Lan Kwai Fong
A curious, L-shape cobblestone lane in Central is the pulsating center of nightlife and dining in Hong Kong. Lan Kwai Fong, or just LKF, is a spot that really shines after the sun goes down. You can start with a late-afternoon drink at any number of bars, then enjoy some of the territory's finest dining before stopping at a nightclub to dance the night away.
For such a small area, Lan Kwai Fong has an incredibly broad range of nightlife, with dozens of bars, restaurants, and clubs within just a few blocks. Since most of the ground-floor establishments spill out onto the pavement, there's an audible buzz about the place, lending it a festive air that's unmatched elsewhere in Hong Kong. Whether it's corporate financiers celebrating their latest million-dollar deals at La Dolce Vita or humbler office workers having drinks with their buddies at Le Jardin, there's a place here to suit every taste.
The same "something for everyone" motto extends to the plethora of upmarket restaurants in Lan Kwai Fong. From Asia there are Chinese, Thai, Japanese, and Vietnamese restaurants, while European food can be found at French and Italian establishments. If your wallet's feeling a little light from your latest shopping expedition, take heed of the excited waiters waving to potential customers along Wing Wah Lane (affectionately known as Rat Alley). Here you'll find rowdy Indian, Thai, and Malaysian restaurants that serve piping-hot dishes at reasonable prices.
Lan Kwai Fong used to be a hawkers' neighborhood before World War II. Its modern success is largely due to Canadian expatriate Allan Zeman, an eccentric figure who has been dubbed the "King of Lan Kwai Fong" by the local media. Today he not only owns dozens of other restaurants and bars, but also the buildings they're in. He claims to have about 100 restaurants, and although he doesn't actually own them all, he acts as the landlord for most of them. LKF’s restaurants are now simply a hobby for Zeman, whose business empire includes everything from property development to fashion.
New Year's Eve is undoubtedly the busiest time for Lan Kwai Fong. Thousands of people line the tiny area to celebrate and party. You'll notice a strong police presence moving the human traffic through the streets and keeping an eye out for any troublemakers. This is mainly to prevent another tragedy such as the one in the early 1990s when 21 people were crushed to death as a massive throng veered out of control as it ushered in a new year. Now when large crowds are anticipated—usually New Year's Eve, Christmas Eve, and also Halloween—the police carefully monitor the number of people entering the area.
Call it progress, or a type of survival-of-the-strongest evolution, but this trendy neighborhood has seen as many establishments open as close down. New spots are constantly in development, or old places under refurbishment. Regardless of the changes, Lan Kwai Fong is always alive with scores of people and places to be merry.
—Eva Chui Loiterton
