Hong Kong
Hong Kong International Airport is, on a per-traveller basis, one of the most efficiently designed airports in the world — and the entire drinking story revolves around the Cathay Pacific lounge system. The Pier (Cathay First) at gate 65, The Pier (Business) one floor down, The Wing (First) near gate 2, The Wing (Business) adjacent, and The Bridge near gate 35 collectively constitute the densest concentration of premium-cabin drinking on earth. The Pier First Class lounge alone has a Champagne bar, a long table for sit-down dining, and the famous Day Suites with shower-bath access. None of it is accessible without Cathay First or Diamond status.
Causeway Bay intends to be: a place where time and patience and the right cask make all the difference. On Leighton Road · $$$
The angel's share is the portion of whisky that evaporates during barrel ageing — the percentage the distiller surrenders to the atmosphere, year after year, wh
City centre · $$$$
Aqua sits on the 30th floor of 1 Peking Road and delivers the most direct Victoria Harbour view in Tsim Sha Tsui. The wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows frame
City centre · $$$$
Argo sits inside the Four Seasons Hong Kong and is the most polished hotel cocktail bar in Asia. Asia's Best Bar 2022, World's 50 Best Bars regular. The room is
Central · $$$
The Armoury draws a steady local crowd in Central. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening.
The cheat code at HKG is the Regal Airport Hotel, directly connected to Terminal 1 by air-conditioned walkway. China Coast Bar & Grill on the lobby level pours a serious cocktail and is empty 80% of the time. The walk takes seven minutes from immigration. If you have 60 minutes pre-airport, the Mandarin Oriental Captain's Bar in Central is forty minutes door-to-door via Airport Express and the right place to leave Hong Kong from.
Plays for Hong Kong Airport: post-security, pre-security, lounges, and the airport-hotel cheat code.
Pre-flight drinks, hotel-bar reviews, and the openings we're watching across 200+ cities. Friday mornings, no filler.
Looking beyond Hong Kong? See our guide to the best airport bars worldwide, or compare airport bars city by city.