The Bar at Dockyard review: best food court bar in Hong Kong is in Hung Hom
The choice is fairly limited but the drinks are good value and the bar staff know what they’re doing. And if you’re feeling hungry, there are plenty of options nearby
The vibe: Dockyard is a food court in the Kerry Hotel, but you could just drop in for a drink at The Bar without eating. The food outlets are all set up to respond to orders via a mobile communications app – otherwise they have to be placed at a cashier counter – but you can pay for your drinks the old-fashioned way and either take them to a table or occupy a bar stool and consume them on the spot.
Wherever you are, the food vendors will deliver. Loosely speaking this is a sports bar, with video screens either side of a horseshoe counter. The drinks list is pretty short, but cocktails are professionally mixed and presented, staff are friendly and helpful, and there are harbour views.
The drinks: The house has its own beer, brewed by Young Master, so I started with a Dockyard Lager (HK$58/US$7.40). It is not one of the brewery’s more characterful creations, but was pleasantly refreshing. There are six more draught beers, and three bottled.
Also billed as a signature drink is the Chilli and Cucumber Margarita. It is only mildly spicy, with the cooling cucumber element balancing the chilli heat nicely. It was a good aperitif, which prompted me to order a crab brioche roll from Lab, which in turn prompted a glass of wine.
The wine list is limited to two whites, two reds, two sparkling – one of which is NV Veuve Clicquot (HK$90) – and one rosé. The Chairman’s Selection Chardonnay from South Australian label Renmano – represented in Hong Kong, perhaps not surprisingly, by Kerry Wines – is about what you would expect for HK$50 a glass, but decent enough and properly chilled.
The high point turned out to be a cocktail not on the list (only seven are). The Dockyard Draught Negroni Sbagliato (HK$60) is made with prosecco instead of a spirit, which didn’t appeal to me as an idea. Billy the bartender, however, who clearly knew what he was doing, offered to make me a classic one with gin. It turned out to be excellent, and appeared on my bill listed as a second margarita for HK$68. Good value, and this being a food court, there are no service charges.
There is also a fair selection of good quality, but not ultra premium, spirits.
The verdict: The choice at Dockyard is limited, but the bar is a considerable improvement on what’s available at any other food court in Hong Kong that I’m aware of. On the other hand there is probably a less accommodating attitude towards BYO.
Dockyard, Level One, Kerry Hotel, 38 Hung Luen Road, Hung Hom, tel: 2252 5228 . Opens 11am-11pm
While you’re in the area:
Bar review: The Patio Bar in Hung Hom – bright lights, sweet drinks, and live music at weekends
Bar review: Red Sugar – a sweet experience with friendly staff and impressive drinks list
Restaurant review: Omega 3 in Hung Hom – good plum wine and a huge menu of Japanese classics
