Founded in London in 2001 by Alan Yau, Hakkasan changed the language of modern Cantonese dining. Behind dark wooden screens and glowing blue glass, the restaurant brought together precision, atmosphere and energy, creating a world where food, design and nightlife moved as one.
The bar became a natural place to revisit that story through a new cocktail menu that could carry the brand’s heritage into a more contemporary ritual. A menu that would celebrate signature cocktails guests already know, while giving the Mayfair bar a renewed sense of craft and destination.
Knockout was asked to create a bespoke cocktail menu for Hakkasan. The brief called for a menu experience that embodied craftsmanship, heritage and the spirit of Asia.
The creative direction drew from the atmosphere at the heart of Hakkasan: the intimacy of the interiors, the rhythm of the lattice screens, the glow of the bar, and the cinematic mood of 1960s Hong Kong. These references shaped a menu that feels more like a journey than a list of serves.
The cover brings Hakkasan’s signature lattice pattern into a tactile menu format, echoing the wooden cage motifs that have long defined the restaurant’s sense of privacy, movement and reveal. Inside, the pages unfold through illustration, using a softer, Chinese-inspired visual language to give each cocktail its own character while keeping the overall expression refined.
Key ingredients are brought into focus through delicate handcrafted drawings and details, from lychee, rose and raspberry to mushroom, duck fat and tea. Bilingual cocktail names, concise descriptions and suggested food pairings give the menu a sense of ceremony, while allowing the visuals to carry much of the atmosphere.
The menu brings the beauty and atmosphere of Hakkasan’s world into the hands of its guests. Cocktails that might otherwise sit as a line of copy become expressive, engaging and delicious representations through Chinese-inspired illustration, creating a richer sense of discovery within the luxury bar experience.
Created for Mayfair, the menu is now rolling out across Hakkasan’s global restaurants, including Dubai, Miami and Las Vegas.
