Top 10 Whisky Bars in Hong Kong

Show me the way to the next whisky bar.  Marinel FitzSimons discovers Hong Kong’s impressive selection of dens for drams.

Despite being nearly 6,000 miles away and now having no current direct political ties to the UK, the cultural link between Hong Kong and the UK is still remarkably strong.

All things British are imbued with a hallowed air of nostalgia, and many a bar and restaurant seek to recreate the gentle, civilised feel of British life in the early 20th century.

Which brings us to the Whisky bars. Populated by wealthy people keen to sample some of the finer things in life, it’s hardly surprising that there is such a profusion of bars with some really stonkingly good Whisky collections.

Here are some of the best we could find, but if you know of one that’s been missed off, let us know!

Angel’s Share

2/F, Amber Lodge,23 Hollywood Road, Central,Hong Kong.  +852 2805 8388

This recent addition to the Hong Kong whisky scene is certainly a note worthy one, with rave reviews from all who go there.

With over 100 whiskies from around the world, there is plenty to choose from, including a discontinued 15-year-old Bowmore Mariner and a 1977 Glenlivet from specialty importers and auctions.

But it’s not just about Scotch, Angel’s Share also boasts a sizeable collection of Japanese whiskies. While Suntroy and Nikka make up the lion’s share of those offered, there are some other highly interesting pieces, such as the 15-year-old Ichiro’s Malt Folks Bottling which comes from Japan’s now-defunct Hanyu distillery.

The main star of the show, however, is the full sized oak barrel in the centre of the bar with 180 litres of single cask 20 years old Macallan 1990. Whisky is drawn directly from the barrel to drink. Not to worry if you’re not a Macallan fan, the barrel will be rotated with others over the course of the year to showcase the different regions of Scotland.

As if this was not reason enough to visit the bar, their impressive gastropub menu offers some expertly prepared English-themed dishes, included a mouth-wateringly good battered fish and chips with a tomato and whisky relish.

b.a.r. Executive

27/F, Bartlock Centre, 3 Yiu Wa St,
Hong Kong. +852 2893 2080

This is a seriously no-nonsense whisky bar. So serious that you need an appointment to visit. This guarantees that everyone in there is as dedicated a whisky aficionado as you can find. Overlooking the Happy Valley racecourse, there is an extremely masculine feel to the place, along with a sense of intimacy and exclusivity.

Once you make it in, the whiskies do not disappoint. With a selection whiskies from various countries round the world (including Scotland– of course, Ireland, America and Japan (from Yamazaki and Yoichi), there’s a vast array of whiskies from the lightest and most delicate right through to the heartiest, peatiest cravings.

Another indicator of the bar’s dedication to perfecting the whisky experience is their introduction of the now internationally renowned perfectly spherical ice cubes to Hong Kong. These, due to their shape, optimise the chilling / diluting impact of ice, by reducing the surface area (and therefore the melt) to a minimum while still effectively chilling the liquid.

The Chinnery

1/F, Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong. +852 2825-4009

On the first floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel inHong Kong, this was never going to be anything other than a first rate bar.

A little island of calm, The Chinnery has the feel of a refined old world Gentleman’s club. With oak panelling, soft old leather and brass, time seems to stand still here, especially when armed with one of the 120 rare single malts that grace its shelves.

There are flights available for those keen to try a range of flavours, but catering with equal aptitude for the initiated and those who want to sit and enjoy the peace with a newspaper and their favourite whisky, The Chinnery has nooks, crannies and armchairs for all.

For the peckish there is also traditional British fare, including the inevitable (but good) fish and chips and steak and ale pie.

The Pawn

62 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. +852 2866-3444

The Pawn, in the heart of Wan Chai, is an example of a beautiful historic 19^th century building, housing a fantastic whisky collection a gently eccentric British Regency charm.

While primarily a restaurant, the bar is home to 10 Islays, nearly twenty Highland malts, 15 Speyside malts, a Glen Flagler from 1973, as well as imported and blended whiskies.

Some might argue that no whisky is complete without a cigar, in which case they would do well to come to The Pawn which has a cigar for every whisky. Well, within reason; but with stunners like the 1988 Davidoff Dom Perignon and a 1950’s Ramon Allones White Ash No. 1, there’s some pretty good whisky-cigar pairings to be made. General manager Anthony Killip recommends the White Ash No. 1 with a Laguvulin malt whisky.

Chin Chin

Lobby Level, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. +852 2311-7722

Another top-end hotel, another excellent whisky bar, but with another feel to it altogether. Chin Chin maintains the easy relaxed lounge atmosphere of The Chinnery, but adds a local Chinese character to it through a retro-Chinese style bar and a dramatic backdrop of stacked Chinese cupboards. Similarly, the live band plays a selection of English, Cantonese and Mandarin classics.

On offer in terms of whiskies there is an 80 bottle strong collection, complete with gems such as the 30-year old Balvennie, 1968 Glenfarclas, 1967 Macallan Speymalt, 15 year old Dalwhinnie Highland malt and a 16 year old Lagavullin.

The feel is primarily relaxed and inviting; less austere and exclusive than some of the other bars, and possibly more welcoming for those only starting to get into whisky properly.

There’s also an outdoor terrace for warm nights with a fantastic view over busy Tsim Sha Tsui.

The Blck Brd

6/F, 8 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong.  +852 2545 8555

“No sports. No TV screens. No karaoke. No DJs. No service charge. No ‘mixologists’. No riff-raff. No dress code. Absolutely no f*!?ing jazz.”

That, in the patron’s own words, is what DOESN’T go on in The Blck Brd.

What DOES happen, instead, is undivided attention between the barman and your drink, and then you and your drink. Or you and your friends and your drink. Basically, it allows you to enjoy whatever it was you came there to enjoy, be it a quite drink with friends or one (or more) of the myriad whiskies on offer there. They are particularly proud (and with reason) of their Bourbon selection which includes Makers Mark, Knob Creek and Woodford Reserve, Baker’s 7 Year, Booker’s 7 Year and Basil Hayden 8 Year as well as Blanton’s Original Single Barrel, uncut & bottled straight from each single barrel.

As part of a move to help more people learn more about whiskies, the team at Blck Brd host laid back, informal tastings of different houses.

For those less dedicated to whisky, there is a broad and carefully put together wine list covering both the Old andNew World. Similarly, a good selection of ales and some substantial and tasty bar snacks caters for all your needs.

The Canny Man 

B/1 Wharney Guang Dong Hotel, 57-73 Lockhart Road, Wanchai Hong Kong. +852 2861 1935

Much more of a friendly local pub than a whisky-dedicated bar, The Canny Man offers one of the most relaxed and unfussy atmospheres around. There is a geuine sensation of being transported to a completely different continent as you settle yourself down there with one of the 180 different single malt whiskies including some fairly rare Gordon Macphails and a couple of nice Macallans.

The Canny Man is Hong Kong’s only authentic, traditional Scottish bar. Located in the basement of the Wharney Guang Dong Hotel, it also offers 28 artisan beers and a regularly changing selection of guest ales.

Certainly one for a livelier night.

Tokoro

555 Shanghai Street, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong. +852 3552 3388

Set in the Langham Place Hotel, the new whisky bar Tokoro is every inch as slick as you would hope.

Upon entering there’s a stunning wall of whisky gleaming invitingly behind the bar, with over 80 different options, hailing from a variety of locations, including Scotland, Ireland, the US and Japan. This, however, is only the start, and the bar is intent on expanding its selection.

One of its really innovative points, however, is its offer of 48 “crystal lockers” available for clients to lock away their favourite whisky, storing it for up to six months, adding a real sense of exclusivity to drinking there. All the lockers are numbered with the lucky number 8 somewhere in the number, with prices starting at HK$888, going up to HK$8,888 for the luckiest locker of all, number 888.

General manager Shaun Campbell explained, “Langham Place is all about leading guests through stimulating and innovative experiences. From the fun and interactive whisky flavour maps on the glass windows to the creative pairing of amber liquids with Japanese Robatayaki, sushi and maki rolls, pata negra and our homemade gourmet chocolates, we continuously surprise our guests”. Sounds pretty good to us!

Given the proximity of Tokoro to the top notch restaurant Robatayaki, it’s hardly surprising that there are food and whisky dinners on a frequent basis.

Whisky highlights from Tokoro
Macallan Speymalt 1970
Macallan Sherry Oak 18 years
Ardbeg 10 years old

Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or
Linkwood 15 years
Miyagiko 10 years

The Whiskey Priest

12 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong +852 2869 0099 

Very much a different atmosphere to the swish hotel bars, The Whiskey Priest is casual and relaxed with an Irish sports bar feel to it. Laid back and sometimes hectic, the ambience lends itself to working your way through their impressive selection of whiskies in a jovial and sociable way. It’s a great bar for those who are just getting into whiskies and are keen to compare and contrast. The drinks list includes a solid selection of Scotch and Irish, allowing enthusiasts to taste the difference, deciding which is the best for them. For those less enthused by whiskies, there are plenty of other drinks available, making it an ideal venue for larger groups.

As a bar it’s fun, lively, verging on raucous in the evenings, and boasts enough whiskies to keep your attention for a long time, so definitely one for a more informal and convivial whisk(e)y sesh.

The FCC

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central Hong Kong +852 2521 1511.

As one of the more famous press clubs in the world with cameos in a selection of films and novels, the question is rather, why not drink whisky here?

It may not be the most glamorous, nor as impressively stocked as the others on the list, but the place is seeped in history and full of interesting characters, and there’s a perpetual buzz and undercurrent of excitement to the place.

While a member’s club, most people in Hong Kong know somebody who is a member, or alternatively they can apply for an associate membership themselves in order to get in.

We recommend popping downstairs to Bert’s Bar where there is live jazz. Certainly worth it if you can wrangle yourself a guest pass.