The Best of Hong Kong
Lifestyle News
Whether you’re entertaining visitors or heading out with friends, you’ll enjoy the views at these picturesque rooftop bars in Hong Kong.
Impress visitors with the 34th floor views from Tott’s and Roof Terrace at the Excelsior in Causeway Bay. If you’re looking for fine dining, the restaurant is renowned for its seafood — plump for one of the loaded platters of mussels, king prawns, clams and caviar as you absorb the astounding Victoria Harbour vista. Naturally this sort of landscape doesn’t come cheap, but the bar offers 30 percent off all house cocktails as well as select wines during happy hour (5-8pm).
281 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, 2894-8888.
This sprawling rooftop terrace at The Pulse comes complete with onsen baths, lawn chairs and private cabanas (natch) that overlook Repulse Bay beach. Owned by Le Comptoir group, the outdoor lounge sits on top of equally impressive sister restaurant The Ocean, and offers a menu of breakfast items, snacks and desserts as well as a modest selection of wines, champagnes and cocktails.
Rooftop, The Pulse, 28 Repulse Bay Road, Repulse Bay, 2889-5939.
A rooftop venue where you can bring your own food and drink: too good to be true? Not so, at RED Bar & Restaurant, which boasts expansive decking atop IFC Mall. Technically the space is part of the adjoining restaurant—and you can of course order from the hole-in-the-wall bar — but the terrace is freely accessible to the public. So if your budget doesn’t even stretch to happy hour prices here, bring your packed lunch and a bottle of wine, and let your gaze drift across the water to Elements.
4/F, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, 8129-8882.
The popularity of Fu Lu Shou is showing no signs of abating. The bijou rooftop bar and restaurant is tucked up out of sight on Hollywood Road (to enter you need a door code that changes weekly) and styled to the max with a fun-loving “Western Chinese” theme. On the menu you’ll find Chinatown-type favorites such as sweet-and-sour pork and prawn toast, plus innovative cocktails that play on traditional Hong Kong flavors.
7/F, 31 Hollywood Road, Central, 2336-8812.
An ambitious project from Philippe Orrico, who opened Upper Modern Kitchen in 2013 followed by PICNIC on Forbes in 2015, On Dining Kitchen and Lounge also bring together talents from a team of specialists: sommelier Nicolas Deneux, bar manager Giancarlo Mancino and cheese master Jeremy Evrard. But on to the views: If you can snag a seat on the terrace, you’ll be rewarded with magnificent city views overlooking Central, as well as a satisfying menu of small bites, cold cuts, cheeses and dessert. Showcased on cool vintage menus, classic cocktails such as the ONegroni and old fashioned are among the best in the city.
28-29/F, 18 On Lan Street, Central, 2174-8100.
Three-story CÉ LA VI has something for everyone: a bumping club, a romantic restaurant and a chic rooftop terrace. The open-air bar has well-heeled flocking for top-rate cocktails and Champagne, but an affordable happy hour every day from 3:30-7pm offers two-for-one drinks on a select menu of drinks including a solid combo of wine, beer, bubbles and cocktails.
25/F, California Tower, 32 D’Aguilar Street, Central, 3700-2300.
A perennial favorite is the Wan Chai branch of Wooloomooloo, a steakhouse that takes over the 31st floor and rooftop of The Hennessy building. The views over the district are unbeatable: your eyes sweep across the eastern side of the island, out over the Happy Valley Racecourse and across to Kowloon. The rooftop lounge is open from 3pm, so you can bag an early seat and sundowner as the bright lights flick on across Hong Kong.
31/F and Rooftop, The Hennessy, 256 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, 2893-6960.
Basking in the glow of the iconic HSBC building, SEVVA is an exquisitely designed, fashionable destination atop Prince’s Building. Those in the know head past the out-of-this-world dessert counter, thread their way through art-laden corridors and bypass indoor gardens to the glamorous terrace. The 360-degree city views accompany fancy Hong-Kong inspired cocktails and sophisticated tunes. If you’re looking for a date with the girls, don’t miss the afternoon tea here — it’s worth queuing up before 2:30pm to bag an outdoor table.
25/F, 10 Chater Road, Central, 2537-1388.
Go east, way east — think Quarry Bay and a little bit further — and you’ll come to Sugar, a rooftop bar worth traveling to. Lounge on the deck with a cocktail or two and you’ll be treated to refreshing views of the old Kai Tak airport and the hills in the distant New Territories. Gin lovers should book a harborside table for Gin and Jazz nights, where every Tuesday you can savor a long list of botanicals over some soothing beats. Hungry? The tapas here are (almost) as impressive as the view.
32/F, EAST, 29 Taikoo Shing Road, Taikoo Shing, 3968-3738.
Hidden away on the third floor of The Pottinger Hotel on cobbled Stanley Street is The Envoy, a sophisticated cocktail bar and restaurant with an attractive terrace. Designed by local mixologist Antonio Lai, the drinks list here is a nod to Hong Kong’s East-meets-West heritage, with tea featuring heavily in the cocktails. Try the Moon Song ($128): an eye-catching combo of vodka, red tea, evaporated milk and syrup; or the Picnic Spritz which is a gin-infused homage to cucumber sandwiches. How dainty.
3/F, The Pottinger Hotel, 74 Queen’s Road Central, 2169-3311.
Cordis Hong Kong’s relaxing alfresco spot is a wonderful retreat from the frenzied Mong Kok streets below. Though only on the 4th floor, The Backyard makes up for its view with gorgeous green surrounds — think mango trees and red accents. The bar puts an emphasis on local Hong Kong beers, and you’ll find the likes of Young Master Ales, Fat Rooster, and Mak’s Beer. Head over for happy hour from 5-8pm daily and enjoy Buy-1, Get-1 on draught beers, select wines and mixed drinks.
4/F, 555 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, 3552-3388.
If you don’t want your boozy weekend brunch to end, make a beeline for the classy decking at Armani/Privé. This spacious terrace is dotted with cream sofas, wicker chairs and floor lanterns, with windowless views that gape over Hong Kong’s financial heart. Head up here after work for a spot of people-watching, or every Saturday and Sunday enjoy freeflow cocktails from 4-7pm for just $250.
2/F, Landmark Chater, 8 Connaught Road, Central, 3583-2828.
The Mira Hotel’s vast open-air lounge Vibes is the place to come if you’re in need of a tropical island hangout. You’ll soon forget you’re in the heart of bustling TST as you step out onto a terrace of cozy cabanas and comfy L-shaped sofas, all surrounded by flowing water, bamboo groves and frangipani trees. There’s something on most nights of the week: tacos and cocktails on Tuesdays, belly dancers on Thursdays, and happy hour disco tunes on lazy Sundays.
5/F, The Mira Hong Kong, 118 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2315-5599.
Look back over the skyscrapers of Hong Kong Island from Eyebar, a nautical-themed bar with a well-appointed balcony that adjoins restaurant Nanhai No.1. With 180-degree harbor views, it’s a prime spot for watching the Symphony of Lights show (if you’re one of the many city folk who’s never actually seen it). It gets even better: tuck into free nibbles plus get up to 50 percent off martinis, beers and wines while you watch (Mon-Sat, 6-9pm).
30/F, iSquare, 63 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2487-3988.
