Nightlife on Hong Kong Island starts well after midnight, so be sure and get your caffeine boost before heading out on the town. Two favorite areas with locals and expats are Lan Kwai Fong and Wan Chai. Both of these areas feature a variety of bars, dance venues, music halls and scrumptious late-night dining experiences. Both are often packed with throngs of people, but thanks to the hundreds of venues, no one place gets so crowded that you start to feel claustrophobic.

Lan Kwai Fong

Similar to Soho in Manhattan , Lan Kwai Fong is Hong Kong Island’s most popular area for a late night on the town. Prices for food and drink in this area are higher than others, but that’s only a sign of its world-famous attraction. Some of the best restaurants in this area include Agave, Bar George, Baci’s Italian Cuisine and the Backroom. A huge favorite is Bulldog's Bar and Grill, a comfortable ale pub with a large selection of beer from all over the world, especially Australia and England. Their bar food is reputably the best in the area. Most all the servers and bartenders in Lan Kwai Fong speak fluent English. You can always catch a late night concert or movie in one of the many theaters in town. Just walk a few blocks until you see an event that catches your eye.

Wan Chi

In the Wan Chi area, which neighbors Lan Kwai Fong, you’ll find a greater variety of sit-down restaurants, including Gecko Lounge and Wine Bar. Gecko Lounge is a smoky, relaxed venue often featuring live bands – mostly jazz – and excellent top-shelf drinks. The bartenders are known to experiment a bit with the liquor to create their own wild, tasty concoctions, so be prepared for some creativity.

Dusk Till Dawn

The pub Dusk till Dawn certainly lives up to its name! This place is usually filled with expats who enjoy partaking in the happy hour from 12pm to 11pm. Live music starts at 9pm, and happy hour price food is served all night long. This vibrant pub is extremely crowded on the weekends, but somewhat more comfortable on the week nights.

Joe Banana's

Women will enjoy the free drinks at Joe Banana’s from 11pm to 4am on Wednesdays. Famous musicians have played here, including Bryan Adams, and even more famous actors have passed through, such as Bon Jovi and Mel Gibson. Joe Banana’s serves dozens of different kinds of beer, wine and spirits. The food is excellent, too.