Photo courtesy of The Doctor’s Residence by Dr. Fern
Hong Kong’s bar scene is always shifting—new spots opening, others closing, and some making comebacks. This season, a familiar name is returning to the spotlight.
Gin aficionados can now once again get a prescription at The Doctor’s Residence by Dr. Fern, the speakeasy-style bar named after the fictional Dr. Robben Fern. In January, the bar closed its landmark location after eight years. It is known for its tiny, medical clinic-style doors that add a quirky charm.
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Now, the “Doctor” is back, dubbed Volume II of Dr. Fern’s Gin Parlour, the bar has reopened at The Pottinger hotel, occupying the space previously home to Antonio Lai’s hidden bar, Room 309. The new setup keeps the medicinal theme alive with a fresh twist—a terrace and home-inspired interiors, and can accommodate 120 guests. The bar has also expanded its gin offerings with over 400 gins.
The bar kicked off with a soft launch on June 16 and will fully reopen on July 1. Led by bar manager Babit Burathoki, the bar offers a new drinks menu that features inventive G&Ts (HKD150-170) and medicinal-themed cocktails (HKD130/drink), incorporating ingredients like savory squid and bacon, along with a variety of unconventional components, including “floral compounds inspired by literary hallucinogens”.
New cocktails include the Brinewashed, a spicy herbal gin-based drink with coriander extract, chili brine, mint, lemongrass, and clarified watermelon juice. Another savory option is the Shroom Service, which combines Native Australian gin and Fernet Hunter with calamansi juice, almond liqueur, coconut oil, and finished aged Chinese mushroom foam.
Those looking for spirit-forward concoctions can go for the Manhattan-style Sultan Serum, made with Oriental Gunpowder Gin, Plantation Pineapple Rum, Averna, Iron Buddha Tea, Cocchi Storico Vermouth, raw cacao, cocoa butter, and garnished with orange peel.
An interesting twist is their Jellyfish Martini, made with squid distilled gin, thyme, Mancino Secco Vermouth, sake, jellyfish, cucumber bitters, and saline solution, garnished with delicate mini blue jellyfish drops.
Hungry? The Doctor also prescribes some bar bites, including spiced whipped edamame with housemade fermented chili oil and crispy lotus chips (HKD80), the Codependent Fish Burger (HKD120)—a curry-spiced fish fillet on brioche with shredded slaw, pickles, and salmon roe—and Double Smashed Buns (HKD160), beef patties on brioche with chipotle mayo, caramelized onions, and cheese, among others.
The Doctor’s Residence by Dr. Fern is open daily from Monday to Sunday, starting at 5pm until late. It is located on the 3rd floor of The Pottinger Hong Kong, at 74 Queens Road Central, Central, Hong Kong. For updates, follow them on Instagram @drfernshk.
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