GBA Lifestyle News
It’s not just about the drink and the blissfully clarifying tipsiness it brings, but also the excitement and expression of aesthetic behind it. This week, our list compiles all the hottest bar openings to check out no matter which part of the Greater Bay Area you are (or will be). What are you waiting for? Scroll down and starting making reservations.
Renowned Chef Olivier Elzer launches La Suite, a speakeasy embodying every intricacy of French culture, from the spirits, herbs and spices to the elegant cocktail presentations and the outdoor lounge to further romanticize your happy hour.
First timers are encouraged to try the signatures inspired by saffron, the time-honored French staple. In The Missing Key, the spice is complemented with London Dry No.3 Gin, lemon juice and egg white, making for an invigorating and aromatic concoction. In The Saffron Negroni, a dash of saffron syrup adds edge to the beloved classic.
25/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, +852 3568 1397
Sometimes, it’s not so bad to let something define you, especially when it’s a tailor-made cocktail by expert mixologists at Takumi Mixology Salon. This intimate Japanese bar’s dedication to craftsmanship and quality shows through the use of seasonal ingredients and top-notch techniques, while the drinking equivalent of a personal color analysis takes place to determine the unique drink for you. Other notable house signatures include the smoky Zen with hints of sandalwood and hojicha, and the lime-flavored Yukiguni.
3/F, Cubus, 1 Hoi Ping Road, Causeway Bay, +852 5394 3681
As you grow older, ama bowl leng tong also upgrades to ama bowl leng beer*. As expected, this location revives your childhood memories with a 90s-inspired home interior. Most notable is the wide array of craft beers on offer, from IPA and double IPA to ale and pale ale, it’s a guarantee you’ll find the tap you like.
*Ama bowl leng tong is from a popular Cantonese rhyme, meaning “mom is making nice soup”. Ama bowl leng beer is a parody of this phrase meaning “mom is making nice beer”.
46 Liede Avenue, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
Few bars congratulate you on discovering them, but you know things are going to go well when they do. Exclaiming “lucky you!” in Italian, Beato te Lounge is blessed with grace and everything nice and would like you to have a taste too.
Seasonal specials are inspired by the ripest produce and their refreshing sweetness, making for mesmerizing sips you won’t forget. For those with an even more refined palate, ask about the award-winning 818 tequila and you won’t be disappointed.
108-1 through 108-3, 1/F, 15 Liuyun 1st Street, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
MOTEL is great for several reasons, the vainest one being its bright red illuminations, so that those self-conscious about their Asian flush have an advantageous camouflage. Nestled in an office building in the Futian commercial hub, this futuristic-surrealist bar serves bespoke cocktails based on your preference, or top shelf whiskey for those with the fortitude for strong spirits. Happy hour, who’s coming?
906, Block 2, China Phoenix Building, 2008 Shennan Boulevard, Futian District, Shenzhen
In Ready to Drink Bar, you call the shots (that’s also where its Chinese name 話事酒館 came from; 話事 means to be the one in charge). And your domain spans from more than a dozen craft beers, how full your glass will be, and how many glasses you’re downing before calling it a night. Come with your besties with stories to tell and gossips to share, and sip on the signature Sea Salt and Yuzu Ale and tropical “Not Enough” IPA.
106B, Blocks 1 and 2, Poly Castle Garden, 2710 Nanhai Boulevard, Nanyou, Nanshan District, Shenzhen
Time is one of your most valuable assets, yet it tends to get overdrawn by errands to run, jobs to complete and duties to fulfil. In Stolen Time Bar, gain temporary control over the flow of your chrono-balance while enjoying artisanal cocktails, movie projections and a moment of stillness. Apart from classics such as negroni and martini, a roster of house originals will entice not only your palates but also your eyes.
Shop 112, 1/F, Block 2, Nanguo Garden, Pinyue Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
Vintage supremacist or not, you gotta check out Tortuga. Boasting a minimalist twist on art deco aesthetics, this bar impresses you with a chronicle of cocktails throughout the centuries. Literally, the writing’s on the wall — want something from the 1830s, 1900s or 1930s? Look it up on the menu. Want a break from cocktails everyone knows about? Describe the key qualities you look for in a drink, and let the mixologists do the thinking.
Shop 102-1, 6 Liuyun 7th Street, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
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