When we visited Hong Kong we found a little speakeasy online situated up a tiny elevator stairwell. Now I say find it, it took almost 30 minutes of trying to open doors and asking people to finally find it. Even the street seller 20 metres down the road had no idea.
Enter the Angel Share Bar
After a elevator ride that reminded me of the Tower of Terror at Disneyland. W entered a corridor with a door which opened up in what we can only describe as a 1950s cigar bar.
Perfect Setting
It’s dim lights, comfy couches and sleek exterior mad for the perfect setting. The most impressive back bar full of bottles and bottles of whiskey from all over the world.
The Angel’s share
Hard to choose what to have the bartender came over and went through the menu, found out our palettes and suggested some drinks. Whilst picking his brain for a while the question came up why is the bar called Angel’s Share ?
So the story of Angel’s Share was told, here is a run down of it. Not wanting to miss out on the fun, the Angels have to have there share as well. This Share is the total amount of distilled spirits that gets lost to evaporation out of the barrel or cask into the air as the ageing process of the whiskey continues. Therefore the Angel’s share was invented.
Angel Share no more
Unfortunately since our visit Angel Share is no more. Maybe it’s the difficulty in finding or maybe the wrong vibe who knows all I know is I loved it and the experience was not only great but a learning curve into whiskey.
The Instagram page is still live take a look for yourselves at this great trendy cocktail bar.
More Hong Kong food and drink
We had some great food and drink adventures around Hong Kong with visits to the ORIGIN Gin bar in the central district where we drank out out of bathtubs, thats right bathtubs catch our ORIGIN post.
Some great food destinations around this amazing city none other than Little Bao and many more from our Hong Kong Food and Drink Guide.
Whilst on a trip to Hong Kong we did our fair share of bar hopping, and if there is one thing Hong Kong does well that’s bars. One of best our best finds was ORIGIN Bar in Hong Kongs Central district. Did someone say a bathtub cocktail
Bar researching for cocktails
After a bit of research and looking at bars online we stumbled across a picture of a bathtub cocktail!! Yes that’s right a bathtub. Loving the unique nature and knowing the trendy bar scene in Hong Kong we jotted it down because we really wanted this experience and find out more.
Enter ORIGIN Bar
ORIGIN Bar a funky small and narrow venue, dark with dimmed lighting and very inviting, almost like a speakeasy but not hidden at the back of a launderette or up some secret stairs. It’s there for all to see.
Menu at ORIGIN Bar
The menu consisted of many contemporary cocktails with all combinations of Gins and other spirits. Being a gin bar, gin was obviously at the forefront but other options were available also.
The one item that stood out to me was the cocktail in the bathtub the one we had researched the “Kyoho Grape Bathtub” cocktail known as the bars signature cocktail and around around Hong Kong.
The Kyoho Grape Bathtub
Delicious and moreish cocktail
It was a super smooth cocktail and very easy to drink, the fear was it would be to gimmicky but no it was well worth the visit. You can see in the photo below the glazed eyes and happy smile was after a fair few soaks in the tub.
Kyoho Grape Bathtub round 4
So that’s the story of how we drank out of a bathtub. A bathtub cocktail in Hong Kong is certainly not the usual thing to do. Do you have a unique coattail story to tell us? let us know below.
After all this drinking your need something to soak it all up and we have just the place Little bao in the Central District is the place to go and sample some share plates and a assortment of delicious baos.
Little Bao Hong Kong and there owner May Chow started life in the suburb of Soho on Hong Kong Island in a small and cosy shop front seating minimal people, with people queuing to get a piece of the great food on offer. The site had to go to housing development and was closed.
Fast forward and Little Bao soho is back with a new venue and sleek revamp and the opening of the large Causeway Bay restaurant this restaurant is now flourishing.
Owner operator May Chow has become something of a celebrity in the culinary scene on Hong Kong Island. She was voted 2017 best female chef at the Asia’s 50 best restaurants awards.
Notable as well Little Bao was once visited by the late Anthony Bourdain for his epic series Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown. You can find her interview on the Parts Unknown website. May has also appeared on MasterChef Asia, MasterChef UK.
Location
Located on Hong Kong Island, central district and also Causeway Bay Little Bao Hong Kong has two venues.
The Food
The food at Little Bao is just to doe for, based on relaxed dining the menu consists of share plates and the obvious there trademark baos.
Those not familiar with Bao buns, they are a steamed yeast bun soft in texture which can be filled with your own fillings. Popular in Chinese cuisines but now ever popular in all types of Asian cuisines.
From the share plates menu such dishes like ‘Lu Rou’ a Taiwanese version of a scotched egg or equally as inviting is the short rib dumplings. Both packed full of flavour and so Moreish that the share plate name would suitably be eaten alone.
Then there are the trademark baos. The buns so beautiful steamed, with the fillings expertly crafted to allow an array of textures. Personal favourites include fried chicken with black vinegar glaze and szechaun pepper mayo. Or equally as good and for the veges the Sloppy Chan a great mix of shitake tempeh, truffle mayo and pickled daikon. Disclaimer: They are delicious.
Causeway Bay Shop: Shop H1, GF, Fashion Walk, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
And Lastly
Chef May Chow hasn’t stopped at Little Bao her success has brought about a second venture in Happy Paradise. This venue Chef May Chow calls her love letter to Chinese cuisine, and looks an elegant and fantastic dining experience. The accolades for Happy Paradise are impressive
Condé Nast Traveller’s The Best New Restaurants in the World 2021
Tatler’s 20 Best Restaurants in HK and Macau 2019, 2020
TIME Magazine’s 100 Greatest Places on Earth 2018
featured in Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown.
We have not experienced it yet but it’s a main reason we want to return to Hong Kong.
Keep up to date with our latest restaurant reviews from around the world featuring Bonita Bonita on the Gold Coast Australia, Harbour House in Cape Town or the Red Bank in Carrick on Shannon in Ireland.
The Cordis Hotel Hong Kong, Mong Kok. So here is the story on our flight back to Australia from our wedding last year, we thought we would have a stop over. We wanted somewhere different, somewhere were we could relax and enjoying our two favourite things. Yep good food and cocktails, and well there is no other place better for it than Hong Kong.
We had heard from numerous people that Hong Kong was flowing with eateries and bars and this was certainly up our alley and mix with a totally different culture we were on board and booked the flight.
Now being a kind of pre honeymoon, we were looking for something top end, and the Cordis stood out to us so we didn’t hesitate and we booked it.
The Cordis Hotel was situated on the Kowloon side of the river in Mong Kok. We found it has a bit of more Chinese culture, and full of great little markets and more of a local feel than crossing the other side.
As mentioned we had just got married so we decided to treat ourselves and add the club lounge to our stay. Now we did not regret this the club lounge offered complimentary food and drink all the way throughout the day. Including champagne hour with beautiful snacks and delicate canapes. There was also a cocktail hour also late evening offering spirts and host of mixers. These were great ways to start and end your evenings, and obviously part of the club lounge package. The views from the lounge over Hong Kong were unreal, you can see as far as the eye can see, great place to sip on that champagne and unwind
Club Lounge ( Photo courtesy of Cordis Hotel)
Rooms @ The Cordis
The rooms at the Cordis hotel are great, they are modern, ample room, comfortable and offering again some great views again over the Hong Kong skyline.Comes with mini bar, Tv, safe and all the extras iron, robes etc. The bathrooms are massive, huge power shower and large bathtub which looks out onto the room allowing you to see out over the Hong kong skyline.
( Photo courtesy of Cordis Hotel)
Food & Drink @ The Cordis
The Cordis is a mecca for food and drink, with 4 great venues for food and drink.
The Place
this is a buffet style restaurant, this is were buffet breakfasts are served offering great variety of cold and cooked breakfasts, providing local and international foods. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinners also although we didn’t try we were told they are great with great variety like the breakfasts.
The Garage Bar
The Garage Bar is a funky rooftop bar with food trucks and craft beers. Low sofas and dim lights set the scene to create a wonderful atmosphere. When we were there the food was American style burgers, they were delicious and flavoursome after a long day exploring. I believe the menu now it Mexican style burritos.
Ming Court
Ming Court is a Michelin starrred restaurant and bar far the fanciest of the all the eateries at the Cordis from top class food, service and a sense of sophistication Ming Court has it all. We were not disappointed one bit. I always say restaurants with high prices better deliver and Ming Palace certainly does
Alibi Wine Bar
Although we never ate here this is certainly the place to go if you enjoy a good quality beverage. A wine list like no other offering local and international wines. We opted for a few cocktails and well, we could not complain they were divine well mixed and beautifully balanced.
Alibi is a perfect spot to wine dine be social and enjoy a good time.
The Garage At The Cordis ( Photo courtesy of Cordis Hotel)Ming Court At The Cordis ( Photo courtesy of Cordis Hotel)
Facilities @ The Cordis
Facilities at the Cordis are second to none and are maintained to the highest quality.
Chaun Spa
Top quality spa offering a range of treatments drawing on the power of five elements wood, metal, fire, earth and water. The treatments have been expertly chosen and development with naturopath and Chinese medicine in mind all in a relaxing and calm environment. Chaun Spa is great after a day on the road to unwind before that champagne hour.
Health Club
Offering full gym with all the usual machines and equipment. Such classes like spin bikes are also given (will need to check timetables). The views over Hong Kong are unreal, now I wouldn’t be one for training on holiday but the scene set would certainly encourage us a bit more.
Rooftop Pool
Beautiful setting at the top of the Cordis, offering spa, sauna and steam room. Fully stocked changing rooms with towels and robes etc. Great way to unwind at the end of the day. Perfect size lap pool to shake off those morning blues.
And Finally
Overall the Cordis hotel Hong Kong offers everything from comfort, luxury, great facilities, tasty food and quality service. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Cordis to anyone.
Whilst on this trip we managed to also make it to Macau as well as a few things around Hong Kong like Disneyland and we managed to sample plenty of great restaurants and bars.
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Hong Kong is full of amazing activities and is a city with an abundance of options for any age group or interest. We travelled to this city in January and were not very lucky with the weather we got but we certainly made the most of it. Over the 4 days we spent here, we experienced a variety of attractions but still have a few things we would try on another visit as the weather hampered some of the things we had planned to do…perfect excuse for another trip right?!! So here its is Hong Kong Adventures
Disneyland
We decided to buy single-day passes to Disneyland and felt it was more than enough time to spend at this particular park. We had been to Disneyland LA a couple of years back and felt a few days was hardly long enough to fully experience all that park had to offer. Hong Kong’s Disneyland was much smaller and far less busy so we got around all the rides we wanted and watched any shows we wished in the one day. It certainly was a smaller park but still had the same amazing vibe as the other Disney resorts and we thoroughly enjoyed our day spent wandering from one ride to the next.
Tip: Take the MTR to the Disney station to get in the mood. The train is Disney themed with Mickey Mouse shaped windows and Mickey’s white gloves to hold onto for balance…so cute!
MTR to Disneyland!
The Peak Hong Kong
Victoria Peak is the highest mountain on Hong Kong island and is a major tourist attraction of Hong Kong. On the day we were going to visit The Peak, it was extremely overcast. Due to our limited time in the city, we chose to go along anyway knowing the views would possibly be obstructed by cloud. We purchased our tickets on the day of our visit at the base of the attraction, so could have easily rescheduled if we had the luxury of more time.
We took the very steep and exciting vernacular up to the peak. This was a fun way to see the city as we crept our way up the side of the mountain. On reaching the end of the line, there were shops and cafes to browse through and relax in, while we waited (in vain!) for the clouds to clear. There was also the option to go out onto the balcony area to see the view and take some amazing photos…we will have to try again on our next trip I think!
Not the best view but a taste of what you could see on the way up to the peak.
There were lots of fun things to do inside the building at the top of the Peak especially for kids (like us, easily entertained) or for a day of low visibility as there were some great photo opportunities and clever props.
Tip: Sit on the right-hand side of the vehicle on the way up and the left on the way down for the best views of the city.
The Peak can be reached by taking the Peak Tram, by foot or private transfer. The tram can be easily accessed by foot from the MTR’s Central station meaning a taxi or private transport is not necessary.
Hong Kong Park
Instead of taking the tram to The Peak, we decided to walk from Central station to explore a little more of the city and were glad we did. As we wandered in the direction of The Peak, we walked through a beautiful garden, Hong Kong Park.
The gardens had some beautiful lily ponds, a greenhouse, playgrounds, a restaurant and an aviary. We enjoyed watching the turtles dipping and diving in the water as we meandered along the paths…a perfect way to entertain the kiddies too! The Olympic Square is also located at Hong Kong Park and is an interesting place to sit for a rest along the walk. It is an elaborate clearing within this Park and even a great spot for a picnic.
Symphony of Lights
This dazzling exhibition of searchlights, LED screens, lasers and lighting is certainly one not to be missed. The sky over Victoria Harbour is alive each night with an incredible display of colour and music. Buildings on both sides of the harbour (Hong Kong island and Kowloon) work together to produce this spectacular nightly event. Although you can catch glimpses of the light show from many areas throughout the city, there are certain vantage points near the harbour with the best views, if this is something you are interested in seeing clearly. You can also take a cruise to watch the show unfold from the water or sip a cocktail from one of the many rooftop bars around the harbour to get the view from a different angle. An orchestra performed the soundtrack that accompanies the show each night and this can be heard nightly from 8pm in designated areas.
Tip: Download the show’s mobile app to tune into the soundtrack from anywhere you like…perfect if you wish to watch the show from a cocktail bar instead of standing outside on the harbour.
Ladies Market
If grabbing a bargain or working on your haggling skills is something that tickles your fancy, then these markets are a must. Running every day of the week, this huge stretch of market stalls houses everything from t-shirts to chopsticks and all varieties of interesting souvenirs in between. As it is located in the Mong Kok region of the city, we were lucky enough to be able wander through these markets on a few different occasions as they were only a street or two from our hotel. We found the atmosphere here very different earlier in the day than it was at night and would recommend visiting during both time periods to experience all this market has to offer.
Big Buddha
Unfortunately, due to the weather and our whirlwind stop in Hong Kong, we did miss out on this attraction. We heard amazing things about this elaborate bronze statue and will certainly be making it a priority on our next visit.
It seems that half the fun of visiting this widely-recognised landmark is the means in which it can be reached. You can choose to climb the many (268!!) steps or take a cable car to get a closer look at this amazing statue and indeed for a better appreciation of the sweeping mountains and sea views below
Opposite is the Po Lin Monastery which is apparently another hidden gem in this lush mountainous sanctuary. Sounds like the perfect way to spend an afternoon when staying in a hustling city such as Hong Kong…nothing like a tranquil break to help you appreciate such a diverse part of the world.
Fancy reading some other Hong Kong Posts check them out below
Hong Kong is widely known for its delectable food and abundance of Michelin star restaurants. This being said, you certainly don’t have to break the bank to experience top notch eateries in this city of culinary diversity. As we love to explore everything a new country has to offer in terms of cuisine, we were spoilt for choice in Hong Kong. We had some of the most memorable food and beverage experiences on this trip and I am excited to share some tips and hidden treasures with you in this guide for where to eat in Hong Kong.
This little gem is a local’s hotspot and a MUST if visiting Hong Kong. A small venue with a modest shop front in the SoHo district, it is without doubt, a quirky restaurant we would highly recommend. We tried a number options on the menu as we returned for a second visit…not something we often do on holidays but this was well worth breaking tradition for! The bao’s themselves are a no-brainer – but the fact that the bao buns are fresh and are made onsite, added a little extra deliciousness! We tried most of the bao options on the menu (over two days!) but the most noteworthy in our opinion were the Szechuan Fried Chicken, Pork Belly and Fish Tempura.
Everything on the share menu looked like indulgence on a plate but we (eventually) decided on the loaded Truffle Fries and battered crust, Szechuan spice Hot Chicken and were not disappointed. This restaurant also had a trendy drinks list to match the funky and inviting atmosphere. The perfect location for a casual lunch or a trendy dinner with friends.
Tip 1: Due to its size and limited seating, be prepared to wait as this is a restaurant in high demand, but worth every second for those mouth-watering eats.
Tip 2: Little Bao opens for lunch and dinner every day, but be sure to check opening times on the day you intend to visit as times varies on the weekend.
Greenhouse Hong Kong
Another funky find and perfect for lunch or larger groups of friends, this restaurant offers a Western twist on Asian cuisine. Located in the vibrant Times Square region of the city, Green House offers an energetic and inviting atmosphere matched only by it’s amazing food and beverage options. We opted for some authentic meals but the choice was not an easy one as everything looked delicious. As the quality of ingredients is of the utmost importance at this venue, I think any decision would be a good one.
Tip: This restaurant is tucked away on one of the higher levels in the shopping mall so look up the mall’s directory for its exact location not to miss out.
The Garage Bar
We were lucky enough to have this trendy dinner option on our doorstep as it was located on one of the outdoor balcony areas of our hotel (Cordis Hotel). Home to two converted vintage vans, this venue catered to our casual dining needs. The food van combined Western food truck favourites with traditional Asian flavours while the drink van had an extensive supply of local and international craft beers as well as wines and soft drinks. Nibbling on hand cut chips and burgers made to order, sipping cold beers and chilled wine under the stars, floors above this vibrant city was the perfect finish to a day spent exploring.
Upmarket Restaurants
Meats
Located on the same street in SoHo as Little Bao, this restaurant is perfect for a night out with friends or a cosy dinner for two due to its share-style philosophy. This appropriately named venue, knows exactly how to pick, prepare and cook a vast selection of meat cuts to intrigue and satisfy even the fussiest of diners, a chef! We had the most amazing night here browsing their inventive menu, selecting a couple of plates at a time and being amazed by the presentation and flavours presented to us on the arrival of our dishes. Meals such as pate with brioche bread, chicken wings, and croquettes were delectably cooked and irresistibly presented. For a noteworthy meal, this venue is unquestionably one to put on the list.
Top 3 Bar Picks
Quinary
Known for my cocktail obsession, I was in total heaven in Hong Kong. On an after-dinner wander through the busy streets of the city, we were lucky enough to stumble across this award-winning cocktail bar. Deceiving because of the understated façade, stepping into this venue felt like falling down a rabbit hole into a cocktail wonderland.
The tantalising aromas and intricate presentations that were immediately evident, added to the overall trendy vibe of this hot haunt. With tempting options such as Marshmallow Duo, Lavender Meringue Pie and Off with Their Heads, we were spoilt for choice. And you won’t go wrong with an old favourite either (I can’t go past an Espresso Martini), as we found perfection in the original combinations too. With such an extensive cocktail list, inventive garnishes and clever presentations, it’s no surprise that this bar has been listed in the top 50 in the world more than once!
Although there were also very tempting snack options available, our wish list consisted only of beverages so I’m afraid I can’t give any recommendations in that area!
Tip: Take a seat at the bar to fully experience the innovative and complex processes involved in creating these incredible drinks!
Ori-Gin
If being the first gin-focused bar in Hong Kong isn’t enough of a reason for you to run straight to this bar, then allow me entice you even further. Featured on Asian’s 50 best bars list in 2016, the interesting combinations of flavours and quirky delivery made it an easy decision to include this bar on our list. The KGB cocktail served in a bathtub complete with a rubber ducky, is not only great Instagram material but divine to drink! We sampled a few different gin based cocktails (it would have been rude not to!), as we nibbled on the delicious complimentary chips and were equally impressed with every one!
Tip: Make sure to pay a visit to the toilets here before you leave…hint – it gives a whole new meaning to the word BATH-room!
Angel Share
Think funky, speakeasy whisky bar complete with 1920’s décor and an impeccable whiskey offering, and you are halfway to picturing this amazing venture. After quite some time searching the back streets for the inconspicuous entrance, we eventually enquired with a street vendor and were put on the right track. On level 2 of a very unremarkable building, the concept of a speakeasy bar came to life for us. As the elevator doors opened, we were transported to an era of leather loungers, dim lighting and expertly fermented whiskys.
Although the menu offered over 100 different whiskys, we opted for a couple of cocktails. The names and descriptions of the cocktails alone were like stories passed down for generations and gave the sense of thoroughly considered combinations and well-thought-out presentations. The Mango Walk and Jaffa Old Fashioned certainly reflected this and are among some of the best cocktails we have ever had!
Tip: This venue is also a restaurant so it could be worth researching the menu and making a night of it.
And Finally
As I sit here thumbing through photographs and reminiscing on some of our all-time favourite bars and restaurants, I struggle not to jump online and book flights straight back to this incredible city!
I really hope this post can be of assistance to anyone planning a trip to Hong Kong or on the lookout for some interesting eats or trendy hangouts. We love sharing our tips and suggestions with you and thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you would like to see what we will be covering next in our Hong Kong series, pop over to our Instagram page for some sneak peeks throughout the week.
But for now that’s all thanks for stopping by and reading.
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