Nightlife - Where to Drink

Hong Kong has an ever-morphing slew of drinking spots that can cater to everyone, from those who fancy a tipple to those on a session. If you're after a drink, you're likely to find yourself drawn to one of four areas:

Lan Kwai Fong is where expats and tourists congregate with youthful locals. It is, in effect, party central. The area is closed to traffic at weekends and public holidays and partygoers spill onto the streets in the evening giving the place a real buzz. The choice on offer is extensive, from chic wine bars to spit-and-sawdust pubs.

Nearby, the trendy bars along Hollywood Road and SoHo attract a slightly more upmarket crowd. A number of these bars are tucked away down discreet alleyways, while others are identified by the young professionals gathered outside. Following the crowds in this area can bring you to some of the hippest spots around.

Wan Chai has a seedier, more down-to-earth edge to it, and many revellers from Lan Kwai Fong find themselves stumbling into Wan Chai as the night goes on. The girlie bars that used to make up the heart of Wan Chai are in retreat and nowadays you will find many British and American-style pubs.

Tsim Sha Tsui's Knutsford Terrace completes the nightlife group. Composed of a more even mix of locals and expats, drinking down this stretch of bars and restaurants has a different feel to it than the expat-dominated Lan Kwai Fong, Hollywood Road and Wan Chai. One of the main attractions is the outside seating, which, combined with the compact space, makes it a top spot for people watching.

Read on to find some insider knowledge on what's afoot in Hong Kong's nightlife.