11 Best Bars in China

Inside an impressive curvaceous skyscraper, this very cool bar sits on the mezzanine level of the top floor. The high ceilings and glass walls offer up unrivaled views of Hong Kong and the surrounding harbor filled with ferries and ships. Tables are placed in front of the windows so you never have to crane your neck to see the skyline.

High up in the Peninsula Hong Kong, this bar is immensely popular with visitors. It not only has a brilliant view of the island, but the dramatic interiors are by the visionary designer Philippe Starck. Another memorable feature: tthe women’s bathroom overlooks the harbor, while the men’s has great city views.

A hit with the happy hour crowd (5–7 pm, all night long on Wednesday), Honky Tonks is a highly polished SoHo watering hole posing as an American-style dive bar. Classic and signature cocktails, Hong Kong craft beers, and a wide choice of bourbon can be paired with elevated bar snacks like crisp fried chicken and \"big ass\" pizzas—available by the slice for a steal during happy hour.

Book ahead for an outdoor table to enjoy stunning skyline views from this bar on the 45th-floor roof terrace of The Landmark. Cocktails are expensive and err on the sweet side, so stick to wine, beer, or mixed drinks and savor the city lights to a soundtrack of DJ beats.

This unique bar is set in the reporting room of a former police station, with three cells that used to hold pirates and smugglers now converted into private drinking rooms. The specialty here is whiskey, but they also have an interesting cocktail menu and tasty bar bites.

This bar in the eccentric Luxe Manor hotel is a tribute to surrealism: a side gallery boasts two original etchings by Salvador Dalí. References to that artist and other greats like Magritte abound. A dark and spacious bar area is anchored by a central counter, from which bottles of absinthe glimmer.

This moody bar behind a nondescript door is infused with stylish old Hong Kong decor. The drinks are equally inspiring, with a focus on Chinese and Cantonese spirits. Try the Kowloon Dairy, a smooth mix of amaro and monkfruit spirit.

This sophisticated speakeasy is tucked away on the fourth floor of a commercial building. It specializes in whisky, with a collection that spans 700 bottles from Japan to Scotland, though cocktails meticulously made with hand-cut ice are available, too. A Zen garden that shades the bar from the surrounding buildings makes the place feel like an oasis amid the urban chaos.

Stepping into this unpretentious retro bar feels like you're entering an old Wong Kar-wai movie, with its neon-lit signs, vintage cinema seats for chairs, and dingy-chic, graffiti'd walls. The drinks are just as rich in local character—order the homemade plum wine or the lemongrass martini for something unique. 

Coffee shop by day, whiskey bar by night, this stylish spot across from the Portuguese consulate is a haven for whiskey lovers. The selection leans heavily on small, independent producers, primarily from Scotland and Ireland. There are loads of rare bottles to discover here, including hand-filled expressions from Highlands makers Clynelish and Glendronach and Isle of Skye’s Talisker. Two Moons also hosts periodic takeovers from top bartenders across Asia, promising variety whenever you visit.

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