Best beach bars in Hong Kong

There's something about sun, sand and water that makes you crave a good drink. And when you want something with a bit more class than an old can of beer from a cheap kiosk, that's when you need to find a good beach bar. 

Ben's Bar (Shek O Sailing), Shek O

Nothing but the sound of reggae, lapping waves and easy conversation: it's the essence of a beach bar, something captured perfectly by Ben's, which overlooks Shek O's "back beach," a small cove about five minutes by foot from the main swimming beach. A row of wood stools line a long bar and the tables are fashioned out of giant wooden spools, each topped by a small lantern. The drinks here are basic but cheap, with HK$20 bottles of beer (including the exceptionally good Brooklyn Lager), HK$35 whisky and HK$200 bottles of wine. 
273 Shek O Village. Tel: +852 2809 2268

Ooh La La, Pui O

"Thailand 45 minutes from Central!" boasts the website of this bar perched on the edge of Pui O Beach. Normally we'd roll our eyes, but honestly, it's not that far off. On a clear day, Pui O's green mountains, long beach and crashing waves really do bring to mind somewhere, well, exotic. The food and drinks here skip out on Asia completely, though, with lots of Mediterranean-inspired barbecue fare and perfect beachy drinks. Skip the beer or wine and go for the jugs of sangria and mojito which are fresh, well executed and the best we've ever had in Hong Kong. 
Pui O Beach, Lantau. Tel: +852 2984 8710

Beach Club (Gwailo), Stanley

The English sign says Beach Club, but the Chinese sign says Gwailo, and that pretty much describes the patrons of this first-floor bar overlooking the Stanley Main Beach. This is a straightforward place with a menu of pizza and pasta and a fridge full of beer (HK$20 to HK$30 per bottle). There's also spirits, which at HK$50 per glass are better value than some of the tourist bars on the other side of town. Sip a gin and tonic at the bar and peer over at the bikini-clad throngs on the sand below. Gwailo is the perfect place to watch the annual dragon boat races in June, too.
Stanley Main Beach, Stanley. Tel: +852 2813 5005

China Beach Club, Mui Wo

The China Beach Club is exactly the kind of bar that a ragtag place like Mui Wo deserves: eclectic, informal and friendly, with good drinks and hearty food. Sip a few well-priced pints of Paulaner weissbier (HK$45) or Warsteiner lager (HK$40) while admiring the view of Silvermine Bay. For nibbles, there's everything from Thai curry to moussaka, all of it made in a makeshift kitchen out back where a couple of barbecues share space with some lazy dogs and cats. Each of the dishes are around HK$100, but the portions are huge, and it's all made with home-style love. 
18 Tung Wan Road, Mui Wo, Lantau. Tel: +852 2983 8931

South Bay Beach Club, South Bay

South Bay is where you'll find one of Hong Kong's most glorious sunsets and the South Bay Beach Club is the best place to watch it. The drinks menu is substantial, with a large selection of cocktails ($60), shooters ($40), digestifs ($50), wines ($280 per bottle) and even hot toddies ($50) for those nights when the sea breeze is a bit too brisk. Margaritas are a good bet at $200 for a one-litre pitcher, especially on Sunday afternoons, when DJs set up and the Central club crowd comes south to work on their tans.
South Bay Beach, Repulse Bay. Tel: +852 2812 6015