Tired of long lines at popular bars and want to be whisked away to somewhere more hidden? Step into the world of speakeasies. Behind hidden alleyways and mysterious doors is where you’ll find more quiet, cosy nooks with equally masterful cocktails. Below is our list of the best hidden bars and speakeasies in Hong Kong.
Before we dive into all the coolest hidden bars and speakeasies in Hong Kong, here’s a mini history crash course on how the term “speakeasy” came by. It dates back to America’s Prohibition Era (1920 to 1933), when alcohol was banned under the Volstead Act. To skirt the law, underground bars operated in secrecy, and patrons were told to “speak easy” (quietly) to avoid drawing attention. A century later, the allure of hidden bars lives on. Today, speakeasies are not just relics of the past but a thriving part of global cocktail culture.
Hong Kong’s speakeasies are masters of disguise. You might find yourself sipping cocktails in what appears to be a retro laundromat, a futuristic spaceship lounge, or a cosy library den complete with leather armchairs and shelves of vintage books. Even some of the more well-known spots still require a bit of detective work. Will you find it behind that unmarked door in Tai Kwun’s barracks? Or is it the mysterious coloured panel that responds to your knock? It’s all part of the speakeasy experience. When you do discover your perfect hidden haunt, you’ll face that age-old speakeasy dilemma: do you guard your find or spread the word?
Our favourite speakeasies and hidden bars in Hong Kong
1 /10
View this post on Instagram
One of the earliest speakeasies in Hong Kong, 001 is no longer a secret, especially after its relocation to Tai Kwun. Blending itself with the architecture of this historic prison, the iconic door bell remains and that’s your cue to enter. As a first timer, it’s pretty easy to get lost but you’ll eventually find your way. The decoration also subtly nods to the bygone era with plush, velvet booths, tip-top bartenders, and classic cocktails. The old-school charm of this hidden bar keeps it a firm favourite.
LSA recommends: Earl Grey Marteani
2 /10
View this post on Instagram
Dr. Fern’s Gin Parlour has made its triumphant return, staying true to its clandestine origins while moving to The Pottinger. Now reimagined as The Doctor’s Residence (Volume II), the revamped concept offers an even more audacious take on medicinal mixology. The new menu pushes boundaries with clinical surrealism, where unexpected ingredients like squid ink, candied bacon, jellyfish collagen, and pickled watermelon rind transform into daring, prescription-worthy elixirs. Behind the apothecary-style bar lies an impressive collection of over 400 gins—from bright citrus-forward varieties to deep, spice-infused expressions—each carefully selected to complement the establishment’s unconventional healing philosophy.
LSA recommends: Jellyfish Martini
Is gin your go-to poison? Check out the best gin-based cocktails in Hong Kong, according to Gail Lanorias of Salisterra.
3 /10
View this post on Instagram
Did you know BaseHall 2 has a hidden bar nestled within? This personal favourite of ours draws inspiration from subterranean water cisterns, featuring strikingly geometric architecture that sets it apart from any other bar in the city. Helmed by a passionate team of mixology experts, Artifact Bar showcases remarkable prowess with its drinks offerings, with a program focusing on age spirits, and a consistently rotating speciality menu focused on one aged spirit.
LSA recommends: The Grape One
4 /10
This cosy and intimate bar is tailored for whiskey aficionados with its carefully selected 300 whiskies from around the world. Offering regular masterclasses led by its distillery owners and whiskey experts to help encourage patrons to learn and appreciate their favourite whiskies, this is the place to be if you favour this tipple.
LSA recommends: Whisky Sour
(Photo credit: Whisky & Words)
5 /10
View this post on Instagram
What used to be an old ping pong hall in Sai Ying Pun has now been transformed into a stylish Spanish gin and tonic bar. With its red neon signage, aluminium window grills and calligraphy pieces, the bar celebrates old Hong Kong with a retro flare. While it’s no necessarily your cosy corner bar, the lively scenes sure get you in the party mood.
LSA recommends: Master’s London Drink
6 /10
View this post on Instagram
Hidden in plain sight down the stairs and around the back of Pottinger Street’s H Code, The Diplomat provides a collection of reimagined cocktails such as the Chocolate Vieux Carré. Tucked away within the centre of the bar is an invitation-only pink speakeasy, ‘The Diplomat Social Club’. This members-only club offers an exclusive drinks menu and a more intimate interior, featuring an eclectic collection of vinyl records to be played on request.
LSA recommends: Tarling
7 /10
View this post on Instagram
Tucked beside its acclaimed sister bar Penicillin, Lockdown is the innovative creation of award-winning mixologists (and power couple) Agung and Laura Prabowo. The bar makes an immediate impression with its playful yet poignant design. The entrance mimics a toilet door, humorously nodding to where many of us spent countless hours during pandemic lockdowns. Nearby, a towering ladder symbolically represents the bar industry’s remarkable resilience and ability to climb back from adversity. Lockdown’s bar menu is divided into “Re-mastered Forgotten Classics,” and “Vintage & Antique Cocktails,”.
LSA recommends: Gin Rickey
8 /10
View this post on Instagram
You’ve likely strolled right past this spot, mistaking it for just another neighbourhood laundromat. But if you look closer one of those washing machine columns swings open to reveal a portal to a pulsating speakeasy. There’s exciting guest shifts, pumping music, and an unmissable happy hour deal every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The kind of place where the drinks flow as freely as the good vibes.
LSA recommends: Dizzy Cloud
9 /10
View this post on Instagram
Tucked behind discreet curtains in Tai Kwun, Gishiki Lounge’s enigmatic cocktails, blend premium Asian ingredients with Hong Kong’s vibrant tea culture. Helmed by award-winning mixologist Birstacla Wong, this intimate hideout—adjacent to Sushi Zo—elevates post-omakase indulgence with artful, tea-infused libations.
LSA recommends: T.G.Y
Keen to know more? Tune in to our full review of Gishiki Lounge.
10 /10
The Old Man pays homage to Hemingway by drawing inspiration from his novels, history, and folklore. The award-winning team here incorporates novel ingredients and culinary accents—crafting a tribute to the spirits and cocktails he adored. The bar itself mirrors the sensory richness of the famed author’s prose, with plush velvet sofas, lush botanical motifs, and a striking geometric portrait of Hemingway as its backdrop. Nestled on Aberdeen Street, it’s a gathering place for literary fans and cocktail connoisseurs alike to savour inventive libations in honour of the brilliant writer and cocktail enthusiast. True to its theme, the cocktail menu features drinks named after Hemingway’s works—but what we love most is their elegant simplicity. Rather than overcomplicating, each drink is elevated through thoughtful, slightly unconventional ingredients
LSA recommends: Doomsday
(Photo credit: The Old Man)
