{"id":8897,"date":"2025-11-04T21:50:31","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T13:50:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=8897"},"modified":"2025-11-04T21:50:31","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T13:50:31","slug":"word-on-the-streat-the-bartenders-guide-to-acing-first-dates-in-hong-kong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=8897","title":{"rendered":"Word on the StrEAT: The bartenders\u2019 guide to acing first dates in Hong Kong"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In Hong Kong\u2019s social scene, few moments are as thrilling as the first date \u2013 and the silent third guest is the venue, setting the stage for connection or complication. Who better to decode the perfect meeting place than the experts in social chemistry: bartenders?<\/p>\n
We asked the city\u2019s masters of mood what transforms a simple bar into an ideal first date spot. They revealed the keys to atmosphere, essential etiquette and their top venue picks for that crucial first impression.<\/p>\n
Beckaly Franks<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/div>Beckaly Franks photographed at Artifact in Central, Hong Kong. Photo: Xiaomei Chen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cWe always notice a first date,\u201d says Beckaly Franks, the founder of Pontiac, Artifact and Call Me Al. \u201cIt\u2019s our job to read the room, and personally, nothing makes me happier than smoothing things out so people enjoy themselves. I\u2019m not afraid to be a little awkward to help everyone relax. I live for that moment when guards come down and the real magic happens.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a first date, she recommends Graceland: \u201cIt\u2019s got beers, cocktails, tasty food and a jukebox. It\u2019s a nice hybrid situation. On a second date, I\u2019d go to Crushed, and on the third, Bourke\u2019s<\/span>.\u201d<\/div>\n
When it comes to advice, she says, \u201cBe on time. And treat the staff well. It really does not make you look cool to be disrespectful and dismissive towards other human beings.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marco Maiorano<\/strong><\/h3>\n
From New York to London; Singapore to Hong Kong, Marco Maiorano has worked at some of the world\u2019s most celebrated bars, including Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London, before joining DarkSide<\/span> as bar manager this year.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Beckaly](\"https:\/\/img.i-scmp.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto\/sites\/default\/files\/d8\/images\/canvas\/2025\/11\/03\/5884b7a4-6e25-4167-b1fb-6999c8f5b643_798e21ed.jpg\" "\\"Beckaly")
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