In a new Quinary The Opposites Hong Kong bars collaboration the two bars will during the next three months embark on a series of global mixology expeditions, bringing their signature creations abroad while welcoming international talents to Hong Kong. From molecularly-inspired multisensory cocktails to daring explorations of contrasting flavour philosophies, these journeys by two of Hong Kong’s most celebrated bars are an invitation to experience world-class cocktail artistry beyond borders, forging strong connections across continents and cultures.
Crowned with the name of “Pioneer of Multisensory Mixology”, Quinary entered the Hong Kong bar scene in 2012 marrying avant garde technique with classic recipes and introducing Molecularly-inspired cocktails that engage all five senses, a concept that brought the cocktail offerings back then to a whole new level. One year later, the bar debuted in the World’s 50 Best Bars 2013 list as the first ever Hong Kong & China Entry, marking a historic moment in the Hong Kong bar industry. While plenty has changed in the competitive bar scene over the years, Quinary has remained true to its hospitality and artistry creations that captured the hearts of cocktail lovers across the globe, and never ceased to push the boundaries.
Ordinary Mystique cocktail, by Quinary
Quinary’s outward-bound itinerary takes its multisensory craft to a series of prestigious international bars and showcases, translating its decade-long mastery into global experiences. These activations are not mere presentations—they are invitations for bartenders and audiences worldwide to engage with Quinary’s pioneering techniques, celebrating the imagination and artistry of Hong Kong mixology on the world stage.
14 Mar – Bar Mood, Taipei
24 Mar – Ozone, Hong Kong
29 Mar – St Regis Bar, Bangkok
12–16 Apr – BY IT, Milan / Door74, Amsterdam
20–24 Apr – Ellipsis, Vancouver
13 May – Tokyo Bar Show, Tokyo
As much as Quinary travels abroad, it also opens its doors to international peers, welcoming world-class bartenders to Hong Kong for collaborative explorations. These inbound activations create a dynamic exchange of ideas and techniques, reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as a hub for innovation in cocktails, while providing a stage for cross-cultural dialogue and inspiration.
Flavours The Heirloom by Quinary
23 Mar – Bar Otro, Costa Rica
29 Apr – Cricket Bar, Seoul
26–27 May – Yaldy, Frankfurt / CMYK, Chengdu / The Glassroom, Taipei
The mixology playground, The Opposites, is the creation of two world-class champions: Antonio Lai, the mastermind behind Quinary, and Draft Land Hong Kong, and Samuel Kwok, former Quinary bar manager for eight years. Now established in the heart of Central, Hong Kong, the duo is shaking up the city’s cocktail scene with a constant stream of inventive surprises.
The Opposites bar
Having collaborated for over a decade, Antonio and Samuel share a rare creative synergy. Reuniting for The Opposites has further strengthened their bond, driven by a shared vision to craft a new era of cocktails that blend innovation, artistry, and impeccable technique.
The concept behind the bar is set to present the artistic spirit of juxtaposition through a series of paired cocktail offerings, founded on the complementary mixology styles and personalities of the two. Where Antonio plunges headfirst into realms of theatrical mixology techniques with his overflowing creativity, Samuel elegantly cultivates classics with an adventurous touch on ingredient combinations while holding dear the core value of achieving the ultimate flavour balance, upholding the bar philosophy of “to create unity with opposites.” This bar philosophy shines through the snack menu as well. Each listed dish is carefully crafted, blending the essences of two contrasting cuisines.
The Opposites takes its philosophy of ‘create unity with opposites’ on the road, bringing its inventive cocktails to international audiences. Each outbound activation is designed as an immersive performance of flavour and technique, showcasing how juxtaposition can generate harmony and surprise. By translating their Hong Kong ethos into each city, The Opposites elevates every destination into a stage for bold experimentation and mixology storytelling.
Beetroot watermelon salad, cocktail by The Opposites.
2–5 Apr – Sora, Phnom Penh
22 Apr – The Fool Speakeasy, Phuket
13 May – Tokyo Bar Show, Tokyo
These journeys – outbound and inbound, from Hong Kong to Taipei, Milan, Tokyo, and beyond – are setting a new standard for global mixology. Quinary’s multisensory innovation and The Opposites’ precision and creativity are bringing Hong Kong’s world-class cocktail scene directly to international stages, while welcoming top bartenders from around the world to Hong Kong. This isn’t just travel; it’s a high-calibre exchange of craft, technique, and vision – an unparalleled moment for the global cocktail community to see, taste, and measure the cutting edge of the industry.
About Quinary
Founded in 2012 by Hong Kong bar pioneer Antonio Lai, Quinary is an award-winning cocktail bar celebrated for its avant-garde approach to mixology. Consistently ranked among The World’s 50 Best Bars and Asia’s 50 Best Bars, Quinary merges cutting-edge techniques with multisensory experiences, using tools like rotovaps and centrifuges to craft drinks that engage taste, aroma, and texture. Its industrial-modern space, anchored by a glowing bar, is home to signatures like the Earl Grey Caviar Martini and Ruby Rouge — innovative cocktails that reflect both technical mastery and creative depth.
About The Opposites
The Opposites – the mixology playground founded by the two talented World Class champions Antonio Lai, who is also the mastermind behind Quinary, Room 309, Draft Land Hong Kong, The Envoy and CHAKO, and Samuel Kwok, former Quinary bar manager for 8 years – has now taken up residence in the beating heart of Central, Hong Kong, pounding the Hong Kong bar scene with an explosion of surprises.
Salted Fish Baba Ganoush, The Opposites
Having previously worked together for over a decade, these two mixology masters have built a unique connection. Teaming up again for this bar opening has further solidifi ed their bond, as they share a mutual vision of crafting a new era of cocktails.
The Concept
The concept behind the bar is set to present the artistic spirit of juxtaposition through a series of paired cocktail offerings, founded on the complementary mixology styles and personalities of the two. Where Antonio plunges head-first into realms of theatrical mixology techniques with his overflowing creativity, Samuel elegantly cultivates classics with an adventurous touch on ingredient combinations while holding dear the core value of achieving the ultimate flavour balance, upholding the bar philosophy of “to create unity with opposites.”. This bar philosophy shines through the snack menu as well. Each listed dish is carefully crafted, blending the essences of two contrasting cuisines. Some popular choices are the “Hot Wave” Fries ($90/portion) and Sichuan Sour Fish Katsu ($120/portion) etc.
The Brand & Interior Contrasting Brand Colour Evident in the design of the bar are the distinct brand colours of smoky amber and royal blue, seamlessly integrated throughout the interior. The smoky amber hue embodies the lively energy and matured creativity of Antonio Lai, our visionary mixology maestro celebrated for his innovative concoctions. In contrast, the royal blue colour signifies elegance and classic refinement, mirroring Samuel Kwok’s expertise in classic mixology techniques while being adventurous with the choice of ingredients. Despite their unique characteristics, both colours beautifully demonstrate unity, reflecting the combination of creativity and sophistication that defines our bar’s ambience and the individual styles of Antonio, Samuel and the team.
Shapes and Patterns
This interior design concept establishes a cohesive geometric motif of circles and lines throughout the space to symbolise the complementary relationship between the talented duo’s diverse yet synergistic mixing approaches. Though Antonio and Samuel’s techniques differ, the repeating circular and linear patterns reflect how their unique talents intersect like crossing lines to create cocktails greater than the sum of their parts.
Theatrical Bar Station
The Opposites accommodates 60 guests, featuring 48 seats in a cosy sofa area perfect for intimate conversations or larger gatherings, and 12 seats at the opulently designed bar station—envisioned as the premier stage for mixology showcase. The distinct bar setups clearly refl ect the individual styles of the two mixologists – Antonio’s side showcases laboratory equipment like the pressure homogeniser Squasher and GIROVAP Reducing Distiller, alongside bespoke glassware for innovative cocktails. In contrast, Samuel’s station perfectly embodies his perfectionism with its pristine display of bottles and delicate classic glassware.
The Signature Cocktails Series Featuring a lineup of 16 cocktails presented in pairs, each pair demonstrates a contrasting reinterpretation of eight classic cocktails – Pimm’s Cup, Pisco Sour, Boulevardier, Garibaldi, Charlie Chaplin, Vieux Carre, Sazerac and Bloody Mary. From Samuel’s classic yet adventurous ingredients combinations to Antonio’s attention-grabbers, the menu brims with creativity and ingenuity. The cocktails are thoughtfully arranged in ascending order of ABV (Alcohol By Volume) for easier selection.
The Opposites
Address: LG/F, Hilltop Plaza, 49 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong Operation Hour: 5pm – 1am | Daily
Email: [email protected]
The Quinary
Address: 56-58 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2851 3223
Email: [email protected]
Flavours The Heirloom by Quinary
Beetroot watermelon salad, cocktail by The Opposites.
