The Phoenix

Inviting atmosphere and a very courteous staff. I come here for a beer or two and a the feel of SoHo. With their excellent location right next to escalators they accommodate that nicely.
I only pull back a star because the beer flavors on tap are a bit limited. I’d add a tap with something that shoots the gap between the Carlsberg and the IPA.
The exterior glass doors close at 6pm so the bar itself becomes slightly more contained. Though they exterior tables are still on the deck they no longer benefit from the cool airflow of the interior air conditioning system which keeps the deck climate fairly comfortable even in the month of June.
In any case for some great atmosphere and staff I recommend stopping in here and bellying up for a cold one.

Oh it’s much better now than before. I had this love/​hate relationship with it when I lived around Robinson Road. It’s the only bar passed Caine Road, so it’s convenient for most of the Mid-​Levels expats and residents to hang out at this very spot. It’s also next to the escalator too, so 2 out of 10 times I was going back home, I would run into a colleague or a friend for «just one drink» (spoiler: it’s *never* one drink).
But it didn’t fit into the vibe of Mid-​Levels. Yes it sold beers at very friendly price, but it did look like an old pub where only creepy middle-​age men would visit. I wouldn’t feel too comfortable to just sit here and chill with my friends.
Everything changed after the renovation. It looked classier, the served proper selections of liquors (with an actual liquor license), the crowd may not have changed, but the décor and the vibe certainly made me feel more comfy. I have moved to live somewhere not as close now, but it is certainly still a good, non-​pretentious place that I would love to hang out once awhile.

I like The Phoenix. It’s a sort of classy British gastropub wine bar. However, I get a bit confused with what it really is. It’s actually licensed as a members only club (free to join), so you should really fill in a membership form when you first visit. However, I’ve never done so.
What’s great about this place, is that it is out of the hustle and bustle of Soho or Wan Chai, but still serves up a great meal and decent drinks. OK, the beverages are pretty stock standard beers, wines, spirits. However, the food is good. With no set menu, they just chalk up on the blackboard what’s cooking that day, and 9 times out of 10, you’ll be able to find 2 or 3 decent British meals that you’ll enjoy. The idea is that the food is always fresh and seasonal.
There is a happy hour everyday, and it’s a good one too! Bottled beers and house wines on a 2−4−1 deal. Other drinks are reduced.
The two gripes have with The Phoenix are; the staff are a bit surly, I always feel they are looking down on me for some reason, as though it is a real chore to serve me (perhaps they know I never filled in a membership form). The last time I felt like this, I was (other than service staff) the only non-​caucasian person in the bar — oh, that was The Phoenix! The other issue is the smoking on the front terrace. There always seems to be a tag team of burly rugby player types fagging outside, who block up the entrance, and make a real palaver about moving their beer guts out of the way.
Look, don’t let me stop you with my grumbles. I certainly haven’t stopped going. The food is good, and the setting is nice. Relax, enjoy a feed, just ignore the stares and the smokers.