Royal Garden Hotel, 69 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East
Tel: 2733 2995
The vibe: promoting itself as a place to catch up with the Olympics, this makes for an expensive and incongruous sports bar. It seems more suited to quiet conversation, catching up with friends and appreciating the martinis. However, it lacks intimate corners where such conversations could take place.
The drinks: the selection of wines by the glass is well chosen but small. The bottle options include interesting selections such as a Pinta Toro Vega Sicilia at HK$880. The fan of whisky - blend and single malt - is well catered for, with a strong selection by the glass and bottle. Entertaining clients or celebrating a birthday? Why not splash out HK$28,000 on a bottle of Remy Martin Louis XIII? But really, you're here for the martinis. Take that to mean that the classic, Premium Vodka Martini (HK$140) is well made and tailored to your choice. The bar also does six variations, listed as signatures. Most interesting was the Kyoto - gin, Midori, vermouth and pineapple juice (HK$120). The Woo Woo (blackcurrant vodka, peach schnapps and cranberry juice), on the other hand, did not have me hooting with delight.
The verdict: a great place for a slightly older set to pass away a few hours. Some staff from other Hong Kong bars could drop by and learn how to make a martini.