Opening Shot is a column that peeks inside new hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops with dreamy interiors.
Location: Hong Kong
Designer: Myron Kwan
On Offer: Joyce Wang understudy and principal of M.R. Studio, Myron Kwan, is behind the makeover of Bar de Luxe, which has relocated to H Code Central on the oldest street in Hong Kong. The estimable barman Hidetsugu Ueno, the founder of Tokyo’s acclaimed Bar High Five, oversees the cocktail program inside a skyward space that pays tribute to Japanese craft.
Standout Features: Patrons are greeted by a circular window feature embedded with infinity mirrors at the entrance, a reference to the moon gates common to Japanese gardens, before entering a zen environment that feels like a friend’s elegantly appointed residence. Adorned in raw timber, turquoise tilework, and sculptural flowers, the showstopping piece is a custom lighting fixture on the ceiling that draws inspiration from a skeletal wagasa, the ancient oil-paper umbrella often used in tea ceremonies and kabuki theatre. On the menu: A range of improvised classics—black negroni, chocolate old fashioned—and new hits showcasing Japanese whiskies.
