Night Cap

Swanky hotel lounges, terraces with gorgeous with gorgeous city views and cool basement bars – there’s no shortage of hot spots in Hong Kong to don a chic outfit and grab a drink with friends. When The Woods opened on Wyndham Street, they were venturing into well-trampled territory. What makes this dimly lit bar stand out from the rest, however, is its focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients and their use of artisanal liquors.

Every cocktail at The Woods is stunning – both in its polished presentation and carefully balanced ingredients. Owner Victoria Chow’s concept was sparked by visits to Artesian and The Nightjar cocktail bars in London, and she was also largely influenced by her upbringing in the Sun Francisco Bay Area, where seasonal, farm-fresh produce is always readily available. “We try to elevate cocktails to a culinary level. We make people think of cocktails in the same way a dish is prepared by a chef,” she says. Similar to a restaurant, The Woods offers a four-course, prix-fixe menu – a “chef’s table” for a party of eight to sip on appetizer, main and dessert cocktails, and a digestif of choice.

The care and attention invested in concocting every drink is also mirrored in the interiors, which tie in abstract design elements playing on the bar’s forest theme. Every detail, from the birch-patterned upholstery, the wood beam roof and painted tiles, down to the twigs and pinecones scattered throughout the bar, was carefully selected by Victoria’s sister Regina, the architect and interior designer behind the space. Their other sister, Juliette, is also involved in the project as the co-founder and CEO. The Woods is truly a labour of love – and we at HJ will certainly drink to that!

Photography Edgar Tapan
Styling Bridget Saunders