For contemporary art and entertainment, Asia's world city simply can't be beat. You will be mesmerized by the moves of the Hong Kong Ballet, the Hong Kong Dance Company and the City Contemporary Dance Company or catch the magical Chinese melodies performed by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra.
Various events such as the Symphony of Lights, Rugby Sevens, Hong Kong Housewares Fair, Man Hong Kong International Literary Festival, Hong Kong International Film Festival, Le French May, Dragon Boat races, Fashion Week, and Winterfest, will more than satisfy your craving for entertainment.
Hong Kong Island Nightlife
The most well-known entertainment spots for foreigners and expats are two areas on Hong Kong Island called Wan Chai and Lan Kwai Fong. Situated just a short distance from Hong Kong's Central District, Wan Chai is large and comprises different zones with the bars and entertainment venues.
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| Agave |
Agave
The blue agave plant is found only in the Tequila region of western Mexico. Agave is the source of tequila and this provides the base for almost all the drinks in this atmospheric club/restaurant. Quasi-Latino music provides an alternative audio backdrop and the food is Mexican.
Address: Shop C & D, G/F Beverley House 93 – 107 Lockhart Road, Wanchai
Tel: (852) 2866 3228
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| Boc Tapas and Wine Bar |
Boca Tapas and Wine Bar
The name is self-explanatory enough; Bocas is on street level and especially enjoyable in summer when customers can sit outside, enjoying the evening breeze and the views. Background music ranges from funky flamenco to lively acid jazz, while the décor and design are suitably impressive. The round-edged bar and banquettes add a sophisticated touch to the place while bright colour schemes liven up the overall feel. And the drinks? With an 80-label wine list and a good cocktail choice you're not going to go wrong here.
Address: 65 Peel Street
Tel: (852) 2548 1717
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| Bottoms Up |
Bottoms Up
This girlie bar featured in the movie The Man with the Golden Gun and even though it's not as saucy as it used to be, it's still an interesting place to drop in when in Wan Chai.
Address: 1/F 37-39 Lockhart Road Wan Chai
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| Bulldog's Bar and Grill |
Bulldog's Bar and Grill
A real down-home pub, without the actual sawdust on the floors, Bulldogs still looks a lot like an ale house back home, and as such attracts a lot of nostalgic clientele. It features a fairly large inside space and has a wide selection of European and Australian lagers. Major sporting events are televised here – both Australian and British – and their selection of British and Australian pub food is some of the best in town.
Address: 17 Lan Kwai Fong
Tel: (852) 2523 3528
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| Drop |
Drop
Now you're talking attitude – at the door or at the bar the question is 'just how hip do you think I am?' Pretty good music, attractive clientele and an intimate feel, despite the cliquish side coming out some nights but this is because everyone knows each other there and it's a small place. When it's hot it's hot and when it's not, it's most definitely not.
Address: 39 – 43 Hollywood Road Soho
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| Dublin Jack's |
Dublin Jack's
Dublin Jack's has a warm and friendly atmosphere, helped along by a landlord who makes the effort to learn his clients' names. An extra attraction is the 'Deck' area, at the back of the pub, overlooking Lan Kwai Fong below. Dublin Jack's also serves Irish pub grub and asks that clients remain seated during all televised major sporting events, meaning that views of big games remain unobstructed.
Address: 1/F, 17 Lan Kwai Fong, Central
Tel: (852) 2543 0081
Dusk till Dawn
One of the better venues for a good evening out in Wan Chai. It attracts a mostly expat and Southeast Asian clientele, who come to take advantage of its 12:00 – 21:00 happy hour (15:00 – 21:00 on Sat and Sun), food and snack menu served until 05:00, and nightly live music starting at 22:00. Open Monday through Friday from 12:00 – 06:00 and Saturday and Sunday from 15:00 to 06:00. Pretty crowded most nights and there's a bit of flesh trading going on but nothing too unreasonable.
Address: 76-84 Jaffe Road
Fringe Club Roof Garden
Astroturf on the roof, cool drinks and good views just about sums up Fringe Club Roof Garden. The Fringe Club Bar is where the alternative arts crowd gathers for drinks and discussion. The choice of drinks might be limited but this is one of the more convivial places for a civilized evening out in Central. It is also one of the only open-air bars in the area and is considered a perfect respite from the madness going on at street level below.
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu 12:00 – 24:00; Fri – Sat12:00 – 02:00
Location: 2, Lower Albert Road
Tel: (852) 2521 7251
Horse & Groom
A quieter and friendly sort of place where people go to unwind after a day at the office. Despite its 'Blitish' décor, it is a favourite with locals.
Address: 161 Lockhart Rd., Wan Chai
Gecko Lounge and Wine Bar
Gecko is a little hard to find – down a dark side street, under an escalator. But it's a cool and laid-back spot packed with in-the-know regulars propping up the bar counter or discussing film, art and music at the tables. Gecko features DJs or live bands - usually jazz during the week – and admittedly does get loud and this, combined with good drinks, equals a free-flowing ambience – in other words a little wild.
Address: LG/F Ezra Lane – Lower Hollywood Road
Joe Banana's
Joe Bananas has played host to the rich and famous. Stars like Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, Glenn Frey, Mel Gibson, Jean Claude Van Damme, Jackie Chan and recently Nicholas Cage, have all enjoyed the overwhelming party atmosphere of Joe Banana's. No one can quite put their finger on just why it is so successful – it's probably a case of being famous for being famous (or, more likely it's because it is known as a good pick up spot) but it's become an institution. Wednesday is Ladies' Night, with free drinks for women from 21:00 to 04:00.
Address: 23 Luard Road
Kee Club
This bar is mostly – but certainly not exclusively – aimed at the more mature crowd. Not to say that it's conservative – far from it, as the drinks flow and the music can get pretty hot. With Picassos on the walls and antique paintings, rugs and statues and various hidden salons to lounge in, it's a world away from the neon-lit madness outside. Classy, so dress up for it.
Address: 6/F 32 Wellington Street
Tel: (852) 2810 9000
KBG
No – it's nothing to do with the Russian Secret Police. KBG stands for Klong Bar & Grill. The grill is downstairs and features Thai food (Klong is Thai for 'canal') – while upstairs things get a whole lot more sophisticated and party-centric. There's a huge central U-shaped bar and the place can get pretty wild, especially later in the evening where it is not unknown for partygoers to hop on the bar and shake their booty.
Address: The Broadway Complex, 54-62 Lockhart Road
Red
Red is located in IFC, an impressive shopping centre and despite or because of this fact it's a cool place to hang out – mostly because of the drinks and the rooftop views of Kowloon Peninsula and Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong skyline. DJs play a smooth mixture of lounge and funk and the décor is cool and stylish.
Address: 4/F 2 IFC, 8 Finance Street
Tel: (852) 8129 8882
Stormies
Due to its rather modest size many Lan Kwai Fong drinkers choose to imbibe on the street outside, especially at the weekends when this is one crowded spot. The inside is a mixture of nautical themes while upstairs, Stormies offers a surprisingly good restaurant serving up freshly caught seafood.
Address: 46-50 D'Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong
Tel: (852) 2845 5533
The Keg
Right by Stormies, The Keg, some say, is the least pretentious of all Lan Kwai Fongs bars. Designed like a half keg barrel, it has a good selection of beers and friendly drinkers. The bar also has something called Pressure Hour, during which you can keep drinking for half price as long as you stay out of the toilets. Good luck.
Address: 52 D’Aguilar Street
Tel: (852) 2810 0369
