Was looking for a little break for the hustle and bustle so found Bar Butler which is in a building up a few floors (5th). It feels like the Japanese bars I've seen on tv with the bartenders wearing dress shirts and vests. They also practice a few Japanese traditions like greeting you when you arrive and leave. The menu itself has a lot of common cocktails. I decided on some standards ones like a paper plane and then an old fashioned. I liked the paper plane more maybe because it was sweeter and tangy-er due to the actual make up of the drink. The old fashioned used several different bitters which was unique but didn't necessarily transform the drink too much. Snacks are provided as you sip your drink. I feel the bartenders are pretty solid though and can make drinks just by highlighting what you like. Would give it a visit. Very local and off the touristy track. read more

One of our favorite nights in Hong Kong was visiting Bar Butler, a classic Japanese whiskey bar. The people working here (3 men all dolled up, including suspenders) were super expert in their selection and recommendations, making the experience very illuminating and interesting. The space is definitely small. It can get crowded, so try to hit it early or on the later side. We got to try some excellent whiskies, many of which are not available in the States. You could tell there were some regulars who were visiting, too, as they had very deep conversations with the bartenders about their latest supply. Higher end but not bonkers prices. There was a minimum, but it wasn't hard to hit. Swanky and beautiful interior. All around elegance with jazz in the background. We were immediately transported! read more

See all

Many individuals participating in the art of alcoholic consumption may argue whiskey is the ultimate spirit. It is after all the never ending hobby, the perfect palate cleanser, and the end all to a relaxing evening. Any whiskey enthusiast should visit Bar Butler, where whiskey is the name of the game with the kind of ambiance to match it. Unlike the rowdy bars along Hanoi and Mody, Bar Butler is neatly tucked away on the 5th and 6th floors of the Mody House with almost no signage, making this a seriously hidden gem. The ambiance is uniquely Japanese, something akin to Nocturne in Central (https://www.yelp.com/biz/nocturne-wine-and-whisky-bar-%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF) but a tad classier and significantly more remote. There is light jazz played in the background, a quiet hush amongst the crowd, and a bustling staff of bartenders finely dressed and speaking Japanese to everyone as if this was a hotel bar in Tokyo. The small menu is comprised of an extensive list of whiskeys from all over the world. The prices for this experience is up there, which means folks might not be able to get away without coughing up 300HKD+ after a couple of drinks easily. I have since forgone the menu completely and have taken the nominal approach of asking the bartenders directly on whipping together a drink to my liking. They often poll their customers on taste preferences and put together a nice cocktail to please their palates, even if the easy approach is to order everything neat or on the ice (which like all great whiskey bars, is shaped perfectly). For the latter, the amazing Yamazaki 18 year does the job quite well. There is also food served here, from the little bar treats and Japanese cheeses paired up with drinks to a more robust chalkboard "specials of the day" items that range from western pastas to Japanese mains. Folks lined up at the counter on the 6th floor might be up for this, but I'd rather be on the 5th floor, sitting in a booth and sipping the night away. read more

See all

Love the low key and speakeasy vibe of Bar Butler. Reservation is highly recommended and necessary. I was there on a weekday and the place was packed and there were walk-ins customers being turned away. Pro-Tip: Bartender is your friend. Just tell him what you like. He would make you anything that fit your mood and taste. I would definitely recommend sitting at the bar, especially you are a party of 2. Aside from the extensive selection of Whiskies, I love their "Asian" cocktails too: a lot of the mixers are from Japan. Price is reasonable with the quality of drinks and this is a truly awesome experience. Aside from the main Japanese bartender, there is also a Cantonese/English speaking one which is as skilled and knowledgeable. read more

See all

Nice Japanese whiskey bar in Kowloon. they have two floors, a cocktail bar and the whiskey bar. The place is intimate, dark wood and some jazz in the background. They have a small menu of whiskeys from all over the world. If you know what you like, ditch the menu and ask the the bartender to make you something based on your taste. The price tag for this experience doesn't come cheap, expect to spend 200HKD+ per person... that shouldnt be a problem since that's the minimum anyway :) If all else fails and you are completely lost, order a Yamazaki and call it a day! read more

Bar Butler - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hong Kong, HK

Amazing cocktails. What makes them amazing? They have such a dedication and attention to the slightest detail of a beverage. Truly Japanese devotion to an activity. Of course the drinks are super tasty!!! Did not eat food unfortunately but will do next time read more

Ok. So. Task on hand: they said they can make any cocktail. I gave them a challenge: a cocktail I had at the Burj khalifa. They were like 'oh...' But they went to work... Dude. It tastes EXACTLY like that cocktail. They didn't have mango so they used banana & Apple to replicate it. A-MAZ-ING. Then I had another drink called the Thai-Jagermeister. A jäger that is only found in Thailand. What. It was cute. One of the bartenders came up with the mix. His wife named the cocktail. She is a stay-at-home mom, the bartender told me :) I came here and some how I'm living and dying at the same time. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?!!! S***faced but coherent. What happened? The drinks are ridiculously potent here. Please be prepared. *moans and sighs at same time* 1930's-1950's tunes were in the background and I loved it. Loved. It. Japanese, yet Hong Kong-esque as well. Loved. read more

HK is infamous for its "buy one get one free" happy hour drinks - but at what price! Over-sweetened fizzy water without a trace of alcohol, or the next best thing to Everclear. It seems that, despite the number of sophisticated lounges and bars around, HKers' love to fork over their hard-earned money on crap drinks I wouldn't even feed my cat. That is, till Bar Butler. The name of this establishment isn't meant to be "cute". These bar keeps are really BAR BUTLERS - understatedly-dressed in the traditional white starched shirt, grey vest and black pants with 30s music playing in the background. These men are serious about mixology the way your Aunt Mildred is serious about making needlepoint pictures of kittens. The bar is awesomely stocked with whiskeys and scotches I'd never heard of, which will take me several lifetimes to sample completely. Knowing how much I love a good old fashioned I immediately asked for one (rye whiskey), and my Bar Butler dove right into the task, taking out three different types of bitters (from Germany!) and a brand of rye I'd never heard of. Just as a comparison, here's how an old fashioned is made our house - Me: Hey, honey. Where are the cherries? My Better Half: (scratching his naked hairy ass that has a few potato chips attached) Huh? Idunnowhathayou? Me: Honey, is that the empty bottle of rye whiskey I see you holding there? Here's how an old fashioned is made at Bar Butler - BB takes three types of bitters and pours them over a sugar cube placed strategically in the center of a large paper napkin. Then puts sugar cube in said old fashioned glass, inserts one large cube of ice and pours whiskey over ice. Proceeds to place half of a sliced orange on top, while asking me to "smell the napkin" that contains the sweet aroma of the bitters. Top off with home made maraschino cherry. Viola! No embarrassing bodily noises, no whining, and no licking up the mess made on the counter afterwards. My Bar Butler recommended that I sample the old fashioned first and muddle the orange, if I find it's not "sweet" enough (I specifically asked for not too sweet). The old fashioned without orange was good enough (plus orange will only sop up the liquor), but I found the rye whiskey not to be as "rough" as the one I use (Darby). However, the drink was smooth, the delivery smoother, and within one drink I was kind smashed. Fortunately BB also has simple eats, like cheese and tapas. After wolfing down an entire cheese plate, I was still tipsy so had to call it a night. It was not cheap. A HKD30 cover + drink price + cheese plate...but the experience was unforgettable - the way an old fashioned, a gin tonic, or a martini really should be enjoyed. As I left, my BB even walked me to the elevator (he probably thought I couldn't find it at this point). A place to be savored and enjoyed for those who truly enjoy spirits. read more

Bar Butler - Old fashioned, Bar Butler style - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hong Kong, HK

See all

My friend and I went to the whisky bar for a drink after dinner. The selection was excellent, so many whiskies that I have never heard of were on the shelf. The bar men serving us was great. He made a great whisky sour and a drink which he created on the spot based in my friends preferred taste. I had the normal whisky on the rocks. We also ordered the cheese platter which was also great. We would definitely come back again as there is soo much to choose from. read more

See all

This is a great bar for the classic cocktail aficionado. If you are looking for showmanship à la "Tom Cruise in Cocktail" - wrong place. If you are looking for carefully crafted cocktails, individually prepared with patience and a deep routed understanding of the classics, then you should come here. The bar is reasonably small with about 10 seats at the bar and a few tables. The cocktail menu has a page of Signature Cocktails (classics such as Bloody Mary, but also some very interesting twists on the classics such as the Shiso Mojito or Chestnut Sidecar. I tried the latter - very clever, and while sweeter than I usually drink my Sidecar, perfectly balanced to give room for the chestnut aroma. Great craftsmanship! I was here on a quiet night and enjoyed very much chatting to the very knowledgable bar staff. They are very good at playing with the classics, and coming up with interesting twists, apparently often on the fly. It's fun watching them as they are scanning through the wonderful collection of spirits behind the bar, scratching their chin to come up with the next idea. And while we are on the spirits - massive KUDOS!! I thought I was pretty good with my product knowledge, but the variety of products that these guys are stocking is amazing. And this is not so much about quantity, but quality - rare gin, cognac and whiskey labels are to be found, just as a wide selection of liqueurs, amari, vermouths and... Bitters! I was told that my collection of bitters was ridiculous, but their's put mine to shame. Butlers also have a beautiful collection of glass ware, on both sides of the bar (check out the two mixing glasses on the left, one green, one beautifully ornamented) and in a showcase to the far left of the bar, and they use only three-piece and Boston shakers. Well, you get the idea, they are a really classy place! There is also some bar food - I tried the Wagyu Beef Tataki which was gorgeous, and some typical Oshinko mori-awase (Japanese pickles). There were also sandwiches, pasta and risottos on the menu, and what I saw coming out of the kitchen all looked very appealing and fresh. I only have two more nights in HK and I am very torn whether to go back here or whether to explore some other bars on my To Do List (e.g. Little LAB, The Woods)... Hell, why not do both! read more

See all

Nice place for some time away in Japan. They made it like a speakeasy, which was cool to enter and has a nice quiet yet quaint ambiance to share drinks and stories with friends. They have a full bar of different booze, and can create a drink for you based on your preferences. I got an old fashion, which was much more decorated than a normal old fashion. They pour butters over a sugar cube on top of napkins then dissolve the sugar cube, adding whiskey n others. They topped it with slices of line, lemon n orange peel as well of a maraschino cherry. A little too much on the decorations but a boozy cup of alcohol. My friend had them make a drink for her and it looked pretty. We shared a cheese platter which came with 4 different cheeses (2soft, 2 hard) with bread and side of fruits. Pretty cool place to hang and get away from the busy life of Hong Kong! read more

Broad selection of scotches and some bourbons. Friendly, knowledgable staff in a very intimate setting. Tasty snacks and desserts available. We had a great time early on a Saturday night. Reservations essential for later in the evening. read more

Bar Butler - One of several Japanese whiskey choices. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hong Kong, HK

This is one of my favorite Japanese bar in Hong Kong. It is conveniently located in the "all Japanese". They have 2 floors, one is their cocktail bar and one is their Whisky bar. Setting is cozy with darker wood, making an intimate and relaxing atmosphere. The service is impeccable! The mainly Japanese bartenders are very courteous, helpful and knowledgeable. They may seem a little "cool" in the beginning but they will warm up eventually. They have a decent drinks list including wine, champagne and some cocktails. But there's no need to look at it. Look at the bar with the huge selection of bottles, I am pretty sure that you'll find something you like. Many people come here for the cocktails. If you know what you want they will prepare the drink to perfection. If you don't know what you want, tell the bartenders which direction you like and they will mix a drink to perfection and to your liking. All of them are truly masters in their profession. If you love whisky this is the place to go. I haven't seen so many different whisky's in one place, you will find even the rarest. If you like on the rocks, they have those huge hand scraped balls which melt much slower than the normal ice cubes. It's true craftsmanship when you look at how they do it. And the glassware they use is all from Japan, very refined. You can also get some really good snacks to go with your drink. The cheese and ham are of high quality. Or go for the Wagyu Tataki, which is very tender. Everything is prepared freshly. This place may not be the cheapest depending of what you're having. A cocktail will set you back around HK$ 110 which is reasonable taking into account the standard here. read more

See all

Some authority entertaining magazine named it best bar in 2013 I remember. Again, whisky ice cube. Pure to perfect and finely shaped. The long lasting shaking in the glass is pleasant. And no syrup makes me nodding. Best food and beverage is artificial-free. They display quite a lot fruit as they need to use them. A-ha! The duo founders has a background rolling around high-end bars in Ginza, Tokyo and remain the innovative style. I always adore their outfit and their glasses. read more

I'm not sure if there is a still a big fuss over Butler in TST, actually, I'm not sure there ever was a big fuss over it, even when it first opened. It's a subtle place, opening some years ago now, to not much fanfare, but still going strong today. Butler is a Japanese style cocktail bar. It is a bit tricky to find, being up on the 5th floor of Mody House in TST, but once you are there, you may be pleasantly surprised. The venue is very cosy and intimate, but also very small, only around 20 seats, so make sure you book. The menu is a huge array of Japanese inspired cocktails, all of which are expertly made and presented. I believe at last count there was something like 2000 cocktail recipes, and 200 spirits in stock alone. My recommendation is pretty much anything alcoholic, because you will need to be slightly inebriated to handle the bill. The bar is not cheap. There is a minimum charge of HKD20 (before service), but you will easily smash this with a drink and a half, and the "snack" fee. To be fair, the drinks are superbly made. These are the blueprints of how cocktails should be made, with the precision of Uchida the owner/mixologist is astounding. So, whilst expensive, it's definitely worth it occasionally, just to see how it should be done. There is some food available, mostly Japanese inspired, but strangely there is also cheese and Prosciutto available from the ham hind that adorns one end of the bar. read more

A lovely little spot! Highly recommend. After closing another of our favorite places on Hong Kong island, Quinary, which had last call at 12 a.m, we met a friend here, in Kowloon. He found this spot by typing into google..."Late-night bars, Hong Kong". Hilarious! Lucky for us, this place was a bullseye! There are two bars-5th and 6th floors; one is for cocktails, and one is a whiskey bar. We visited the whiskey bar, and it was perfect. A vast selection of top shelf bottles, and the service was superb. Definitely worth your time if you're in the area. Like a lot of Japanese bars, it's tiny, so be warned. Cheers! read more

Butler bar was in a word, incredible! They're hand-crafted cocktails are made with the finest ingredients and the utmost care and specialty! The bartenders were very friendly and knowledgable and were able to communicate all of our questions in English. We had an excellent time and will definitely go back next time we're in Hong Kong! It was a bit hard to find, in a building across from Owl Cafe and up on the 5th floor up the elevator, but well worth the hunt! read more

Unfortunately the waiter doesn't seem to know anything about the drinks. We asked questions and he always needed to go back to check with bar tenders and came back with unsatisfied answers . We sat by a table not the bar maybe that's the reason. The drink is really just ok nowhere near what people are bragging about or at least it sounds like. We had one traditional old fashion and 3 crafted cocktails and none of them tastes special. The old fashion has way too many citrus in it . It takes very fruity and looks a mess. read more

Excellent location for custom drinks! We told our boi Roy what we were looking for, and he delivered - and more! Not satisfied with just delivering excellent drinks to our palettes, he launched into a mini cocktail lesson with us, explaining his methodology and thought process behind every creation. A truly unique experience, if you go find Roy Kai and you won't be disappointed! read more