FOH City Deep Dive: Hong Kong

[MoeFOH]

Idea of these posts: A community-driven deep dive where we can add our experiences -- smoking or otherwise (within reason ) -- for the benefit and enjoyment of all. 

We'll do one city a week (or thereabouts).

Feel free to add your pics & comments on: 

- smoking tips, knowledge of lounges, restaurants, experiences, etc. 

- general travel tips, anecdotes, whatnot. 

- your own gallery of travel pics/highlights for the city

- And for those who've never visited, seeking advice... fire away! 

Each thread with enough useful info will be popped into the Deep Dive subforum as a reference piece for all to refer to/add to. 

PM me if you wish to nominate a city to feature. 

 

[MoeFOH]

I spent two hours in a Hong Kong transit lounge when I was 24. That's the limit of my experience with Hong Kong. So I guess I'll hand this off to others with a tad more to offer... 

Oh, I did get to land at the old airport in the middle of the city. That was very cool. And so here's a cool drone video reminiscent of the experience. 

 

[JD_Stogies]

Was born in raised in Hong Kong. Moved with family to the states when I was 8, and have been visiting HK every few years ever since. Summer 2023 I went back for two weeks, and since it was the first time I was old enough to smoke cigars while there, I was pretty excited to try out all the popular places to smoke. Red Chamber was definitely one of my favorites. It was tucked away in a very unassuming building in Central. Upon walking in I was met with beautiful traditional Chinese decor and some nice classic Cantonese songs playing softly in the background. Their humidor had a pretty good selection of Cubans. It was there that I had the first CC that really gave me the "wow" factor -- the H. Upmann Magnum 50. Paired the cigar with a tasty old fashioned.

Skye Rooftop Bar in Park Lane Hotel (Causeway Bay) is also a good place to smoke with an incredible view. It's BYOC and there's a small Davidoff store right downstairs where you can pick up some sticks.

[El Presidente]

One of my favourite cities in the world. Has gone (going) through a tough time. As a cigar city, it sits alongside London for me. Different feel completely. I love it. 

DIning is exceptional. Zuma, Tate Dining, Bo innovation are favourites. From top end to street food, you could dine out every night for near a decade and be stunned. 

The cigar scene is vibrant. DaVault is a private club but I love it. PCC's  LCDH central, Red Cigar Divan, Berties, Cynthias (Puro). Our own Marco Tung has opened up a  brilliant store and great mate Ravi will open the largest store in Asia come January that I will fly in for. 

Bars by the hundreds. My favourite dive (and that is an apt description) is WTF in Lan Kwai Fong central. Eddie and Nick run it and between the Belarusian hookers, the cavalcade of C class celebs, the nuttiness and raw authenticity of the place.....mi casa. 

I am in the process of putting together a 3-4 day FOH Hong Kong event for 2026. Food, cigars, drinks etal. 

There are now 100 cigar lounges (public and private) in Hong Kong. I can't recommend the city high enough for cigar and food lovers. 

[chasy]

Dying to go.

[EasternPromises]

My favorite city in the world and a corner of the earth which I called home for almost 14 years.

HK is a love-it-or-hate-it type of city. You either embrace and vibe with the no-nonsense, relentless energy and evergreen dynamism of HK or you don’t. Probably the only place in the world where you can live in an international finance hub (earning those international finance $) while also being a 20 minute car ride from respectable beaches (i.e. Repulse Bay, Big Wave Bay, Shek O), and amazing hiking trails (i.e. Dragon’s Back, Morning Trail to the Peak, etc). The low tax rate (<14%) and the option of having full-time, live-in (or live-out) domestic help for <USD700 a month are also definite perks. The efficiency of well, almost everything, in HK is also un-paralleled. Just a supremely liveable city with the key downside being the small apartments / flats. 

On the cigar bars/lounges front, I will defer to Rob and other members as I only picked up the cigar habit again after I left HK. I will say there are a plethora of wonderful bars and lounges dotted about the city. I am a fan of Red Divan (Pedder Building, Central) and also the the Armoury Study (same Pedder building) and Harbour Divan (Wanchai). I would note that a number of cigar bars (i.e. P&L Club, Cigar Room) are members only though they can be flexible on this rule if you are sufficiently charming. 

There are also a plethora of cigar stores across the city and seemingly more popping up every day (particularly in Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui). I would be somewhat wary and would probably stick to buying only from PCC-authorised vendors (of which there are plenty). 

The F&B scene would deserve its own separate thread but whatever you’re after in HK, you’ll be able to find it.

[Fuzz]

Had a blast in HK back in May for the Bond Roberts launch. Hadn't been back to HK for 15 yrs, so it was a bit of an eye opener for me. To me, HK is a hodgepodge of many different genres and cultures, the old and new, high tech and traditional, all crammed into a tiny space.

Leave your preconceptions on the other side of the arrival gate and go in with your mind open to all the experiences HK has to offer.

[HenryMartin]

On 11/27/2024 at 6:08 AM, El Presidente said:

The cigar scene is vibrant. DaVault is a private club but I love it. PCC's  LCDH central, Red Cigar Divan, Berties, Cynthias (Puro). Our own Marco Tung has opened up a  brilliant store and great mate Ravi will open the largest store in Asia come January that I will fly in for. 

The same Ravi of COH? Would love to hear more about the largest store in Asia.

[tbelle7]

I lived in Southern China (Dongguan) from 2000-2019. Hong Kong is a relatively short drive / ferry ride away. HK became a weekend oasis for much of the south China expat population. It's an incredible city. Dining, nightlife, hotels are all first class. ANYTHING you want is a short walk or taxi ride away. HK has changed a lot in the last 5-7 years after the "handover", but is still a city everyone should have on their bucket list. The south stands @ the Rugby 7's (April I think) and LKF are two things everyone should experience once.

[LaoFan]

1 hour ago, tbelle7 said:

I lived in Southern China (Dongguan) from 2000-2019. Hong Kong is a relatively short drive / ferry ride away. HK became a weekend oasis for much of the south China expat population. It's an incredible city. Dining, nightlife, hotels are all first class. ANYTHING you want is a short walk or taxi ride away. HK has changed a lot in the last 5-7 years after the "handover", but is still a city everyone should have on their bucket list. The south stands @ the Rugby 7's (April I think) and LKF are two things everyone should experience once.

The golden era of Dongguan before the 'sweep' 😏 

I've been in Guangzhou since '13.

You're right in that it has definitely changed, but Hong Kong is still epic. Arguably the best food scene in the world. Nightlife is electric. Talk about a city that never sleeps.

Rugby 7's is legendary.

[tbelle7]

9 minutes ago, LaoFan said:

The golden era of Dongguan before the 'sweep' 😏 

I've been in Guangzhou since '13.

You're right in that it has definitely changed, but Hong Kong is still epic. Arguably the best food scene in the world. Nightlife is electric. Talk about a city that never sleeps.

Rugby 7's is legendary.

Ah, yes. The "sweep". Wild times. The city died overnight.

[El Presidente]

Di and I will be back there for a few days from the 11th of March. Look forward to catching up 

[EasternPromises]

I'll actually be in HK from 8-16 February for business. What is the name of Marco's cigar lounge? Quick Google doesn't turn up anything obvious.

If any of the HK lads are up for a drink, please do let me know!

[madandana]

Looking forward to visiting in 2026.

[Marco_011t556]

1 hour ago, EasternPromises said:

I'll actually be in HK from 8-16 February for business. What is the name of Marco's cigar lounge? Quick Google doesn't turn up anything obvious.

If any of the HK lads are up for a drink, please do let me know!

Glad to hear, messaged you and pls feel free to visit us!

[El Presidente]

2 minutes ago, Marco_011t556 said:

Glad to hear, messaged you and pls feel free to visit us!

Marco....stop being so bloody nice 

Put the name and address of your lounge here 👍

[Marco_011t556]

6 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Marco....stop being so bloody nice 

Put the name and address of your lounge here 👍

LOL

Hi All FOH-mates,

Feel free to grab a drink or cigar in my lounge (not fancy but chill). 

We are selling some humidors, books, GR/RR, vintage, regular, BR petit 109, MOFOH, Puro Desnudo,

And also we have some drinks (whisky, Armagnac, XO, etc).

My lounge: Harbour Havana

Address: Flat F, 13/F, Imperial Building, Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, HK

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 1100-2100 HK Time, Sun: 1300-1800

My whatsapp: +852-92493259

Please whatsapp or PM me here, anytime you visit Hong Kong, first cigar on me and always 10% off for dear HK-FOH mates 

[Chucko8]

Where's Hong Kong? Sounds nice, maybe I should visit it.

[El Presidente]

5 hours ago, Marco_011t556 said:

LOL

Hi All FOH-mates,

Feel free to grab a drink or cigar in my lounge (not fancy but chill). 

We are selling some humidors, books, GR/RR, vintage, regular, BR petit 109, MOFOH, Puro Desnudo,

And also we have some drinks (whisky, Armagnac, XO, etc).

My lounge: Harbour Havana

Address: Flat F, 13/F, Imperial Building, Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, HK

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 1100-2100 HK Time, Sun: 1300-1800

My whatsapp: +852-92493259

Please whatsapp or PM me here, anytime you visit Hong Kong, first cigar on me and always 10% off for dear HK-FOH mates 

Di is into Aperol Spritz or good Albarino white. I am a heathen so good to go 

[Marco_011t556]

3 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Di is into Aperol Spritz or good Albarino white. I am a heathen so good to go 

Got it, I will have them ready. And maybe tea for you LOL

[Fuzz]

5 hours ago, Marco_011t556 said:

Got it, I will have them ready. And maybe tea for you LOL

And Pepsi Max.

Dude is a heathen for drinking that swill...

[EasternPromises]

15 hours ago, Marco_011t556 said:

LOL

Hi All FOH-mates,

Feel free to grab a drink or cigar in my lounge (not fancy but chill). 

We are selling some humidors, books, GR/RR, vintage, regular, BR petit 109, MOFOH, Puro Desnudo,

And also we have some drinks (whisky, Armagnac, XO, etc).

My lounge: Harbour Havana

Address: Flat F, 13/F, Imperial Building, Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, HK

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 1100-2100 HK Time, Sun: 1300-1800

My whatsapp: +852-92493259

Please whatsapp or PM me here, anytime you visit Hong Kong, first cigar on me and always 10% off for dear HK-FOH mates 

Thanks Marco - will try to pop by this weekend!