In a city full of vibrant bars, COA stands out as a beacon of novelty and resilience. 🌟
COA defied all odds to make the city appreciate mezcal, transforming the perception of Mexican bars from “a place for tequila shots”, to a sophisticated spot to experience and savour one of the most terroir-driven spirits in the world.
When founder Jay Khan/ @jaykhan313 conceptualised the idea, mezcal was a lesser-known spirit in Hong Kong, and many doubted its ability to take off. Despite the scepticism, Jay remained firm and refused to compromise on his passion for mezcal – a spirit he fell in love with during a trip to Mexico.
“People advised us to play it safe and cater to familiar tastes. Maybe open a gin or whiskey bar? But I believed in the magic of mezcal,” Jay recalls.
COA’s first 18 months suffered financial losses and a lack of recognition. “Many suggested we introduce happy hours to attract more customers, but we resisted the temptation to dilute our brand with trends that didn’t align with our core values. I knew that if I trusted my gut and stayed consistent, it would work out in the end.”
Today, COA has grown from a local gem to global fame, and is consistently recognised as one of Asia’s and the world’s best bars– proving the power of perseverance and unwavering resilience.
Here’s a toast to COA, a true embodiment of Hong Kong’s ‘Never Normal’ spirit. 🥂✨
We’re sharing this story as a proud partner of @hknevernormal , an initiative dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary nature of our city. Follow @hknevernormal for more inspiring stories.
