Do you know your junmai-shu from daiginjo-shu? If you’re fans of sake as much as we are, be sure to check out this list of our favourite sake bars in Hong Kong!
Looking for an alternative to your usual happy hour hangouts? Apart from Hong Kong’s awesome selection of gin bars and art bars, how about trying some sake? Also known as Japanese rice wine, sake is much loved by Hongkongers. Not only does this drink have a subtle sweetness (without compromising the alcohol level!), but it can be served both hot and cold, as well as with food pairings. What’s not to love about a versatile drink that can be enjoyed throughout the year? Whether you’re a beginner to sake or already an expert, these sake bars in Hong Kong will not disappoint. Read on for our favourites!
1. The Champagne and Sake Bar at The Aubrey
If you’re looking for somewhere exclusive, visit The Aubrey’s Champagne and Sake Bar. Located inside its Curio Lounge, the experience is intimate and interactive, with seats for only four guests at the bar and specially hosted by The Aubrey’s Head Sommelier, Dirk Chen, along with Maximal Concept’s Group Sommelier, Marie-Paule Herman. With a selection of 25 different sake in the house, the duo will guide you through a tasting from some of the most unique breweries in Japan. There’s also a featured brewery which rotates every two months. And of course, the champagnes here are not to be missed – though that’s for another article! 😉
Check out our full review of The Aubrey.
The Aubrey, 25/F, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2825 4001, 中環干諾道中5號香港文華東方酒店25樓
2. Sake Bar Ginn
Rise above the LKF crowds as you take a seat on the cosy balcony in Sake Bar Ginn. One of the first bars in Hong Kong to specialise in premium sake, with over 100 kinds of sake from across Japan. Satisfy your love for this Japanese rice wine as the in-house kikisake-shi (sake sommelier) leads you through the best seasonal produce and tasting flights. To complete the experience, don’t miss out on the bar snacks. These include deep-fried chicken wings, dried blowfish, chinmi santen mori (wasabi-flavoured raw octopus, raw squid, and cream cheese with bonito viscera), and more.
Sake Bar Ginn, Flat C, 4/F, Ho Lee Commercial Building, 38-44 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2536 4355, 中環蘭桂坊德己立街38-44號好利商業大廈4樓C室地酒處吟
3. Sake San
Did someone say all-you-can-drink sake?! Yep, Sake San has one of the best sake deals you can get in town, making it one of our absolute favourite sake bars in Hong Kong. You can revel in free-flow premium sake for 2.5 hours, anytime between noon and closing hour. There are at least half a dozen different sake for you to choose from, many of which are junmai sake and seasonal picks. Simply head to its self-serve sake machine (!) and help yourself. In addition, Sake San has a sushi counter where you can watch the maestros in action. You can also order a variety of delectable Japanese dishes from the lunch set menu, or try the omakase dinner menu.
Sake San, Shop C & D, G/F, 66-72 Paterson Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, p. 2382 2988, 銅鑼灣百德新街66-72號地下C&D號舖日本清酒藏所
4. Sake no Wa and Sake no Wa Hanare
With a store on the 16th floor and a bar occupying the whole of the 19th floor of Bartlock Centre, Sake no Wa and Sake no Wa Hanare have more than 100 kinds of sake, shochu, draft beer, and liqueur from Japan. While there are professional kikisake-shi on both floors, the lower floor serves drinks by the glass and tasting sets; whereas the upper floor offers all-you-can-drink for all their beverages. The latter also has a party room, making it the ideal location for meeting up with friends. Even if you’re dining alone, don’t fret – you’re welcome to visit Sake no Wa by yourself, as the friendly team is always happy to chat with you about sake. Furthermore, there are over 40 items on the food menu ranging from light snacks to mains. And here’s your sake-filled evening – sorted!
Sake no Wa, Room 1601, 16/F, Bartlock Centre, 3 Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, p. 2333 3320, 銅鑼灣耀華街3號百樂中心16樓1601室酒の和
Sake no Wa Hanare, 19/F, Bartlock Centre, 3 Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, p. 2333 3840, 銅鑼灣耀華街3號百樂中心19樓酒の和・清酒放題
5. Kura Teppanyaki & Sake Bar
Kura is a chic teppanyaki and sake bar in the heart of the city. Offering top-quality Japanese cuisine and beverages in a modern interior, you’re bound to have a fun and relaxing experience here. Aside from the signature teppanyaki – which include a variety of seafood, veggies, and meat – there are sashimi, light bites, udon noodles, desserts, and more. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to catch some exclusive sake deals – we hear there’s half-priced sake sometimes!
Kura Teppanyaki & Sake Bar, 2/F, Somptueux Central, Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 3791 2389, 中環威靈頓街52號Somptueux Central 2樓
6. Goshaku
If you ask whether Goshaku is an izakaya or a sake bar, we’d say: well, why not both? With more than 200 types of sake in the house, you’ll be able to sample and learn about the best brews from across Japan. The professional kikisake-shi will even make personal recommendations for you depending on your mood and preferences. On top of that, Goshaku has an impressive food menu. Expect sashimi, tempura, udon noodles, yakitori, and more. We also love the fact that there’s no time limit to your meal – simply take a seat and chat away with your friends! Note that this restaurant is pretty popular though, so remember to book ahead.
Goshaku, 6/F,1 Knutsford Terrace, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 2687 6565, 尖沙咀諾士佛臺1號6樓五勺・利き酒処
7. Sake Central
Established by an international team of sake connoisseurs, Sake Central is where sake lovers and specialists come together to promote the sake industry and Japanese culture. This bar often hosts Guest Chef Collaborations and Sake Maker Dinners to present unique sake pairings, as well as spotlight smaller breweries. The sake is served in a collection of handmade Japanese glassware and ceramics, demonstrating the detail Sake Central puts into its craft. Moreover, there are shochu and Japanese whisky for discerning drinkers. Make sure to drop by Sake Central for one of its latest promotions (between 5 and 7pm, every Sunday to Wednesday): the Saketen 10 Ochoko Challenge. You’ll taste 10 sake over 90 minutes – and the best part is, you get free refills of your favourite ones!
Sake Central, S109-S113, Block A, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2656 6552, 中環鴨巴甸街35號元創坊A座1樓S109-S113號舖
8. Sake Beya Masu (closing on 31 December 2021)
While Sake Beya Masu is only operating until the end of 2021, we think this is exactly why you should seize these few months to give it a visit! Specialising in sake pairings, this bar is a discrete and exclusive hideaway for sake lovers. With a floor-to-ceiling shelf of Japanese sake and an intimate dining space furnished with elegant dark wood, Sake Beya Masu gives off the vibes of a private bar. Whether you’re a sake enthusiast, or looking for a quiet, romantic place to take your date, Sake Beya Masu will have you covered.
Sake Beya Masu, G/F, 2 Sun Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 2525 2355, 灣仔日街2號地舖
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