Bars

Alfie's by Kee

M18-19, M/F Prince's Building, 10 Chater Road, Central. Tel: 2530 4422. With its dark wood, dimmed lights and leather lounges to sink into, Alfie's more than matches the Dunhill boys' club aesthetic. Recommended: Pimm's by Kee and the lemon grass martini.

Angel's Share

2/F Amber Lodge, 23 Hollywood Road. Tel: 2805 8388. Whisky has always transcended all notions of class and the people behind Angel's Share have rightly put this lovely drop back in its rightful place, with more than 100 varieties on offer. Recommended: the 20-year-old Macallan.

Armani/Prive

2/F Chater House, 8 Connaught Road, Central. Tel: 3583 2828. The 5,000-sq ft terrace is the star of the show at the sister bar to Armani/Aqua restaurant. One could take in the views from cosy, candlelit seating. Not so impressed by the signature cocktails, the classy wine and spirits selection more than compensated. Recommended: Dom Perignon Oenotheque 1996 (HK$5,200 a bottle).

California Vintage

77 Wyndham Street, Central. Tel: 2525 0808. This Wyndham Street wine bar has partnered with more than 20 Californian wineries, offering more than 80 tipples from around the Golden State. Recommended: the pinot noir 2007 Fritz Reserve from Russian River (HK$140).

Casa Lounge

1/F Wo On Building, 8-12 Wo On Lane, Central. Tel: 2525 3599. An atmospheric, whimsical place with eccentric touches, the lounge's drinks list is extensive, with a champagne menu that stretches to a HK$17,800 bottle of Veuve Clicquot. Recommended: the G6 (HK$90), a blend of raspberries, vodka, Chambord and pineapple pur?e.

The China Bar

G/F Ho Lee Commercial Building, 44 D'Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong. Tel: 2526 5992. This large bar goes heavy on the red and dragons for its decorative motif but is comfortable and has a busy dance area. From a wide range of drinks, the cocktails are the most eye-catching. Recommended: the Merry Berry cocktail of Bombay Sapphire gin, fresh mint, raspberry, strawberry, cranberry juice and lime (HK$89).

Dickens Bar

The Excelsior, 281 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay. Tel: 2837 6782. This unpretentious English-style sports bar with unobtrusive TVs is a great if noisy place for chatter, drinks and food. Recommended: the Peachy Ice tea is a potent trip round the top shelf of the bar.

Envie

G/F, 48 Wyndham St, Central. Tel: 2522 8318. A breezy, inviting space in neutral and beige tones that feels intimate, the bar has a wine-heavy, girly cocktail-dominated drinks list balanced by a few heavy-duty drinks such as the Contemporary Fashioned (a new twist on the Old Fashioned with 23-year-old Ron Zacapa rum). Recommended: Lambloch Estate's South Australian Shiraz (HK$52).

The Globe

Garley Building, 45-53 Graham Street, Central. Tel: 2543 1941. The Globe is a smart English pub, with one of the widest and best selections of beers in Hong Kong, as well as excellent pub fare. Recommended: Typhoon T8, which is brewed on Lantau Island.

Habitat Lounge

29/F QRE Plaza, 202 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. Tel: 2907 0888. Habitat Lounge tries (too) hard to please but can be a romantic spot for a date. More than 100 cocktails, many of them fresh and fruity. Recommended: Richito (HK$70), made with light rum, lychee liqueur and Yakult.

Hive 101

Shop A, 101/F International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon. Tel: 2972 2666. Once found, this quiet bar with its glorious views is a tranquil spot for conversation. Cocktails blend Canadian ice wines with Japanese spirits and plenty of fruit. The wine and shooters are pretty good, too. Recommended: the blend of ice wine, Yoichi whisky, cranberry juice and lemon called a Maple Route.

Inn Side Out

Sunning Plaza, 10 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay. Tel: 2895 2900. The peanut husk-strewn floor and throngs of regulars make for a relaxed atmosphere in a crowded beer hall with an extensive outdoor seating area. Come for a wide range of great, relatively cheap beer and great drinking food to match. Recommended: Trappist Westmalle Tripel Belgian beer (HK$42).

Le Boudoir

B/F, 65 Wyndham Street, Central. Tel: 2530 3870. This atmospheric basement bar modelled on 19th-century Parisian salons is dark and lovely, with one of the best cocktail menus in town. Recommended: the Unconventional martini (HK$95), blending gin, lemon juice, mint and kaffir lime syrup.

Ozone

118/F Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon. Tel: 2263 2263. The highest bar in the world does not disappoint with its bird's-eye view of the city. Prices here are as steep as the venue, but then you are paying for that view. Recommended: wines are the main attraction, with a choice of several by the glass (HK$90-HK$170) and scores of reds and whites by the bottle.

The Pawn

62 Johnston Road, Wan Chai. Tel: 2866 3444. Relax at the beautifully restored historic building with natural light, low leather couches and a beautifully calm atmosphere. Recommended: Leffe Brune.

Vida Rica

2/F Mandarin Oriental Macau, Avenida Dr Sun Yat Sen, Outer Harbour, Macau. Tel: (853) 8805 8928. A chic, sophisticated bar with views over the Macau Tower and Nam Van Lake, it serves manly cocktails designed by a New York mixologist and has great nooks and crannies to hide in. Recommended: the Lagavulin 25-year cask-strength single malt whisky (HK$490 per shot).

W52

G/F, 52 Wyndham Street, Central. Tel: 6768 5252. Our favourite bar on Wyndham Street is chic and sophisticated. Stick to spirits and cocktails and do not bother with wines and beers. Aside from the signature and Grey Goose-based cocktails, standouts include Patron Anejo tequila and cask-strength vintage rum. Recommended: the W Spice, a buttery concoction of butterscotch schnapps, vanilla vodka, pineapple juice and freshly ground black pepper (HK$98).