Wooloomooloo is set on the 32nd floor of a Wanchai skyscraper, offering a perfect view of Hong Kong's night. Provided to China Daily

Hong Kong

Fresh air, breathtaking views make a heady cocktail at best rooftop bars.

In Hong Kong's maze of dizzying skyscrapers, the rooftop bar concept makes total sense. What better way to combine Hong Kong's love for a good party with vertigo-inducing views? A city that is always looking out for the next hot spot, trendy night owls agree that these places offer a winning combination of swanky design and inventive libations. And if conversation ever runs short, you can always play a game of name-that-building in the skyline.

Central's al fresco options are relatively few and far between. But Shore is changing that with a generous outdoor terrace just a stone's throw away from the Mid Levels Escalators in L Place.

Designed by the former chairman of the Hong Kong Interior Design Association Kinney Chan, Shore's terrace has become a hub for after-work drinks. The lush bamboo setting is anchored at each of its four corners by circular booths that completely envelop revelers like cocoons. Self-contained with roof canopies and romantic lighting, these are designed for small groups and offer a semi-private sense of enclosure. Drink favorites include a wide selection of martinis and about a dozen choices for champagne.

"The outdoor terrace is always packed," says Chan. "It is a very welcoming place. So far, Shore is equally popular with people who are dining or enjoying drinks."

Further east and further up on the 32nd floor of a Wanchai skyscraper is the open-air cap to Wooloomooloo Steakhouse. Chilean architect Hernan Zanghellini, who is a partner in the Australian-inspired brand of eateries, finished Wooloomooloo's roof terrace with dark wood floors that create a rustic outdoor feel.

It is a perfect spot to sip your cocktail of choice while watching the night lights of the city blink on. The panorama offers a wide swath of Hong Kong from Happy Valley to Victoria Harbor and the hills of Kowloon beyond. Clear glass above the balustrade surrounding the entire terrace allows for unobstructed views, with deep sofas and casual tables that can be arranged for groups of any size.

Over in the Taikoo neighborhood is a sexy lounge in Swire Hotel. The hotel is slick and contemporary, while its spacious bar is even more so with its cool white sofas. The glow of colored lights from a lattice floor extends from the inside to one end of a long wooden deck, allowing interiors and exteriors to blend seamlessly. Perched on the 32nd floor, Sugar offers broad vistas across to east Kowloon. Resident DJs Eric Byron and P. Grant, two of the city's most talked about spin doctors, keep the party going, and are assisted by cocktails such as sours and martinis as well as an international selection of tapas.