For those who enjoy a big night out and a good party, there's plenty to find behind Hong Kong’s neon lights and larger-than-life signs.
Expats can walk the cobbled streets of Lan Kwai Fong, moving between trendy restaurants and vibrant clubs, between the glass and steel of the Central District. Or they can head to Wan Chai, an area once known as a port of call for raunchy sailors but nowadays home to a range of British-style bars and live music venues.
Wherever expats do end up, they can rest assured that Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world to let their hair down and cut loose.
Here are some of the best areas in Hong Kong for a vibrant nightlife.
Best Hong Kong nightlife areas
Lan Kwai Fong
Most expat nightlife tends to be on Hong Kong Island, and Lan Kwai Fong is the jewel in the party crown. It’s a small but lively area, jam-packed with bars, clubs and restaurants. A constant favourite – partially due to the novelty of legally drinking in the street – where the alcohol tastes as cheap as it costs.
Soho
For more sophistication, Soho is next to LKF. Here, revellers can choose from dozens of bars and restaurants along the route. Soho has something to suit any taste, from Peruvian cocktails to posh wine bars. The most popular streets are Staunton, Elgin and Hollywood Road, but be sure to check out some of the side-alley haunts too.
Wan Chai
Although Wan Chai has areas like Ship Street offering competition to the Soho dining set, it has been dubbed the red-light district of Hong Kong, due to the hostess bars along Lockhart Road. Packed with women on the dance floor looking for Western boyfriends, expat businessmen are drawn to the area like sailors to a siren song, but it’s not just about that.
It is always party time in Wan Chai, and it’s one of the few areas to hear some live music, even if it’s just a Filipino band doing cheesy rock covers.
Kowloon
The best thing to do in Kowloon is to have a cocktail in a classy bar with a spectacular view of the city’s neon beauty, and there is plenty to choose from. Ozone at the Ritz-Carlton in West Kowloon is the highest bar in Hong Kong, but be sure to go on a clear night.
