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Hong Kong is a work hard, play hard kind of city. From dusk until dawn, the vibrant city comes alive with nightlife choices galore. While many
hit on the bars, clubs and karaoke venues, night markets and a happening night park provide exciting alternatives if you are after something other
than a drink. What follows is the definitive CityLife nightlife area guide.
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Party Central: Lan Kwai Fong and Hollywood Road
When the word nightlife is uttered, most people think of Lan Kwai Fong. Made up of Lan Kwai Fong and D'Aguilar Streets, this is where expats,
tourists and locals congregate. The area is closed to traffic on weekends when partygoers spill onto the streets from happy hour on, giving the place
a real buzz. The choice on offer is extensive, from chic wine bars and live music to spit-and-sawdust pubs and lively bars playing one-hit wonders.
Nearby, the trendy bars along Hollywood Road, Wyndham Street and SoHo attract a slightly more upmarket crowd. Following the crowds in this area
can bring you to some of the hippest spots around. MTR: Central, exit D1, then a five-minute walk.
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Heated Hedonism: Wan Chai |
To most foreigners, images of Wan Chai came from the movie The World of Suzie Wong which focused on the seedier side of the area's
nightlife. Decades later, the girlie bars that used to make up the heart of Wan Chai are in retreat and nowadays you will find many
restaurants, clubs and British and American-style pubs, especially along Lockhart Road. Wan Chai maintains a down-to-earth edge, and
many revellers from Lan Kwai Fong find themselves stumbling into the area as the night goes on. MTR: Wan Chai.
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A Bit of Everything: Causeway Bay |
Close by, Causeway Bay is another nightspot on Hong Kong Island, and the best bet for karaoke, a local favourite. Whether you are
dragged there unwillingly or are a veteran singing fan, it is hard not to have a good time in a Hong Kong karaoke bar, which is usually windowless
and fitted with private rooms so that time flies by inside. Additionally, the bright lights of Causeway Bay stores stay on longer
during weekends, with extended hours for shopping and dining. There is also Victoria Park, the largest urban park in the city, open
24 hours with sports facilities and extensive grounds. MTR: Causeway Bay.
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Neightbourhood Fun: Knutsford Terrace |
Tsim Sha Tsui's Knutsford Terrace is Kowloon's take on a nightlife neighbourhood. Stuffed into a hidden pedestrian terrace
behind Kimberley Road, this stretch of bars and restaurants has a different feel to it than the expat-dominated
Lan Kwai Fong and Wan Chai. The venues here usually fill up and close a bit earlier. One of the main attractions is the outside seating
which, combined with the compact space, makes it a top spot for people watching. The area is a great place to venture after watching the
nightly light show A Symphony of Lights from the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, which starts at 8pm. MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui, exit B1.
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Late-night Bargains: Temple Night Market |
The city is dotted with markets, but no place comes more alive with bargaining and street shopping than Kowloon, where the Temple Street Night Market heats up from sunset and extends into the night. While fortunetellers, palm readers and herbalists attempt to tap into your aura, Cantonese opera singers perform for your entertainment. talls selling everything from clothing, cookware and jewellery to audiovisual equipment are open for haggling. Duck into one of the many open-air restauranst for fresh seafood delights to end the night. MTR: Jordan, exit A.
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Nightlife Knowledge Resident nightlife expert Nick Willsher, Managing Director of Entertaining Asia, gives CityLife the low-down.
What is your favourite aspect of going out in Hong Kong?
Probably the convenience of being able to visit many different bars, clubs and restaurants within a close distance and if there is a place that requires transportation, the Hong Kong transportation system is great so usually it does not take long to get to just about anywhere in Hong Kong.
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What is an ideal night out for visitors? |
I would recommend a drink at Aqua in Tsim Sha Tsui for the view, then a Star Ferry ride over to Central and then up to The Peak.
Followed by an early dinner on The Peak and then the tram back down to Central. Once finished... there are a number of options.
Depending upon [what people want] there are great karaoke venues in Causeway Bay, bars in Kowloon and Wan Chai, to bars and clubs
in the Lan Kwai Fong area. [For] most of the major late nightclubs you need to be a member or on the guest list so best arrange that
with the venue before you go out. Most days of the week there are venue promotions including free salsa lessons to free vodka
nights, so there is always something going on, even on a Monday!
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What makes Hong Kong nightlife stand out from other world cities? |
The positive one would be that there are always new bars, restaurants, clubs and other nightlife options available every month as
Hong Kong is a very fast city.
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What's up for nightlife in September? |
Armin Van Buuren, one of the top International DJs in the world, will return to Hong Kong for the second time on 29 September 2007... For concerts, on 13 September Nine Inch Nails will be having a show at AsiaWorld-Expo - Hall 10.
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Find out more from Nick at www.hkclubbing.com and www.hkentertainment.com
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Visitor's Tip: Check out our nightlife listings for where to spend the evening. |
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