There's a sleek, new, all-black cocktail cave carved into Elgin Street. Instead of the industrial minimalism or mid-century modern interior palettes we've seen pop up throughout the city, something about Bar Mind feels both organic and primal. The walls are layered with stone-like textures, shadows flicker across jagged surfaces, and the bar's central light fixture acts like a “skylight” opening in the ceiling of this cavern.
The effect is intimate and theatrical, the perfect stage for bartenders Jo Lo and Birstacla Wong, two of Hong Kong's most accomplished bartending talents. They're both winners of Diageo World Class Hong Kong & Macau and not just partners in business, but partners in life.
They built Bar Mind on a shared belief that every drink should start with intention. And as the latest bartenders of their generation to open their own space, they’ve ensured that Cantonese flavours form the core of the menu. The drinks lean layered, and cerebral – cocktails built for people who want to think about what they're drinking.
The drinks
The Cha Chaan Teng is a tribute to the local classic poached egg in hot water, arriving with a delicate quail egg shell made of white chocolate and filled with passion fruit syrup, delicately placed in a nest. The rum and passion fruit bring tropical brightness, and the tomato adds acidity, making this an excellent first drink to refresh the palate.
As a martini lover, I also couldn't resist the Zen Harmony, a different take on a savoury martini that's still umami-forward but clean and fresh. Yuzu gives it a citrus lift, while the kombu adds saline depth, and the genmaicha ties it all together with toasty earthiness. It's perfectly balanced and quietly elegant, a true masterpiece.
I ended the night with the Savoury Sipper, another savoury cocktail but this time with dashi, which lends a marine smokiness further amplified by the depth of Pu Erh and bonito bitters. True to its name, it's a slow, savoury sipping drink that's great for when you don't quite want the night to end.
New drinks are added to the rotation every couple of months. The latest release – Qīng, Jiě, Zhǐ, Rùn – transforms Hong Kong herbal teas into modern cocktail expressions, highlighting the city’s traditional tea culture.
On the food front, the menu is small, but there's one unexpected star: the cheesy meatballs. It's way better than some of the meatballs we've had in actual Italian restaurants and make for a hearty bite that cuts through the bar's savoury-leaning and pretty boozy drinks.
Sit at the bar under the “cave skylight” for the full immersive experience. Tell Jo or Birstacla what flavours you’re drawn to and watch as the bar’s philosophy of “all things begin with a thought” comes alive. Check out their Instagram page for more information on the latest drinks and guest shifts.
Bar Mind, G/F 11 Elgin St, Central.