Last year saw Bar De Luxe celebrate seven years as one of Hong Kong's few venues able to couple Ginza-style drinks- Lean, subtle and crisp – with a convivial atmosphere. Unlike many of its neighbours, BDL doesn't rely on heavily conceptualised signature menus. The team, which started out under the wing of Yuriko Naganuma (apprentice of Hidetsugu Ueno, Bar High Five), provides one of the city's best "bartender's choice" experiences – just name your favourite notes and flavours, and the exceptional team will create a bespoke cocktail whose flavours rarely miss. First-timers should start with the stable of Japan-inspired signatures. BDL combines the richness of home-made purple sweet potato syrup with Havana Club 3 Years to take you to Okinawa via the Violet Sea. The Menkaku, meanwhile, evokes Fukuoka by infusing Roku gin with konbu and combining it with Lillet Blanc, ltalicus and spicy mentaiko.

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