Hong Kong Nightlife

Enterprising night animals in Hong Kong can try to get invited along to a local karaoke evening and warble into a mike, over buckets of beer, to Canto-pop videos, or head for one of the local discos in darkest Kowloon. LAN Kwai Fong, the famous square mile of Central with the most relaxed drinking hours and the most intense partying, is still a beating nightlife heart. SoHo ('South of Hollywood Road') is a slightly more chic and relaxed concentration of brasseries, bars and beer spots, just off the Mid-Levels Escalator. Chinese locals tend to favour Tsim Sha Tsui, riddled with bars and clubs.

Listings can be found in BC Magazine (www.bcmagazine.net), Time Out HK (www.timeout.com.hk) and favourite expat magazine HK (www.hk-magazine.com).

Agave
Agave serves a marvellous selection of tequilas and margaritas - a staple for the hot summer months. This open-fronted, popular bar has no less than 150 brands of 100% agave tequila on offer, as well as 30 different margaritas and a range of tasty Mexican food, from tacos and fajitas to burritos.

33 D'Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong
Tel: 2521 2010.

Aqua Spirit
Over in Kowloon, the most upscale bars are located high in the sky. Stylish, hip and classy, Aqua Spirit boasts the best panoramic views of Victoria Harbour and a great cocktail menu.

30th Floor, 1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: 3427 2288.
Website: www.aqua.com.hk

Devil's Advocate
Devil's Advocate is fun for a happy hour beer and watching sports on TV. 'Devilling Hour' (1700-1900) is even cheaper than happy hour, and there are cheap drinks on Wednesday night.

48-50 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai
Tel: 2865 7271.
Website: www.devilsadvocate.com.hk/about.html

Stormies
The staple venue of Lan Kwai Fong, Stormies is a packed, pulsing bar, where the clientele often spill out onto the street.

48 D'Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong
Tel: 2845 5533.
Website: www.igors.com

Dragon-i
Dragon-i is the hangout of the stars; socially exclusive but surprisingly ordinary.

Upper Ground Floor, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central
Tel: 3110 1222.
Website: www.dragon-i.com.hk

Drop
Drop, just down the hill, under the escalator in Central, is another late-night haven. Wednesdays is Moet and manicure night for the ladies.

39-43 Hollywood Road, Central
Tel: 2543 8856.
Website: www.drophk.com

Yumla
Yumla is a small club that throbs at weekends to ripping break and house beats.

Lower Basement, 79 Wyndham Street, Central
Tel: 2147 2383.
Website: www.yumla.com

Peel Fresco Music Lounge
Peel Fresco Music Lounge is a chilled live music option with R&B, soul and sax gigs in a cosy lounge atmosphere.

49 Peel Street, SoHo
Tel: 2540 2046.
Website: http://peelfresco.com

The Cavern
The Cavern continues to draw a crowd. It showcases new and established cover bands belting out kitschy renditions of 1960s and 1970s hits in a fabulously retro-chic update of Liverpool's legendary club.

Lower Ground Floor, Lan Kwai Fong Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central
Tel: 2121 8969.
Website: www.igors.com

The Underground @ Club Cixi
Filipino live bands, ranging from brilliant to unbearable, have marked out a strong niche in Hong Kong - The Underground @ Club Cixi is devoted to the cause.

Ground Floor, 1 On Hing Building, On Hing Terrace, Central
Tel: 2286 0333.
Website: www.undergroundhk.com