By: Rebecca Simpson
Hong Kong is full of skyscrapers and beautiful people, so it’s no surprise that we embrace a rooftop bar. Take a spin around the city with this list of must-do rooftops. These bars all boast great views of Hong Kong, but from different parts of the city. They are great for watching events like fireworks, impressing guests from out-of-town, or merely enjoying a cocktail or two for a special night out.
Hong Kong Island
SEVVA
We start at SEVVA, the city’s go-to rooftop experience when hosting guests or introducing newbies to high density life in Hong Kong. It is equal parts glamour and gorgeous view, plus it’s accessed through the Princes Building, another Hong Kong icon. For non-drinkers or those looking for a chic baby shower venue, SEVVA hosts a beautiful high tea that could be perfect for you.
Princes Building, 25/F, 10 Charter Rd, Central
CÉ LA VI
A little stroll up the hill to LKF is Cé La Vi. Rise above the craziness of LKF at Sky Bar, this civilised rooftop sits above Cé La Vi’s restaurant and offers a plentiful wine list and fun cocktails. They do a wonderful brunch at Cé La Vi and if you stick around for post-brunch drinks, you may just end up on this rooftop for sundowners.
25/F California Tower, 32 D’Aguilar St, Central
POPINJAYS AT THE MURRAY
Snapping at SEVVA’s heels as Hong Kong’s favourite rooftop is Popinjays at The Murray hotel. This gorgeous open-aired escape has quickly stolen the hearts of the city’s cocktail class and is fast becoming the new rooftop go-to. Perch on the balcony and work your way through the bird-inspired cocktail list.
The Murray, 22 Cotton Tree Dr, Central
WOOLOOMOOLOO
Next stop Wanchai and the 31st floor rooftop bar at Wooloomooloo. But first, take a pause downstairs in the restaurant for one of Wolloomooloo’s celebrated steaks. Post-dinner drinks rarely come with such an impressive outlook, the bar’s wrap-around view of the harbour through Happy Valley’s racecourse and beyond never gets old.
woo-steakhouse.com/location/wanchai/
31/F, The Hennessy, 256 Hennessy Rd, Wan Chai
ALTO
A little further along in Causeway Bay is ALTO, a sophisticated venue designed by Tom Dixon’s Design Research Studio. Also on the 31st floor, ALTO offers another incredible sweeping view of Asia’s World City. Foodies will love ALTO, it has a robust wine list, delicious cocktails, and some life-changing desserts for those with a sweet tooth.
diningconcepts.com/restaurants/ALTO
31/F, V Point, 18 Tang Lung St, Causeway Bay
CABANA
Head Southside for an afternoon at Hong Kong’s luxury beach club, Cabana. This unique venue is more a destination to settle into for an entire afternoon or evening, rather than a single stop on a big night out. Cabana offers uninterrupted views of Repulse Bay beach, sun lounges to recline on, gorgeous sunsets, private cabins, and even a Japanese baths experience. Add a group of friends plus a few bottles of champagne and you have an instant party. Cabana is one of the city’s more expensive rooftop experiences, but worth the indulgence.
East Wing Rooftop, Shop 216, The Pulse, 28 Beach Rd, Repulse Bay
Kowloon side
RED SUGAR
Cross the harbour to Red Sugar at the Kerry hotel and you’ll be rewarded with a new perspective and one of the city’s best views. So many of these great rooftops have you seated within our famed skyline, so it’s a nice alternative to sit at Red Sugar and appreciate the scale of Hong Kong from the other side of the harbour. This bar is vast, its whiskey menu and view matches that opulence. Stay a while and soak in the skyline.
shangri-la.com/hongkong/kerry/dining/bars-lounges/red-sugar/
Level 7, 38 Hung Luen Rd, Hung Hom Bay, Kowloon
OZONE
For those afraid of heights, this isn’t the bar for you. Atop another Hong Kong Icon, the ICC, Ozone is not only the highest bar in Hong Kong it’s the highest bar in the world. If you’re lightheaded, this time it’s not the champagne it’s because you’re 118 floors into the clouds. Impressive. Ozone is part of The Ritz Carlton and it offers both a drinks menu and small bites.
ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/china/hong-kong/dining/ozone
Level 118, International Commerce Centre (ICC), 1 Austin Rd West, Kowloon
HARLAN’S
Harlan’s may well be the SEVVA of TST, it’s been around for many years and is housed in another well known building, The One. Head straight to the balcony for another extensive view of Hong Kong. This is a great venue for wine lovers, Harlan’s offers an extensive wine list that spans new world wines and rare European vintages.
jcgroup.hk/restaurants/harlans/
19/F, The One, 100 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
Islands
SOLERA
The balcony at Solera’s makes the trek to Lantau’s Discovery Bay worth the mission. This Spanish restaurant isn’t any thing fancy but it has a beautiful balcony where you can see the beach glistening through the trees. Kick back with some tapas, a bottle of vino, and stare at the stars for a night. Take a stroll along the beach before catching the ferry back to civilization Central.
facebook.com/SoleraRestaurantandBar/
D’Deck, Shop 101, Discovery Bay
PIER 3 BAR
Another low-fi rooftop is above Pier 3 at Central Ferry Pier. This little bar isn’t a glamorous night out, but it’s a nice pit stop if you are on your way out to DB or Lamma. Have a drink, watch the light show, and even marvel at the Macau choppers as they bring back high rollers from the Vegas of the East,
facebook.com/pier3bar.restaurant/
Level 3, Pier No. 3, Central
See more in our wine & dine section:
Inside Hong Kong’s hottest bars
Best family-friendly restaurants
Where to find the best ice cream in Hong Kong
