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. 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; take in the views from cosy, candlelit seating. Not so impressed by the signature cocktails, the classy wine and spirits selection more than compensated, especially a pinot grigio and an aged rum. Recommended: Dom Perignon Oenotheque 1996 (HK$5,200 a bottle). 4 Baby Buddha 18 Wo On Lane, Central. Tel: 2167 7244. Its tucked-away alley location and cool, minimalist d?cor make this the perfect spot for a quiet drink before hitting SoHo or Lan Kwai Fong. Recommended: Around the World cocktail, a lethal combination of gin, Scotch, brandy, rum and vodka masked under fruity flavours of orange, lemon and pineapple. The Chapel 27 Yik Yam Street, Happy Valley. Tel: 2834 6565. Whether for a pre-race warm-up or post-win celebration, The Chapel's broad range of beers will satisfy anyone in Happy Valley. Recommended: The Chapel's curries are a great way to soak up the booze after the races. The China Bar G/F Ho Lee Commercial Building, 44 D'Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong. Tel: 2526 5992. Formerly Bar George, the cavernous space goes heavy on the red and dragons for its decorative motif but is comfortable and has a happening dance area. From a wide range of drinks, the cocktails were most eye-catching. Recommended: the Merry Berry cocktail of Bombay Sapphire gin, fresh mint, raspberry, strawberry, cranberry juice and lime (HK$89). Club @28 28/F Crowne Plaza Hotel, 8 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay. Tel: 3980 3300. The vibe: this rooftop bar is sleek, stylish and far from understated. Inside it's bright and glitzy, with a circular bar and glass windows on either side, one of which leads to the venue's real gem - a wood-decked terrace. Recommended: the J-Cube cocktail, made with vodka and crushed strawberries. 4 Dada Bar and Lounge 2/F The Luxe Manor, 39 Kimberly Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: 3763 8778. Bold leather couches and dim lighting make for a swanky and impressive destination in Tsim Sha Tsui. Recommended: the eponymous Dada cocktail includes pomegranate, light rum and lime, with a touch of spearmint. 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. Flutes 27 Elgin Street, SoHo, Central. Tel: 2810 0005. What could beat an unpretentious atmosphere in a prominent SoHo spot? The extensive drinks list that includes many champagnes, wines and cocktails is a strong lure but the wines are generally a safer bet than the cocktails, although the Flute is a deceptively potent champagne and fruit drink. Recommended: the Domaine Magellan Merlot 2007 (HK$70). Fly G/F, 24-30 Ice House Street, Central. Tel: 2810 9902. A sleek interior, bass-heavy sounds and eye-catching visual effects make for a serious clubbing experience but also mean spending serious money. The small number of beers is made up for by the ever-changing range of premium spirits and home-infused vodka based cocktails. Recommended: the Sawaadini lemongrass and kaffir lime vodka with ginger and chilli. Kila Upper Basement, 79 Wyndham Street, Central. Tel: 2522 8118. Hong Kong is not short of Irish bars, thanks to two large chains and a host of independent Irish-themed pubs, but the owners of Kila have taken a different approach: they've done their best to actually feel Irish. Recommended: the Guinness, of course, and the ice-cold Asahi on tap. The Lawn Bar 1/F The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty. Tel: 3968 1107. The large, swanky outdoor space with plenty of furniture to sprawl on 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). Lily 6/F LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham St, Central. Tel: 2810 6166. This slice of old-school cool comes courtesy of the people who brought us Volar and Halo. Recommended: the Elderflower Paloma, combining tequila, lime, grapefruit and soda water infused with elderflower. 4 The Living Room 6/F W Hotel, Kowloon Station. Tel: 3717 2222. It's easy to kick back and feel right at home in this sprawling, beautifully designed bar complete with board games and bookcases - just help yourself. Recommended: the awesome lychee martinis. MO Bar G/F The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen's Road Central. Tel: 2132 0077. This fashionable hangout spread over two levels offers some impressive signature cocktails. Recommended: the Asian Mind MOtini, with premium gin, muddled ginger, pink grapefruit and fresh lime juice. 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. Rayne 43-55 Wyndham Street, Central. Tel: 2840 1955. Settle in for a chat if you're early enough and watch the passing parade on Wyndham Street. Later on, the lounge or house 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. Salon de Ning B/F The Peninsula, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: 2315 3355. Hidden away in the basement of the Peninsula is this glamorous slice of 1930s Shanghai, inspiring a feeling of intrigue and mystery. Recommended: the Manhattan (HK$115), using Jim Beam rather than rye whiskey. 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. Sky Lounge 18/F Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers, 20 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: 2369 1111. A welcome relief from the bustle below, the bar has a glamorous 1950s feel and is an elegant eyrie to recharge batteries - either with self-served wines from the Enomatc machine or classic martinis and Chivas Regal 18. Recommended: the kiwi martini ((HK$95), a show-stopping blend of vodka, kiwi liqueur and kiwifruit syrup. Sugar 32/F East Hotel, 29 Taikoo Shing Road. Tel: 3968 3968. One of the few bars in the area to have an outdoor terrace, the chic Sugar at the boutique East Hotel is a rare escape from the city's Central-Causeway Bay hip-zone. Daybeds allow you to relax in its lap of laziness, while its view takes in most of the city's skyline. Recommended: the music, with resident DJs Eric Byron and P. Grant spinning lounge, soul, electro and chill-out. Tazmania Ballroom 1/F LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central. Tel: 2801 5009. The coolest, sleekest pool hall in Hong Kong, this lounge bar is straight out of Hoxton. Recommended: the 'F*** Me Up', a cocktail with a serious alcohol kick, including amaretto, Malibu and vodka. 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 and has great nooks and crannies to hide in. Recommended: the Lagavulin 25 years cask strength single malt whisky (HK$490 per shot).