March 8th, 2012

ARMANI/PRIVE  Hong Kong is the splendid combination of a glamorous, sensuous lounge club and an expansive rooftop terrace bar- located in the heart of the Central business district of Hong Kong.  Other exclusive ARMANI/PRIVE  lounge clubs, under the direction of the Giorgio Armani Group , are found in Milan, Tokyo and Dubai, an extension of the famous fashion and lifestyle brand that now encompasses cafes, lounges and luxury resorts and boutique hotels. The Hong Kong branch of ARMANI/PRIVE opened in late 2011, together with the adjacent ARMANI/AQUA restaurant- both venues being the culmination of a sublime collaboration between the Giorgio Armani Group and the highly respected Aqua Restaurant Group of Hong Kong.

ARMANI/PRIVE and ARMANI AQUA are located on the upper levels of the Armani retail emporium in Central Hong Kong, with the combined indoor and outdoor spaces occupying a vast 14,000 sq ft. Housed on the podium rooftop component of a  prestigious modern office tower, the outdoor terrace offers a spectacular city view perspective, with the close proximity of the nearby office towers creating the sense of an urban canyon.

The reception area and bar at the outdoor Rooftop Terrace

The Rooftop Terrace at ARMANI/PRIVE offers a huge outdoor space on the rooftop of the retail podium section of the office tower extending the full length of one side of the building. The close proximity to adjoining office towers and the streets below provide the sensation of being in the heart of a pulsating metropolis. The completely open area presents spectacular views both in daylight hours, and even more so at night, when the lighting effects of the Central skyscrapers are most dramatic.

The Rooftop Terrace is an ideal space for after-work drinks, or later in the evenings, for chilling out and social conversations among groups of friends. A long row of glass top tables extend along the edge of the timber decked space, and the inner side has sections of lounge seating for relaxed socialising.

The bar is serving from the same drinks and snack menu as the Lounge Club inside- with the featured signature cocktails being the highlights. A full range of premium spirits (available by the bottle or glass), single malts and wine list compliment the cocktails. And beers, teas, juices, coffee and soft drinks round out the beverages.

The expansive spaces of the Rooftop Terrace 

The Rooftop Terrace sits within an urban “canyon” of towering office buildings

The lounge seating section of the Rooftop Terrace- with bamboo timber and hanging gardens as a backdrop soften the transition to the mirrored glass facade of the office tower

The Lounge Club is an exclusive, high-end venue of sophisticated glamour and style. The indoor space has a dark, sensuous atmosphere, where four internationally acclaimed resident DJ’s share the turntables and provide the nightly tunes to entertain and energize guests. ARMANI/PRIVE also attracts frequent performances by some of the most famous DJ’s on the world stage.  The drinks concept is an essential component of the ARMANI/PRIVE experience- with the resident mixologist creating both the classic cocktails, and his signature cocktails,  utilising combinations of fresh ingredients and modern techniques to create sumptuous concoctions.

The interior has a color palette of predominantly red and black- with black laquered timber furniture, red leather furnishings and the soft red glow of the bar counter. Together with subdued lighting from table top candles and the background glow of the bar, the sense of an Oriental style is evoked.  A feature of the bar is the mirrored front with the illusion of an infinite number of candles extending into the depths of the bar. The large red lighted Armani logo behind the bar suffuses the room with the Armani brand ethos.

Adjoining the bar area is a VIP section – a sleek, sexy space with color changing ceiling lighting effects, a continuous sofa that wraps around two walls,  and on the wall  behind the sofas, a series of LCD screens that sync visuals with the music from the DJ’s turntables.

The gorgeous bar inside the Lounge Club at ARMANI/PRIVE

Inside the Lounge Club- the VIP section with sofa seating and wrap-around walls of LCD screens

Signature cocktail :  Lychee Bee– Ice Fox Vodka, Lychee Liqueur, Fresh Chilli, Honey Syrup, Passoa, and Elderflower Syrup

Signature cocktail :  Amore- Ice Fox Vodka, Chambord, Limoncello, Raspberries, Lemon Juice Garnished with a Lemongrass Stick

Signature cocktail :  Armani Spritz- Apricot Liqueur, St. Germain, Aperol, Lemon Juice, Thyme topped with Prosecco

ARMANI/PRIVE  lounge club & rooftop terrace

Address: 2nd  Floor, Chater House, 8 Connaught Road, Central. Hong Kong
MTR: Central station –  5 minutes walk
Reservations: +852. 3583 2828
Website:   www.armaniprive-hk.com
Facebook Page:  www.facebook.com/aqua.hongkong
Dress code: Smart casual
Opening hours:
Daily       Lounge  4:00 pm ~ 03:00 am     Terrace : Monday to Saturday 5:00 pm ~ 03:00 am   Sunday  2:00pm ~ 9:00 pm

See also review article on ARMANI/AQUA