8 Best Bars in Hong Kong, China

Around for more than a decade, dragon-i has lost none of its popularity, which is rare for a nightclub in Hong Kong. Have a drink on the deck, or step inside the vivid red playroom, which doubles as a Chinese restaurant earlier in the day. It's the domain of the city's young, rich, and beautiful (if not necessarily classy) crowd, and attracts a busy roster of international acts and DJs.

This pint-size gem is the after-hours party spot in Central. Hidden down an alley beside a late-night food stand, its obscure location only adds to the speakeasy feel. Drop gets crowded on weekends, and it can be hard to get inside, so arrive early and wait for the party to pop off.

Loud, energetic cover bands get the dance floor jumping on Wednesday to Saturday nights. Popular with expats, it can get crowded, but patrons are usually having too much fun to care.

This club attracts a younger crowd, making it one of Central's rowdier nightlife spots. The music tends to be more varied than the commercial fare at other clubs, encouraging visits from a lively mix of local and international talent. Get here early for a perch on the low-slung black sofas.

The space is a bit of a dank hole, but thanks to the top-of-the-line sound system and strong drinks, nobody seems to notice or care. Expect great tech house music, international DJs alongside local talent, and parties that go all night.

A nice alternative to the dives of Wan Chai, sophisticated Rio has a plush bar with low-key live music and a dance club complete with a light-up floor. On weekends the party runs until very late.

This hectic boozer in the center of heaving Lan Kwai Fong is packed to bursting every weekend. It's saved from being just another soulless Lan Kwai Fong dive thanks to a killer oldies sound track and a ready-for-anything crowd. Come ready to dance.

By midnight the line outside this club is more like a scrimmage. The maze of low-ceilinged basement rooms hosts a young, hip crowd and a genuinely eclectic mix of music ranging from electro-house to hip-hop to rock-and-roll mash-ups. Volar boasts one of Hong Kong's best sound systems and the clout to draw some of the best DJs from overseas.