G&Ts and Negronis Galore: Four Gin Bars in Hong Kong

Gin has been around for ages and was believed to have initially been distilled by 17th-century professor Franciscus Sylvius in Holland as an affordable medicine. This colourless liquor, usually made from barley or wheat, got its name from the French term for juniper berry — genièvre — which was changed by the Dutch to genever and then shortened to gin by the English.

These days, the gin you'll find in stores and bars has at least 40% alcoholic content and comes in a wide range of origins and combinations of botanicals, from juniper and licorice to lemon, cucumber, anise, coriander, orange peels, and more.

In Hong Kong, you'll be glad to know that gin bars run aplenty so you’ll never have to go without your favourite cocktails on nights you most want them. Whether it's a classic gin and tonic you crave, a Negroni, or what have you, these gin-focused bars in Hong Kong won’t let you down!

Dr. Fern's Gin Parlour

Nourish your stomach and get a clean bill of health at Dr. Fern's Gin Parlour, one of Ming Fat House's quirky F&B concepts. In this Central gin parlour, the persona of eccentric physician Dr. Robben Fern comes to life. His love for nature and dedication to the scholarship of botanicals led him to open a gin parlour, where gin and edible prescriptions can be given to patients stressed out in life. Gin lovers will love Dr. Fern's extensive gin collection, all perfectly curated and paired with the right tonic water and garnishes. Its gin flavour profiles vary widely and include juniper and citrusy, fruity and floral, spicy and savoury, and sweet and confectionary.

Location: Shop B31A, First Basement Floor, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central

Ping Pong 129 Gintoneria

For the quintessential Spanish "gin-tonic" experience, head on over to Ping Pong 129 Gintonería in Sai Yung Pun. With an "urban chic interior and hidden hangout vibe," this cocktail bar sure is the one to beat when it comes to the hippest go-to for the best drinks. In keeping with the spirit (pun intended) of intimacy, its collection of whisky, vodka, tequila, and gin cocktails remain under request. Scrumptious bites you can get at Ping Pong 129 Gintoneria include Jamon Iberico (HK$168), Cazuela de Huevos (HK$138), and Gambas Salteadas con Ajos (HK$108), among many others.

Location: 129 Second Street, L/G Nam Cheong House, Sai Ying Pun

The Optimist

Curated gin-based cocktails and G&Ts await you in this bar and restaurant in Wan Chai. The Optimist is all about the Northern Spanish experience, from Asador-style traditional grills to its "Barcelona chic bar" that serves signature, hand-crafted drinks. While we appreciate The Optimist's choices for wines and sangria, as well as other spirits like tequila, mezcal, whisky, and rum, among others, we love seeing classic gins like Martin Miller's, Tanqueray, and Beefeater 24 in its arsenal, and contemporary gins like Monkey 47, Hendrick's, and Gin Mare, to name a few. When in The Optimist, we suggest you go for a Plymouth G&T (HK$88) and the Black Forest (HK$160), a cocktail comprising Monkey 47, pomegranate, Fever Tree Indian Tonic water, rosemary, and grapefruit bitters!

Location: G/F, 239 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai

Artesian at The Langham, Hong Kong

This award-winning bar concept at luxury hotel The Langham is famous for its Art Deco interiors and fine cocktails and artisanal gins. Artesian is open daily from 3 PM to 12 AM in the lobby of the hotel. Its mixed drinks are grouped in categories like "Forgotten Classics" and "Small Batch Crafted Cocktails," which include cocktails like White Lady (HK$130) — gin, lemon juice, and Artesian syrup — and Vintage Negroni (HK$120), which is composed of barrel-aged gin, Yazaguirre 1884 vermouth, Carpano Antica Formula, and Campari. For caffeine nuts, there's the Cold Brew Coffee Negroni (HK$120), a mix of slow drip coffee-infused gin, Rinomato Bitter, and Carpano Antica Formula vermouth.

Location: 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon