‘I have a social life on the Mid-Levels Escalator – where else in the world can you do this?’ So says Lynda Aurora, one of several life coaches working in the city.
If you were to sit in Pacific Coffee on Hollywood Road or Kosmo café on D’Aguilar Street for any length of time, shop in Great or Olivers, or visit Pacific Place cinema, then sooner or later you’d see someone you know. Besides building your network of friends and acquaintances through professional organizations (see Chapter Thirteen, ‘Work’) and interest groups (see Chapter Twenty), expats of all ages enjoy soaking up the atmosphere at the many bars, restaurants and clubs in the three main expat hangouts – Lan Kwai Fong (LKF), Soho and Wanchai.
To find out what’s hot and happening on the scene, check the pages of HK Magazine or visit the monthly events calendar at www.hkclubbing.com. The website also has reviews, club and bar search functions, and chat forums. Another useful source is the monthly BC Magazine and its website http://hk.bcmagazine.net , which features a gig guide, club scene guide and barfly news.
Bars and clubs live a precarious existence in this city of high rents and intense competition, so the scene is constantly evolving. Incentives such as happy hours (usually between 6:00 and 9:00 pm), ladies’ nights, live music and special guest DJ nights are common. Some bars even run a happy hour all night: drinks are expensive in Hong Kong, so it’s worth shopping round for the best deal. Most bars also serve food in a separate restaurant area.
Expat Districts For Socializing
LkfLKF – which, when used loosely, includes D’Aguilar Street and Wing Wah
Lane – is where tourists head to sample Hong Kong’s nightlife, although it is also popular with long-termers and is a convenient watering hole for city executives. It is home to a bright array of stylish and glitzy restaurants and bars – mostly in the ‘expensive to very expensive’ category – and things get very busy on Thursday–Sunday nights, when the crowds spill out onto the pavement and the atmosphere is very jovial. Below is a selection of popular bars and clubs. To see their location, visit
www.lankwaifong.com .
Bars
- California (G/F, 30–32 D’Aguilar Street; tel. 2530 3695) – a swish, rose-tinted bar furnished with a stainless steel cocktail counter.
- Club 64 (12–14 Wing Wah Lane) – a radical and bohemian past means that this place has its stalwarts, and it’s great for people-watching. Cheap Indian, Thai and Malaysian restaurants are conveniently close to hand.
- Insomnia (G/F, 38–44 D’Aguilar Street; tel. 2525 0957) – longer-than-average happy hours, free snacks and an open-fronted bar on the main drag attracts the punters.
- La Dolce Vita (9 Lan Kwai Fong; tel. 2810 8098) – this small bar attracts a huge crowd, which fills the street outside.
- Le Jardin (10 Wing Wah Lane; tel: 2526 2717) – a beer haven, this bar is at the far end of the Lane, up the steps on the right.
- Post 97 (UG/F 9 Lan Kwai Fong; tel. 2810 9333) – comfortable for a quiet drink and the food’s good too.
- Stormy Weather (G/F and 1/F, 46–50 D’Aguilar Street; tel. 2845 5533) – this three-level nautical-themed venue includes a bar and restaurant, and attracts large crowds.
Nightclubs
- Mooch (G/F, 30–32 D’Aguilar Street; tel. 2521 8001).
- Club 97 (G/F, 9 Lan Kwai Fong, tel. 2816 1897).
Soho
Trendier than LKF, Soho has a cool vibe and the clubs only really get going after 10:00 pm and may stay open till 3:00 or 4:00 am. Many are discretely hidden down backstreets or have inconspicuous entrances. Below is a selection of popular bars and clubs.
Bars
- Backroom (Veda, 8 Arbuthnot Road; tel. 2868 5885) and Bombay Dreams (1/F, Carfield Commercial Building, 75–77 Wyndham Street) play host to Indian/‘Bollywood’ nights.
- Boca Tapas & Wine (65 Peel Street, tel. 2548 1717) – stylish and beautiful; not cheap.
- Fringe Club (2 Lower Albert Rd; tel. 2521 7485) – must be one of the cheapest venues in town for a drink. The Japanese Big Jazz Band plays the last Saturday of every month; other rock and jazz bands play regular gigs.
- Gecko (LG/F, Ezra Lane, Lower Hollywood Rd; tel. 2537 4680) – live music on Tuesday and Wednesday nights after 9:30 pm.
- Staunton’s (G/F, 10–12 Staunton Street; tel. 2973 6611) – positioned near the escalator, this bar is one of the most popular in Soho; great for people-watching.