Thirty-Seven Plus
Bars don’t get anymore hidden than this. There’s no sign. There’s no number. There’s just a metal door and a key pad. But if you’re in the know, and are aware of which buttons to press, you’re in for a treat. Dark and cosy, Thirty Seven Plus has the ambience of a living room party, with art on the walls, jazzy rhythms and plenty of drinks flowing. With “PLUS” apparently standing for “People like us”, this secretive little gem attracts a predominantly gay crowd. B/F, 37 Staunton St, Soho, 2526 6766.

Where
This gem of a bar is bizarrely hidden in a decrepit building on TST’s Hanoi Road. Its two indoor areas – a cavernous lounge room and a dimly lit Bali-inspired bar – are cool enough. But the bar’s finest attribute is undeniably its spacious outdoor balcony. Sitting directly below the imposing new K11 art mall project, the ultra chilled-out deck features sets of white couches squarely arranged around shisha pipes, a BBQ conveniently in place for hire, and the nice touch of a little green flora. The local cool crew hang out under the stars here, enjoying the sweet aroma of apple-flavoured smoke, a steady flow of drinks and the faint mellow beats playing inside. Check it out when the weather is good. 4/F Century House, 3-4 Hanoi Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2135 9999, H/H 5pm-9pm

Half Past Ten
In a city as densely populated as ours, getting away from it all can be tricky, especially if you don’t want to travel very far. This discreet and classy cocktail lounge offers the perfect tonic (best served with gin), as it’s within shouting distance of Wyndham Street and Lan Kwai Fong and yet manages to feel far from the madding crowd. With its tinted windows, subtle signage and the fact it’s tucked in beside the Caine Road underpass, it’s easy to miss, but spend a couple of hours here sipping cocktails and lounging on their comfy sofas and you’ll realise why it’s worth seeking out. Lower Basement, 10 Glenealy, Central, 2869 9089.

Nexus
In the slightly haphazard drinking scene of Tsim Sha Tsui, there is an oasis. For about a year now, Nexus has been a hangout for young, local hipsters. Featuring surreal Victorian chandeliers, comfy high and low couches, and funky jazz fusion beats, this cool, rustic bar is a much-needed chilled-out escape from a TST scene that prides itself on being either uber-shiny or super boozy. G/F, 25 Hart Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2668 8798. H/H 5pm-9pm

Baby Buddha
In between the popular Pottinger Street and Lan Kwai Fong scenes lies this tiny infant of a bar. Barely accommodating 25 people, Baby Buddha glows with red light over its open, pseudo al-fresco deck. A random mix of cool kids and suits congregate here despite the common waft of incense from the tiny temple across the street, relaxing and revelling in the intimacy of this tucked-away space. Sit and watch the crowd as they make their nightly transition between NoHo and D’Aguilar Street, or to get the night started for a progression of your own. Great tunes too. 18 Wo On Lane, Central, 2167 7244.

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