1/F Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road, Central Tel: 2825 4009 Open 11am-11pm, closed Sundays
The vibe: first opened in the 1960s, the Chinnery Bar (pictured) has the air of a traditional gentlemen's club.
It shares the floor with the perpetually packed Mandarin Grill, but is hidden behind a winding staircase and channels a private atmosphere.
The bar's name pays tribute to famed colonial-era-painter George Chinnery, whose oil portraits adorn the walls. Everything about the bar spells sophistication, from the dark-wood d?cor to the silver-haired staff in perfectly tailored white dinner jackets. The Chinnery's old-world refinement, coupled with the comfortable leather chairs, makes it the perfect spot for like-minded people to discuss art over swigs of Scotch. Gastropub classics like battered fish and thick-cut chips, bangers and mash and big plates of British-style curry and tandoori items fill out the food selection.
The drinks: the Bible-thick, leather-clad menu lists more than 100 different single-malt whiskies from around the globe. The focus though is on Irish and Scottish labels, with the latter subdivided into Lowland and Highland brands. Those who want to venture beyond the Macallans and Glenlivets can try the 10-year-old Talisker (HK$105), which has an astringent smell that mellows into a robust but smooth taste with smoky accents. For something a little less intense, go for the 16-year-old Glencadam (HK$140), a fresh, floral single malt from the eastern Highlands that is little seen elsewhere.
The verdict: the Chinnery's success lies in its authentic, old-school charm. The extensive drinks list helps, of course - after all, there's a reason the place has remained the cornerstone of Hong Kong's whisky culture for so long.