Wan Chai’s boozy history dates back to the 1950s, when the neighbourhood serviced a string of army and navy men passing through Hong Kong for much-needed R&R. Girly bars and nightclubs became fixtures of Jaffe and Lockhart roads in the popular red-light district.

Nowadays, Wan Chai has polished its image, featuring a mix of old and new, with historic gastropubs galore and new funky cocktail bars opening to keep the spirit of the ‘hood alive and thriving. 

The best bars in Wan Chai

Carnegies

Carnegies best bars Wan Chai
Photo credit: website/Google Maps

Carnegies is one of the OGs on the Wan Chai scene, opening in pre-handover 1994. Famed in the city for its packed weekly events, Carnegies starts off with a disco party on Sunday and public holidays, champagne-fuelled ladies’ night every Wednesday, and live bands on Thursday through Saturday. Make sure you climb the bartop to dance the night away!

Carnegies, G/F, SPA Centre, 53–55 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, 2866 6289


The Wanch

The Wanch best bars Wan Chai
Photo credit: website/Google Maps

Celebrating 37 years in 2024, The Wanch is Hong Kong’s unofficial centre for live music. Reopening within a massive corner location on Jaffe Road, The Wanch packs a great menu with bar food and international draught beers, red and white wine, and classic cocktails. Stay updated with The Wanch’s events calendar, with the venue playing host to fine local rock, pop, and acoustic bands.

The Wanch, 1/F, Henan Building, 90–92 Jaffe Road, Wan Chai, 3692 5933, book here


Dirty Laundry

Dirty Laundry best bars Wan Chai
Photo credit: website/Google Maps

Hidden behind the facade of a fake laundromat on the Lockhart strip, Dirty Laundry is markedly different from neighbouring British and Irish pubs. The cocktail bar serves a curated selection of Hong Kong-esqe tipples inspired by Cantonese songs, films, and television shows. 

Dirty Laundry, 100 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, WhatsApp 5501 1756


Joe Bananas

Joe Bananas best bars Wan Chai
Photo credit: website/Google Maps

Another classic since the 1980s, Joe Bananas opens early and shutters late for drinking sessions paired with great live music. The bar is perfect for catching Premier League football matches, with screens aplenty hung up in the venue. Joe Bananas is one of the largest pubs in Wan Chai; make note for your next birthday or after-work drinks.

Joe Bananas, G/F, The Phoenix, 23 Luard Road, Wan Chai, 2537 4618, book here


THAIWAN

THAIWAN best bars Wan Chai
Photo credit: website/Google Maps

These Ship and Amoy street bars fuse flavours from the owner’s Taiwanese and Thai heritage. Expect to find imported craft beer and cider from both nations at THAIWAN. The original pub is located on a dead-end street, which makes for fun street-drinking when the weather is cool enough.

THAIWAN, G/F, 31 Ship Street, Wan Chai, 3709 6595

THAIWAN TOO, Shop C, G/F, Hundred City Centre, 7–17 Amoy Street, Wan Chai, 3709 6595


Hoppy Junction

Hoppy Junction best bars Wan Chai
Photo credit: website/Google Maps

This fun-loving pub doesn’t take itself too seriously, catering to the neighbourhood and hop-loving gourmands with a revolving selection of local and international draught and bottled craft beers. Hoppy Junction stocks one of Hong Kong’s largest collections of home-grown beer.

Hoppy Junction, Shop G, G/F, Man Hee Mansion, 2–12A Johnston Road, Wan Chai, 2555 1838


Mizunara: The Library

Mizunara best bars Wan Chai
Photo credit: website/Google Maps

Hidden in a nondescript commercial building on the edge of the ‘hood, Mizunara: The Library promotes Tokyo’s classic Ginza bar culture. The bar stocks a great selection of Scotch single malts and features a powerful menu of artisanal cocktails bright in colour. Head to Mizunara’s Japanese zen garden for a new and different Wan Chai drinking experience.

Mizunara: The Library, 4/F, Kiu Yin Commercial Building, 361–363 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, 3571 9797


Tai Lung Fung

Tai Lung Fung best bars Wan Chai
Photo credit: Facebook/Tai Lung Fung

This Wan Chai bar’s neon-red lighting adorned at the top of its entrance has beckoned a wealth of drinkers over seven-plus years to the edge of the neighbourhood, like cicadas to light. Tai Lung Fung’s interior is dressed with 1960s Hong Kong relics, vintage posters, and bar menus designed in the style of old Chinese newspapers. A visit here is a must to explore one of Hong Kong’s most unique drinking holes.

Tai Lung Fung, G/F, 5 Hing Wan Street, Wan Chai, 2572 0055


LQV Wan Chai

LQV best bars Wan Chai
Photo credit: Facebook/LQV Hong Kong

Sibling to its twin brother in Central, LQV Wan Chai brings French terroir and artisanal wine producers to the neighbourhood. A collection of over 2,000 bottles of red, white, orange, rosé, and natural wine can be savoured and purchased at this wine shop and bar, including labels from the Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Alsace, and Rhône wine-producing regions of France.

LQV Wan Chai, G/F, 9 Swatow Street, Wan Chai, 2673 7636


The St. Regis Bar

The St. Regis Bar best bars Wan Chai
Photo credit: website/The St. Regis Hong Kong

The St. Regis Bar boasts a distinctive menu that explores the year of 1904, when The St. Regis New York hotel opened in Manhattan – the same year that both New York’s subway and Hong Kong’s trams began operating. A total of 16 cocktails on the menu see eight locations in each worldly city explored through ingredients sourced locally. Try the Bloody Mary menu too, inspired by the cocktail created at the New York hotel 90 years ago.

The St. Regis Bar, 2/F, The St. Regis Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Drive, Wan Chai, 2138 6800


The Stage

the best bars in wan chai interior shot of The Stage bar Sophie Loren House
Photo credit: The Stage bar

For more classy occasions, The Stage is a calling for bougie cocktails and intimate schmoozing sessions. Housed within the Sophia Loren House, the cocktail bar brings live music to audiences every Wednesday through Saturday night. Their cocktail menu is inspired by the music and legacies of the world’s top former musicians, think of Louis Armstrong, Etta James, Miles Davis, and Ella Fitzgerald.

The Stage, 2/F, The Heritage Woo Cheong Pawn Shop, 60-66 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, 3594 6302, book here

Rubin Verebes is the Managing Editor of Foodie, the guiding force behind the magazine's delectable stories. With a knack for cooking up mouthwatering profiles, crafting immersive restaurant reviews, and dishing out tasty features, Rubin tells the great stories of Hong Kong's dining scene.

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