The Old Man
Alessandro Scire CalabrisottoShare
Named in homage to Ernest Hemingway and his novel The Old Man and the Sea, The Old Man is a Hong Kong institution that has earned a place at the very top of the global bar scene. Literary, inventive and quietly confident, it pairs serious technical brilliance with an atmosphere of relaxed sophistication.
History
The Old Man opened in Hong Kong's Central district and quickly established itself as one of the most exciting bars in Asia. Conceived as a tribute to Ernest Hemingway, the bar draws its name and much of its character from the writer's life, work and well-documented love of a good drink.
Its rise was meteoric. Within a short time of opening, The Old Man claimed the top spot on the Asia's 50 Best Bars list and earned a coveted position near the summit of The World's 50 Best Bars, a rare achievement that confirmed its status among the global elite and helped shine a spotlight on Hong Kong's flourishing cocktail culture.
What Makes It Special
What sets The Old Man apart is its marriage of literary romance and cutting-edge technique. Each cocktail on the menu is named after one of Hemingway's works, weaving storytelling into the drinking experience and giving every serve a sense of place and narrative.
Behind that romantic concept lies a deeply technical bar programme. The team is known for embracing modern methods and unusual ingredients to create drinks of remarkable precision and depth. The setting itself is intimate and unpretentious, allowing the quality of the drinks and the warmth of the service to take centre stage.
Signature Serves
The Old Man's menu is celebrated for its creativity, with each drink a small work of craftsmanship built around bold flavours and meticulous balance. The bar frequently employs contemporary techniques to coax new dimensions from familiar spirits, resulting in cocktails that feel both innovative and approachable.
Fittingly for a bar devoted to Hemingway, the spirit of the daiquiri — the writer's beloved drink — runs through its ethos, reflected in a menu that prizes balance, refreshment and a sense of adventure. Guests are encouraged to trust the team and explore signatures they might never have ordered elsewhere.
Visiting The Old Man
The Old Man is located in Hong Kong's bustling Central district and, like many of the world's best bars, occupies an intimate space. Given its acclaim and enduring popularity, planning ahead is sensible. The experience is best approached with an open mind: working through the Hemingway-themed menu with the bartenders is the ideal way to discover the breadth of their creativity.
Curiosity: A Fun Fact About The Old Man
Every cocktail at The Old Man takes its name from a Hemingway title or character, turning the drinks list into a kind of literary library — so ordering a round becomes a quiet tour through the great author's body of work.