Latest news with #HonkyTonksTavern
South China Morning Post
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for April 17-19
The long-awaited Easter weekend is here! Between Easter egg hunts, egg-themed dishes and extended relaxation in the warm weather, we have a full line-up of guest shifts worth checking out over the course of four days. If you're not flying out for the long weekend, enjoy the local bar scene – world-class concepts from Jakarta, Beijing and even our sister SAR get behind the stick at some of our best venues. Thursday, April 17 Wing Lei Bar x Honky Tonks Tavern Wing Lei Bar's new head mixologist Mark Lloyd is visiting Hong Kong from Macau for a guest shift at Honky Tonks Tavern on April 17. Photo: Handout What: Mark Lloyd, newly minted head mixologist at the revamped Wing Lei Bar at Wynn Palace in Macau, comes to Hong Kong for a gauntlet of guest shifts this Easter weekend. The Scotland native brings a CV of venues from Bangkok, Shanghai and more to three of our most rambunctious venues, hitting Mark Lloyd, newly minted head mixologist at the revamped Wing Lei Bar at Wynn Palace in Macau, comes to Hong Kong for a gauntlet of guest shifts this Easter weekend. The Scotland native brings a CV of venues from Bangkok, Shanghai and more to three of our most rambunctious venues, hitting Honky Tonks Tavern on Thursday, Artifact on Friday and Soho House on Saturday. Visit any of these venues to get a taste of Wing Lei Bar right here on our home turf. Advertisement Where: Honky Tonks Tavern, Pak Tsz Lane Park, 1 Pak Tse Lane, Central When: 7pm-11pm Friday, April 18 Bar Long Fong x Penicillin Penicillin in Hong Kong welcomes Bar Long Fong co-founders Xu and Fan from Beijing on April 18. Photo: Handout What: Heading down south all the way from Beijing are co-founders Xu and Fan of Bar Long Fong, who take over our very own Heading down south all the way from Beijing are co-founders Xu and Fan of Bar Long Fong, who take over our very own Penicillin this Friday! Bar Long Fong is known for its contemporary approach to cocktails, often combining multiple base liquors with unusual modifiers. That includes whiskey and two types of huangjiu with blackened banana and almond for their Banana, Almond & Huangjiu cocktail, or pisco, gin and whiskey with six types of seeds or nuts for their Francis Albert's Daily Nuts – both off their current Simple Drink menu. Where: Penicillin, LG/F, Amber Lodge, 23 Hollywood Road, Central When: 7pm-9pm Saturday, April 19 The Cocktail Club x C108
South China Morning Post
27-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
The rise of neighbourhood bars in Hong Kong, from Honky Tonks Tavern and The Pontiac to Bar Leone
For over a decade, Hong Kong has been at the forefront of Asia's bar scene . In 2011, Ozone opened, setting a record as the highest bar in the world, and 12 months later came the launch of Quinary, Hong Kong's ground zero for molecular mixology . In the years that followed, many other concepts specialising in high-end service and a more 'scientific' approach to bartending started to crowd the streets of Central – the likes of The Old Man, Argo and Artifact to name but a few. When The Old Man was ranked Asia's best bar in 2019, molecular mixology was well and truly king in Hong Kong. The staff at Honky Tonks Tavern. Photo: Handout Trends come and go, though, and in recent years there has been a shift in the bar scene, with guests opting for concepts positioning themselves as neighbourhood bars, rather than hotel-based venues and other high-end spots. This movement was solidified at Asia's 50 Best Bar Awards last year, which crowned Bar Leone first place in Asia , and second on the World's Best Bars list for 2024. Advertisement While there is more than enough room in the city for every kind of concept, we asked three bartenders and owners across the city – Honky Tonks Tavern's Jake Erder, The Pontiac's Jen Queen and Bar Leone's Lorenzo Antinori – for their take on this trend, and why Hong Kong might be steering towards a more casual beverage experience. Outside Honky Tonks Tavern for their fourth-anniversary celebration in 2024. Photo: Handout 'If you look around Honky, you'll find a museum of the American beverage world,' says Erder. 'Over the years, we've sourced vintage artworks, bottles, cans and other memorabilia from different eras. After working here for two years I still find little treasures as we are forever changing the decor.' For Erder, the main appeal of the city's neighbourhood bars is their comforting vibe. This is crucial as before a customer even opens the menu, the atmosphere, decor and overall feel of a bar are the first noticeable elements. Whether someone is blown away by the incredible interior design or has an irresistible urge to sing along to the playlist, a good atmosphere makes passers-by curious and keen to step inside. Antonio Lai, the award-winning Hong Kong mixologist behind bars like Quinary, Origin and The Envoy. Photo: Handout Some of Hong Kong's fancier bars can feel a little intimidating to the casual visitor. Upon entering Honky Tonks Tavern though, guests are immediately welcomed into a cosy and nostalgic space. The twinkling lights and wooden features give the bar a homely feel that guests can easily relax into. Advertisement
South China Morning Post
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for March 27-29
It's a big weekend for Hong Kong: bartenders aren't the only visitors in town. The Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament kicks off at its new home, Kai Tak Stadium, for the first time in its history. To celebrate, Honky Tonks are hosting an unofficial opening party, while visitors from Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur are popping up at Artifact and The Opposites to round out a weekend of revelry. Thursday, March 27 Honky Hootenanny Unofficial HK7s Opener Expect revelry at Honky Tonks Tavern with the Sevens tournament back in town. Photo: Handout What: Although the Sevens tournament is moving across the harbour from So Kon Po to Kai Tak, there's no reason not to retain some of the celebrations on Hong Kong Island. To that end, Honky Tonks Tavern is hosting an unofficial opening party with food, drinks and music ahead of kick-off. Look forward to treats such as their Backyard Burgers, corn dogs, fried pickles and more. Advertisement Where: Honky Tonks Tavern, Man Hing Lane, Central When: 5-11pm Friday, March 28 Golden Tooth x Artifact The interior of Artifact, designed by Nelson Chow of NC Design + Architecture, evokes the rib cage of a colossal animal. Photo: courtesy of NCDA What: Artifact may have just hosted a Artifact may have just hosted a ComplexCon after-party, but they show no sign of slowing down – this time celebrating their second anniversary by bringing in The Golden Tooth's co-founder Kenny Soetomo. The 'cocktail and chats' Jakartan bar comes to Hong Kong as part of a four-city tour through Hong Kong and China. Expect a high-energy evening supported by Jim Beam, Roku Gin and Campari. Where: LG/F, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central Advertisement When: 8-11.30pm Saturday, March 29
