Celebrity Life
World’s 50 Best Bars 2020: Coa Makes a Meteoric Climb to Become Hong Kong’s Top Bar
The World's 50 Best Bars 2020 list was unveiled last night via a virtual ceremony livestreamed from London.
Two Hong Kong bars were included in the prestigious annual ranking, with Mexican-inspired cocktail bar Coa cracking the top 10 to place eighth. This marked an impressive 41-spot rise from its rank of 49 in 2019, and scored Coa the Nikka Highest Climber Award.
The watering hole is located in Central and known for its extensive repertoire of agave spirits and cocktails. Its latest achievement adds yet another feather to its cap — earlier this year, its founder Jay Khan was named the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender 2020 at the Asia's 50 Best Bars event, where it placed third.
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Jay Khan is the founder and bartender of Coa.[/caption]
The Old Man, another Hong Kong stalwart on both the global and regional lists, came in 15th. The bar is popular for its Ernest Hemingway-inspired cocktails, and operates a Singapore outlet, which ranked 58th on the World's 50 Best Bars' extended list of 51 to 100.
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This year's coveted top spot went to The Connaught Bar, a posh hotel bar nestled within The Connaught hotel in Mayfair, London. It's famed for its martinis, which are prepared tableside via a martini trolley stocked with various gins, vodkas and bitters. The bar and the hotel are temporarily closed until 1 December due to London's lockdown restrictions.
Scroll down for the full World's 50 Best Bars 2020 list:
1. Connaught Bar, London
2. Dante, New York (Best Bar in North America)
3. The Clumsies, Athens
4. Atlas, Singapore
5. Tayer/Elementary, London (Highest New Entry)
6. Kwant, London (Best New Opening)
7. Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires (Best Bar in South America, Alto Bartenders’ Bartender)
8. Coa, Hong Kong (Highest Climber)
9. Jigger & Pony, Singapore
10. The SG Club, Tokyo
11. Maybe Sammy, Sydney
12. Attaboy, New York
13. The NoMad, New York
14. Manhattan, Singapore
15. The Old Man, Hong Kong
16. Katana Kitten, New York
17. Licorería Limantour, Mexico City
18. Native, Singapore
19. Paradiso, Barcelona
20. American Bar, London
21. Carnaval, Lima
22. Salmón Gurú, Madrid
23. Zuma, Dubai (Best Bar in Middle East and Africa)
24. Little Red Door, Paris
25. 1930, Milan
26. Two Schmucks, Barcelona
27. El Copitas, St. Petersburg
28. Cantina OK!, Sydney
29. Lyaness, London
30. Himkok, Oslo
31. Baba au Rum, Athens
32. Panda & Sons, Edinburgh
33. Swift, London
34. Three Sheets, London
35. The Bamboo Bar, Bangkok
36. Tjoget, Stockholm
37. Buck and Breck, Berlin
38. Employees Only, New York
39. Bulletin Place, Sydney
40. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
41. Artesian, London
42. Sober Company, Shanghai
43. Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei
44. Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur
45. Drink Kong, Rome
46. Room by Le Keif, Taipei
47. Alquimico, Cartagena (Sustainable Bar Award)
48. High Five, Tokyo
49. Charles H, South Korea
50. Presidente, Buenos Aires
The post World’s 50 Best Bars 2020: Coa Makes a Meteoric Climb to Become Hong Kong’s Top Bar appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
5 of The Best Bars in Hong Kong to Return to From Today
The reopening of Hong Kong's bars and pubs, with new measures such as maximum table seatings of four, has been met with great anticipation. Us included. In response, we've gathered five of our favourite cocktail bars that we are excited to return to and sip on that well-deserved drink.
The Old Man
As Asia's number one bar (according to Asia's 50 Best Bars list), The Old Man is considered the hero of Hong Kong's bar scene, and for good reason. The Ernest Hemmingway-inspired speakeasy offers some of the best cocktails we've tried, thanks to top mixologist Agung Prabowo. My cocktail of choice --A Moveable Feast #1964-- is resplendent with flavours of the sea with consommé-esque characteristics I could never say no to. The bar itself is an intimate space with handsome qualities throughout.
The Old Man, Lower G/F, 37 Aberdeen Street, SoHo, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2703 1899
DarkSide
Not only was the Rosewood one of Hong Kong’s top luxury hotel openings of 2019, but they also opened one of the city’s best new bars; DarkSide. An homage to Kowloon’s fondly-known moniker, the bar also dedicates itself to a selection of dark spirits including some rather rare labels of rum, whiskey, calvados, cognac and more. In addition, the concise but stellar cocktail list goes down extremely well with the live jazz sessions. There are also vintage cigars and an array of dark chocolates and snacks to pair with your beverage of choice.
DarkSide, 2/F Rosewood Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 3891 8732
Tell Camellia
Inspired by our beloved beverages of tea and cocktails, it’s no wonder we frequent this somewhat hidden bar. Tucked away in Central’s H Code building, Tell Camellia is the drinking den that satisfies both cravings. It’s also headed by bartender and industry experts Sandeep Hathiramani and Gagan Gurung, so you can be sure that you are in safe hands. Meanwhile the menu showcases a rotating list of Teatails and T&Tonics, which either blends tea in the cocktails or uses tea redistilled with gin.
Tell Camellia, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central; +852 9821 5501
The St. Regis Bar
Another luxury hotel The St. Regis Hong Kong opened in 2019, there was one particular thing — other than the stunning André Fu-designed suites — we were all excited to visit; The St. Regis Bar. Thankfully, it did not disappoint. Quite the contrary, it exceeded many of our expectations and offered us some solid, and rather spirited, cocktails that we were happy to sip on. The St. Regis’ signature service is also apparent and makes for an indulgent evening of cocktail drinking.
The St. Regis Bar, 2/F The St. Regis Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Drive, Wan Chai; +852 2138 6800
The Diplomat
We are definitely heading back to this speakeasy pub concept by acclaimed mixologist John Nugent for all the fun and flavourful cocktails they offer, not to mention the impressive pub grub we sampled too. The space, which feels like a hidden gem, is worth visiting for a pre/post/or any time drink with favourites including the signature pandan-infused Tarling cocktail, clarified English milk punch and super indulgent Irish coffee.
The Diplomat, LG/F, High Block, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central; +852 3619 0302
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Of circuit breakers and cocktails: 5 cocktail recipes for budding mixologists to hone their craft this month
Curated cocktail recipes for the discerning aficionado, and other good news, as we wait out the circuit breaker measures together.
The post Of circuit breakers and cocktails: 5 cocktail recipes for budding mixologists to hone their craft this month appeared first on The Peak Magazine.
Of circuit breakers and cocktails: 5 cocktail recipes for budding mixologists to hone their craft this month
Curated cocktail recipes for the discerning aficionado, and other good news, as we wait out the circuit breaker measures together.
For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.
The Drinks List: 5 Cocktails in Hong Kong that Your Instagram Followers will Like
With more people "drinking for the 'gram" than ever before, it would appear that in the age of Instagram, cocktails need to look just as good as they taste.
Luckily for us, Hong Kong is home to an abundance of great bars that do this exceptionally well. From brightly-coloured tipples to cocktails with tiny trees balanced on ice, and even an aperitif on fire. Here are five of our favourite cocktails that drink-stagrammers can snap and sip in Hong Kong.
Lusty at Lobster Bar and Grill
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This bold, sunset-coloured cocktail is The Lobster Bar's Asian take on the traditional gimlet. With Citadelle gin providing the base, apple liqueur, zesty pomelo syrup and a squeeze of fresh lemon which add slightly sweet and summery flavours to this drink. The addition of turmeric is what gives the Lusty cocktail its gilded hue and make it one of the most vivid drinks to snap this season.
Lobster Bar and Grill, Level 6, Island Shangri-La, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Central; +852 2877 3838
Smoke in a Bottle at Iron Fairies
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A smoke-filled bottle is a sure fire way to get people instagramming, but this house-infused blueberry vodka cocktail from Iron Fairies is another. Blended with fragrant elderflower liqueur and offset with homemade sage cordial, a squeeze of lemon, and the creme de cassis with smoked cacao nibs, this is an addictive tipple that is just begging to be photographed.
Iron Fairies, Chinachem Hollywood Centre, 1-13 Hollywood Road, Central; +852 2603 6992
Garden Of Eden at The Old Man
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With the title of Best Bar in Asia 2019 under their belt, it's no wonder cocktail lovers are all flocking to the The Old Man. Another reason though, is the Garden Of Eden. This cocktail is literally on fire. It's a rather complex drink, with honeydew rye whiskey distilled in a rotary evaporator with goat's milk and bourbon, together with caramelised sauterne cordial and orange-phosphate bitters. It's then set alight for an additional layer of smokiness, but to put simply -- it's flaming delicious to drink.
The Old Man, Lower G/F, 37-39 Aberdeen Street, Soho, Central; +852 2703 1899
Clear Colada Punch at Room 309
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Continuing their invisible cocktails theme, Room 309 present the Clear Colada Punch this summer. And you guessed it... it's a clear (sort of) piña colada. Using slow-cooked coconut candy rum as its base, with Falernum -- the Caribbean syrup liqueur -- and pineapple juice, fresh lime, milk and coconut syrup, this cocktail is very tropical, minus the tiki mugs and toothpick umbrellas.
Room 309, 3/F The Pottinger Hong Kong, 74 Queen's Road Central, Central
Longevity Tree Sap at Komune
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Modelled on Pinus Armandi, or the Chinese white pine tree with evergreen foliage, this cocktail considers longevity and immortality. Not that you'll live more years than you're supposed to, but it sure will make you want to drink it a while longer. The cocktail's natural earthy flavours stem from the pine needle black tea syrup, oregano and oak, combined with Rebel Yell bourbon and dandelion bitters to echo those forest elements.
Komune, Ovolo Southside, 64 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Hong Kong; +852 3460 8157
The post The Drinks List: 5 Cocktails in Hong Kong that Your Instagram Followers will Like appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Cocktails of the future: can technology make a better drink?
Drinks have come a long way from bring merely shaken or stirred.
The post Cocktails of the future: can technology make a better drink? appeared first on The Peak Magazine.
Cocktails of the future: can technology make a better drink?
Drinks have come a long way from bring merely shaken or stirred.
For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.
Hong Kong’s The Old Man named the best bar in Asia
Revealed at the awards ceremy for Asia's 50 Best Bars 2019, The Old Man from Hong Kong has clinched the number one spot.
The post Hong Kong’s The Old Man named the best bar in Asia appeared first on The Peak Magazine.
Hong Kong’s The Old Man named the best bar in Asia
Revealed at the awards ceremy for Asia's 50 Best Bars 2019, The Old Man from Hong Kong has clinched the number one spot.
For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.
The Drinks List: 5 New Cocktails to Try in Hong Kong
I have mixed drinks about feelings.
As the number of bars in Hong Kong continue to soar, so do the choice of libations; making the process of picking one’s poison somewhat arduous. Well, fret not and read on for the liquid solutions to your cocktail conundrum.
A Moveable Feast #1964 at The Old Man
The Ernest Hemmingway-inspired speakeasy (ranked number 5 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2018) recently unveiled new cocktails created by top mixologist Agung Prabowo, and we already have our pre-dinner favourite. If you appreciate Bloody Marys, you’ll likely enjoy A Moveable Feast #1964 – a savoury cocktail resplendent with flavours of the sea. A rotary evaporator extracts the essence from clams, seaweed, salts and seawater, which is re-distilled with vodka to provide the base. The clear consommé-esque cocktail is then infused for 24 hours with spiced cherry tomatoes, coconut, basil-tomato seeds and oyster leaf.
The Old Man, Lower G/F, 37 Aberdeen Street, SoHo, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2703 1899
Above the Clouds at Popinjays
Perched on top of The Murray, Popinjays offers a vantage point not usually seen this side of the island, lending itself to rather impressive sundowner sessions. The rooftop venue is named after the resident cockatoos that frequent the neighbouring gardens and the avian theme runs throughout. We order Above the Clouds from The Aviary Collection, which blends Zacapa 23-years-old rum with grapefruit and cassia infused angostura bitters. Brought to the table with smoky theatrics, it adds a smouldering smoothness to the cocktail, but ends brightly with lingering notes of rich spices and fruit.
Popinjays, The Murray, 22 Cotton Tree Drive, Central, Hong Kong; +852 3141 8888
Blind Tiger Gin & Tonic at Dr. Fern's Gin Parlour
This gin gold mine, hidden in The Landmark basement, boasts Hong Kong’s largest collection of gin and continues to expand its menu still. Earlier this month, six new signature gin and tonic prescriptions were revealed and we felt compelled to go visit the doctor. Our chosen elixir: Blind Tiger Gin – a favourite of Dr. Fern's Head Bartender Paul Chan – is handcrafted gin made in a secretive distillery in western Belgium, supplying a healthy dose of mystery to the liquor. Peppered with hints of spiciness, the cocktail is soothed by the sparkles of Fever-Tree Mediterranean tonic and finished with orange peel, cinnamon and rosemary.
Dr. Fern's Gin Parlour, Shop B31A, First Basement Floor, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2111 9449
Argila at Uma Nota
The Negroni is an inescapable item on Hong Kong bar menus and adoration for the timeless drink has created a multitude of variations. Keeping us under its intoxicating spell is the Argila (meaning clay in Portuguese) – a negroni with a Brazilian backbone that can be found at Uma Nota. The lively Brazilian Japanese restaurant adds a São Paulo style twist to the classic which also seems to give us the courage for a samba showdown. This deep, earthy-hued cocktail is full of verve and made up of Capucana, a citrusy style cachaça (sugar cane spirit), Mancino Rosso Amaranto Vermouth, Cynar and orange bitters aged in a clay pot.
Uma Nota, 38 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2889 7576
Fluffy Pineapple Martini at Room 309
Disguised as a hotel room that requires a keycard to enter, Room 309 is an invitation-only bar on the third floor of The Pottinger. Antonio Lai - award-winning mixologist of Quinary and The Envoy, among others - has concocted eight transparent cocktails for The Invisible Menu in which we have selected the Fluffy Pineapple Martini. The cocktail permeates a vibrant tang of the tropics. Thankfully, it steers clear of sticky sweetness and instead, makes use of science with re-distilled pineapple vodka, centrifuged pineapple juice and clarified lemon juice to create a translucent and refreshing cocktail – adorned with a pineapple crisp and salted egg yolk crumble.
Room 309, 3/F The Pottinger Hotel, 74 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
The post The Drinks List: 5 New Cocktails to Try in Hong Kong appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Absinthe Drinks to Lose Your Head Over
Don’t dismiss the green fairy. This Absinthe Day, pull up a seat at the bar and order one of these creative concoctions.
The post Absinthe Drinks to Lose Your Head Over appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Celebrate the End of Dry January
Abstaining is to be applauded, but sometimes it’s good to indulge.
The post Celebrate the End of Dry January appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.