With a frankly ludicrous number of bars, Hong Kong remains a world-class party town even if the excess of the boom years of the 2010s is now relegated to the past. The city seems to have had a lock on “best of” bar lists in recent years, and the 2024 Asia’s Best Bars list featured four Hong Kong watering holes in the top 10 — Bar Leone, Coa, Argo and The Aubrey — which is remarkable given that Tokyo exists. Filmart attendees are spoiled for choice with Hong Kong featuring local pubs and fancy-schmancy cocktail bars, and everything in-between. The Hollywood Reporter has picked out five bars of varying budgets that might fit the bill for a quiet drink or a rowdy night out. The Aubrey The vibe: Despite its rather British-sounding name, The Aubrey is a sleek late-night Japanese isakaya style bar and restaurant found inside the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. The restaurant menu offers elevated staples such as sushi and sashimi, as well as wagyu beef, but the bar is what really excels and the reason why The Aubrey was ranked No. 10 in Asia‘s Best Bars list for 2024. The decor is a pretty outré, with the space filled with curios and interesting things to look at. It’s a classy joint, so yes, there’s a dress code. The drinks: As befits a Japanese drinking establishment, The Aubrey is stocked to the gills with Japanese whiskies, sakes and shōchūs. The Aubrey’s magic trick is the omakase cocktail bar, where five guests per sitting can experience a two-hour journey through Japanese cocktails with mixologist Devender Seghal. The location: The Aubrey is on the 25th floor of MOHK, and as such offers great views of Central’s business district, especially at night when all the skyscrapers are lit up. The location itself is about a 10-minute cab ride from the HKCEC. The price: Cocktails start from $22 The details: Address: Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road, Central. Telephone: +852 2825 4001. Website: https://theaubreycollection.com/hong-kong The vibe: Coa’s founder and head bartender Jay Khan is something of a legend in the drinks world, and his joint consistently ranks among the top bars in the world. The Mexican inspired cocktail bar has won plaudits and a loyal fanbase for its innovative and bold tequila and mezcal-based cocktails and relaxed atmosphere. In 2024, Coa came in at No. 4 on Asia’s Best Bars list, and is still packed with crowds since it opened in 2017. This is a no reservations/walk-in spot only, so expect to wait on busier nights. The drinks: They take their drinks seriously at Coa, with a 41-page menu of agave-based cocktails. Each week, a new cocktail is introduced by the staff that is usually a must-try item, but you also can’t go wrong with the tequila highball. The standout for those looking for something unique is the Bloody “Beef” Maria cocktail, a bloody Mary drink infused with beef stock. The location: Tucked away in the quieter part of Central, Coa is off Hollywood Road and is a 10 to 15-minute cab ride from the HKCEC. The bar is a short walk from the bustling late-night spots of Soho and Lan Kwai Fong. The price: Cocktails start from $11. The details: Shop A, LG/F Wah Shin House, 6-10 Shin Hing Street, Central. Telephone: +852 2813 5787. Website: https://coa.com.hk/ The vibe: Bar Leone, arguably the best bar in Hong Kong, also ranked as the best bar in Asia in 2024. The Italian cocktail spot gets top marks for its decor, as it leans into this particular Roman aesthetic of adoration of old movie stars and soccer club AS Roma. With no telephone number to contact and no reservations, simplicity is the guiding principle at Bar Leone. The drinks: The bar is the brainchild of Lorenzo Antinori, and is his first solo business after working at other highly regarded spots Caprice Bar and Argo. Antinori’s focus is strictly on “cocktail popolari,” that is cocktails for the people, so don’t expect fancy gimmicks, just straight Italian classics like martinis and bellinis served with love and attention in a wonderfully welcoming setting. The location: Another bar located in Central district, Bar Leone is a short 10 to 15-minute car ride from the HKCEC. The price: Cocktails start from $17. The details: Address: 11-15 Bridges St, Central. Telephone: No number. Website: https://www.barleonehk.com/ The Champagne Bar at the Grand Hyatt The vibe: Ah, the old faithful for the Filmart crowd, the Champagne Bar at the Grand Hyatt. The bar won’t win any awards for innovative cocktails, but newcomers to Hong Kong often overlook one of the best places to mingle with Filmart attendees. Whether it’s to discuss business, or celebrate closing a deal, the Champagne Bar is tried and tested and conveniently located. One added bonus is that Champagne Bar offers live music. The drinks: It’s all about the Champagne menu here, with one of the widest selections available in Hong Kong, including several rare vintages and boutique bottles. The resident mixologist is also on hand to knock up great Champagne-based cocktails. The location: It doesn’t get much more convenient than a bar inside the Grand Hyatt which is mere minutes walk from the HKCEC. The price: It’s Champagne, darling, expect to open your wallet. The details: Address: Lobby Level, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. Telephone: +852 2584 7722. Website: https://www.hongkong.grand.hyattrestaurants.com/restaurants-and-bars/champagne-bar/ The vibe: A left field choice perhaps, but in a city full of swanky joints, Crushed is a hidden gem of a bar that focuses in small-batch wines. The casual neighborhood bar and restaurant was initially established as a retail operation by four women who were wine and restaurant industry veterans, but the community of patrons they had built up led to them branching out with their own spot. Crushed isn’t fancy, nor is it trying to be, but if you want a cozy, quiet place to try excellent and interesting wines, there are few better places. The drinks: The range of wines at Crush is something to marvel at, with bottles from the new world and old, as well as natural, organic and sustainable wines. The location: Crushed is found in the quieter Sai Ying Pun district of Hong Kong, which is a 15-minute car ride from the HKCEC. The price: Glasses of wine start from $15 and there is an extensive wine menu. Wines can also be purchased. The details: Address: Shop A, G/F, 6 – 8 Second St, Sai Ying Pun. Telephone: +852 5597 8774. Website: www.crushedwines.com