This cosy, convivial bar offers Irish coffees of note, a broad selection of American whiskeys, classic cocktails and top-class pub food – and there’s an invite-only speakeasy to be discovered too.

As you walk down the dark alley towards The Diplomat, Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks painting might come to mind, depicting a glass-fronted diner at night. Inside this Hong Kong establishment you’ll find a typical American tavern, complete with a marble bar counter, high-top seating, and moody, atmospheric lighting. Hidden down a pink corridor is the Social Club, with a lounge area featuring comfortable blue banquettes and no small quantity of vinyl records – motown, funk and hip-hop, primarily – played by resident DJ Patrice, one of the only female DJs in Hong Kong. Fortunately, there’s enough space here for a dance too.

Back in the tavern, the American bar ambience extends to the drinks offering too, where classics and riffs on classics are the name of the game, presented in a rolodex-style menu. These are enhanced by the use of ingredients from across South East Asia, such as pandan leaf from the Philippines. 

Non-alcoholic cocktails are available, and there are sodas made in-house that draw on the bar manager’s roots in the Philippines for inspiration. There’s a selection of mini Martini-style cocktails, including a Gibson and a 50/50, as well as a trio of punches served by the glass. The best seller in this bar, however, is the must-try Irish Coffee, made with coffee sourced from a local roaster. And speaking of Ireland, the team here claim to serve the best pint of Guinness in Hong Kong.

Those who make it into the exclusive Social Club will find champagne buttons at their tables, as well as access to a smaller but more elaborate cocktail list, drawing on gastronomic techniques, as well as a “baller menu” of classics made with top-end spirits.

In addition to one standard bathroom for those who identify as male, the female and non-binary bathroom is beautifully decorated with wallpaper by a Japanese artist, and there’s a trolley with various amenities, not to mention el Bulli soap dispensers, and a stand-up comedy soundtrack.

This inclusive setup is representative of the broader ethos here, with a team that has included a non-binary lead bartender, for example, as well as team members of various faiths and backgrounds. 

New members of staff all start out working the door, greeting guests, before moving to the floor. They’re then invited to the bar, to learn basic cocktails and ice cutting, and then to the main station, and potentially to the bar within the Social Club. In addition, everyone rotates throughout these roles, keeping everyone involved in every aspect of the operation. And after completing their probation, bartenders are all given the opportunity to take a WSET training course.

The team all have a family meal together before service, and everyone has the chance to get involved with guest shifts to other countries. During service, you might enjoy the occasional shot with some of the team – the policy here is “throw the party, don’t be the party”.

It’s worth sticking around until midnight, when the team hand out oven-fresh chocolate chip cookies to everyone.