The Old Man
Central, Hong Kong
Bar in Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Book with PearlWhy go
Book The Old Man when the bar is the point of the night, not just a stop after dinner. Its awards history makes it a serious Central cocktail pick, but it is better for couples or small groups than loose larger parties. If you want wine, James Suckling Wine Central is the cleaner alternative; for another cocktail-led night, compare Coa and Bar Leone.
About The Old Man
The Old Man is a Hong Kong bar with a strong awards record: World's 50 Best Bars #10 in 2018, Asia's Best Bars #1 in 2019, Top 500 Bars Best Bars #313 in 2025. Use it as a bar-led choice when recognized excellence matters most.
Choose it for confirmed bar recognition
Strongest reason to choose The Old Man is its awards history. Its confirmed placements include World's 50 Best Bars #10 in 2018 and Asia's Best Bars #1 in 2019, which give it a stronger trust signal than a generic Hong Kong bar listing. That does not define every detail of the experience, but it does support treating it as a serious bar choice.
For planning around the rest of the evening, pair it with broader Hong Kong research through our full Hong Kong restaurants guide, compare hotel options in our full Hong Kong hotels guide, or use our full Hong Kong bars guide for a wider night-out map.
Where it fits in a Hong Kong bar plan
If you are comparing notable Hong Kong bar options, Coa and Bar Leone are natural names to consider alongside The Old Man. James Suckling Wine Central, Montana, NEO Cocktail Club may also be useful cross-shops depending on the kind of evening you want.
For the rest of the planning details, check directly with the venue. The Old Man is an award-recognized Hong Kong bar with a smart casual dress code.
Planning details
- Location
- Lower G/F, 37-39 Aberdeen Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong, 39 Aberdeen St, Central, Hong Kong
- Website
- instagram.com
- Phone
- +85227031899
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Old Man stages its identity around a literary conceit and a rigorous, programmatic cocktail practice. Housed on the lower ground of Aberdeen Street, the bar reads intimate and tucked-in, the sort of room that rewards attention to detail and conversation. Its early prominence in regional rankings and its role in the shift away from hotel lobbies toward independent bars give the place a quietly influential, sophisticated air. Expect a focused, technically adept cocktail menu delivered in a cozy, stylish environment that feels both purposeful and perfectly at home in Soho’s dense evening circuit.
Best For
This is a bar for evening occasions that center on cocktails and conversation. It suits date nights and quietly celebratory outings, as well as casual nights out with friends who appreciate a thoughtful, program-driven drink list. The neighborhood context — an after‑work and late‑night bar circuit in Central/Soho — makes The Old Man a natural late‑night stop, particularly for people tracing Hong Kong’s cocktail scene. Because the venue is compact and programmatic, it works best for small groups or two‑person visits rather than large parties.
Ordering Tips
The Old Man is framed around a defined cocktail program and a literary concept, so approaching the menu with curiosity pays off. Ask the bartenders about how the Hemingway frame shapes the drinks and request their recommendations if you want the room’s signature approach rather than a textbook classic. Given the bar’s technical reputation, expect carefully executed cocktails — lean on staff guidance to navigate their program and choose drinks that emphasize technique and narrative over novelty.
Venue details
Ambiance
Warm, inviting living room-like space with fabulous lighting, tropical jungle wall paintings, a giant mosaic portrait of Hemingway, and a communal I-shaped bar counter with chilled strip.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Speakeasy
- Music
- Cool Background Music
Signature Pours
- Lost Generation
- Death In The Afternoon
- Snows Of Kilimanjaro
Planning details
Location
Lower G/F, 37-39 Aberdeen Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong, 39 Aberdeen St, Central, Hong Kong · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- James Suckling Wine Central, Notable alternative
- NEO Cocktail Club, Notable alternative
- Coa, Notable alternative
- Montana, Notable alternative
- Bar Leone, Notable alternative
Bar context
How it compares in Hong Kong
Coa is the closest cross-shop for a serious cocktail night: choose Coa if you want a bar with equally destination-driven pull, choose The Old Man if Soho location and awards history are the stronger draw. Bar Leone is the better fallback for a more social, easiergoing room where the night can feel less appointment-driven.
James Suckling Wine Central is the wrong comparison if you are judging purely on cocktails, but the right one if value means a wine-focused evening with less pressure around the bar itself. NEO Cocktail Club and Montana make more sense when booking friction is the deciding factor and the group would rather secure a plan than chase the hardest seat.
For a date or two-person drinks plan, keep The Old Man high on the list. For groups, cross-shop first: Bar Leone for atmosphere, James Suckling Wine Central for wine, NEO Cocktail Club or Montana when convenience beats trophy-bar value.
Explore Hong Kong
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Old Man guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Old Man
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| The Old Man | Hong Kong | Top 500 Bars 2026 · #3132024 Asia's 50 Best Bars · #712023 World's 50 Asia's Best Bars · #472021 World's 50 Asia's Best Bars · #422020 World's 50 Best Bars · #152020 World's 50 Asia's Best Bars · #222019 World's 50 Asia's Best Bars · #12019 World's 50 Best Bars · #92018 World's 50 Asia's Best Bars · #5 |
| James Suckling Wine Central | Hong Kong | No published awards |
| NEO Cocktail Club | Hong Kong | No published awards |
| Coa | Hong Kong | Top 500 Bars 2026 · #28Tales Spirited Awards 2026 - Best International Cocktail Bar - Best International Cocktail Bar (Top 10 Nominee)SCMP 100 Top Tables 2026 - Bars2025 Asia's 50 Best Bars · #172025 World's 50 Best Bars · #38Tatler Best Bars Asia-Pacific 20252024 Asia's 50 Best Bars · #42024 World's 50 Best Bars · #182023 World's 50 Asia's Best Bars · #1 |
| Montana | Hong Kong | No published awards |
| Bar Leone | Hong Kong | No published awards |
How The Old Man Hong Kong compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Old Man good for groups?
It can work well as an award-recognized Hong Kong bar, but group suitability depends on current seating and room setup. Check directly with the venue for party-size guidance before you go.
Is The Old Man good for a date?
It can be a strong candidate if you want an award-recognized Hong Kong bar and are comfortable with a smart casual dress code. Check current venue information if atmosphere, seating, or service style matters to you.
Is the food good at The Old Man?
For a meal-led plan, compare other Hong Kong dining options; for a bar-led plan, The Old Man's confirmed strength is its awards record.
