Hong Kong: A taste of the high life
Who says Hong Kong doesn't know how to do rooftop bars?
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My expat friend Adam assures me this is a city which has now embraced cool outdoor bars with stunning views. Let the tour begin.
HARLAN'S
We start at Harlan's with drinks which fittingly encapsulate the East meets West ethos of Hong Kong - lychee martini meets gin and tonic.
Perched on the 19th floor of The One, a Nathan Road shopping destination, we toast the spectacular city. An afternoon glow adds warmth to the stunning views across to Hong Kong Island and our own catch-up. It's been a long time between drinks.
Harlan's is known for its Italian-inspired fare, so we sample some shared delights before kicking on.
Address: 19th floor, The ONE, 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.
Open: Sunday to Saturday for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner; drinks until 12:30am.
Phone: (+852) 2972 2222
jcgroup.hk
OZONE
It makes sense that the world's highest hotel also boasts the world's highest bar. The swanky Ozone bar sits atop the Ritz Carlton hotel on the 118th floor. Both the hotel and bar, which opened in March 2011, have a reputation for funk and style.
The outdoor terrace offers spectacular views over the city and Victoria Harbour. Asian tapas- style food soaks up signature cocktails and is soothed away by cool DJ beats.
Address: 118th floor, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Open: Sunday to Thursday 5pm-1am; Friday 5pm-2am; Saturday 4pm-2am; Sunday noon-3pm.
Phone: (+852) 2263 2263
ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/ HongKong/Dining/ozone
SEVVA
Every night at 8pm, Hong Kong puts on a dazzling laser show with more than 40 buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour part of a skyline multimedia show. SEVVA is one of the best vantage points.
The glamorous bar with panoramic views occupies the 25th floor of Prince's Building. While the taste bar offers a selection of fine wine, cocktails and tapas-style bites, the outdoor terrace provides comfy sofas to drink it all in.
Address: 25th floor, Prince's Building, 10 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong
Open: Monday to Wednesday noon-midnight; Thursday to Friday noon-2am; Saturday 3pm-2am.
Phone: (+852) 2537 1388
sevva.hk
SUGAR
Sugar, 32 floors above the EAST hotel, cleverly embraces outdoor lifestyle. The bar reopened to great fanfare in September 2011.
The alfresco atmosphere starts inside - floor-to-ceiling glass doors are retracted - and extends outside via comfy sofas and chairs. from where there are panoramic views across Victoria Harbour.
The vibe is stylish and casual. Add tapas, cocktails and chilled- out beats for a twilight interlude.
Sugar: The alfresco vibe starts inside at this Hong Kong haunt. Supplied picture
Address: 32nd floor, EAST Hotel, 29 Tai Koo Shing Road, Island East, Hong Kong.
Open: Monday to Saturday 5pm-2am.
Phone: (+852) 3968 3988
sugar-hongkong.com
RED BAR + RESTAURANT
Red may not be the highest bar in town - 4th floor of Hong Kong's second tallest building, International Finance Centre - but it certainly occupies a prime city location on the waterfront.
The big outdoor deck has trees and ponds with views across Victoria Harbour to Kowloon. Mood lighting and different seating areas with comfy sofas create a relaxed setting. Light bites range from pizzas to crispy crab cakes.
RED Bar + Restaurant: This Hong Kong bar has a large alfresco area in the IFC building. Supplied picture
Address: 4th floor, ifc mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong
Open: Monday to Wednesday 11:30am-midnight; Thursday 11:30am to 1am; Friday and Saturday 11:30-3am; Sunday and Public Holidays 11:30am-10pm
Phone: (+852) 8129 8882
www.pure-red.com/en/hongkong _
EYE BAR
"An eye over Victoria Harbour" is the catchphrase here. Eyes were once painted on the prow of old Chinese ships to protect against evil. And at the Eye Bar you are certainly in safe hands. On the 30th floor of the iSQUARE shopping centre, the bar is spacious with high ceilings and a bar that runs the length of the venue.
Eye Bar is well-known for its sophisticated cocktails. Add sweeping views of Victoria Harbour complemented by a telescope on the terrace for an even closer look at Hong Kong. Eye Bar is sleek and sexy - inside and out.
Eye Bar in Hong Kong. Supplied picture
Address: 30th floor, iSQUARE, 63 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong _
Open: Daily 11:30am until late
Phone: (+852) 2487 3988
WOOLOOMOOLOO
Want floor-to-ceiling window views of Happy Valley, Victoria Harbor and Wan Chai combined with a stunning outdoor terrace? Then head to Wooloomooloo on the 31st floor of the iconic Hennessy building in Wan Chai.
It is a fantastic rooftop bar, but there's no hiding the fact there is also a great steak house here. The signature dish is the Australian Black Angus beef.
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie. Oi, Oi, Oi.
Steady, mate. Maybe we should call it a night.
Yep, shut it down.
Until next time . . .
Address: 31st floor, The Hennessy, 256 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Open: Rooftop lounge daily 6pm until late
Phone: (+852) 2893 6960
wooloo-mooloo.com
