About Us

OUR STORY

COA was opened in 2017 by Jay Khan as part of his mission to bring agave spirits to the forefront of Asia's cocktail scene.

 

Named after the machete like tool for harvesting agave, COA (co-ah) is inspired by the drinking dens Jay frequented on his trips to Mexico. COA focuses on great hospitality, set in a cozy and friendly environment welcoming all walks of life, and provides a diverse beverage offers, featuring 100% agave tequila, traditional mezcal and cocktails inspired by the flavours of Mexico.

 

A 41 page spirit menu dedicated to agave spirits that provides you a glimpse (or deep dive) into these rich, diverse but often misunderstood products.

 

Recent accolades:

#1 Asia's 50 Best Bars 2022 by 50 best bars

#1 Asia's 50 Best Bars 2021 by 50 best bars

#7 The World's 50 Best Bars 2021 by 50 best bars

#8 The World's 50 Best Bars (Highest Climber) 2020 by 50 best bars

INTERIOR

With a strong focus on the interactions shared between the staff and guests, COA boasts a cosy, open and intimate space with reclaimed industrial accents. The humble Mexican inspired setting favours wood, brick and concrete elements, and is dimly lit by candles that cast a soft glow over beautifully hand-drawn wall murals of goddesses and mythical creatures and a real coa hand carried from Oaxaca, embedded into the wall of the bar serving as a symbol of craftsmanship.

In the world of Agave, the goddess Mayahuel reigns supreme as the most storied higher being in central Mexico where the legends were born. On the wall is a breath-taking mural of Mayahuel, the goddess of Agave, also known as the goddess of fertility in Aztec mythology. As the old legend goes, Mayahuel had 400 children that took the form of rabbits and 400 breasts to feed and nurse them. Her depiction on the wall at COA is characteristic of the bar itself – as tenders, nurturers, and ultimately, a place that cares about its patrons as much as Mayahuel did her children. Her final contribution to the earth was how her bones and body gave birth to the first Agave plants in the world; just as COA is the very first Agave-based artisanal cocktail bar to be born in Hong Kong.

OUR DRINKS

COA features a beautifully curated cocktail list inspired by flavours of Mexico. The menu introduces a new cocktail every week based on seasonal ingredient which are hand picked by the team.

A 41 page agave menu for anyone who wants to go into the adventurous world of agave spirits. The menu is categorised by its species of agave. Agave spirits are just like wine, different variety, soil, micro climate and human factor affects the final product. We like to think it is the most terroir driven spirit in the world.

While the bar features tequila and mezcal, it also carries a wide range of other Mexican spirits such as Raicilla, Bacanora, Sotol and Charanda.

Instead of the ubiquitous flight menus, COA introduces a smaller portion for each agave spirit for guests to explore by themselves or they can embark with one of the bartenders as a guide on a journey of Mexican flavors.

Featured cocktails

La Paloma de Oaxaca - Tequila blanco, Mezcal joven, lime, grapefruit soda, worm salt

Ancho Highball - Tequila blanco, salted plum, ancho chile, guava soda

Coconut Milk Punch (clarified) - Aged rum, overproof rum, dry sherry, coffee, coconut cream, tamarind, pineapple, lemon, salt

ABOUT JAY

Jay khan is an esteemed cocktail bar veteran with over 15 years of experience in beverage industry. He co-founded COA, Which was named best bar in Asia consecutively in 2021 and 2022 and #7 in the World’s 50 best bar in 2021.
 
The bar, which launched in 2017 as a way for Jay Khan to advocate for 100 per cent agave tequila and traditional mezcal—two of the industry’s least understood spirits.
 
In 2020, he co-founded Mezcal Mission to give back to society through curated Mezcal / Tequila tasting workshops with all proceeds going to support the work of Habitat for Humanity. A charity that provides much-needed resources and support to vulnerable families in need of housing. 
 
Following the success of his bar in Hong Kong, Khan opened COA shanghai in March 2022.
 
Khan was honoured on the Tatler Asia’s Most Influential 2021 list and Prestige 40 under 40 in 2021 an annual celebration of HK’s most successful, innovative and influential young people.

Contact

Only Walk-In from 1 Dec 2022

phone / whatsapp (message only)

+852 2813 5787 / +852 5610 4695


Temporary Opening Hours

Tue - Sun: 6pm - 12am
Mon: Closed

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