Category Archives: Bar & Pub

The One With Kronenbourg 1664 – Where To Get It On The Tap (Draught) In Hong Kong

6 March, 2015 10:00 am | Leave a Comment |

Kronenbourg 1664

I have been on a quest recently, to find restaurants and bar serving Kronenbourg 1664 on the tap. I had always fancied Kronenbourg 1664, especially the blanc variety. To my delight, I started to see more and more places serving draught 1664 beer, which is really the only way to enjoy this French brew.

So for the convenience of (Kronenbourg 1664) beer enthusiasts out there, here’s a list of places serving them ice cold, on the tap. This list will be updated as and when I find more places.

Pavilion At Crown Plaza Hotel (my review)
8 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
+852 3980 3300

SML at Times Square (my review)
11th Floor, Times Square, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
+852 2577 3444

Beeger Hong Kong
Shop 1, G/F, Supernova Stand, 28 Mercury Street, Tin Hau
+852 2352 3508

Fringe Club Rooftop
2 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong
+852 2521 7251

Wildfire at East Soho
45 Tai Hong Street, Soho East, Lei King Wan, Sai Wan Ho
+852 2261 2999

Staunton’s
G/F, 10 – 12 Staunton Street, Soho, Central
Tel : +852 2973 6611

Pastis Pastis
G/F, 65 Wyndham Street, Central
Tel : +852 2537 5702

SEVVA Bar & Cuisine
Prince’s Building 25th Floor, 10 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong
Tel : +852 2537 1388

Amazonia
Corner Jaffe and Luard Roads, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel : +852 31058990

Delaney’s
G/F & 1/F, One capital Place – 18 Luard Road, Wanchai
Tel : +852 2804 2880

Posted in: Bar & Pub | Tagged: , , , ,

The One With Rock Bar Bali – Watching Sunset In Style

7 May, 2014 10:11 pm | 1 Comment |

When I first mentioned that I was interested in going to Bali, it seems that a visit to the Rock Bar at Ayana Resort is a must. Almost everyone I have spoken to was waxing lyrical about the amazing sunset from the bar, located right at the cliff with a rather sheer drop into the ocean. It sounded dramatic in a way that I liked, so I put it down onto my itinerary for my Bali-day trip and made a point to visit.

And I did.

Buzz

My First Bali-day

The first thing you’ll notice when you arrived at Ayana Resort and Spa was how luxurious everything is. I was staying at some sub-standard place at South Kuta, so the difference was acutely felt. Walking to the bar took us through the resort, and after the third posh restaurant with glamourous fountains, the sheen of awesomeness started to wear off and everything seems to be a little over-the-top. It didn’t feel exclusive, just over-subscribed.

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Posted in: Bali, Bar & Pub

The One With Happy Valley Bar & Grill – Amazing Pub Grub In The Neighbouhood

3 March, 2013 8:59 am | 1 Comment |

So I missed hanging out with a certain dear friend of mine. He has been traveling, and I have been, you know, in and out of hospital (it’s a long story), so when he texted to arrange for a long overdue catch-up session, I said yes. Happy Valley Bar & Grill was my choice.

The decision was two-fold. First of all, I have been to this pub twice before, both times with different people but for the same reason – to chill. And chill we did. Happy Valley Bar & Grill has one of the largest beer selection I have seen apart from The Globe. As Happy Valley isn’t connected to any train station and is only accessible by buses and trams, we do not suffer endless crowds and was able to enjoy relatively serene surroundings… coming from a someone who resides on HK Island, that’s a rarity.

Happy Valley Bar & Grill

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Posted in: Bar & Pub, Happy Valley, Western

The One With The Globe – Pies, Pies & More Pies

3 October, 2012 8:54 pm | 2 Comments |

You know how they say that within two hours after your workout, your body is at its most absorbent, so it is the prime time for you to take supplements such as protein shake.

It is also the worst time for you to consume fatty things and empty calories… which happened to me one fine Sunday.

Sunday Lunch at The Globe

I couldn’t help it. It was the weekend before my annual Europe holiday, I was tired out from some physical and mental exercise at the gym (it was one of those days), so when Chris and Liren said they’ll be happy to have a Sunday beer, I jumped at the chance.

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Posted in: American, Bar & Pub, Central

The One With Frites Belgium On Tap – Mussels Me Please

17 July, 2012 9:12 pm | Leave a Comment |

It was said that beer is to the Belgians as wine is to the French. If it was true, then Frites Belgium On Tap paid homage to that tradition as good as your favorite French winery. Minus the snobbery.

IMG_9362

I could do without the huge declaration of 10% service charge though.

It was weekday night when I visited the branch at Quarry Bay for some beer and good old mussels. Have you heard that I love shell fish of all kinds? No? Now you know.

IMG_9363

How dedicated were the Belgians to beer? At Frites, they have a beer bible, and prayers dedicated to beer. Heads were definitely bowing (probably due to pints consumed rather than subjugation) and incantations were shouted rather than murmured, it was a temple for beer worship, alright.

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Posted in: Bar & Pub, Quarry Bay, Seafood

The One With A Ginjinha – Syrupy Cherry Tipple In Lisbon

4 July, 2012 5:14 pm | Leave a Comment |

It was a chilly long ride back from Cabo da Roca, and my stomach was rumbling. Afterall, it was way past eight at night, and this hungry boy could have eaten a cow.

But no deal. My new friends, Komei and Charlotte insisted that we should have a go at the famous local cherry, syrupy drink called ginjinha. And there was no better place than to have it at the birth place of the tipple, a tiny postage-stamp-sized bar at Baixa called an unimaginative A Ginjinha.

A Ginjinha at Lisbon, Portugal

The owner smiled as we approached and was quick to point out that they were about to close shop, so whatever that we were about to have, we are to have it quick. So we dutifully doled up our Euros and, slightly unnerved by the ancient poster of the drink’s 19th-century inventor (a cleric named Espinheira), we toasted to each other’s good health and gulped in down.

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Posted in: Bar & Pub, Lisbon 2011

Pick Of The Week: The One With Angel’s Share

26 May, 2012 8:03 am | Leave a Comment |

Ever wondered what angels have to do with whisky? Drop by to Angel’s Share, arguably the poshest whisky bar in town, and you just might find out.

Angel's Share

In the ancient times whisky masters were baffled for the annual two percent loss of whisky as the barrel matured. It was assumed that angels were responsible for it; hence the term angel’s share.

Angel's Share

While you may not find tipsy angels flying into each other at Angel’s Share, what you’ll take delight in would be the sleek and sultry interior of the bar, complete with authentic oak floors, velvety sofas and more than a touch of rockin’ vibe. Truly an altar dedicated to the enjoyment of the liquid gold.

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Posted in: Bar & Pub, Central | Tagged: , ,

The One With Sake Bar GINN – Hong Kong Dedicated Sake Bar

18 April, 2012 2:57 pm | 1 Comment |

Founder Ayuchi Momose was proud to inform us that Sake Bar GINN is the first genuine bar in Hong Kong dedicated only to the fermented rice wine.

Sake Bar GINN

The sake selection available, mind boggling to the novice and da God-sent for diehard fans, were imported directly from Japanese breweries and not available elsewhere in Hong Kong.

Sake Bar GINN

Sake Bar GINN is more like a bar than a restaurant, so be prepared to be overwhelmed by its selection of about 100 different kinds of sakes, rather than its tapa style menu to go with the sake.

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Posted in: Bar & Pub, Central, Japanese

The One With Indian Food At The Chapel – Surprising Find In The Valley

13 March, 2012 9:49 am | Leave a Comment |

Hello there! Did you miss me, and my blog? I missed you. My apologies for the lack of updates in recent weeks. What with me moving from my old haunt to Happy Valley, and the avalanche at work, I find myself hard pressed to find time to blog.

But that does not mean I lack of material to blog. Oh no. If my expanding waistline is of any indication, I had too much material to blog about.

Well, I gotta start somewhere. So let me introduce you to a gem of a find I was introduced to right here in Happy Valley, called The Chapel.

The Chapel is rightfully a bar, but a large sign right outside claim it serves some of the best Indian food in town. On any other occasion, I would have hesitated (great food in a neighbourhood bar, really?) but this was recommended to me by a foodie who knows her stuff.

So in I went one fine weekday night, and I was not disappointed!

Roasted Popadam (HKD6)

Dinner at The Chapel

I was overjoyed when I found this place serves real popadam. For the uninitiated, that crispy lentil flour wafer with more than just a tad of spice in it. Served with a side of mint sauce, I was transported right back to the time in Malaysia when I can devour a tin of popadam all by myself.

I was that much of a glutton.

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Posted in: Bar & Pub, Happy Valley, Indian

The One With Trafalgar – British Pub & Beer Garden Balcony

30 September, 2011 10:00 am | Leave a Comment |

Since I moved to Hong Kong, I always look out for spacious dining establishments. Be it a bar, a cafe or a restaurant, a spacious one is a precious commodity in Hong Kong. Those well-versed with the local property market will know what I mean; else, allow yourself to laugh and cry at the same time at this satire on the crazy real estate that is Hong Kong.

In my quest, I have encountered a number of bars/restaurants with open space here, but you could count them with one hand. The patio at SML, the bankers’ hive at SEVVA, the media’s hangout at Sugar, the rooftop bar at Crowne Plaza… see, one hand.

Therefore excuse my enthusiasm when I discoveredthe British pub Trafalgar located at the infamous Lockhart Road at Wanchai.

Trafalgar Wan Chai

As you make your way to the building (Trafalgar was located at a respectable 5th floor), allow yourself to be jostled, appraised, hustled at (if you look rich) or frowned upon (if you don’t). Lockhart Road is lined up almost entirely by bars and pubs of the girlie variety… if you get what I mean. But of course you do. I was there on a Sunday afternoon and already the various bars were doing brisk business.

To say I was delighted to have this oasis of calm in the midst bustling Wan Chai would be an understatement. Trafalgar was complete with a beer garden balcony, decked out in all its wooden glory with rickety chairs and wobbling tables. You would think I am being sarcastic, but I am not. I was charmed.

If I could just ignore the endless babbling of the drunk woman at the next table (slow down on the white wine, honey), I could just close my eyes and imagine myself in London.

And so, on to the delight that was Trafalgar. I was there for a Groupon deal, which was an all-day brunch with three hour of (hic!) unlimited champagne, wine, and soft drinks. You might thought the food would be ordinary, since this was a Groupon deal – I won’t blame you, I went completely without expectation – but boy were my better half and I in for a pleasant surprise!

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Posted in: Bar & Pub, British, Wan Chai | Tagged: