The Best Nightlife Options in Hong Kong
Here's your ultimate guide to the best activities in Hong Kong–from bars and rooftop lounges to shopping!
In Wong Kar Wai’s In the Mood For Love, Hong Kong is the dazzling backdrop of a romance that plays out only at night. This, among other reasons, has endeared Hong Kong to many travelers as one of the best destinations for a night out. Imagine the dizzying neon lights that give shape and form to the modern shops, the snaking alleyways that lead to some of the most exciting food spots, open until the wee hours of the morning.
Temple Street celebrations
Step into the enchanting world of Temple Street, Hong Kong's quintessential night-time gem, where a tapestry of delectable cuisine, vibrant shopping, and authentic local culture awaits. Beautifully depicted in Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong (2015) which starred Jamie Chung and Bryan Greenberg, this bustling avenue, renowned for its unique charm, invites explorers to delve into an extraordinary facet of Hong Kong's soul.
Until May 2024, Temple Street transforms into a kaleidoscope of local flavors and mesmerizing photo opportunities, each infused with the distinct character of Hong Kong. You’ll get to know this well through two activities that infuse innovations in the original tastes and flavors of Temple Street: food and decor.
Culinary Adventure at Temple Street: Prepare your taste buds for a journey through 22 food stalls and about ten additional booths, each brimming with nostalgia and exotic flavors. Nestled near the iconic Temple Street archway in Jordan, these stalls are a treasure trove of local bites and global tastes, offering a tantalizing prelude to your adventure in the heart of Hong Kong. From savory nibbles to sweet delights, each stall is a chapter in Temple Street's flavorful story.
Captivating street decor: As evening descends, Temple Street dons a radiant cloak of illuminated art installations, artistic road signs, and captivating projections. Each element is a love letter to Hong Kong and Temple Street, casting a spell of luminous wonder across the street. This visual symphony transforms the night into a dazzling display of lights and shadows, inviting visitors to wander and discover. Follow the constellation of signs along Jordan Road, each one a guidepost leading you deeper into the heart of Temple Street's enchanting surprises.
New Year countdown
Must not miss: The Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations to ring in the new year. You wouldn’t want to miss this view of Victoria Harbour as it gets filled up with gorgeous fireworks, set off from the rooftops of prime buildings on Hong Kong Island.As the world eagerly anticipates the arrival of 2024, all eyes will turn to Hong Kong for the city's largest New Year's Eve firework display to date on December 31, 2023 (Sunday). Set against the iconic Hong Kong skyline, spectators will be treated to a 12-minute firework musical, surpassing any previous New Year's Eve displays in the city in both coverage and duration.
As the final moments of the year gracefully wind down, the majestic façade of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) transforms into a canvas of anticipation, adorned with a colossal countdown clock. This majestic herald of time's passage becomes the heartbeat of the city as midnight approaches. Then, in a crescendo of excitement, the vibrant numerals of 2024 burst into life, illuminating the harbourfront with their luminescent glory. This is the signal for a symphony of celebration to commence—a synchronized spectacle that marries the splendor of fireworks with the soulful harmony of artistic fusion music and a kaleidoscope of dazzling lights. Each burst of color and note of music weaves a tapestry of hope and joy, captivating audiences across the globe. Witness as Hong Kong unfurls a magnificent prologue to 2024, a beacon of new beginnings and endless possibilities.
Happy Valley Racecourse
In Hong Kong, where horse racing is not just a sport but also a culture, there are plenty of racetracks and racing activities to visit as well, like the Happy Valley Racecourse evening event on Hong Kong island. There’s the trackside thrill of Hong Kong’s world-class horse racing, as well as various thematic entertainment and gourmet delicacies from the food trucks on-site.
During the racing season at Happy Valley, which is from September to July, people also flock to the evening races to witness Hong Kong's oldest racetrack in a different lens. By nightfall, high-powered lamps lit up the space and cast a glow that makes the experience a little more charming. Adjacent to the track, meanwhile, is a social assembly of visitors where German beer and Japanese saké are being served. Come December, another renowned event transpires at Happy Valley, gathering racing enthusiasts worldwide: the annual Hong Kong International Jockeys’ Championship.
Hong Kong Night Bus Tour
And if you only have a few hours in Hong Kong, consider the iconic Hong Kong Night Bus Tour which comes with a special voucher up until January 2024. Here you can explore the famous landmarks and attractions of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon via an open-top bus for just HK$20! To avail of this, you just need to purchase tickets at the designated areas and hop on the bus for a night's adventure.
Right now, there’s the Big Bus Hong Kong Island Night Tour, the Big Bus Kowloon Night Tour, but there’s also the option of the Rickshaw Bus H2K Night Tour which takes you both to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.
As you rediscover Hong Kong again, allow us to help you find some of the best spots we’ve seen from our recent trip to film 48 Hours in Hong Kong alongside The Crawl: Hong Kong with Margarita Fores and Edu Manzano, along with some recommendations from our friends!
And since you’re planning to go around Hong Kong bars and restaurants, we’ll let you in a secret: you can get a HK$ 100 cash voucher under Hong Kong Night Treats!
You can get your voucher via one of the designated channels like the Hong Kong Tourism Board Visiter Centers in the airport, and then follow the steps to get your preferred coupon. The coupons are to be used in your selected bar or restaurant after 6PM.
The fun begins when the lights go down! Here are Metro's favorite spots for the best nightlife activities in Hong Kong:
The Best Nightlife Options in Hong Kong
The Best Nightlife Options in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Nightlife
Do you know the way to LFK? You better remember what it means: Lang Kwai Fong, which is pretty much how people like to call the scene here. This is nightclub central, and where you can get some of the best views of the city.
Photo Credit: Discover Hong Kong
Botanical Garden
The terrace to Magistracy Dining leads to the Botanical Garden. Step outside in between dinners to the terrace along the Dining Room and fully experience what the Botanical Garden has to offer. The Metro team recommends their extensive gin and tonic menu.
Photo Credit: @magistracydiningroom
Maggie Choo’s
We can’t stop raving about this iconic and mysterious cabaret-themed bar: Maggie Choo’s. Designed by Ashley Sutton, who is also responsible for one of our favorite spots hidden in Tai Kwun, Dragonfly. According to the lore: Maggie Choo, the mythical owner, was said to have turned an old 19th-century English bank hidden behind her antique shop into a cabaret and bar, which, through the years, became the haven for high society and world-class entertainment. With interiors inspired by 1930s Shanghai, the jazz and blues enthusiasts love coming here on weekdays, while there are cabaret performances towards the end of the week.
Photo Credit: Discover Hong Kong
DarkSide
If there’s one Hong Kong establishment we think captures the zeitgeist, it’ll have to be DarkSide, located in The Rosewood Hotel. Savor handcrafted cocktails and embrace the vibrant atmosphere of this hip bar which has been named one of "Asia's 50 Best Bars" for three years now, ranking no.9 in 2023, and listed no. 49 in "World's 50 Best Bars 2021."
Photo Credit: Rosewood Hotels
Aqua
One of Metro’s Most Stylish, Joanna Preysler, shared with Metro that she loves Aqua. This cool bar in the One Peking building in Kowloon features great music and an even greater panoramic view of the HK harbor.
Photo Credit: Discover Hong Kong
Mott 32
We might have MOTT 32 in Cebu, but nothing beats the experience of having it in the cosmopolitan and chic city of Hong Kong. It first opened in Hong Kong before its expansion to other destinations: Vancouver, Los Angeles, Singapore, and Bangkok. It’s a place to dine and chill, bringing together a menu of Cantonese, Szechuan, and Beijing cuisines.
Photo Credit: Discover Hong Kong
The Lawn in Upper House
Most people rave about The Upper House’s rooftop restaurant, but The Lawn, we think, is the hidden oasis here. Imagine a secret garden where some of the hippest collaborations and events come to life. It has a gorgeous, open view of the Hong Kong skyline. It’s a hidden oasis of fragrant blooms, green grass, and rooftop loungers. It’s perfect for sunset cocktails and more. If you want a place to see and be seen, head over to Salisterra on the top floor for a social dining experience like no other.
Photo Credit: The House Collective
Lead photos courtesy of Discover Hong Kong
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