Best whisky bars in Hong Kong
Neat, on the rocks, or blended into a cocktailThe days of pouring a tipple or two of whisky in the office (and before the lunch hour!) may be long gone, but that doesn’t mean whisky has been forgotten about. If anything, whisky collections have become bigger with whiskies from all over the world. We give you the top five whisky bars in Hong Kong, so whether you’re wanting a neat whisky or more in the mood for an Old Fashioned, we’ve got you covered. Cheers!
Tiffany’s New York Bar
With its gorgeous interiors and live jazz performances, Tiffany’s transports you back in time to the glamorous world of 1920s Manhattan. Sink into one of the comfortable leather chairs or banquettes and take your time with the whisky and bourbon menu, which lists more than 300 options, from single malts to the bar’s self-blended casks. Even though this is a hotel bar, the tipples are extremely well priced and the ambience is always just the perfect blend of relaxed and lively. For those with a sweet tooth, Tiffany’s offers several boozy desserts, including its famous whisky chocolate cake.
Tiffany’s New York Bar, 70 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, 2721 5161
Yardbird
Aside from its killer yakitori, Yardbird offers a drinks list that’s definitely worth giving a cluck about. Sharing the spotlight with the sakes is a handpicked selection of Japanese whiskies, ranging from the standard Nikka from the Barrel to the Hibiki 21 Year Old, aka the best blended whisky in the world. And because it’s that cool, Yardbird also has its own line of Sunday’s Spirits, which are made in collaboration with some of Japan’s top whisky distilleries. Enjoy these neat, on an ice rock or as a highball.
Yardbird, 154-158 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, 2547 9273
Mizunara: The Library
Masahiko Endo’s watering hole in Wan Chai is made for those who take their drinking seriously. The award-winning bartender’s Hong Kong venture offers an impressive whisky collection that covers more than 700 labels from all across the globe, and serves it alongside cocktails that are meticulously shaken or stirred.
Mizuna, 4/F, Kiu Yin Commercial Building, 361-363 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, 3571 9797
Butler
Hidden in a commercial building on Mody Road, Butler is a destination for those with a taste for the finer things in life. Owner and master mixologist Masayuki Uchida takes a great deal of pride in his craft, as is showcased by the painstaking attention to detail in everything from the staff’s pristine uniforms to the curation of spirits behind the bar. The venue originally opened as a cocktail den but has since expanded with a whisky bar on the floor above that pours an extensive collection of rare single malts and premium whiskies. Whether you’re in the mood for a mixed drink or something neat, be sure to book ahead because Butler is a tiny space and fills up quickly.
Butler, 5F, 30 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2724 3828
Nocturne
With its nondescript concrete façade, this cosy venue might be easy to miss. Once you locate it though, you’re in for a treat because the wraparound bar stocks more than 150 different whiskies, ranging from single malts from the Scottish Highlands to drams from Japan, Taiwan and even India. If reds, whites and bubblies are more your poisons of choice, Nocturne also boasts an impressive wine cellar that holds more than 250 bottles.
Nocturne, 35 Peel Street, Central, 2884 9566
