Hong Kong Nightlife: Overview
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Every weekend Hong Kong hotels are full to bursting with revellers taking advantage of the relaxed licensing laws and the massive selection of fun and trendy venues.
The young and mainly rich population also makes Hong Kong one of the trendiest places to be seen in Asia, and the popular areas of Lan Kwai and SoHo are heaving with beautiful people every Friday and Saturday night. Hong Kong Island's Wan Chai is also a great spot for down-to-earth British-style pubs and bars and Kowloon's Knutsfield Terrace is lively most nights of the week.
The city also has the added benefit of great public transport, even late into the night, so those looking to return to their Hong Kong hotel after a night on the tiles should have little difficulty. The high-speed Mass Transit Railway runs all night and there are also reliable and cheap buses and an abundance of taxis.
Lining your stomach
If you plan a big night out in Hong Kong, it is best not to eat too much beforehand. Although you don't want to become sleepy and lethargic, lining your stomach is important and there is no better way to do it than with sushi. Blowfish is one of the newest kids on the block in this department and can be found on Peel Street.
For authentic Cantonese, however, T'ang Court at the Great Eagle Hotel, Kowloon, is your best bet. Meals come at around £10 per head and it is one of the most celebrated cheap eats in the city.
For a light snack, head to the Luk Yu teahouse in Stanley Street where you can fill up on Dim Sum and jasmine tea until the early hours of the morning. Street-side noodle stands are also great for after-hours munchies.
Best venues
Alibi is one of the trendiest clubs in the popular party region of Lan Kwai Fong. This area is also shared with many good Hong Kong hotels, so most visitors should find it easy to reach. The decor here is super-slick and many celebrities even pop in for a martini or two.
The Agave Bar is also in the same area, on D'Aguilar Street, though if you don't like tequila you won't be very popular here. Amazingly, there are no less than 100 varieties of the potent spirit here, but there is also a cocktail list for those with a sweeter tooth and a weaker stomach.
If you simply leave your Hong Kong hotel to be seen, however, head to Felix in Kowloon. Based in the Peninsula Hotel in Salisbury Road, the Phillipe Starck- inspired venue boasts stunning views of the bright lights below.
Club Drop in Matheson Street, Causeway Bay, is also a hip place to be on a Saturday night and is one of Hong Kong's most exclusive hangouts. The dress code here is more or less designer only, however, so make sure you're looking up to scratch if you want to get in.
Entertainment
As well as clubs and bars, the city is home to some fantastic entertainment and it would be a shame to miss it while staying in a Hong Kong hotel. Everything from classical concerts to ‘Cantopop' can be enjoyed here every night of the week, alongside dance troops, horse racing and Chinese opera.
If you are visiting in autumn, you may also be able to catch the spectacular Moon Festival which runs from the 10-12 of September. The Legends of China Festival is also a colourful and fun event held between mid-October and mid-November and the Hong Kong Horse Races on December 15 are not to be missed.
Every weekend Hong Kong hotels are full to bursting with revellers taking advantage of the relaxed licensing laws and the massive selection of fun and trendy venues.
The young and mainly rich population also makes Hong Kong one of the trendiest places to be seen in Asia, and the popular areas of Lan Kwai and SoHo are heaving with beautiful people every Friday and Saturday night. Hong Kong Island's Wan Chai is also a great spot for down-to-earth British-style pubs and bars and Kowloon's Knutsfield Terrace is lively most nights of the week.
The city also has the added benefit of great public transport, even late into the night, so those looking to return to their Hong Kong hotel after a night on the tiles should have little difficulty. The high-speed Mass Transit Railway runs all night and there are also reliable and cheap buses and an abundance of taxis.
Lining your stomach
If you plan a big night out in Hong Kong, it is best not to eat too much beforehand. Although you don't want to become sleepy and lethargic, lining your stomach is important and there is no better way to do it than with sushi. Blowfish is one of the newest kids on the block in this department and can be found on Peel Street.
For authentic Cantonese, however, T'ang Court at the Great Eagle Hotel, Kowloon, is your best bet. Meals come at around £10 per head and it is one of the most celebrated cheap eats in the city.
For a light snack, head to the Luk Yu teahouse in Stanley Street where you can fill up on Dim Sum and jasmine tea until the early hours of the morning. Street-side noodle stands are also great for after-hours munchies.
Best venues
Alibi is one of the trendiest clubs in the popular party region of Lan Kwai Fong. This area is also shared with many good Hong Kong hotels, so most visitors should find it easy to reach. The decor here is super-slick and many celebrities even pop in for a martini or two.
The Agave Bar is also in the same area, on D'Aguilar Street, though if you don't like tequila you won't be very popular here. Amazingly, there are no less than 100 varieties of the potent spirit here, but there is also a cocktail list for those with a sweeter tooth and a weaker stomach.
If you simply leave your Hong Kong hotel to be seen, however, head to Felix in Kowloon. Based in the Peninsula Hotel in Salisbury Road, the Phillipe Starck- inspired venue boasts stunning views of the bright lights below.
Club Drop in Matheson Street, Causeway Bay, is also a hip place to be on a Saturday night and is one of Hong Kong's most exclusive hangouts. The dress code here is more or less designer only, however, so make sure you're looking up to scratch if you want to get in.
Entertainment
As well as clubs and bars, the city is home to some fantastic entertainment and it would be a shame to miss it while staying in a Hong Kong hotel. Everything from classical concerts to ‘Cantopop' can be enjoyed here every night of the week, alongside dance troops, horse racing and Chinese opera.
If you are visiting in autumn, you may also be able to catch the spectacular Moon Festival which runs from the 10-12 of September. The Legends of China Festival is also a colourful and fun event held between mid-October and mid-November and the Hong Kong Horse Races on December 15 are not to be missed.
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