of the Rising Sun. A single, unassuming door opens into a dimly lit, beautifully chic world of gorgeous surrounds and fine spirits. You usually need to know a guy who knows a guy to get in one of these, luckily it is not so at Nocturne.

This SoHo's largely unknown Japanese small and intimate speakeasy offers more than 250 labels of wine and champagne and over 100 different Japanese and Scotch whisky choices. Come for a relaxing evening amidst the dimly-lit minimalist interior, shimmering candlelight and soft jazz music.

Photo credit: scotsgoldwhisky.com

Address: 35 Peel St, Central
Operating Hours: Mon-Sat: 6pm-1am, Sun: Closed
Tel: +852 2884 9566
Website: www.nocturnehk.com
Email: carlos@nocturnehk.com
Nearest MTR: Central Station

Frank’s Library offers a unique concept where Frank Minza, a classic English gentleman, a fictional founder of Foxglove bar, brings us to his private library den and bar. Hidden away within the depths of Foxglove behind closed curtains is a secret alcove library brought to life by the English mastermind himself. A party on its own, this is where Frank comes to ponder, writes his thoughts and whips up formidable cocktails.

The concise cocktail menu features a pair of barrel-aged drinks, as well as a selection inspired by Frank's travel diary, such as ‘Tokyo Drift’ (Nikka from the barrel whisky, umeshu plum whisky, Peychaud's Bitters and angostura bitters).

Photo credit: theworlds50best.com

Address: 18 Ice House St, Central
Operating Hours: Mon-Sat: 6pm-1am, Sun: Closed
Tel: +852 2116 2449
Website: www.mingfathouse.com
Email: frankslibrary@foxglovehk.com
Nearest MTR: Central Station

Tucked away within upmarket Mexican restaurant 11 Westside is cocktail bar, Wilshire is the speakeasy bar in Kennedy Town, headed by Daniel Eun and Jon Chan. Named after Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, the founders’ hometown, the bar keeps things slick and simple with an incredibly focused menu of both originals and modern classics.

With walls covered in empty bottles from floor to ceiling and a pool table right in the centre, it’s a dream come true for those to settle in for a proper night out. It offers craft cocktails in a cozy, dimly lit setting, and also has live jazz performances three nights a week.

Photo credit: timeout.com

Address: 1/f, 11 Davis St, Kennedy Town
Operating Hours: Mon-Sun: 6:00pm - 11pm
Website: www.11westside.com/wilshire
Nearest MTR: Central Station