EN Grill and Bar
Reminiscent of a tucked-away but unpretentious izakaya in Naha, this Okinawan bar restaurant becomes quite a little clubbing hotspot on weekends. It’s kind of like a Japanese Homebase, especially when Humzap DJ Taku does his Qusqu party nights. Lounge on the alfresco balcony or boogie the night away with an Awamori cocktail. Or, drink it like the Japanese, on the rocks with a squeeze of shiquasa (Okinawa lime). You can also order food from their menu until 1am, in case you discover that you actually can’t drink like the Japanese.
Unit E, 4/F, Ho Lee Commercial Building, 38-44 D’Aguilar St., Central, 3102-2255
Yu-Zen
Recline decadently on the cushions, enveloped by layers of curtains on your raised dais, and pretend that you’ll soon be sampling the treats in your Oriental harem. Or sit at the bar and tap your feet to the cool jazz wafting from the speakers, and watch the bartender work his Japanese mixologist magic. Besides a variety of premium sake, the bar serves an interesting menu of original cocktails. For summer (just around the corner), we recommend the Red Eye, a refreshing combination of Japanese draft beer and tomato juice.
21/F, Circle Plaza, 499 Hennessy Rd., Causeway Bay, 2893-6120
b.a.r.
Take a seat at the classic old-school Tokyo long bar, where a superb view of Happy Valley racecourse is visible behind the impeccably organized gantry. That’s also where you can check out proprietor Hiidome-san’s spellbinding bartending skills, executed and served with the elaborate elegance and precision of a tea ceremony. Try an orthodox martini, chilled to minus 20 degrees, or a rare single-malt Hokkaido swirling around a single hand-sculpted sphere of ice. All their fruits are from Japan, so why not enjoy a Bellini with Japanese peach purée?
27/F, Bartlock Centre, 3 Yiu Wa St., Causeway Bay, 2893-2080
