The Black Star

This local joint in the hot Sheung Wan neighborhood has the vibe of a casual after-work pub. Service is warm and casual, conversation is loud and drinkers often spill into the street. Black Star’s drinks are mostly bright, punchy twists on the classics with a few barrel- and bottle-aged cocktails, but without fuss or pretense. The space—which looks like an American neighborhood bar with exposed brick and a no-frills décor—is open to the street, which means one thing: good people watching. Bring friends, let your hair down and be prepared to talk over the din of traffic.