Beyond the bustling high streets of Hong Kong and behind unassuming facades (be it a vintage locker wall, a weathered red door, or even a humble antique shop) lies a world of curated mystery and liquid artistry. These are not merely bars, they are transportive spaces where the city’s fast-paced energy yields to the clink of glasses and soul of live jazz.
Maggie Choo’s
Tucked behind a modest antique shop on Hollywood Road, directly across from the historic Tai Kwun, Maggie Choo’s is an immersive escape into 1930s Shanghai. The interior is designed to resemble an abandoned 19th-century bank built by the East India Company. Winding iron spiral staircases and antique-style vault doors set a cinematic stage where bartenders shake artisanal cocktails behind bank-teller counters. The air vibrates with the soulful pulse of live blues and jazz, punctuated by sultry cabaret performances, making it the ultimate destination for a fun night out.
G/F, Hollywood Road, Central; @maggiechooshk
001
As Hong Kong’s first speakeasy, 001 paved the way for the city’s craft cocktail obsession and celebrates the historical New-York style discretion. Now nestled within the stone walls of Tai Kwun, the bar remains hidden behind a vintage doorbell, greeting those lucky enough to find the entrance with a moody palette of blue, green and gold, accented by Jazz Age geometric patterns that dance across the suede-lined walls. It is a space designed for quiet conversation and serious drinking.
Shop 10&13-101, Block 10 & 13, Superintendent’s House and C Hall, Tai Kwun, Hollywood Road, Central; @001.hk
The Green Door
Taking over the former location of 001 on Graham Street, The Green Door feels like a well-kept secret shared between friends. To enter, one must locate the literal green door before descending into the dimly lit sanctuary that evokes the atmospheric depth of an underground cistern. The design is defined by elegant arches and sturdy pillars which frame cozy booth seats and custom leather armchairs. The drink list specialises in playful reinventions of classics.
L/G, Welley Building, 97 Wellington Street, Central; @thegreendoor.bar
Artifact
Deep within the subterranean levels of the bustling Basehall 2 food hall, Artifact offers a stark departure from the traditional wood-and-leather speakeasy. The design is a surrealist nod to underground reservoirs with structural ribs and a minimalist palette that feels lifted directly from a sci-fi set.
LG/F, Basehall 02, Jardine House, Shop 5&7, 1 Connaught Place, Central; @artifact_bar
25:00 Twenty Fifth Hour
Perched above Stanley Street, 25:00 operates on the poetic premise of an “extra hour” stolen from the day. The cocktail program is a chronological journey, inviting guests to explore artisanal mixology while leaning into the mystery of the concept of time.
13/F, Luk Yu Building, 24-26 Stanley Street, Central; @xxv.hr
Lockdown
Situated directly across from its sibling bar Penicillin, Lockdown greets guests with a cheeky entrance disguised as a toilet. The concept draws inspiration from the American Prohibition era and the more recent memories of the pandemic lockdown in Hong Kong. Inside, the atmosphere is electric and the service is exceptionally lively. Each signature drink is a prohibition-era classic reimagined for the modern palate.
27 Hollywood Road, Central; @lockdown_hk
Ping Pong 129 Gintoria
A weathered red doorway to Second Street in Sai Ying Pun serves as the portal to Ping Pong 129. After descending a narrow set of stairs, guests discover a former ping pong hall reimagined as a premier Spanish gin and tonic destination. The décor masterfully balances modern industrial chic with touches of Hong Kong nostalgia. The concrete floors and pillars sit alongside traditional aluminium window grills and vibrant neon signage. For the gin enthusiast, the selection is unparalleled. Each drink is meticulously crafted using local and international spirits, ranging from the classic Martin Miller’s to Gin Mare from Spain. Paired with an authentic tapas experience, this clandestine space offers a sophisticated slice of Spanish culture set within a uniquely Hong Kong-inspired interior.
Second Street 129, L/G Nam Cheong House, Sai Ying Pun; @pingpong129
Red Room
Concealed behind an unassuming wall of lockers within the K11 Musea, Red Room is a vivid haven of crimson and gold. The interior is a tribute to Oriental glamour, featuring plush velvet sofas and a striking red palette that feels both intimate and grand. A soothing soundtrack of velvety jazz tunes completes the glamorous vibe, making it an ideal retreat for those seeking a touch of late-night drama. The cocktail menu features classics reimagined with local soul.
Shop 606, 6/F, K11 Musea, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; @redroomhk
The Old Man
Hidden down a nondescript flight of stairs in Sheung Wan, The Old Man is a poetic tribute to the renowned life and literature of Ernest Hemingway. This intimate space, famously crowned Asia’s best bar in 2019, honours the American author through a menu that breathes life into his philosophy and prose. The design is both clever and cozy, featuring wood-panelled walls, and a portrait of Hemingway assembled from repurposed construction waste. An innovative L-shaped bar dominates the room, completed with a built-in cooling strip to keep drinks chilled. The mixology here is a masterclass in narrative tension.
37-39 Aberdeen Street, Soho, Central; @theoldman_hk
The Diplomat
Located within the sleek H Code complex, The Diplomat brings the polished charm of a high-end American tavern to the heart of Central. This frequent fixture on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, it is the ideal destination for after-work drinks and appetizing bar bites. While the cocktail list is exceptional, the bar has achieved status for its culinary offerings, specifically the Diplomat Burger. This quarter-pounder with cheddar on a sesame bun is widely considered one of the best in the city.
Shop 1, LG/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central; @thediplomathk
Mizunara: The Library
To enter Mizunara: The Library is to experience a seamless transition from the hustle and bustle of Lockhart Road to the serene elegance of Ginza. Tucked away on the fourth floor of a nondescript commercial building, this sanctuary is a study in texture, defined by polished dark wood, supple leather, and a meditative outdoor Japanese garden. Here, mixology is practiced with methodical precision; bartenders in white dinner jackets carve hand-cut ice for signatures. With an extensive archive of whiskies and a menu of refined seasonal cocktails, the atmosphere remains one of profound tranquillity.
4/F, 361-363 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai; @mizunarathelibrary
Penicillin
Named after Alexander Fleming’s transformative discovery, Penicillin operates as a sophisticated laboratory for the eco-conscious epicure. The aesthetic is clinical yet chic, a white-tiled space where founders Agung and Laura Prabowo utilise high-tech wizardry to champion Hong Kong’s first closed-loop bar programme. Behind the counter, upcycled local ingredients and organic ferments from an in-house, climate-controlled enclosure take centre stage.
L/G, Amber Lodge, 23 Hollywood Road, Central; @penicillin_bar
Editor
Dorothy HoCredit
Lead Image: @pingpong129 via Instagram
