The Wise King

The Wise King sits in the basement of 25 Staunton Street, its entrance tucked on Tseng Wing Lane beside the SoHo escalator. The name honors Alfonso X of Castile, the 13th century monarch credited with mandating food alongside wine, and the room runs with it: gold, deep reds, velvet, and brocade.

Founders Joe Villanueva and Sandeep Kumar built the menu as a journey through Spanish and Moorish flavor, and Asia's 50 Best ranked the bar number 34 in 2022.

Who would hate it? Anyone who needs daylight or minimalism. This is a committed theme executed by serious bartenders, not a costume party.

Low ceilings, candle glow on gilt, and seating that pushes conversation close. The South China Morning Post's review praised a room where excellent service and tasty cocktails promise a long, successful reign, and Sassy Hong Kong files it among SoHo's essential hidden doors.

The list rebuilds Mediterranean staples as cocktails, sherry, saffron, fig, and olive oil washing through the builds, most around HK$130. A 2025 menu refresh covered by DrinkCollectiv pushed further into Mediterranean territory, and the kitchen sends Spanish, Moroccan, and Italian bites.

Order whatever carries sherry or saffron, with the tapas plate alongside. Skip rushing; the room rewards a slow second round.

Central's after office cocktail crowd early, bar industry guests late, and travelers working through the Asia's 50 Best list on weekends. The Yay Project's review notes balanced, interesting builds with the music dialed right.

What regulars say:

• SCMP praised the service and predicted a long, successful reign within months of opening.
• Asia's 50 Best placed it at number 34 in 2022.
• The Bar Awards and Discover Hong Kong both file it among SoHo's essential rooms.

Who it is for:

• Sherry curious drinkers ready to go past Tio Pepe
• A date that wants hidden without gimmicks
• Avoid if you came for rooftop skyline; Ozone in Hong Kong owns that altitude

Hong Kong's most committed themed bar that still drinks seriously. Find Tseng Wing Lane, start with sherry, and give Castile two rounds of your evening.

Getting there: Basement of 25 Staunton Street; the entrance is on Tseng Wing Lane, two minutes off the Mid-Levels escalator.

Timing: Evenings Monday to Saturday; Thursday through Saturday warrants a booking.

Cost: Cocktails HK$120 to HK$150, tapas from HK$88.