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Hong Kong’s craft beer revolution shows no sign of abating. The city’s appetite for all things beer continues to grow exponentially. With so many new local breweries producing so many wonderful new beers, attempting to track down that perfect pint can be quite a mission. Fortunately, just as the number of local craft breweries has expanded, so too has the beer bar scene and fittingly, many of these new hangout spots are devoted to showcasing the best of our local brewing talent. Our passion for all things local should be obvious to all by now, so it should come as no surprise that we have created the ultimate list of where to enjoy a Hong Kong beer.
65 Peel – Soho
The latest watering hole to pop up in Soho, 65 Peel is an airy craft beer bar with a selection of 30 local brews at any time. They have 12 taps serving up suds from Mak’s Beer, Kowloon Bay Brewery, Lion Rock Brewery, Black Kite Brewery, Moonzen Brewery, Hong Kong Beer Co, City Brew and Gweilo Beer. They also have a healthy selection of locally brewed bottles, as well as delicious craft beers from around the world. 65 Peel is also gastropub with classic beer bar grub like chicken wings alongside more unusual menu offerings like fresh oysters.
G/F, 65 Peel, Central, +852 2342 2224; contact: 65Peel@gmail.com.
Monday to Thursday 4PM – 12AM, Friday to Saturday 4PM – 2AM & Sunday 3PM – 12AM.
Casa – Sai Kung
As fanatics of both craft beer and tacos, Casa‘s tagline “Craft Beer & Taco Bar” is a strong sell. In addition to their taco menu, they also have 15 beers on tap. Four of these are dedicated to local craft beers and the current offerings are from Kowloon Bay Brewery, Lion Rock Brewery, Gweilo Beer and Moonzen Brewery. They are strong supporters of the local craft beer scene and frequently organize tap takeovers by local brewers and other fun events, many of which feature live music. Another reason Casa’s is so popular is their wide expanse of outdoor space: Hong Kong finally has a proper beer garden!
Shop 1 & 2 Sui Yat Building, Hoi Pong Square, Sai Kung, +852 2440 9288.
Monday to Friday 12PM – 11PM & Saturday to Sunday 11AM – 11PM.
Kowloon Taproom – Tsim Sha Tsui
Specifically focused on offering local beers on tap, Kowloon Taproom features the largest selection of local beers around. They have rotating selections on their 11 taps, including many limited edition seasonal brews, from the likes of Lion Rock Brewery, Hong Kong Beer Co, City Brew, Black Kite Brewery, Kowloon Beer Brewery, Young Master Ales, Moonzen Brewery, Mak’s Beer, and Gweilo Beer. They change their offerings very frequently meaning they always have the freshest and newest of what Hong Kong has to offer, though that also means you have a limited window in which to grab that pint!
G/F Astoria Building, 24-38 Ashley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, +852 2861 0355; contact: enquiry@kowloon-taproom.com.
Monday to Friday 12PM – 2AM & Saturday to Sunday 2PM – 2AM.
Little Beer Room – Soho
From the folks that brought us the wonderful Sai Kung booze bonanza The Bottle Shop, there is now the Little Beer Room on Soho’s Bridges Street. They have 20 taps that they rotate constantly giving you an excuse to pop in frequently. They keep at least one local option on tap including selections from Hong Kong Beer Co, Moonzen Brewery, Black Kite Brewery and Young Master Ales. They also host regular fun beer events such as the release party for Young Master Ale’s newest brew, the delightfully sour Ich Bin Ein #Lichtenhainer. They serve tapas for those who which to do more than drink and have a small retail section with bottles available for purchase.
15 Bridges Street, Central, +852 2799 4899; contact: mail@littlebeerroom.com. Tuesday to Sunday 12PM – 12AM.
Ruggers – Causeway Bay
Disguised as a sports bar (as the name suggests it was started by Rugby players), Ruggers is actually a beer lover’s bar. With their kitchen currently closed, the focus is on offering a truly top notch beer selection. Given their extensive range of around 80 different beers that’s no easy feat. The selections change frequently but currently they are pouring from Lion Rock Brewery and Gweilo Beer and have bottles from Hong Kong Beer Co.
6 Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay, +852 2777 7638; contact: ruggersbar@gmail.com.
Open daily 4PM – 3AM.
The Ale Project TAP – Mong Kok
Easily one of the best beer bars in Hong Kong, the founders’ passion for good beer is on display in so many ways at The Ale Project. The bar has a range of local suds on tap with a rotating selection including Young Master Ale, Lion Rock Brewery, Moonzen Brewery and Black Kite Brewery. They also have a range of bottles from the likes of Gweilo Beer and Moonzen Brewery. Ever wish you could literally eat beer? Their excellent food menu features novelty dishes like “beer bread” made with fermented malted barley that are proper delish! Excitingly, the founders are already brewing their next bar. In June The Second Draft, a collaboration with May Chao’s Little Bao, will be opening its doors in Tai Hang and we simply can’t wait.
G/F 15 Hak Po Street, Mong Kok, +852 2468 2010; contact: info@thealeproject.com.
Tuesday to Thursday 12PM – 12AM & Friday to Saturday 12PM – 2AM.
The Globe – Soho
Featured on pretty much every beer-centric list ever written about Hong Kong, The Globe is an institution for those devoted to the finer brews in life. Boasting the city’s largest beer selection, their extensive bottle list- the selection is arranged by type with everything from Amber Ales to Weissbier- makes it easy to find local options from Lion Rock Brewery, Black Kite Brewery, Young Master Ales, Hong Kong Beer Co and Moonzen Brewery. They also have a number of taps and usually have Young Master Ales on offer. If all that beer leaves you slightly peckish, their menu offers traditional pub fare with quality ingredients: think organic eggs, grass-fed meat and sustainably sourced fish.
Garley Building, 45-53 Graham Street, Central, +852 2543 1941.
Open daily 10AM – 2AM.
The Pink Pig Music Bar & Restaurant – Cheung Chau
This laid-back gem is sure to be a cult favorite with its spacious, open air patio right on the water on Cheung Chau Island: The Pink Pig Music Bar & Restaurant is the ideal place to kick back and unwind. You can enjoy pub grub while nursing bottles from Lion Rock Brewery, Moonzen Brewery, Gweilo Beer and Hong Kong Beer Co. The Pink Pig has great live music too: they host open mic nights and showcase local bands.
11 Kin San Ln, Cheung Chau, +852 5180 0692.
Open Tuesday to Sunday 12:30AM -8PM.
The Roundhouse Taproom – Soho
You can tell everyone behind the bar loves their beer here and that’s one of the reasons The Roundhouse Taproom has become a fixture for Hong Kong beer lovers. Their selection of 25 taps, the largest in town, pours a rotating selection of global craft beers and local favorites all listed on the chalk board above the bar. On any given day you might sample selections from Lion Rock Brewery, Black Kite Brewery, Moonzen Brewery, Young Master Ales, Kowloon Bay Brewery, Gweilo Beer and Hong Kong Beer Co. Hungry? They serve Texas style BBQ, which pairs perfectly with one of their pints. They also have their “U-Brew” competition, whereby locals try their hand at brewing and the winner gets to have their beer sold on the menu!
62 Peel Street, Central, +852 2366 4880; contact: info@roundhouse.com.hk.
Open Daily 12AM – 12PM.
Worth A Mention
While the below spots may not have the same range of local beers as the ones above, they are doing their bit to support Hong Kong’s brewer community and are definitely worth a visit.
Ben’s Back Beach Bar – Shek O
One of the most enjoyable places to enjoy a cold one on a warm summer evening, Ben’s Back Beach Bar is like a mini-vacay without the actual hassle of leaving Hong Kong. Located on Shek O’s back beach (hence the name), this charmingly intimate hangout spot is a true local fave and features Gweilo Beer bottles on the menu amongst other international craft names. Also awesome? Ben’s is refreshingly dog-friendly.
273 Shek O Village, Shek O, +852 2809 2268.
Tuesday to Friday 7PM – 12AM & Saturday to Sunday 2PM – 12AM.
Mavericks – Pui O Beach
Surf-shack-cum-restaurant, Mavericks serves up pints from local brewers Young Master Ales and bottles from Hong Kong Beer Co. The location is simply idyllic (you just can’t beat those Lantau ocean views) and makes for the perfect day-cation. Bonus: they have live music on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer.
Pui O Beach, Lantau Island, +852 2984 1328; contact: info@mavericks.hk.
Fridays 5PM – 11:30PM & Saturday to Sunday 11AM – 11:30PM.
Photos courtesy of Kowloon Brewery, The Globe, The Roundhouse Taproom, Casa and Ruggers
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