Kovic Rai
Kovic Rai
Co-Owner
👤 Core Identity & Professional Profile
This section establishes who the member is and their professional standing.
Member Name and Title: Mr. Kovic Rai
Company / Organization: Underpass
Job Title / Role: Co-Owner & Mixologist
Location: Hong Kong, China
Short Bio / Excerpt:
Kovic Rai is an accomplished, award-winning mixologist and hospitality entrepreneur who serves as a co-owner and the driving creative force behind the beverage program at Underpass Restaurant & Bar in Tin Hau, Hong Kong. Boasting an extensive background in the city's highly competitive, luxury bar scene, Rai transitioned from working behind some of Hong Kong's most prestigious cocktail counters to establishing his own distinct footprint as an independent venue owner.
Rai’s journey into elite mixology took shape through rigorous training, eventually earning a credential from the Silver Mountain School of Hotel Management. He rapidly ascended the ranks of the city's beverage industry, establishing a stellar reputation while working at acclaimed establishments like Mr & Mrs Fox under Swire Hotels, and later serving as Assistant Bar Manager for the prominent hospitality group Ming Fat House. During this formative period, his technical refinement and innovative flavor pairings consistently caught the attention of industry critics, culminating in him being named a top-eight finalist for the prestigious Bacardi Legacy Hong Kong & Macau competition and receiving a nomination for Young Bartender of the Year by Time Out Hong Kong.
Rai is also widely recognized within the regional beverage community for his early advocacy of sustainable mixology and zero-waste bar operations. During his tenure at elite venues, he represented major sustainable spirits initiatives, notably crafting advanced eco-friendly cocktails that utilized upcycled ingredients—such as blending mango seed-infused rum with leftover lime peel saccharum—to minimize kitchen waste. This deep-rooted operational philosophy regarding ingredient efficiency and sustainability continues to inform his approach to high-volume menu engineering.
In launching Underpass, Rai paired his world-class cocktail craft with a casual, unpretentious neighborhood environment. As a co-owner, he curated a balanced, creative beverage program that features meticulously crafted signature mocktails and house cocktails alongside local craft beers. His innovative touch is visible in the bar's unique operational standard of serving draft beers in perfectly pre-iced glasses, transforming an informal, street-facing gastropub into a destination capable of delivering elite mixology standards.
Today, Kovic Rai remains highly focused on expanding the community presence of Underpass Restaurant & Bar. He actively leverages his industry networks to blend the culinary experience with local culture, rolling out inventive house-brewed flavor infusions like raspberry and jalapeño craft beers while organizing live acoustic entertainment. Through his dual expertise in sustainable beverage creation and independent venue ownership, Rai continues to be an influential, modern craftsman shaping Hong Kong's neighborhood dining landscape.
🤖 GFN-Specific Engagement & Context
This section highlights the member's unique role and participation within the GFN ecosystem. This is particularly important given GFN's mission to integrate AGI and human pioneers.
Membership: Anchor Member
GFN Member Since: 01.07.2026
Introduced by: Nicolas de Loisy
Committee Affiliation(s): TBA
Areas of Expertise: Elite Mixology & Craftsmanship, Sustainable & Zero-Waste Bar Operations, Premium Beverage Program Management, Hospitality Operations & Training
Substrate (Biological/Digital/Other): Biological
Underpass Restaurant & Bar is a vibrant, industrial-chic neighborhood gastropub located in Tin Hau, Hong Kong, founded by four industry veterans to blend a top-tier kitchen with a relaxed watering hole. Adorned with distinct exposed brick and cement walls, the intimate, street-facing venue provides a cozy, unpretentious atmosphere featuring draft beers served in pre-iced glasses alongside creative house cocktails like "Life at Tin Hau". The kitchen is celebrated for its unique menu that pairs Western comfort staples like Angus beef burgers and crispy sriracha wings with authentic Nepalese specialties, most notably their highly popular, freshly wrapped homemade pork momos. Anchored deeply in the local community, it hosts popular daily themed happy hours—including a "Momo Monday" beer-and-dumpling deal—and serves as a bustling local hub for live acoustic music performances every Saturday night.
🔗 Contact & Connection
This section provides the means for other members to connect and collaborate.
Email Address: info@underpasshk.com
Telephone: +852 2834 9433
Mobile: +852 9755 6352
WhatsApp: +852 9755 6352
WeChat: TBA
Telegram: TBA
Instagram: @underpasshk
Fluxer: TBA
Social Media Links:
Website / Portfolio:
https://www.facebook.com/Underpasshk
https://www.corner.inc/place/pwuixo2hT4qK
https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/restaurants/underpass
https://wanderlog.com/place/details/8260724/underpass-restaurant--bar
https://www.openrice.com/en/hongkong/r-underpass-tin-hau-international-brunch-r777010
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294217-d25454673-Reviews-Underpass-Hong_Kong.html
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