DarkSide — Restaurant in Hong Kong

I am delighted to recount the exceptional experience I had last evening at Darkside, a cocktail bar that defies expectations and sets the bar high.

The service was top-notch, and the atmosphere struck a balance between trendy and classic, fostering a warm ambiance that’s hard to come by in a bar of this tier.

The star of the evening was Asish Rana, who showcased not just impressive mixology skills but also embodied the welcoming spirit of Darkside. His passion for his craft was infectious, and his extensive knowledge, which he generously shared, made the evening not just about tasting, but also about learning.

The drinks are, quite simply, some of the finest I've ever tasted. I tried four different cocktails - two from their signature menu, Spring and Winter, each unique and tantalizing, truly a testament to the creativity and expertise of their mixologists. The other two, classic staples - Corpse Reviver 2 and Cable Car, were expertly mixed and absolutely delicious, a nod to the timeless appeal of these drinks.

Another highlight of the evening was the Darkside's in-house cognac. Paired with chocolates from Rosewood’s patisserie, the indulgence was luxurious and unforgettable. While I couldn't take any of the exquisite cognac home, I managed to bring back some of the chocolates, allowing me to savor a piece of Darkside even after leaving.

In conclusion, Darkside is not just a cocktail bar - it's a destination. With its expertly crafted drinks, knowledgeable and friendly staff led by Asish Rana and well-blended modern and classic ambiance, it sets a high bar for cocktail establishments. An evening here is not just a drink, it's an experience - one I would love to relive...

Very disappointing experience.

Came in the weekend around 8. The bar was not full yet and you can see server are not 100 % occupied.

While we got sat quickly, they did not gave us their signature cocktail menu, only regular menu and food menu were given to us. We didn’t even know the signature menu exists until later the night , as the server delivered the second drink, when we asked her what’s the drink next table is ordering. It’s very disappointing. We completely missed out the opportunity to try their best drink. Felt total left out and started wondering did they do that on purpose because we were dressing casual. The server did apologise and finally bring the signature menu over and explain that, but it was all too late, we had 2 drinks and was not going to order more .

For a $200/ drink (25 usd ) bar at a 5 star hotel , This is not impressive. We went to XX bar the other day in the same hotel and they explain all the special drinks on their menu once we were there.

To conclude, The first server didn’t give us and explain the signature menu - did not do her duty. The second server who took our orders didn’t pay attention to details to notice we don’t have the signature menu on our desk.

Not everyone comes to your bar has googled ahead. Some of us just want to go in with limited knowledge and explore ourselves. Small things make a big difference to customer experience. Food was tasty but the experience...

Atmosphere 10/10 Located on the 2nd floor of the Rosewood hotel. The name of the bar comes from the history of Hong Kong - which consists of two islands. Hong Kong Island, called by locals “Bright Side” - represented as Yang. And Kowloon Island, called by locals “Dark Side”- represented as Yin. Very high-end bar design with high-quality furniture, unique ceiling decor, and dimmer lighting, creating an amazing vibe. Plenty of table seating and live jazz music in the evening. Great bar counter seating area. Also great views of the skyline.

Drinks 10/10 Recommendation: Heaven (creamy / fizz), Dark Side (strong) Super creative menu design referring to Yin Yang ☯️ and the representation of the two islands of Hong Kong. Tried 4 drinks and every single one was perfectly balanced and absolutely delicious. Excellent and fun presentation of every drink. Unique and high-quality glassware/mugs. Great coasters.

Service 9.5/10 Very friendly team, English-speaking, water served immediately. They also serve complimentary snacks. Shoutout to Michael (Bartender) and Bob (GM) for a superb conversation. No warm towels. Prices are above average for Hong Kong but well worth the experience.

This bar is ranked #17 Asia’s Best 50 Bars 2024. The ranking is a bit too low. In my own experience, this is easily the best bar in Hong Kong, and could be the best bar in Asia. Highly recommend checking it...