Quinary — Restaurant in Hong Kong Island

Quinary is a popular drinks joint in Central headed by famous mixologist Anthony Lai. On my first attempted visit, I went with a friend that drinks but when we got there it was fully booked. A few days later I was in Central again, so decided to try the non alcoholic drink only. It was also fully booked again apart from the bar table.

I don't usually like sitting at the bar table because it feels a bit weird but surprisingly it was entertaining and fun at the Quinary. ★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★ JAX SUMMER LOVE: Mocktail: coco jelly/ pandan syrup/Jax Coco water/coconut flakes I knew I was going to like it because the drink was coconut water based. It was a refreshing sweet drink with a hint of coconut but the pandan flavouring was too light, but too much of it would have been too sweet because it was pandan syrup. The coconut flakes just acted like some pretty snowflakes floating on top. ★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★ MARSHMALLOW DUO: Absolut Vanilla/ marshmallow milkshake/cream/ egg white/ grilled marshmallow/ aged Manhattan/ It was so nice of the guy to let me try some because I really wanted to try it. When it came, I realised why it was called a Shot because of the size. The bottle was about 4 inches tall and really cute like a mini glass cola bottle which I would'nt mind having! The taste of this was dreamy, it was light foam milkshake with fine bubbles. It had a gorgeous vanilla taste but as a non drinker, I would prefer less vodka because I found it too strong. ★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★ Wasabi redistilled Absolut Vodka: The guy also gave me this to try and it reminded me of the Horse's head at The Blue Butcher which was a fun cocktail of gin infused with horseradish giving a moreish savoury taste with a mustard kick and egg white foam cap on top sprinkled with green tea powder. When I tried the wasabi vodka, it was fierce~ because my lips were scorching. Initially I thought it was the vodka, but then I realised it was the wasabi stinging on my lips! ★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★ QUINARY BLOODY MARY: Wasabi redistilled Absolut Vodka/homemade bloody mary mix/ lemon & tomato juice/ up The bloody mary was basically the wasabi vodka with tomato and lemon juice added to it. The taste was much nicer with a sharp wasabi kick instead of the tabasco chili kick. ★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★ EARL GREY CAVIAR For fun tried some earl grey caviar that he had made for the Earl Grey Caviar martini. It was earl grey liquid injected into a caviar mold. After the droplets were immersed in calcified liquid, a membrane forms and turns into earl grey caviar. I love the caviar and it had intense earl grey taste. The earl grey caviar is made for the Earl Grey Caviar martini which is a concoction of: Absolut Vodka/ elderflower syrup/apple juice/ Cointreau/lemon & lime/earl grey caviar & air/ up. ★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★ The Quinary has certainly proved to be exciting for the five senses because they look, smell, taste, feel and sound good from start to finish! If the owner had not appeared, I would not have known that Quinary stands for five and their...

Quinary is nice cocktail bar on Hollywood Rd. in Central. Having received international publicity as one of the Top 50 bars in the world, this is a fun little place to try in Hong Kong. Opening hours are 5pm to 2am (Mon-Sat), closed on Sundays.

We arrived around 6pm, finding Quinary full up. We had to wait around 20 minutes for a table to become available. Shortly after a place at the bar opened up so we moved there. Tables are small but intimate, lighting rather dark, providing something of a speakeasy like environment.

Menu is a list of creative Quinary signatures and classic cocktails. During our visit, we tried several of each, finding all drinks to be very well made. We particularly like the Pisco Lime Sour and the Trinidad Sour and would reorder these first during our next visit. There is a light bites food menu but we stuck to drinks this time around.

Sitting at the bar was eventful, watching the skilled bartenders execute creative cocktails with precision was just as enjoyable as the drinks themselves. We'd ask for a spot at the bar again next time we visit Quinary.

Note: Most drinks are around HK$120-150. Drink menu is available on their website if you want to review prior to your visit. Further note, it seems that dress code is whatever you prefer to wear. You'll find smartly dressed expats and very casually dressed tourist visitors as well. Just wear what makes you feel comfortable, especially during the hot summer months.

In the end, not sure if Quinary is one of the top 50 bars in the world but it is certainly one of the best places in Hong Kong...

Atmosphere 8.5/10 Designed as a Monkey Express (train) bar. Obviously, they put in a lot of effort for the interior design - many authentic industrial train design elements. Great backbar. Can get a bit loud when busy.

Drinks 7/10 Recommendation: Happy Cake Very creative menu design and large cocktail selection. The first part of the menu is around different elements (like glass, silk, gold, etc.) and drinks curated to represent those. The second part is a more traditional menu with some signature drinks. The cocktail taste did not convince me though - it felt like the presentation, which is clearly unique here, was prioritized over taste and balance of ingredients. Great for pictures, mediocre for taste experience. Nice coasters and glassware.

Service 7/10 The team speaks English and takes time to explain the menu. Water is served on the spot. It might take some time to catch the team’s attention though… No snacks / warm towels or further service. Prices are average for Hong Kong.

This bar is ranked #26 in Asia’s Best 50 Bars 2024. Even though it’s a fun bar, the ranking feels a bit high, considering the competition and high standards of other...