Bar review: Rockabilly in Central
An American 1950s theme bar, to me, represents everything that is wrong with the Hong Kong bar scene: heavy handed concept bars without atmosphere or character. It turns out I was wrong, writes Charley Lanyon
Rockabilly
12 Lan Kwai Fong, Central
Tel: 2869 0099
to be honest I was sure I would hate this bar before I visited. An American 1950s theme bar, to me, represents everything that is wrong with the Hong Kong bar scene: heavy handed concept bars without atmosphere or character. It turns out I was wrong. I'm still not a fan of concept bars, but I do like Rockabilly. The no-frills decor - they could lose the tattoo posters - is comfortable and inviting. The music, rockabilly of course, is much better than your typical LKF fare and the food and drinks are tasty and well priced.
the menu is straightforward - wine, beers, slushies and shooters with mixed drinks available on request. The absence of highfalutin cocktails and all mentions of mixology is a welcome relief. My friend loved his Czechvar 1795 draft (HK$75), but the stars of the night were the slushies. You can choose from a Pink Cadillac (tequila, grenadine, fresh lemon and lime, HK$50); a Blue Moon (white rum, curacao, pineapple and coconut milk, HK$60); and our favourite, the Purple Haze (HK$65), a mix of the two. Alcoholic slushies always suffer from texture problems. The alcohol freezes at a lower temperature than the other ingredients so, without the right equipment, slushies are either over-frozen or too watery. Not so at Rockabilly where they are thick and smooth.
a pleasant surprise that should be a great addition to Lan Kwai Fong as both a late-night boozer and an after-work local. When you go, be sure to order food. The sliders are good and they have pizza fries. That's right, pizza fries.