In fact, were my liquidity injections for liquid refreshment at the Captain’s Bar deemed equity purchases rather than simple payment for goods provided, I'd probably own the place outright by now.
Perhaps I should have taken a page out of my friend’s book. Like many other bankers in Hong Kong, this chap has funnelled a bit of his extra cash into bars in the city, with his latest venture being a new hot spot in the middle of Central.
More important than the money he’s making off this little side project, my friend gets a discount on all the booze he’s consuming. Were it me, I would have already surpassed my investment in discounted drinks. Not to mention that any investment would require some excess cash — any spare dollars I tend to get my hands on quickly pass over to those of the staff at the Captain’s Bar.
But my friend is a savvier chap than I am. He’s taken to scheduling all his client events, journalist meetings and team drinks at his bar, racking up giant tabs and providing a bit of free advertising along the way.
Perhaps that’s another reason he insisted on bringing me there — to ensure that his new booze shop won a mention in these hallowed pages.
Of course, we can’t provide the name but if you happen to be in a Central bar that is full of either investors, journalists or bankers on a given night, you’re probably in the right place.