Azure
This penthouse atop LKF Tower might bear all the signs of a bull market mansion, but beyond its Batman views, swanky bar menu, and neo-art deco interiors, there’s a hardcore troop of suited party animals forging on till the break of dawn. Though their cocktail menu isn’t too dissimilar from the others on the block, the smart interiors, DJs pumping out cool mixes, and good-looking boys and girls hanging out on the balcony are attraction enough. 33 Wyndham St, Central, Hong Kong, 3518 9330. H/H only for hotel guests. www.hotel-lkf.com.hk/Azure.php

Salon De Ning
The Pen has recreated the private residence of (fictional) eccentric 1930s Shanghai socialite Madame Ning. They have themed rooms that err comfortably on the classy side of kitsch: a rustic Swiss ski cottage complete with fireplace, a safari tent, and of course, Madame Ning’s private wardrobe. The drink to have here is the Ning Sling ($98), which is made from Absolut Mandarin, lychee liqueur, passion fruit puree, orange juice and mint leaves. Oh, and they have a lounge singer… of course they would. The Peninsula, Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2366 6251; www.salondening.com.

Dada
Channelling the early 20th century cultural movement of Dadaism, this recently launched bar at the Luxe Manor is all that jazz. Sparsely and eclectically decorated with Victorian, vintage and contemporary furniture, Dada makes a concerted effort to look bizarre. The bar has Dali-esque fawns growing out of it and tree-like chandeliers hovering overhead, with similarly dreamlike drinks created within. Try the Man Ray (absinthe, pineapple juice, raspberry vodka, pomegranate, lemon and Midori), and settle in as the resident jazz band plays. The doyen of surrealism even makes an appearance, with the tiny gallery adjoining the bar housing two original Salvador Dali etchings. 2/f The Luxe Manor, 39 Kimberley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 37638778

Living Room
This is one of the few places that transforms seamlessly from cool day bar to buzzing nightspot with a dimming of the lights. They bring in a stream of international DJs, have a smart cocktail menu, and just the right ratio of beautiful people versus the rest of us. The decor is dot-com chic and though it is situated in a hotel lobby it doesn’t ever really feel like it. 6/F, The W Hotel, 1 Austin Road West, West Kowloon, 3717 2222.

Lei Dou
As soon as you step out of the madness of D’Aguilar Street, the relaxed intimacy of this bar is quietly captivating. Once you adjust to the subtle, warm lighting, a palatial French drawing room from the past (but with a mellow mix of beats and jazz instead of Bach) awaits. This art nouveau-inspired bar, replete with burlesque-style curtains, French wallpaper and luxurious furniture, sprawls seemingly endlessly all the way to its semi-hidden bathrooms at the rear. This is a place tailor-made for quiet conversation, an after-work drink, a romantic wine or, if you’re into posing, a little bit of that too. G/F, 20-22 D’Aguilar St, Central, 2525 6628.

Find your watering hole:
Music bars
Proper pubs
Classy bars
Get away bars
Bars with a view
Specialty bars
Chilled out bars
Sports bars
Incognito bars
Party bars
Guilty pleasure bars
Arty bars

See also:
Blasts from the past