LUXE Loves is the regular feature where we spotlight our all-time favourite places in the world. From spiff boutique stays to the finest diners, dapper drinkers and swooniest shops… welcome to the crème of our curated cohort.
What:
The Iron Fairies
Where:
Hollywood Rd, Hong Kong
Why we love it:
He’s introduced theatrical Ophelia, invitation-only J Boroski and now Bangkok’s kingpin bar designer Ashley Sutton has debuted a third sophisticated sip-spot – a Hong Kong outpost of his original Big Mango drink den The Iron Fairies.
And this candlelit, metallic fantasy grotto is our favourite for its smoky-hued industrial design and clever artistry. Beyond its unassuming entrance and de rigeur vintage bar are ceilings adorned with vials of fairy-dust and tens of thousands of butterflies, tables laden with hundreds of meticulously welded iron fairies, and cosy, velvety, tryst-worthy ‘furnace’ booths. It’s fun, original and fabulous without being overwrought.
Owing to its top of Hollywood Road situ, the crowd spans the city’s stylistas and Sheung Wan creatives to the occasional suit all fluttering in to imbibe cocktails against an unobtrusive jazzy-blues soundtrack and live music. There’s a short menu of American comfort eats (burgers, mac n’ cheese), perfect for soaking up Sutton’s stiff Iron Balls gin, but tricky to consume gracefully while sat at the low-slung tables – so pull up a bar pew to eat, or dine elsewhere.
With her peacock feathered dancing girls, Ophelia might be more glam, and exclusive J. Boroski more grown-up, but for a date night or to escape the mid-week grind, we’d opt for secreting away with the fairies, anytime.
The Iron Fairies, LG/F, 1-3 Hollywood Rd, diningconcepts.com/IronFairies
For more clandestine imbibers and essential city intel, nab the new LUXE Hong Kong guide.
