Are you looking for a unique spot to spend an evening in Hong Kong, somewhere you can soak in the local atmosphere? If you’re ready to escape the tourist crowds of Lan Kwai Fong, just hop on the MTR and head a little further west. Today, I’m sharing a hidden gem in the hip neighborhood of Sai Ying Pun: Ping Pong 129 Gintoneria. This unique space, a converted old-school ping pong hall, is famous for being the first bar in Asia to introduce Spanish-style gin and tonics. Hereβs the honest review of the night my husband and I spent there.
“Are We in the Right Place?” Finding a Bar Disguised as a Ping Pong Hall
Finding Ping Pong 129 for the first time can be a bit of a challenge. Unlike the bright, neon-drenched streets you expect in Hong Kong, Sai Ying Pun feels more like a quiet, residential area. When my husband and I arrived around 9 PM on a Tuesday, the streets were so deserted it felt almost a little spooky. Even when Google Maps told us we were at our destination, we spent a few minutes looking around, completely clueless about where the entrance was.
An exterior so unassuming, you feel like you need to be in on the secret. The tiny ‘Ping Pong’ sign is the only real clue.
The building’s exterior was left exactly as it was back when it was a table tennis club. Just as we started to wonder, “Is this really where that trendy bar is supposed to be?”, we spotted a faint, tiny “Ping Pong” sign at the top of a staircase. We breathed a sigh of relief. This little game of hide-and-seek honestly just added to the bar’s charm.
Beneath the Red Neon: Stepping into the Hideout
We headed down the dark, humid staircase and emerged into a completely different world. We were greeted by high ceilings, a vast open hall, and an intense red neon sign that dominated the entire space. The sign, featuring the Chinese characters ‘ιιθΊ«ι«’ (dΓ an lihn sΔn tΓ‘i), which means “Train the Body,” is a remnant from its past life as a ping pong hall. There’s a certain irony in a place once dedicated to physical training now being a sanctuary for soothing the soul with spirits, and I found it incredibly cool.
The bar, set beneath the “Train the Body” neon sign. The wall-to-wall collection of gin bottles tells you everything you need to know about this place.
Luckily, since it was a weekday, there were tables available. Looking around, it seemed like we were the only tourists in the entire place. The crowd was mostly local professionals grabbing a drink after work and groups of friends catching up. At one point, a loud birthday party was in full swing. After they finished singing “Happy Birthday,” the entire bar erupted in applause for themβit was such a warm and memorable moment.
A Symphony of Gin: How to Choose Your Perfect G&T?
We settled in and were handed the menu, and I have to admit, I was shocked. I had no idea there were so many different kinds of gin in the world. The shelves behind the bar were packed with hundreds of bottles, and they were all gin. It was overwhelming. The only gin I really knew by name was Bombay Sapphire!
After much deliberation, I ordered the Master’s London (120 HKD β $15.50 USD), and my husband chose the Pomada (150 HKD β $19.50 USD). The bartenders were working nonstop. I had imagined a romantic scene like something out of the manga Bartender, where you share your life story with the bartender, but the reality was a team of pros crafting gin and tonics with mechanical precision and speed.
My G&T with orange peel and juniper berries, and my husband’s with lemon and mint. They look as refreshing as they taste.
Our cocktails arrived shortly after. Served in large balloon glasses, a signature of the Spanish G&T, they were visually stunning. My Master’s London, garnished with orange peel and juniper berries, had a fantastic bittersweet and citrusy flavor. My husband’s Pomada came with a separate bottle of lemon tonic water, allowing him to mix it to his preference, resulting in a much brighter and smoother taste.
The Verdict: A Must-Visit for a Local Hong Kong Night
Ping Pong 129 is more than just a place to drink; it’s a space where you can feel the vibrant energy of modern Hong Kong and its people. We visited on a Tuesday night and enjoyed a relatively relaxed vibe, but be warned: this place is a major hotspot and gets packed on weekends, so plan accordingly.
If you’re looking for an authentic experience on your Hong Kong trip and want a peek into the local nightlife, I can’t recommend Ping Pong 129 enough. It’s a secret hideout that turns its slightly inconvenient location and hard-to-find entrance into part of its unique charm. Go make a memory with an exceptional gin and tonic.
π Recommendation Rating
Overall Rating: βββββ (4/5)
A fantastic spot for gin lovers seeking an authentic, non-touristy vibe. The drinks are top-notch and the atmosphere is one-of-a-kind, though the prices and busy service are worth noting.
- π Accessibility: βββββ (4/5) – Close to the MTR station, but the hidden entrance can be tricky for first-timers.
- πΈ Drink Quality: βββββ (5/5) – A masterclass in Spanish-style gin and tonics with incredible variety.
- π° Value for Money: βββββ (3/5) – It’s not a cheap night out, even considering Hong Kong prices.
- πͺ Atmosphere: βββββ (5/5) – The unique interior and hip, local crowd create an unbeatable vibe.
- π₯ Service: βββββ (3/5) – The staff is efficient but very busy, so don’t expect overly attentive service.
Would I Return: π Definitely