Floral Lounge

Nicely lit and very inviting, Wahtiki is reminiscent of Waikiki Beach, with deco of wicker and wood patterns. A long window against one side with high tables all around hide that you are actually overlooking LKF just down below. There are a few semi-private rooms off to the sides for larger groups. Plenty of hosts here to make sure you are taken care of.

The Menu

A modest menu has a few greatest hits, including Planters Punch, Mai Tai, and Suffering Bastard. Most are originals that remind of some standards but with perhaps some non-standard ingredients. They do have a drink (Shark’s Tooth) with a crushed ice glass, always a fan of that! Our bartender told us that Wahtiki’s main bartender was formerly of Trader Vic’s London for many years and brought over a variant of the Vic Mai Tai, so let’s see how it does!

The Drinks

Not too many drinks that I recognized as classic here, mostly all originals except the Mai Tai. Overall it was pretty good. Smooth and balanced but they did use a very forward dark rum. Not quite Black Strap but something close. Next up was Wahtiki’s Own Punch. This was basically a Beachcomber Mai Tai but without the absinthe. They added a little more almond flavor and then quite a bit of either Curaçao or Cointreau. It was really orange heavy with a little bit of sour. Lastly, followed it all up with the Tonga Tonga. This one I would avoid. Tasted like Hawaiian Punch with some orange juice. Maybe there was some silver rum hiding back in there. After the previous two beverages, couldn’t really tell.

Overall

Added with the fact that Wahtiki has food, it’s not a bad place to spend an evening in action packed Hong Kong. Their drinks were not my favorite but solid. On subsequent visit here I gave the Mai Tai another spin and felt it has evolved into something not super noteworthy, but still ok. Wahtiki is worth a visit if you are looking for one stop food and Tiki.

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So, knowing all of that – one of those nights in mid summer we happened upon Honi Honi and traveled to the third floor of its buidling, we were rewarded not only with the bless-ed breezes of fully functioning ‘Air-Con’, but some of the tastiest, best made, and imaginative beverages I have had – and it wasn’t because I was desperate in a foreign country mind you!

The Menu

If you travel to their website, while it isn’t regularly updated, the menu posted there offers a glimpse of all of the imaginative beverages that they have come up with. I am always prone to sticking with the classics mind you, but I would always venture out into some of their originals which I always recommend anyone who visits to do. The selection of rums that they have are quite good and I haven’t ever really been disappointed – except for maybe one, a blurb on that below. The decor is of a tiki modern and not kitschy one bit.

Staying Cool

They typically have a DJ of sorts unless it’s earlier in the week. It’s those earlier in the week nights that are the absolute best to go as well. Any night that isn’t Friday or Saturday is super chill. After 9:30, be prepared for thumping beats and not being able to hear your compadres. Unless it’s winter, I would stick to being indoors as the outside reminds you that you’re in Hong Kong. In summer. In the heat. No matter what delicious beverage is sitting in front of you, it’s oppressive.

The Drinks

Okay, so my two go to’s, Zombie and Mai Tai. Now while I allude to fact that I started going to this establishment quite a while ago – I should note that I have been to Hong Kong several times over the past few years and I now always make this a stop – I digress; Honi Honi introduced me to the Don the Beachcomber (DTB) version of a Mai Tai (actually the first version but not as popular as the Trader Vic variety). Definitely not a sweet concoction – the DTB Mai Tai is a strong and flavorful affair that always comes presented in a classic half pineapple ceramic. I love this beverage, especially here, and look forward to it each time I visit.

They do also offer their version of the Trader Vic Mai Tai. Sadly I really do not enjoy it. It sways to the sweet and doesn’t have that good Martinique rum and lime that it so needs. I don’t think there is any darker rum in it at all in fact and it has been the only miss I have ever had at Honi Honi. The Zombie here, while not my absolute favorite, is a frothy treat that isn’t quite as full strength as I had at other places. The drink definitely has some nice layering of flavors and spices and helps make Honi Honi a noteworthy place to visit in your drinking vacation right in the middle of the Central District of Hong Kong.

Overall

There are so many reasons why Hong Kong is a great city to visit, and Honi Honi should be at the top of anyone’s list in places to drop in and stumble out of!

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