Best rooftop bars in Hong Kong

If there’s anything better than a beautifully crafted cocktail on a gently warm, tropical evening, it’s when your elixir of choice is served at one of the rooftop bars in Hong Kong, with a view to stop you in your tracks.

Thankfully the city is one of the world’s greatest destinations when it comes to seeking out stellar views with booze. It could be the stunning mass of Victoria Peak, the hulking former volcano which frames an unrivalled cityscape of skyscrapers and sea. Or maybe it’s a look north towards the hills that give Kowloon its name (which means “nine dragons”), with teeming, neon-soaked crowds underneath them. Or perhaps it’s a quieter spot, ripe for contemplation, high up in the sky where birds soar and you finally have the space to really breathe.

Wherever you end up, the libations on offer run the gamut from humble local brews and the finest champagnes to creative alcohol-free cocktails for non-drinkers.

Here are some of the best rooftop bars in Hong Kong to kick back with a drink in hand and soak it all in.

Popinjays at The Murray

When The Murray opened as a hotel in Central, following an extensive four-year renovation from its former 1960s incarnation as a government building, it brought with it entirely new views from the heart of the city’s business and cultural district. Nowhere are they more impressive than from Popinjays , its rooftop bar. In addition to unexpected views towards the dazzling architecture of the HSBC Main Building and the surrounding skyscrapers, the 4,500-square-foot wraparound terrace also overlooks Hong Kong Park  and the nearby Zoological and Botanical Gardens , which house the white cockatoos that give the bar its name.

Memorable mix: The Brooding Macaw with local bauhinia gin, lychee liqueur, sakura syrup, cranberry, pineapple and lemon juice.

26/F, The Murray, 22 Cotton Tree Drive, Central; 3141 8888

Kaboom

This rooftop bar  brings a tropical beach resort experience to the top of Prince Tower in bustling Tsim Sha Tsui. Settle into a wicker lounge chair beneath reed-fringed beach umbrellas and choose from an extensive cocktail menu featuring playfully-named drinks such as Tonight Is Gonna Be A Good Night! (a blend of vodka, prosecco, elderflower liqueur and lemon) and No More OT Please! (hibiscus-infused whiskey and Campari with guava, dragon fruit and lemon). All tropical concoctions are elegantly garnished with flower petals.

Memorable mix: Let’s Get Cracking! will “malt” away your daytime stress with its mix of earl grey-infused whiskey, chocolate liqueur, ovaltine, caramel and oat milk.

20/F, Prince Tower, 12A Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; 3790 8114

Ozone at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong

As far as bragging rights go, it doesn’t get loftier than “the highest bar in the world”. Tokyo-based designer Masamichi Katayama was responsible for the interiors of Ozone  on the 118th floor of The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui, but of course it’s the extraordinary vistas from all sides of this rooftop bar that make it one of the city’s most popular venues in Hong Kong. Way down below, the  Star Ferry  crossing the harbour looks like a bathtub toy, while the sweep of views can reach Macao on a clear day. A DJ turns things up a notch, with room for up to 400 people to party long into the night.

Memorable mix: The aptly named HK Skyline, an unexpected combination of Zacapa rum, absinthe, Imperial Oolong syrup, pink grapefruit, lime and Dom Pérignon foam – along with chocolate stones and lavender smoke.

118/F, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, West Kowloon; 2263 2270

Sugar at East Hotel

The east of Hong Kong Island has undergone a renaissance in recent years and the Quarry Bay district is now one of the most sought-after business and dining hubs. Towering above it from the top of hotel East Hong Kong is Sugar . Inside, you’ll find an onyx and timber cocktail bar, comfortable sofas for kicking back and a DJ booth. However, it’s the outdoor rooftop bar that truly shines, offering Instagram-worthy skyline views of the east Kowloon cityscape and Victoria Harbour. Nab one of the coveted tables 100 metres up and unwind with a creative cocktail or something from the impressive range of wines and beers.

Memorable mix: The Low-GI cocktail Siu Tim means “less sweet” in Cantonese and is filled with fresh fruits and herbs, making for a less guilty choice.

32/F, East, 29 Taikoo Shing Road, Taikoo Shing; 3968 3738

Aqua Spirit

One of Hong Kong’s must-sees for many visitors, Aqua Spirit in Tsim Sha Tsui offers panoramic views of Hong Kong Island’s neon-clad skyline and the harbour below. If you’re looking for that definitive Blade Runner feel, with lights reflecting on the water and choppers buzzing past, Aqua Spirit is where you need to be, especially when the nightly laser light show illuminates it. The interiors are dark, sleek and sophisticated – the perfect spot for a hip crowd enjoying the mezzanine lounge bar with drinks like the beautiful Japanese Garden, featuring Tanqueray gin infused with Earl Grey tea, yuzu and peach.

Memorable mix: Green tea colada with Plantation Three Stars rum, cacao, pineapple, coconut and matcha.

17/F, H Zentre, 15 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; 3427 2288

Cardinal Point

Whether it’s an intimate heart-to-heart or a more upbeat get-together with friends, Cardinal Point provides the ideal setting for a night out above the city. The outdoor lounge brings you eye-level with some of Central’s most prominent (and brightest) skyscrapers while providing sweeping views of the Victoria Harbour – best enjoyed under a stunning sunset. Meanwhile, the indoor bar and dining area is accented with colourful ceiling lights, perfectly complementing the resident DJ’s mix of the night.

Memorable mix: Apple Bottom Tart: a crisp blend of Avallen Calvados, French dry vermouth, green apple, shiso, honey, citrus, and American lager.

45/F, Gloucester Tower, Landmark Atrium, Central; 3501 8560

Red Sugar at the Kerry Hotel

Another captivating aspect of Victoria Harbour is afforded at Red Sugar at the Kerry Hotel, where the rooftop bar’s vast terrace by Hong Kong designer André Fu offers 270-degree views. Amid plants and landscaping, sculptures and water features, it’s an excellent setting for large groups of friends and families intent on a soiree with a difference. Mocktails on offer include a mix of ginger and passionfruit or an unusual watermelon and coriander spritz. For those who prefer something stronger, the indoor bar serves up barrel mixes and a great selection of international gins.

Memorable mix: Enthusiasm – a blend of Havana Rum, Aperol infused with berries, spices and creole bitters. The name references many Hongkongers’ passion for horse races at the historic Happy Valley racecourse.

7/F, Kerry Hotel, 38 Hung Luen Road, Hung Hom; 2252 5281

This story was originally published in December 2019 and updated in October 2024.