Sugar
For an off-the-radar yet very special rooftop bar in Hong Kong, take a trip to Sugar. Perched on the 32nd floor of the lifestyle hotel, East, this laid-back bar is a big hit with Hong Kong hipsters and in-the-know expats, who use it as a jumping off point (not literally of course) for a night on the tiles. One of the mellowest rooftop terraces in Hong Kong, its all about sinking into one of the squishy sofas with some good friends and a couple of cocktails house favourites include the Latini with vodka, lemon, lychee and apple and the Sugar Cosmo with citrus vodka, Grand Marnier, lime and raspberry. Taking sundowners on the deck or lapping up the sounds from the French DJ under pulsating pink and purple lights, life just couldnt be sweeter.
Address: 32/F, East Hotel, 29 Taikoo Shing Road, Tai Koo
Sevva
If youre looking to step out in Hong Kong then youre going to want to look your best for a trip to SEVVA, the swankiest rooftop bar in the city. Owned by Chanels former Asia Pacific communications director and Hong Kong style icon, Bonnie Gokson, this penthouse bar on the top of the prestigious Princes Building boasts a spectacular wraparound terrace with sensational views of Sir Norman Fosters HSBC building, I.M. Peis China Bank and the sparkling city and harbour. Elbow your way past the bankers and beautiful people, bag a spot on the gorgeous terrace, order up a fruity Kama Sutra cocktail (made with fresh passionfruit, mango, lime, rum and a decadent dark rum shooter on the side) and savour your moment at one of the worlds most glamorous bars.
Address: Princes Building 25th Floor, 10 Chater Road, Central
Ozone at the Ritz Carlton
For the ultimate al fresco experience, take the leather-clad elevator to Ozone at the top of the worlds highest hotel, the Ritz-Carlton. The bar and terrace encompasses the entire 118th floor and its a stunner in every sense; a superlative sci-fi space, a kind of Blade Runner meets the Jetsons mix-up of bars, booths and cubist lines. The view is of course the other power player, presenting a positively vertiginous vista of the city below there are binoculars to tempt your inner voyeur so try and bag a corner table for the best wraparound view. Be warned though, the cocktails may be killer (Mmm Dragontini), but so are the prices, so your head wont be the only thing thats lighter when you leave.
Address: 118/F, The Ritz-Carlton, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road, Kowloon
La Terrazza at Lupa
La Terrazza may be new to the Hong Kong rooftop bar scene (and on one of the lowest levels with only a third-floor footing) but with its red-hot location near Lan Kwai Fong along with its secret garden-like outdoor terrace, its already a firm favourite. Encased in both gorgeous greenery and looming office blocks, with a huge open bar at its centre, a smoking wood-fire oven in the corner and a fashionable but fun crowd, theres a lot of things to like about La Terrazza. Luminous glasses of Aperol are the order of the day (and night) and the bars connection to Mario Batalis latest restaurant Lupa means the New York/Italian-style snacks are simply delectable too.
Address: 3/F, LHT Tower, 31 Queens Rd, Central
Armani/Prive
Come six oclock, Hong Kongs suits spill out of Centrals skyscrapers for a stylish post-work drink on the tres chic terrace at Armani/Prive. One of only four Armani/Prive bars in the world (the others being in Milan, Dubai andTokyo), this split-level bar-cum-nightclub is buzzing by sundown and the five deep at the bar by the time the stars come out. When the weekend rolls round, things really heat up, so try and bag a table on the terrace (watch out theres a hefty minimum spend) and dip downstairs for a dance when the mood takes you. The signature cocktails are noteworthy try the Amore, a luscious combination of Ice Fox Vodka, Chambard, Limoncello and fresh rasperries but champagne is the default drink for Armanis well-coiffed customers.
Address: Armani/Prive, 2/F Chater House, 8 Connaught Road, Central
Like our pick of the best rooftop bars in Hong Kong and now looking for where to eat, sleep, shop and party? Check out our Hong Kong travel guide and our pick of the city's best design hotels.
