From Plum Salt Candies to Espresso Martinis: New Bar ‘Friday After Class’ (FAC) Serves a Lifetime of Core Memories in a Glass

HONG KONG, 5 Nov 2025 – A new cocktail bar, Friday After Class (FAC), has officially opened its doors in Central, offering a unique nostalgic escape for Hong Kong's stressed-out adults. Located at 52 Peel Street, FAC is founded on a simple premise: to be a haven where guests can relive that universal, joyful "Friday-after-class moment," a feeling of freedom and possibility.

The bar's experience is delivered through two distinct concepts: the lively "PRE-GAME" terrace and the intimate "Common Room."

The Common Room: A Credible & Nostalgic Cocktail Program

Bringing technical expertise to FAC’s playful concept is Head Bartender Sabin Thapa. Sabin is a seasoned bartender with over 8 years of experience in the city's dynamic hospitality scene. His background includes formative experience at The Ritz Carlton’s Ozone bar and a key role as Head Bartender at Bayfare Social in the Rosewood Hong Kong, where he was responsible for new menu creation and developing sophisticated fermentation and infusion programs. 

Inside the Common Room, guests discover a menu presented as an illustrated sketchbook. The cocktails are not just drinks but chapters in a story, meticulously designed to trigger specific memories from three phases of life:

• Chapter 1: Lifelong Kindergarten This chapter is dedicated to the playful, sweet, and simple joys of childhood, reinterpreted with professional craft. The Bye-Bye Yuzu is a direct homage to Asian childhood snacks, with a dusting of plum salt that instantly recalls the memory of plum-dusted candies or fruits. The FAC (Fermented Aromatic Cosmopolitan) is a complex, liquid version of a raspberry cheesecake, blending rum, berries, and a savory twist of cheese and balsamic—a classic childhood treat in a new form.

• Chapter 2: Bittersweet Adolescence This phase explores the "first steps" into adulthood, where tastes become more complex and acquired. The Reverse Manhattan uses the classic drink's formula but playfully inverts the ratios (Dolin Blanc, Buffalo Trace), reflecting a time in life spent questioning the rules and seeing the world differently. The Nothing Colada is a clear, sophisticated twist on the sweet, teen-friendly Piña Colada, blending Planteray pineapple rum with the unexpected, savory notes of sesame and cucumber.

• Chapter 3: Say FAC! to Adulthood This final chapter features the menu's most potent and sophisticated serves, reflecting a fully developed palate. The Shroom-Fashioned is a deeply "adult" take on a classic, infusing Sazerac Rye with the earthy, umami-rich notes of mushroom, butter, and coffee. The (Not So White) Negroni is an "in-the-know" twist on the quintessential bitter aperitif, while Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee presents a duo of martinis, the ultimate symbol of refined adulthood.

"Our mission is to create moments of pure, stress-free joy," says Head Bartender Sabin Thapa. "My team and I designed each drink to be that memory—whether it’s the nostalgic plum salt from a childhood candy or the complex, technical finish of the 'Shroom-Fashioned.' We are delivering serious mixology in a space that doesn’t take itself too seriously, allowing every guest to truly feel that 'Friday-after-class' relief."

The PRE-GAME Terrace: Ready for the Weekend

Stepping outside, the PRE-GAME terrace transports guests straight to their college days. Inspired by campus parties, this lively space features a dedicated takeaway window serving cocktails on tap. In a direct nod to youthful pregaming, all drinks are served in iconic plastic party (beer pong) cups. The PRE-GAME menu includes four initial takeaway cocktails on tap, such as the Pimm's High Cup (FAC’s take on the British classic) and the Lychee Oolong High. It also features "surprises" like the Coke Zero, Argentinian Style, a nostalgic throwback to pregaming with Fernet and Coke, and the Bobba Tea Irish Style, a boozy, grown-up take on bubble tea.

About Friday After Class (FAC) Friday After Class (FAC) is a new nostalgic cocktail bar in Central, Hong Kong, designed to be a haven where adults can relive the joyful, stress-free "Friday-after-class moment". The bar features two distinct spaces: the "PRE-GAME" outdoor terrace, serving tap cocktails in party cups, and the intimate "Common Room," offering a menu of story-driven craft cocktails served from sketchbooks.

Address: Friday After Class (FAC) is now open 52 Peel St, Central, Hong Kong.

Opening Times: Tue-Sun 6pm-1am 

Instagram: @fridayafterclass.hk 

-END-

Press inquiries:

Tiana Ludhani 

Midnight Espresso Communications

tiana@midnight-espresso.com | +852 9516 6547