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Bars

001

LG/F, 97 Wellington Street, Central. Tel: 2810 6969. So exclusive it's almost secretive, this club's black wooden floors and secluded booths lend themselves to privacy. Recommended: its premium spirits.

Baby Buddha

18 Wo On Lane, Central. Tel: 2167 7244. Its tucked-away alley location and cool, minimalist decor make this the perfect spot before hitting SoHo or Lan Kwai Fong. Recommended: Around the World cocktail, a lethal combination of gin, Scotch, brandy, rum and vodka masked under fresh fruity flavours of orange, lemon and pineapple.

Brecht's

G/F, 123 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay. Tel: 2576 4785. This comfortable throwback to the '90s doesn't have much connection with the playwright but serves good value premium beers and aged whiskies. Head for the sometimes surprising HK$60 cocktails. Recommended: the Tagarimar (tequila, Cointreau, Galliano and fresh lemon juice).

Club 71

Man Hing Lane (off Hollywood Road), Central. Tel: 2858 7071. A mellow haunt off Hollywood Rd, with an impromptu alfresco area. A good range of beers and cocktails but leave the wines alone. Recommended: Amaretto sour.

Dandy

18 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central. Tel: 2544 1978. This bar is hip, ambient and relaxed; the classic cocktails are good. Recommended: Strawberry Fields (champagne, Cointreau, fresh strawberries, HK$90).

Eivissa

77 Wyndham Street, Central. Tel: 2520 5818. This slightly dark but definitely cosy nook moves from escape to midnight dance floor. Excellent happy hour offers. Recommended: Grimbergen draught (HK$65), an orangey, toffee-flavoured Belgian beer.

Eyebar

30/F iSquare, 63 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: 2487 3988. This expansive space takes advantage of the 30th-floor locale, turning the stunning harbour view into the bar's backdrop. Recommended: the more than 100 international wines or Chinese spirits such as Wuliangye.

Fly

G/F, 24-30 Ice House Street, Central. Tel: 2810 9902. A sleek interior, bass-heavy sounds and eye-catching visuals make for a serious clubbing experience but also mean spending serious money. The small number of beers is made up for by the house-infused vodka-based cocktails. Recommended: the Sawaadini lemon grass and kaffir lime vodka with ginger and chilli.

Hush

G/F, 2 Gleanealy, Central. Tel: 2537 2281. This chill-out bar away from the hubbub of nearby Lan Kwai Fong and Wyndham Street offers a casual place to unwind. Recommended: the impressive molecular cocktails such as Mr Grey (HK$110), a refreshing martini made of crushed cucumber, apple juice, Earl Grey tea, gin and elderflower syrup.

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. Recommended: Trappist Westmalle Tripel Belgian beer (HK$42).

The Lawn Bar

1/F The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty. Tel: 3968 1107. The large, swanky outdoor space offers a wide variety of wines to choose from and a few of master mixologist Sam Jeveons' innovative cocktails. Recommended: the Elderflower Collins, made with elderflower syrup, Tanqueray gin, fresh lime juice, fresh grapes and soda (HK$110).

Le Boudoir

B/F, 65 Wyndham St, 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.

The Living Room

6/F W Hotel, Kowloon Station. Tel: 3717 2222. It's easy to feel at home in this sprawling, beautifully designed bar complete with board games and bookcases - just help yourself. Recommended: the awesome lychee martinis, and the HK$198 deal for all the New World wine that you can drink.

Mamoz

27-28/F Cubus, 1 Hoi Ping Rd, Causeway Bay. Tel: 2890 3182. Occupying roughly 5,000-sq ft in Cubus, Mamoz offers a panoramic view of the area and glimpses of Victoria Harbour. Forget the crowds while you sit in a comfy leather armchair, snacking on a bowl of cashews. Recommended: the Southside Fizz (HK$88), a combination of Tanqueray No Ten, fresh lime, mint and soda.

Ozone

118/F Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon. Tel: 2263 2263. The highest bar in the world doesn't disappoint with its bird's-eye view of the city. Prices here are as steep as the venue, but then you're 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.

Phonograph

2 Austin Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Tel: 2730 6622. Phonograph isn't a music venue but is one frequented by musicians. Staff don't mind plugging your iPod into the sound system while you sip a Yakult cocktail. Recommended: any of the Yakult cocktails.

Psychic Jack

1/F, 30-32 Wyndham Street, Central. Tel: 2868 6102. This deliciously decadent addition to the Wyndham Street scene is all comfortable relaxed hues, while the Central nightlife bursts into life around you. Recommended: the lemon drops (HK$76) and the Long Beach iced tea (HK$102).

Rayne

43-55 Wyndham Street, Central. Tel: 2840 1955. Settle in for a chat if you're early enough and watch the crowds. Later on, the music amps up and this part of town becomes a place in which to see and be seen. Recommended: the Chocolate Rayne (HK$85), which blends house-made chocolate sauce with vodka and whiskey and then tops it off with Frangelico and chocolate liqueur.

Sevva

25/F Prince's Building, 10 Chater Road, Central. Tel: 2537 1388. Indoor and (spacious) outdoor seating gives Sevva a nice edge, particularly given the incredible skyscraper views. Recommended: at Sevva it's the desserts which will steal your heart.

Shore

3-4/F L Place, 139 Queen's Road Central. Tel: 2915 1638. Spread over two floors, Shore showcases an interesting dual-concept theme: upstairs is the Onshore fine-dining area, downstairs is the Offshore bar with a 1,800 sq ft terrace that exudes warmth and originality. Recommended: the Surprise Me! (HK$90) cocktail.

Tott's and Roof Terrace

34/F The Excelsior hotel, 281 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay. Tel: 2837 6786. A glamorous hotel rooftop bar as suitable for business entertaining as for romantic soirees. An extensive list is heavy on the cocktails and wines but we were happiest with a 10-year-old port. The happy hour is good value. Recommended: Moonlight Lychee Blossom, a mix of vodka, elderflower, lemon and champagne (HK$98).

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, the bar serves manly cocktails designed by a New York mixologist. Recommended: the Lagavulin 25-year cask-strength single malt whisky (HK$490 per shot).

Volume Beat

LG/F, 62 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan. Tel: 2857 7683. A pink nightclub with a loyal following for its eclectic music. Stiff cocktails are a strong feature, although the Chrysanthemum martini was a little medicinal. Recommended: Strawberry Mini Boom champagne cocktail (HK$120).

W52

G/F, 52 Wyndham Street, Central. Tel: 6768 5252. Our favourite bar on Wyndham Street has just undergone a minor revamp and is as chic and sophisticated as ever, as long as you stick to spirits and cocktails and don't 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).

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