Ahead of the 2025 edition of The World's 50 Best Bars landing in Hong Kong, some of city's most celebrated bartenders share their insider favourites – from the late-night spots they hit after service to the bars on their most-want-to-try wish list.
Jennifer Queen of New York-style, good-times-guaranteed dive bar The Pontiac recommends:
Post-shift spots: Beyrouth Bistro & Infinity Thai
"It can be slim pickings for a vegetarian at that hour to be honest but, an after-shift go-to for me will either be Beyrouth Bistro or the infamous Infinity Thai.
At Beyrouth my usual order is either moutabal (aubergine dip), rahib (roasted aubergine) or shanklish (type of aged Levantine cheese) and an order of grape leaves. I like the brothers who run the house, they are genuinely kind and their food is made with the same love they show you when you're sitting at their small counter shop.
I always get the same order at Infinity: fried tofu with crispy garlic, shallots and lemongrass and the green curry vegetables. I actually order the curry for delivery at home on the regular... even when I'm not out for a night of debauchery!"
Bar on their radar: The Aubrey
The Aubrey overlooks Victoria Harbour from the 25th floor of the Mandarin Oriental hotel
"I have visited the space at the Mandarin Oriental several times, but each time there has been a guest shift or a pop up at The Aubrey, so I've never actually enjoyed their menu and an evening as a guest to get the bar's full experience."
Honky Tonks Tavern is known for bringing a slice of America's South – complete with country music and soul food – to downtown Hong Kong. Bar manager Jake Erder recommends:
Post-shift spot: Yuen Hing
"After a busy weekend service at Honky Tonks Tavern, nothing hits the spot quite like Yuen Hing in Central. It's one of those late-night gems that stays open through the early hours and serves up classic Cantonese comfort food and ice-cold beers, which is exactly what you crave after a long shift. It's best experienced with a big group so you can order a spread and try a bit of everything.
Cantonese classics are available 24/7 at Yuen Hing
"My go-to order usually includes a plate of noodles, some stir-fried morning glory or Chinese broccoli, clams with black bean sauce and either crispy squid or tofu. At 3am, when the city is quiet and the streets are still, there's something incredibly satisfying and grounding about a place like this."
Bar on their radar: Sugar King
Sugar King's daiquiri has become a new must-order for Hong Kong bar-goers
"I've been really looking forward to the opening of Sugar King on Peel Street. It's a small, unpretentious space that serves $80HKD ($10USD) daiquiris made simply with freshly squeezed lime juice, which is not only refreshing but an absolute steal in a city like Hong Kong.
"I love seeing new bars like this pop up by our friends in the industry – places that focus on quality and creativity without being over the top. Sugar King feels like the kind of spot that's helping to shape Hong Kong's exciting bar scene in an approachable way."
Antono Lai, owner of culinary-ingredients-forward cocktail den Quinary, recommends:
Post-shift spots: Infinity Thai
"It has to be Infinity Thai restaurant and bar. After a long night, I'm all about comfort food, and they do killer Thai food until late. It's a neighbourhood gem where you're almost guaranteed to bump into familiar faces and industry friends – basically it's great food and great company all in one place."
Bar on their radar: Montana
Montana opened in July 2025 offering Cuban-style serves (Image: Victoria Chan)
"Definitely Montana, helmed by my good friends Lorenzo [Antinori] and Simone [Caporale]. I'm certain its Golden Age Cuban cocktails will be incredible and I have been longing to try them. I'll be there the second my schedule lets me sneak away."
Laura Prabowo, co-founder of closed-loop cocktail institution Penicillin (No.27 in Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025), recommends:
Post-shift spot: Sun Hing
"One of my absolute favourite go-to spots in Hong Kong post-shift is a late-night dim sum place in Kennedy Town called Sun Hing. It's wonderfully local and boasts an authentic taste that keeps me coming back for more.
"To be honest, we usually order almost everything on the menu, but some of our must-haves include siu mai, har gow, char siu bao and lo mai gai (sticky rice in lotus wraps). It opens around 2am and stay open until the afternoon, making it the perfect spot for us to unwind after a long shift."
Bar on their radar: High Five
Hidetsugu Ueno's High Five is a Tokyo bar institution
"Ok it's not new or even in Hong Kong, but there's a bar I've been meaning to visit forever: Bar High Five in Tokyo. I really want to meet the incredible Ueno-san. A few years ago, I passed by his bar while visiting with my son but, unfortunately, due to the policy at the time, we couldn't go in. However, Ueno-san was kind enough to come outside and say hi to us, which left a lasting impression.
"I've heard so much about his craft and the unique experiences he creates, and I can't wait to go back and truly appreciate it. It's definitely top of my bucket list."
Contemporary artist turned bartender J Frank, who manages futuristic subterranean bar Artifact, recommends:
Post-shift spot: Yuen Hing
"My favourite sport is Yuen Hing. It's open 24 hours a day, and it's the only spot like it in Central late at night. The standouts are its spicy fried chicken, the salt and pepper squid, the clams, soy beef noodles and a few too many bottles of icy beer – always shared amongst good company, of course! The shop owner, usually found napping in the corner, has been running this specific cha chaan teng for decades and she never fails to welcome me back."
Bar on their radar: Twist
"The bar I can't wait to try, simply because it isn't open yet, is Twist from the team behind Terracotta Lamma, Bourkes and Honky Tonks Tavern. It's opening in September and is going to be an exciting new addition to the scene. Of course, Montana and Sugar King are standout new opens too and I can't wait to see how they celebrate the festivities around The World's 50 Best Bars ceremony in Hong Kong in October."
The Aubrey's new cocktail caretaker, Stefano Bussi, recommends: 
Post-shift spot: Infinity Thai
"In Hong Kong there so many spots to check out depending on the area you work or live in. My go-to with the team has to be the Lan Kwai Fong area, in particular Infinity Thai, where you'll find all your industry friends hanging out. This place needs no introduction – it's just very comfortable and very casual, which is perfect for decompressing after a long shift."
Bar on their radar: Handshake Speakeasy
Handshake Speakeasy claimed the title of The World's Best Bar in 2024
"To name only one cocktail bar would be reductive. A lot of great openings happened in the last few years around the world, but I would say Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City (The World's Best Bar 2024, sponsored by Perrier) has stayed top of my must-visit list. I haven't had the pleasure of going yet, but I've spent time with the team on many different occasions and they gave me the best impression, so I can't wait to try the real deal and experience that famous Mexican hospitality for myself."
This list of The World's 50 Best Bars 2025, sponsored by Perrier, will be revealed at a live awards ceremony in Hong Kong on Wednesday 8 October. Follow 50 Best on Instagram, find us on Facebook, visit us on X and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
