Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for June 27-29
It's a great weekend to catch up on new openings as we prepare to bid farewell to the month of June. The duo behind Socio have just opened their second concept, positioned as a 'premium cocktail club'. After Dr. Fern's closed in January, the doctor is back as The Pottinger opens gin concept The Doctor's Residence. Round out your weekend on Kowloon side as Nicola's Night returns to Terrible Baby with its second edition, dubbed The Italians.
Thursday, June 26
Gossip opens in Central
Gossip in Foco is being positioned as a 'premium cocktail club' in Hong Kong's Central district. Photo: Handout
What: It's no longer just a rumour –
It's no longer just a rumour –
Amir Javaid and Max Bajracharya (two of the creators of Socio) have opened Gossip in the Foco building, in the heart of Central. The duo are positioning the venue as a 'premium cocktail club' that combines live music, plush surrounds, and a killer cocktail concept that draws inspiration from – of all things – traditional masks from around Asia, as well as ingredients sourced from the region. For instance, Hannya is named after a mask in Japanese Noh theatre, and combines yuzu kosho, kombu-infused Bacardi, Iichiko shochu, clarified pear, matcha air and shiso powder.
Where: 3/F, Foco Building, 48 Cochrane Street, Central
When: 6pm-2am
Friday, June 27
The Doctor's Residence by Dr. Fern
The Doctor's Residence by Dr. Fern in The Pottinger Hong Kong specialises in exotic gin and tonics. Photo: Handout
What: When we reported on Dr. Fern's Gin Parlour's closure in January, Hong Kong's beverage scene waited with bated breath to see if and when the gin specialist would reopen. The Pottinger hotel gave us the answer just last week, as The Doctor's Residence began its soft opening at The Envoy's former location – one complete with a terrace.
Bar manager Babit Burathoki returns to helm the concept, which continues to focus on exotic gin and tonics, alongside a series of gin-centric signatures like Brinewashed – comprising Tamras gin, coriander extract, chilli brine, mint, lemongrass and clarified watermelon – or Shroom Service, which combines Australian gin with Fernet Hunter, calamansi juice, almond liqueur, coconut oil and a mushroom foam.
Where: 3/F, The Pottinger, 74 Queen's Road Central, Central
When: 5pm-1am
Saturday, June 28
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