18 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central
Tel: 2544 1978
The vibe: Dandy is a little hard to find; set back off the main road, upstairs in an office building, and concealed by black curtains more common to Wan Chai. But inside it is hip, ambient and relaxed. The place is the perfect size for private parties. The electro music (with a bit of funk and soul) was well received. The bar stools are funky and modern, and the tables have transparent perspex lids in which to store iced bottles, we presume. It's open Thursday - Saturday until 3-4am.
The drinks: there seems to be no regular menu, but there is a wide range of spirits at the bar, and we were given a 'special' menu instead. This contained a variety of cocktails, including a Sexy Martinis list, which we made a beeline for. I chose the Raspberry Martini (HK$90), which was perhaps not sharp enough for my taste, but strong and well mixed, with a delicate raspberry flavour. My friend ordered the Hypnochee (HK$90, vodka, lychee juice, and 'hypnotic liqueur'). When we asked what the latter was, we were shown the bottle and given shot glasses to sample it. It turned out to be Hypnotiq, a vodka-based concoction mixed with fruit juices and a splash of brandy. I also had a Singapore Sling (HK$88) which was tasty, although the strong pineapple juice made it seem more like a pina colada. My friend tried a Strawberry Fields (champagne, Cointreau, fresh strawberries, HK$90), which was fresh and delicious. We were also offered a range of fruit-flavoured beers (HK$52-HK$68), but decided to stick to the more traditional Asahi (HK$60) instead.
The verdict: it wasn't heaving on a Friday night but it's definitely a choice watering hole. It's a fun and friendly place, with a crowd that was a touch sophisticated. The staff, drinks and atmosphere were spot on, though the place could have been busier. I was sold by the boom box in the corner alone.