These secret dive bars in Wan Chai serve good food and cheeky cocktails without the pretence.
If you’re looking to have a great time and conquer the best happy hour deals, there are a wide range of nightclubs, gay bars, and rooftop bars in Hong Kong. However, if you want to grab some cocktails and food somewhere a bit more low-key, these cosy and welcoming dive bars in Wan Chai would suit your taste. Offering great drinks, tasty food, and live music, it’s guaranteed to be a great night.
Check out these lovely dive bars in Wan Chai
1. Thaiwan
This neighbourhood dive bar on the calmer side of Ship Street looks like a hip Taipei bar, with its exposed concrete walls and a corrugated sheet metal bar painted in a brilliant red. The delightful décor, displaying Taiwanese and Thai traditional ornaments, reflects the quirky sensibilities of Erik from Taiwan and Debbie from Thailand. The husband-and-wife team runs this casual and cosy bar with a well-curated beer selection that you can enjoy with the best Taiwanese sausages and Thai snacks in town.
Thaiwan, Shop 3, G/F, Greatmany Centre, 31 Ship Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 3709 6595
2. Tai Lung Fung
The design at Tai Lung Fung starts from the street front, where visitors are greeted by a funky neon sign. Surrounded by old movie posters and vintage toys from the 60s, walking into this dimly lit, red-hued bar is like travelling back in time. With a tasty cocktail made by one of the many lovely bar staff, you will feel nostalgic for the romantic yesteryear of old Hong Kong. It’s the perfect place to hang out with some friends over skewers and cheap drinks.
Tai Lung Fung, 5 Hing Wan Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 2572 0055
3. Shack Tapazaka
While technically in Causeway Bay, we just had to add Shack Tapazaka to our list. An exposed, black-iron clad exterior gives the dive bar a cool vibe, while inside they have a nice selection of gins, whiskies and sake that you can sample with some edamame, grilled chicken skewers and other Japanese snacks. We love that this bar offers mouthwash in the loo too, to ensure that you are always minty fresh.
Shack Tapazaka, G/F, 1-1A Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, p. 2555 6058
4. Cinta-J Restaurant & Lounge
When it comes to dive bars in Wan Chai, Cinta-J is like no other. The tables, booths, and the seating in this Filipino joint are reminiscent of an American-style diner. However, with kitschy paintings collected from different parts of Asia gracing its walls, the place looks like a Denny’s that has gone rogue.
At night, the stage lights up the whole place with live music and entertainment. In addition to the standard selection of drinks, Cinta-J serves a diverse selection of delicious snacks, making it the perfect venue to cap off a fun evening in Wan Chai.
Cinta-J, Shop G-4, Malaysia Building, 69 Jaffe Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 2529 6622
5. The White Stag
Go for the reasonably priced food and drinks, and stay for the casual and relaxed vibes. Sporting fans can feel some adrenaline as international tournaments— including football, motor sports, and rugby—are shown on three screens. Music fans can jam to their favorite songs from the well-stocked jukebox. For the food, pick from the usual bar snacks, or go for some British classics like cottage pie and fish and chips. If that doesn’t suit, there’s always some chocolate cake, beef stroganoff, and chicken kiev. As for drinks, you can pretty much find anything and everything from whiskies, beers, classic cocktails, and spirits.
The White Stag, G/F The Broadway, 54-62 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 2866 4244
6. Carnegies
Free champagne on ladies night, anyone? A well-known bar in Wan Chai, Carnegies is a hard one to miss if you’re a regular at the district’s legendary bar scene on Lockhart Road. It has also become a popular live music venue, hosting Jam Nights, live bands, and Acoustic Nights. By the bar counter, you’ll find posters of 80s and 90s music – cue the nostalgia! And there’s plenty of food to go around, so make sure to grab a bite before the drinking starts.
Carnegies, G/F, 53-55 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 2866 6289
7. Bar Amazonia
You can catch live rock music hotspot, Bar Amazonia, pumping tunes throughout the heart of Wan Chai, seven days a week. Jam out to live music from Filipino rock bands Rapunzel and Ice Box, and vibe to the guitar licks and bass lines. Take advantage of Bar Amazonia’s amazing Crazy/Happy Hour deal, which gives reduced prices for Crazy Hour from 4 to 7pm as well as Happy Hour from 7 to 9pm.
Bar Amazonia, G/F, 15 – 19 Luard Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 3579 2653
8. The Wanch
Jamming since 1987, The Wanch has long been Hong Kong’s go-to for international and unpretentious live music. With musicians from the US, Germany, Japan, and more stopping by to perform here, you can expect a wide variety of live tunes regularly. Cheap drinks and great food like pasta, pizza, and steaks will keep you company as you discover your next fave local band at this joint. And if you’re a sucker for live music, you should check out The Wanch’s H2 Music Festival. This seven-day music extravaganza will introduce you to more than 80 local and international bands, while you chug your beer and vibe to the tunes all night.
The Wanch, 1/F, Henan Building, 90 Jaffe Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 3692 5933
9. Trafalgar
British pub Trafalgar is a cosy, reliable dive bar in Wan Chai where you can always get a cheap pint and some hearty pub grub. With multiple screens airing sports all night, you can play a game on the pool table while you cool down with a refreshing cider. Bonus: Trafalgar hosts a free quiz night every Tuesday, so gather your friends and flex your trivia knowledge!
Trafalgar, 5/F, The Broadway, 54-62 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 2110 1535
[This article was originally published in February 2019 and updated in 2023 by Min Ji Park.]
