After Coa won The Best Bar in Hong Kong and Asia for 2023 last month (for the 3rd year in a row), the hard work of Jay and his team has once again paid off and we congratulate them on such an achievement which goes towards their other past awards.

In 2017 when Coa first opened its doors, we were asked to come by and check out the new place and were asked what will make the place successful? We said simply do what you do the best, amazing cocktails and take care of the customers. Of course there is more to it than that and we got to chat with Jay about the last 6 years of his hospitality journey.

Hkclubbing: Congratulations on winning The Best Bar in Asia 2023 for the 3rd year. How do you feel and how has everything been since you found out?

JK: Winning this year meant the most as it was hosted in Hong Kong in front of our family and friends. It still feels surreal to be honest.


Hkclubbing: What do you feel has been the success of Coa over the years?

JK: The team. The passion and commitment the team puts in on a daily basis is magic! We are blessed to have such an amazing group of people working with us.

Hkclubbing: How often to you do you visit distilleries each year and add new bottles to your collection?

JK: Pre-covid twice each year. Haven’t been back post covid but plans are in place. The collection changes all the time. We do get many agave spirits brought in by friends, guest and of course supplier.

Hkclubbing: This year you opened The Savory Project in Hong Kong. How did this new bar project come about and what is the concept?

JK: The concept is in the name itself. Our drinks feature unorthodox ingredients and emphasize savory and umami notes. The concept was born from our observation of an increase in guest requests over the years for less sugar or sweetness in their drinks.

Hkclubbing: In 2020 you launched Mezcal Mission. Can you tell us more about this?

JK: Mezcal Mission is a charity initiative co-launched with mezcal enthusiast Andrew Davis. It is a Bi-weekly tasting sessions (only on Mondays) of a curated list of agave spirits to raise money for Feeding Hong Kong and Impact Hong Kong. 100% of the proceed from this go to charity.

Hkclubbing: You opened Coa Shanghai last year. Do you have any plans for other country locations?

JK: At the moment we are happy with HK and Shanghai, not looking to open anything else this year.


Hkclubbing: Coa is named after the machete-like tool which is used for harvesting agave. How many do you actually own of these and any of them kept at your home?

JK: I had to hand carry it back from Mexico. Haha I don’t have any at home. We have got one in Hong Kong and one in Shanghai.

Hkclubbing: Could you share a life quote that has motivated you to achieve more?

JK: Follow your passion and success will follow ! What we desire the most, even more than money, is to be proud of what we do with our lives.

Thanks for your time Jay, it was great to connect with you again and to find out more about Coa and The Savory Project you can follow them all below.

Check out his latest interview after winning The Best Bar in Asia 2023 last month below,

(Image source: Provided by Jay)