Top 6 New Bars & Clubs for January

If you have decided against embracing a “Dry January” (knowing all too well you will only ruin your hard work by getting right back on the champers in Feb!), then here are the our top six new bars and clubs that have popped up around Hong Kong. Go on, enjoy some guilt-free New Year beverages!

Rula Bula

Rula Bula, a hip new bar on D’Aguilar Street, is the creation of Irishman Cathal Kiely (who also brought us many other Sassy faves, like Solas, The Salted Pig and Posto Publico!). Designer Ben McCarthy (the man responsible for the eclectic décor at Brickhouse) has channelled an open, lofty, warehouse space reminiscent of bars in New York’s Meatpacking District, for you to sip on cool and contemporary molecular cocktails and listen to the world’s finest DJs work the decks.

The name Rula Bula has been abbreviated from the Irish expression ‘Ri Ra agus Rúla Búla’, which means ‘uproar and commotion’. With a state-of-the-art high-tech lighting system, moveable furniture to allow for extra dance space and one of the longest lasting liquor licences in town, we don’t have to tell you that this place could not be more appropriately named!

Rula Bula 58-62 D’Aguilar St, Central
2179 5552 www.rulabula.com.hk/

Havana Bar

Havana Bar is another chic new drinking spot on D’Aguilar Street that will transport you to a balmy night in Cuba in no time. Furnished with reclaimed and salvaged doors and shutters imported from the Caribbean isles, this is the perfect place to relax with friends on their gorgeous outdoor terrace – we reckon the air even smells more tropical around here!

Havana Bar boasts the most extensive selection of rums in Hong Kong, ranging from all your old faves to super rare bevvies like the St Nicholas Abby rum from Barbados – one of the most exclusive rums in the world, it clocks in at $278 a shot! They also make their own innovative in-house rum infusions, plus plenty of rum-based cocktail concoctions – and even grow their own mint to keep up with demand for their signature mojitos!

Havana Bar 4/F, The Plaza, 21 D’Aguilar Street, Central
2851 4880 www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Havana-Bar-LKF/410787045657968

The Roger Room
Concept Creations have cleverly positioned The Roger Room directly opposite its “sister” Peruvian resto Chicha, which has been packed full every night since opening. Inspired by the sailing ships off the Peruvian coast in ye olde days, their skull and crossbones logo channels the spirit of The Jolly Roger, the infamous pirate ship known for ruling the Caribbean waters and stealing the white Peruvian brandy, pisco – so get ready to yo ho ho it up with a fab selection of Peruvian-inspired cocktails. The black and red colour theme is extended inside, with wooden slats also giving a nautical vibe akin to being inside the hull of a ship (but without any accompanying sea-sickness!).

Diners will be happy to hear that Chicha’s famous pan con chicharones (delish mini burger sliders with pork, sweet potato and salsa criolla) and scrummy tacos (Sassy tip: get the chicken!) have made it over to Roger Room, with a menu featuring many more of Chicha’s fave tapas-style snacks. Open from 3pm with weekly nightly specials, this is the perfect spot for an afternoon snack or pre-drink before heading over to Chicha.

The Roger Room G/F, 39 Peel St, Central
2561 3336 www.facebook.com/chichacevicheria

Zanzo

Be sure to head to the trendy neighbourhood of Tai Hang one night after work to check out Zanzo, a contemporary Japanese sake bar founded by the Miramar Group (the folks behind Hide-Chan Ramen and Cuisine Cuisine). Let go of your daily stresses as you enter the Zen-like surrounds of Zanzo, which have been deliberately designed with clean lines and neutral tones to provide an extra peaceful interior. Here you can sip on an extensive range of sake at their intimate open bar, including hard-to-find labels and Zanzo’s own private label, which is sourced from the award-winning Otaru refined sake “Takaragawa” (the signature sake of the Hokkaido brewery).

If sake doesn’t take your fancy, then there are plenty of other Japanese beverages to choose from, including chūhai drinks and Japanese beer. You can also chow down on small accompanying dishes, like snapper sashimi, spiced radish and ponzu vinaigrette or BBQ Australian wagyu beef chimmichurri salad for around $70 each.

Zanzo G/F, 15-16 School Street, Tai Hang
2750 6490 www.facebook.com/zanzohk

Club Gala’s
If you’re looking to experience the ultimate clubbing experience then look no further than Club Gala’s, a fresh new nightlife spot set in the thick of vibrant LKF. The owners have invested $4,000,000 (that’s a lot of zeros) into their mega-sound system, so get ready to shake your boots! The slick 3,500 square foot interior has been designed by Bosco Lam (who also designed Cubic in Macau), whilst Ricky Stone is in charge of the music – last year, he brought us Grandmaster Flash in HK and PSY in Macau, so expect some big names and cool DJs to be dropping by Gala’s soon!

With scrummy signature cocktails (check out the Wasabi Martini or Green World, featuring tequila, cucumber, mint and lime juice), yummy canapés from Sassy favourites Linguine Fini and a 30% off Happy Hour every Monday to Saturday between 6 to 9pm, what more could you want for your night adventures?!

Club Gala’s 18-20 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central
2796 8830 www.facebook.com/clubgalas#!/clubgalas

Nova & Loft

Hyde has had a facelift! Now going under the names of Nova & Loft, the bar/club space is still located on the second and third floors of Lyndhurst Tower; whilst the staff are all the same (and if you had a favourite drink at Hyde, it’s likely to still be going strong!), we’ve been reliably informed that it has a much better vibe, design and DJ line-up than in its Hyde days.

Downstairs, Nova has been decked out by award-winning designer Joey Ho, with ultra-futuristic interiors and neon lighting details. The 6,000 square foot space still boasts two bars (the second one now feeling more accessible and spacious than before), with the DJ booth sitting in prime position on the dancefloor. Meanwhile, upstairs is home to the lounge bar Loft, which features a dimly lit long bar with plenty of seating, comfy couches, red velvet pool tables and three outdoor terraces to enjoy drinks in a chilled atmosphere.

Nova and Loft 2/F, Lyndhurst Building, 1 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central
2522 2508 www.novaconcepts.hk/

 UPDATE: Nova and Loft is now closed.