A great signature cocktail is only great if you make great cocktails.  Please don't attempt a signature cocktail menu if you need to work on mastering your classic cocktails first.  And please, please don't chip an ice block off a protected glacier in Chile to make posh ice cubes at your bar back in the city.  That's just poor taste! Bars with great cocktails in Hong Kong?

001 As underground as it gets.  Ring the doorbell just off Wellington Street and you just might stand a chance of getting in.  If you do, go for a classic cocktail and be patient as they're  made with tender loving care. 97 Wellington Street, Central

Café Gray I've gotten sloshed here more than once, but when the bartenders are selling signature cocktails with such ease, it's hard not to. 49/F, The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, +852 3968 1106; www.cafegrayhk.com

Yardbird Love the  simple tasty cocktails served up in vintage glassware.  On the side?  Get the KFC - Korean Fried Cauliflower.  Sounds odd, but you won't regret it! 33-35 Bridges Street, Sheung Wan, +852 2547 9273; www.yardbirdrestaurant.com

Lily Love the signature cocktails, hate the crowd.  So if you're like me, go on a quiet night and enjoy the personalized service of the bartender.  Have friends who enjoy the odd cigar?  They have a great little cigar room too. 6/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham St, Central, +852 2810 6166; http://lily-bloom.com/

MO Bar Get a classic cocktail here.  Nothing like a good martini or gin and tonic. The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen’s Rd Central, +852 2132 0077; www.mandarinoriental.com/landmark

Executive Bar Great classic cocktails by Hiidome Ichiro, and a whisky list the length of the Constitution. 27/F, Bartlock Centre, 3 Yiu Wa St, Causeway Bay, +852 2893 2080

Aqua Aqua is still one of the go-to's when someone is visiting.  What's even better is that they're drinks are pretty good! 29/F, One Peking, 1 Peking Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, +852 3427 2288; www.aqua.com.hk