Bar review: Coa in Central – great selection of tequila and mezcal in a Mexican-style cantina
The bar staff’s professionalism and passion make this the perfect place to discover and develop your knowledge of agave spirits
The vibe: Located in the NoHo basement formerly occupied by Neo Bar halfway down the Shin Hing Street stone steps, Coa is a notable addition to the growing number of bars specialising in tequila and mezcal. (“Coa” is the name of a tool used for harvesting the agave plant).
Bare concrete walls and simple wooden tables and chairs evoke a rustic Mexican cantina. The theme is delightfully enhanced as you sip spirits that have been served in traditional pottery vessels. Coa’s co-founder, mixologist Jay Khan, and his well-trained staff give a warm welcome and are on hand to guide you in detail through the intricacies of agave-based drinks.
To try more varieties, we ordered a tasting flight of four mezcals, served and priced in half-shot portions. Los Cuerudos (HK$88 full portion/HK$44 half) was dry, smoky and citrusy, the Karwinski agave-based Pescador de Sueños (HK$138/HK$69) was bitter, earthy and minerally, and the Arte Mezcal 2015 (HK$138/HK$69), blended from four types of agave, was smooth, refined and complex.
Among the bar’s rarest offerings – and the most surprising one we tried – was Mezcaloteca (HK$158/HK$79) which had an intense nose of blue cheese (yes, really!) opening out into lush tropical fruits in the mouth. Weird yet wonderful.
Cocktails are still being worked on and the list hasn’t been finalised yet, but a Mezcal Negroni (HK$100) was smoky, bitter and balanced. If agave isn’t your thing, there’s a well-chosen selection of other premium spirits and beer; you can explore other aspects of Mexico with Los Cuentos craft lager (HK$75) or Coa’s home-made Tepache (HK$80), a refreshing low-alcohol drink produced from fermented pineapple. Wines by the glass include the excellent Duval-Leroy Champagne – by Central standards it’s great value at HK$128.
Coa, LG/F, Wah Shin House, 6-10 Shin Hing Street, Central, tel: 2813 5787
While you’re in the area:
