With the weather warming up, I recently revisited a classic Hong Kong nightspot, the rooftop of the Fringe Club. Located just above Lan Kwai Fong, at the intersection of Wyndham Street, Glenealy, and Lower Albert Road, the Fringe Club is a landmark institution in Hong Kong. It occupies one of the only remaining old stone buildings left in the city. With art shows and occasional live performances, the place has supplied fringe entertainment to H.K. for years.

One of the secrets of the Fringe Club is that it has a large outdoor rooftop that makes for a great break from the noisy bars in Lan Kwai Fong. On the rooftop, you’re away from the claustrophobic confines and elbow-jostling of the bars below. Around you is a cut-away view of Central that includes the Mid-Levels neighborhood off to one side. The unique positioning of the rooftop and its location within the heart of the city, make it a sort of urban oasis. The thatched-roof mini-bar and green “grass” carpeting add to this effect. (more…)

By the time I arrived at Racks MDB it was already after 1 am. The place was trashed, as were most of the patrons of the popular pool hall. The bar staff looked shell-shocked and there were stacks of glasses piled up high along the bar. People were dancing in front of the d.j. booth and playing pool in various states of inebriation. So how was this night different from any other? (more…)

The iconic Star Ferry, one of the top tourist rides in Hong Kong (the Peak Tram and regular tram being the two others,) has launched a new method of payment.

Introduced over the last few months are Star Ferry tokens. You can spot the new token vending machines standing just outside the turnstile gates in Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hung Hom and Wanchai. (more…)

Saturday night was the latest installment of Disco Step Child. The monthly night that normally combines a mixture of musical treats from djs Drafus and Ben Ku, had a special guest - The Prawn from Uptown Rockers. Club Volar regulars who were still recovering from 2 Many DJs performance on Thursday night didn’t get any rest. Playing dance-floor killing cuts from start to finish, it was as if the trio had their hands on the turntables and one foot locked on the accelerator! (more…)

As I’ve mentioned before, the film festival marks the anniversary of my first-ever visit to Hong Kong. What you may not know however, is that my first few friends in this town were film nerds! (more…)

As anticipated, the debut exhibition at the new Embassy art space in Chai Wan drew a major crowd. Arriving at Embassy, I was surprised to discover that more than half of the space is actually an outdoor patio.

The opening party contained all of the necessary elements for success: from
great snacks and free drinks, to a girl with an albino snake! (more…)

The brothers David and Stephen Dewaele from Belgium produce music by several names including Soulwax and 2 Many DJs. The pair have been involved with a who’s who of the best in contemporary dance music including: Daft Punk, LCD Soundsystem, Digitalism, The Klaxons, Justice, New Young Pony Club, The Gossip, The Gorillaz and many more.

2 Many DJs will be performing at Volar this Thursday night, March 20th. The event is $250 HKD and includes one drink for non-members, or free for Volar members. Doors open at 10:00 pm and close at 5:00 am.

This is an exciting chance to a catch a top international act in their prime.

Volar address:
38-44 D’Aguilar Street (basement)
Central, Hong Kong

What’s happening to this city? Pretty soon I’ll have nothing to complain about anymore! The same people behind the legendary (but now defunct,) 6 Keyz gallery in Chai Wan are opening their new art space, The Embassy this Thursday, March 20th. There are twenty featured artists including new faces as well as Hong Kong favorites such as Simon Birch. Events in the past by this gang have been fun. Expect a big turnout! Starts at 8pm and goes til late!

The Embassy art space address:
Chai Wan Industrial City, Phase 2
70 Wing Tai Road
3rd floor, Unit 309
Chai Wan, Hong Kong

Saturday night, Nike held a charity art event at its 26 Degrees space in Hong Kong’s Mid Levels neighborhood. The location’s unique in that it allows the crowd to spill out onto a large open terrace, providing a comfortable place to chat with friends. The silent auction / reception was in full swing when I arrived. (more…)

I’m still catching up with everything that transpired last week. Wednesday night, Karl Lagerfeld, fashion designer extraordinaire, and lauded architect Zaha Hadid were on hand for an exclusive event celebrating the first stop of the Chanel Mobile Art tour.

The unique futuristic structure designed by Hadid can be disassembled and will remain on tour until 2010. The exhibition inside contains installations by twenty contemporary artists and will travel to just five other cities in the world. (more…)