Like mango lassis, but want something with a little more of a kick to accompany your Indian dinner? Khana Khazana’s recently opened outlet (6-8A Prat Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, 2367 0555) now has its very own liquor licence. Drinks at the vegetarian eatery run the gamut from $32 San Miguel to $78 standard cocktails (Bloody Marys, Gimlets, etc.) to slightly pricier scotch whiskys.

Hungry would-be boozers need look no further than Dusk Till Dawn (76 Jaffe Road, Wan Chai, 2528 4689), where those who purchase a bucket of beer – five bottles of San Miguel, Budweiser, Corona, Tsing Tao, or Carlsberg – will also receive a complimentary snack: a plate of chicken wings, nachos, or beef or chicken satay. If a bucket seems like four beers too many, you can go for Dusk Till Dawn’s August choice for Beer of the Month, Budweiser – bottles are only $22 from 5pm to 10pm daily. Classier types can choose from the bar’s Wines of the Month, a 2008 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (white) and a 2007 Hawkes Bay Merlot (red). These libations are $68 per glass and $400 per bottle normally, but just $36 per glass during happy hour.

Government figures report that the average daily temperature in Hong Kong is a scorching 28.7 degrees Celsius in July, but just 28.4 degrees in August. Celebrate the dropping thermometer at Yorkshire Pudding (6 Staunton St, Soho, 2536 9968), where summer margarita cocktails are $48 per glass and $188 per pitcher. Yorkshire Pudding also offers white sangria for $58 a glass and $198 per pitcher. We’re not totally sure why the faux-British pub is featuring these decidedly un-English drinks, but we’ve decided to go with it.

The Lobby Lounge at the Kowloon Shangri-la Hotel (64 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, 2733 8740) is also celebrating summer with a host of cocktails that combine ABSOLUT vodka with seasonal ingredients. The Watermelon Martini ($95) and the Pearpeach Temptation ($95) are sweet and fruity, while the Hotlips ($95), which combines ABSOLUT mandarin, triple sec, freshly cut red chili and ginger ale and comes garnished with a whole chili pepper, provides a spicy rush of flavour. Alcohol historians, if there are such things, will also enjoy examining the variety of ABSOLUT bottles on display throughout the lounge.

Guinness’s 250th anniversary isn’t technically until September, but the brewery is already celebrating. They’ve created a commemorative stout – called, appropriately, Guinness 250 Anniversary Stout – that is carbonated rather than nitrogenated like the Guinness draught you already know and love. This special brew will be available in special 4+1 packs – four cans of Guinness with one bottle of the limited edition stout. The packs will only be in stores like Park n Shop, Wellcome, and CRC for the two-week period between July 31 and August 13, so make sure to stockpile a few extra bottles.

Speaking of birthdays, the Aqua Group’s restaurants and bars, which include Aqua Spirit (29-30/F, 1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, 3427 2288), WasabiSabi (Shop 1301, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay, 2506 0009), and Vivo (G/F, Elgin Building, 41-43 Elgin Street, Soho, 3106 2526), will provide a complimentary birthday cake or bottle of champagne for birthday parties of eight or more. For more details, contact Mandy at 2545 9889 or by emailing mandy@aqua.com.hk. Remember to bring your ID with you on the night of the festivities.

Get the best of both worlds with Varga Lounge’s (36 Staunton Street, Soho, 2104 9697) Ladies’ Happy Hour/Martini and Manicure Night. On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 6-9pm, women can get a professional manicure while enjoying one of Varga’s specialty cocktails or a drink of their choice, all for $150. The service is popular, so make sure to book your manicure/ cocktail in advance by calling 2291 0148 or emailing vargaloungehk@gmail.com. Varga will also be hosting $200 cocktail mixing master classes on August 5 at 7pm and 8pm, during which Grand Marnier’s Julien de France will teach patrons how to concoct libations like the pros. The classes will each conclude with a group tasting. Book by emailing Varga or calling Joe at 6182 6024.

Correction: In the 16 July issue the price for the Agave Sirloin Burrito was incorrect, the actually price is $165. The rice and beans are side dishes and not included in that price. bc apologises for any inconvenience.