Fresh Cuts

Nicole Slater rounds up the best bars and restaurants to enjoy an alcohol-free drink this October.

It’s no secret that Hong Kong is home to some of the best bars in Asia, and across the world! From sophisticated rooftops to laidback speakeasies, there’s something for everyone - even if you’re a non-drinker. Whether you’re abstaining this month, or simply trying to reduce your alcohol intake, these bars and restaurants are sure to curb your cocktail cravings with their range of delicious mocktails.

After a long day at Repulse Bay, there’s nothing better than a frosty sundowner. Amalfitana has you covered with a section dedicated to mocktails, shaking up refreshing alcohol-free twists on classic cocktails. If you’re feeling extra fruity, this upscale beachside restaurant offers a signature fruit punch with pineapple juice and mixed berries. The Pulse, G/F, Shop 105, 28 Beach Rd., Repulse Bay,

Settling into its new home in H Zentre, Aqua has seen a lot of changes over the past year, including a newly revamped cocktail menu by Creative Director, Lorenzo Coppola. Coppola has also designed three stunning mocktails to enjoy on the expansive terrace, including The Virgin Coco Garibaldi, that’s as comely as it is delicious, with coconut milk, orange juice and non-alcoholic bitters, while the Virgin Tropical Sour mixes the refreshing flavours of guava, mango and lime. 17/F, H Zentre,15 Middle Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui,

The modern Middle Eastern restaurant tucked away on Gough Street is the perfect spot for a light lunch or casual dinner. BEDU’s fresh ingredients and bold spices trickle through into the drink selection with a range of fresh and fruity cocktails and mocktails. Sip on the toothsome Sunrise, with orange, grapefruit, pomegranate and ginger, or for something a little more refreshing, sample the Green Garden with cucumber, lemon, mint and black pepper.

Experts in all things rum, The Daily Tot offers a tropical escape on Hollywood Road with bright interiors and Caribbean beats. While their extensive collection of rare, aged, and blended rums is sure to impress, the bar also offers expertly crafted mocktails, packed with bursting colours and flavours. The Berry Bang mocktail features non-alcoholic spirit brand Seedlip Garden Blend with berries, pineapple, green tea, cherry and lemon.

Located in the Pottinger Hotel, The Envoy is a secret haven in the centre of the city. Taking inspiration from the British colonial era, their extensive drinks menu has something for everyone, from tea-lovers to classic cocktail connoisseurs. The spirit-free selection features five unique mocktails curated by award-winning mixologist Antonio Lai, including Morning Dew with green tea and pandan syrup, and the Baby Sunbird with beetroot and carrot juice, topped with ginger beer. 3/F, The Pottinger Hong Kong,

With an expansive terrace overlooking the understatedly hip Tai Hang neighbourhood, this tropical-themed bar and grill is the perfect spot for an evening drink. This October, the bar has partnered with non-alcoholic spirits brand Lyre’s on a special zero-proof cocktail menu, featuring alternatives to popular tropical drinks including the pina colada, dark and stormy, and tropical storm.

As one of the highest bars in the world, Ozone offers panoramic views across Victoria Harbour, stylish decor and an extensive range of zero-proof cocktails to sip on as you watch the sun go down. Collaborating with non-alcoholic spirits brand Lyre’s, the bar has created alcohol-free alternatives to their entire Five Elements cocktail menu, so guests can enjoy the unique combinations regardless of whether they choose to drink or not. 118/F, The Ritz-Carlton,

Showcasing the exotic tastes of the Middle East, ZZURA is a sophisticated speakeasy that serves a range of well-crafted drinks designed to evoke the imagination. Enjoy the fresh tasting notes of the Once Upon a Time in Asia mocktail, with kaffir lime leaf, clarified fresh mango juice, and grapefruit soda, or for something more floral, the Prince of ZZURA features rose, citrus, and orange blossom water.

Anyone missing the roast chicken meals from the now-defunct chain La Rotisserie will be keen to check out ChullsChick. Inspired by Peruvian comfort food and culture, ChullsChick first opened its doors in 2018 in Soho, and quickly became a prized spot in the neighbourhood for a macro-balanced lunch or dinner. ChullsChick has just expanded into its second location in trendy Star Street Precinct, with a vibrant menu of South American dishes. The restaurant’s speciality is “Pollo a la Brasa,” a style of roast chicken native to Lima that is cooked in specialised ovens shipped from Peru. A fitting substitute for your lean protein hankerings! Shop D, E & F, 2-12 Moon St.,

Much like red wine, sherry - a fortified wine from Spain - actually offers some moderate health benefits, including lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease. So we’re intrigued to hear about a new sherry-based cocktail bar that’s just opened up in the heart of Soho. Lola is a blinkand-you’ll-miss-it watering hole, located just behind raucous izakaya Musubi Hiro (who incidentally, also owns and operates the space.) Tiny in space but big on charm, Lola does expertly crafted cocktails that highlight this little-understood Spanish drink, as well as authentic tapas. LG, 37 Cochrane St., Central,

We’re on record as being big fans of bistro Le Garcon Saigon for its shredded chicken salad and DIY lettuce and rice paper rolls. Newly appointed Head Chef John Nguyen has just crafted a dazzling new menu of mouth-watering dishes inspired by both his Vietnamese heritage and American upbringing. Get stuck into the bánh xèo ($198), a cross between a rice pancake and grilled cheese, or the charcoal-grilled white eel ($358), which comes swimming in a highly addictive pineapple anchovy dressing. There are also plenty of noteworthy veggie dishes, like crispy eggplant with a ginger glaze. Definitely worth checking out this month. 12-18 Wing Fung St., Wan Chai, 2455-2499,