Wham bam glam at alfresco pioneer SEVVA
We love a win-win situation and Hong Kong’s ban on smoking inside bars and clubs earlier in the year has accelerated the opening of stylish rooftop and terrace venues, most with eye-popping views and settings to match, in a city that had, until recently, been sadly lacking. So, no more smoke in your eyes or smell lingering in your Brioni or Alexander Wang, and even more places to get merry under the stars. Here’s our pick of the crop.
Easy breezy at Tott's
In Causeway Bay, old dolly ToTT’s has been round the block a few times but is looking as fresh as ever, thanks to a recent makeover, and the addition of a discreet garden balcony looking back towards Central only adds to her allure. Expect a scramble for a table for its Sunday champagne brunch too.
Le 188 gets sexy in the city
North Point is unlikely to register on any visitor’s radar, but Le 188 could change that. Just fifteen minutes east of Central and atop the Harbour Grand Hong Kong, this restaurant and lounge sports spectac panoramas of the harbour, city skyline and Kowloon through its wraparound floor to ceiling windows, as well as from the small outdoor terrace. Bear in mind the food is high on faff, so stick to the drinks.
Conservation and greenery in Hong Kong at Hullett House, whatever next?
Heritage and Hong Kong may sound like an oxymoron, but that’s what you get in spades at just-opened boutique resto-hotel Hullett House, in the former Marine Police Headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui, complete with designer mini-mall below (hey, it IS Hong Kong). With only 12 themed suites and five dining venues, you’ll never go hungry, but watch out for the West Garden, which promises to be the slickest beer garden in town when it opens, any day now.
Design hotel The Mira could and should have the sexiest courtyard garden lounge in town, Vibes, with water and fire features and canopied playbeds, but thanks to Hong Kong’s sometimes absurd public space and outdoor licensing laws, it’s strictly self-service for now – fingers crossed the bar’s licence will come through early in the new year. In the meantime, grab a drink in the inside bar at Whisk and totter out to the courtyard for alfresc-ohhh slick sippage.
Make an entrance at Azure
And let’s not forget favourites like glam penthouse SEVVA, the fab terrace lounge at private members’ club China Club (a good hotel concierge will get you in), LKF hotel’s rooftop Azure, and wonderfully laid back gastropub The Pawn, situated in an atmossy Wanchai 19th-century shophouse with heaps of vibe plus rooftop and balcony perches complete with breezy colonial fans. Bottoms up!
Rustic chic at The Pawn
ToTT’s. 34/F, The Excelsior, 281 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay. T: +852 2894 8888. W: mandarinoriental.com
Le 188. 41/F, Harbour Grand Hong Kong, 23 Oil Street, North Point. T: +852 2121 2688. W: harbour-grand.com
West Garden. Hullett House, 2a Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. T: +852 3988 0000. W: hulletthouse.com
Vibes. 5/F, The Mira, 118 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. T: +852 2368 1111. W: themirahotel.com
SEVVA. 25/F, Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Rd, Central. T: +852 2537 1388. W: sevvahk.com
China Club. 13/F, Old Bank of China Building, Bank Street, Central. T: +852 2521 8888
Azure. 29/F, Hotel LKF, 33 Wyndham Street, Central. T: +852 3518 9330. W: azure.hk
The Pawn. 62 Johnston Road, Wanchai. T: +852 2866 3444. W: thepawn.com.hk
