Medina Lounge of Kasbah
It’s a sensual slice of North Africa up on Arbuthnot. On the bar side, under iron lamps casting a dim atmospheric glow, low divans cluster around café-style round tables on Berber rugs. Puff on a water pipe, sip on a Marrakech cocktail of rum shaken with mint and lemon and topped with champagne, and feel the exotic beats wash over you. It’s intimate enough to have your whole harem over, even on weekends.
4-8 Arbuthnot St., Central, 2525-9493
Sahara Mezz Bar
Can’t afford that trip to Egypt just yet? Head over to Sahara, a long, dimly lit lounge evocative of a Cairo bar or coffee shop where old Coptic men puff on water pipes and sip tiny cups of mint tea. Tucked away on lower Elgin, they have a cornucopia’s worth of fruit-flavored tobacco. The bar isn’t nearly as dry as its namesake either—try their “Sahara Cocktail” (lime cordial, white rum, fresh mint and lime and champagne) or the “Queen of the Desert” (vodka, triple sec and cranberry juice). Weekends get crowded, so don’t bring your camel.
11 Elgin St., Central, 2291-6060
Malouf’s
There are few places in town as arabesque as Australian chef Greg Malouf’s Hong Kong outlet. Upstairs is a long and narrow restaurant adorned with plush furniture, while the downstairs bar area features soft-playing modern electronic music blended with traditional sounds. Drinks depend on the bartender's muse for the evening, but try the Moroccan mojito (Bacardi, sugar syrup, soda and lots of crushed ice and mint) to go with their luxurious taked on mezze, such as their Turkish aubergine and haloumia boat pizza or spiced pigeon bistayeea.
3/F Elements, 1 Austin Rd. West, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, 2810-8585