A basement on Staunton Street dressed as 13th century Castile, where the king who codified tapas gets toasted in velvet and brocade.
The Wise King sits in the basement of 25 Staunton Street, its entrance tucked on Tseng Wing Lane beside the SoHo escalator. The name honors Alfonso X of Castile, the 13th century monarch credited with mandating food alongside wine, and the room runs with it: gold, deep reds, velvet, and brocade.
Founders Joe Villanueva and Sandeep Kumar built the menu as a journey through Spanish and Moorish flavor, and Asia's 50 Best ranked the bar number 34 in 2022.
Who would hate it? Anyone who needs daylight or minimalism. This is a committed theme executed by serious bartenders, not a costume party.
Low ceilings, candle glow on gilt, and seating that pushes conversation close. The South China Morning Post's review praised a room where excellent service and tasty cocktails promise a long, successful reign, and Sassy Hong Kong files it among SoHo's essential hidden doors.
The list rebuilds Mediterranean staples as cocktails, sherry, saffron, fig, and olive oil washing through the builds, most around HK$130. A 2025 menu refresh covered by DrinkCollectiv pushed further into Mediterranean territory, and the kitchen sends Spanish, Moroccan, and Italian bites.
Order whatever carries sherry or saffron, with the tapas plate alongside. Skip rushing; the room rewards a slow second round.
Central's after office cocktail crowd early, bar industry guests late, and travelers working through the Asia's 50 Best list on weekends. The Yay Project's review notes balanced, interesting builds with the music dialed right.