57 Best Bars in Hong Kong, China

A lively spot in Kennedy Town, Missy Ho's has made a name for itself as much for the swing hanging from the ceiling and dress-up closet as for its Asian-inspired cocktails. Dark but inviting, it's the kind of place where the bartender will urge you to enjoy tequila shots on a Tuesday night. The crowd tends to be mostly young people looking to party, but all will feel welcome. A sign that Hong Kong's nightlife epicenter is moving ever westward, the bar comes into its own on weekends when it is often full to the brim with revelers.

A destination for the corporate lunch crowd and stylish tipplers, this plush bar and restaurant in the Landmark Mandarin Oriental appeals to a civilized crowd. You'll pay top dollar for the signature drinks (up to HK$200), but the super-modern interior and live DJ beats make it worthwhile. The ground floor location means the best views will be of the other well-heeled patrons, but that's OK: this is a place to be seen as much as to see. Upstairs, at the back of the room, make a reservation at PDT (Please Don’t Tell)—a speakeasy by way of New York City that's accessed through a faux phone booth. Just dial 1 and emerge into a wood-paneled world of craft cocktails and premium hot dogs.

Come to this boisterous Australian watering hole, named for the continent's notorious bushranger, for an exuberant Dixieland jazz outfit that often leads the crowd in a rowdy singalong. The band plays from 9:30 pm to 1 am nightly. Arrive early for decent seats and a chance to sample the pub meals.

The space is a bit of a dank hole, but thanks to the top-of-the-line sound system and strong drinks, nobody seems to notice or care. Expect great tech house music, international DJs alongside local talent, and parties that go all night.

The grungy pool hall turned hipster haven keeps packing them in with great music, reasonable prices, and an unpretentious vibe. It's good for a game of pool, darts, or beer pong. It seems everyone, even celebrity-chef Anthony Bourdain, goes to Racks.

A nice alternative to the dives of Wan Chai, sophisticated Rio has a plush bar with low-key live music and a dance club complete with a light-up floor. On weekends the party runs until very late.

With a stunning view of Central's glittering valley of skyscrapers, this cool and elegant rooftop bar is, despite often appalling service, always busy on Friday and Saturday nights. If you're feeling indulgent, come for dessert (the cakes are among the city's best) and stay for cocktails. Most of Sevva's well-heeled clientele prefer to drink outside on the spacious terrace, but there are also cozy couches inside. A dress code of smart casual applies.

Positioned a floor below dance club dragon-i, this bar is Wyndham Street's party central. Expect a mostly expat crowd of twenty- and thirtysomethings who come straight from work in their business suits. With good music—everything from electronic dance music to Cardi B—and a well-lubricated crowd, Solas is a great place to cut loose. The interior is dark and extremely basic, but the party routinely spills into the street out front.

Adjacent to Hong Kong's famous outdoor escalator is this stalwart bistro-style café and bar. As the weekend approaches the place gets crowded, but the upstairs balcony is still the perfect perch from which to people-watch. You can come for a drink at night or coffee during the day. It's also a Sunday-morning favorite for nursing hangovers over brunch.

This hectic boozer in the center of heaving Lan Kwai Fong is packed to bursting every weekend. It's saved from being just another soulless Lan Kwai Fong dive thanks to a killer oldies sound track and a ready-for-anything crowd. Come ready to dance.

Oenophiles will discover like minds at this vanguard of the city's burgeoning (and very serious) wine scene. Tucked in an alley off Wellington Street, the bar stocks more than 160 wines. About 40 are always available for sampling through an Enomatic wine dispenser, which the sommeliers use to draw from rare wines without uncorking the entire bottle. Head toward the door's blue glow to find the place. Enjoy the spread of fine cheeses and Italian antipasti before the tasting begins.

This New York–style pub has a loyal following thanks to its excellent cocktails, a good selection of beers, and friendly service. It's a no-frills place, located across from the Sheung Wan MTR station.

This whisky bar (pronounced "blackbird") has become the go-to watering hole for a more creative crowd. The design is bachelor-pad chic, with exposed brick walls, Chesterfield sofas on gray, tiled floors, and an outdoor terrace with long wood tables and potted palm trees. Take the elevator up to the sixth floor of 8 Lyndhurst Terrace, a building worth noting for its variety of bars and restaurants.

This is Hong Kong's only old-school Scottish pub, decked out in timber and red-tartan furnishings. The bar serves an impressive collection of 180 single malts and 28 artisanal beers, alongside a roster of guest ales that changes regularly. In the basement of the nondescript Wharney Guang Dong Hotel, there's a dartboard, pool table, and live sports on the video screens. There's also a full menu that includes delicacies like haggis balls.

Named after the legendary British tea clipper in homage to Hong Kong's colonial history, this small pub in SoHo is a cozy, reliable spot with a nautical theme. It's a good place for a pint on weekend afternoons too, when locals gather around the streetside tables with their dogs.

So popular you'll need a reservation, this see-and-be-seen bar in the Pottinger Hotel packs them in with expertly mixed cocktails, comfy seating areas, and the exclusive feel of a British gentlemen's club. Head to the outdoor terrace, where you can enjoy a selection of East-meets-West snacks.

Nix that looming hangover with a greasy fry-up before you hit the sack. The Flying Pan is a popular 24-hour diner, equally busy at 3 am and 3 pm on weekends. Eggs any style come with two picks from a huge list of sides including grits, blintzes, baked beans, and fruit salad. The truly greedy can order the Kitchen Sink, which is a taste of everything. There's another branch at 81–85 Lockhart Road in Wan Chai.

As the name implies, beer and more beer is the beverage of choice at this small pub. It's designed to resemble the inside of a keg, with interiors finished in wood, copper, and polished steel. Large wooden barrels serve as tables, and the floors are covered with discarded peanut shells. Sports coverage rules the TV screens.

As its name suggests, this Wan Chai mainstay occupies a 19th-century heritage building that was once the famous Woo Cheong Pawn Shop. The stylish interior features light woods and an uplifting color palette, while a long balcony overlooks the iconic Hong Kong tramway. Upstairs is the Kitchen restaurant, serving light and refined British cuisine.

Also known as Talk of the Town, this restaurant and bar takes up the 34th floor of one of Hong Kong's legendary hotels. Today, it's best known for its Sunday brunch buffet, where live jazz and free-flowing champagne complement daytime views of Victoria harbor. At night, a classic cocktail on the outdoor terrace is one of the area's classier offerings.

While locals head to the three-story Tsui Wah at any time of the day, the late-night crowds are the happiest. Service is quick and there's a huge menu of typical Chinese fare such as fried rice and noodles as well as western dishes such as steak and pasta. It's noisy and bright, but the crowds just keep on coming. You may even find the odd celebrity chowing down on beef brisket noodles at 2 am.

Named after the Peruvian painter of pinup girls, this is a colorful, eclectic little spot for a cocktail. Large groups can take over the upstairs lounge, with its bright walls and 1950s'-inspired art. Downstairs, the popular bar opens onto the street.

By midnight the line outside this club is more like a scrimmage. The maze of low-ceilinged basement rooms hosts a young, hip crowd and a genuinely eclectic mix of music ranging from electro-house to hip-hop to rock-and-roll mash-ups. Volar boasts one of Hong Kong's best sound systems and the clout to draw some of the best DJs from overseas.

This fashionable space is in keeping with the hotel's chic and fun aesthetic. Wednesday nights you can opt for free-flowing wine and a selection of tasty cheeses. The lychee martinis are excellent.

This sleek rooftop bar, named after the Australian aboriginal word for "young male kangaroo," provides a respite from the Wan Chai crowds. There's a downstairs steak house, but the real draw is the alfresco bar. The breezy terrace and a panoramic view over Happy Valley have made it a favorite.