The only Hong Kong gay bar guide you'll ever need

Start slow at Deja Vu.

Déjà vu 

In the middle of Soho, Déjà Vu is the Hong Kong gay bar to hit for after-dinner drinks. Don't be intimidated by the 'member's only' designation -- signing up as a member is simple and highly recommended. The bar never gets overly hot and heavy. Typical nights are marked by easy conversation with friends just met while slowly getting tipsy on the house prosecco and fruit flavored beers. There's a small outdoor terrace for smokers and a scented candle-lit VIP room on the mezzanine level.

Zoo Bar 

Zoo Bar is on the tasteful side of camp with a cocktail menu featuring Orange A Tang and Zoo Love and vines crawling down from the ceiling. Located in the low-key, discreet residential district of Sheung Wan, the bar hosts a regular clique of big butch guys, but visitors of all shapes, sizes and sexual orientation won’t feel intimidated as the bar has a friendly, open atmosphere.

Does your mother know?

DYMK

The cheekily named DYMK -- it's an acronym for Does Your Mother Know -- is located almost at the end of Arbuthnot Road. The décor is suitably fabulous in rich purple with huge lilies and feathered lampshades. If the upstairs bar/restaurant gets noisy, the basement dance floor offers a clubbier vibe. The bar fills up from around 10pm, with queues on weekends.

New Wally Matt  

In busy Tsim Sha Tsui, the New Wally Matt has the rough and tumble charm of a pub that many (older, dance-weary) guys come for. The karaoke action, still a top choice of entertainment for many locals, also pulls in a lively crowd. The clientele leans on the beefy side, so it can be a bit of a tight fit on crowded weekends. The bar is full of regulars, so part of the New Wally Matt appeal for newcomers is being gawked at and paid much attention to.

Volume  

Amid the antique shops on Hollywood Road, Volume is a Hong Kong gay bar with a big attitude, plenty of room to dance and a few dark nooks for getting to know someone better. Co-owners Joseph Chan and Evan Steer (a k a DJ Stonedog) go out of their ways to make every visitor to Volume feel welcome. For newcomers, there's no better deal in the city than the free vodka doled out every “New Arrivals Wednesday."

Propaganda's dance floor

Propaganda

Every city has its grand dame of gay clubs and in Hong Kong it’s Propaganda. Most guests arrive at Propaganda -- or "PP," as regulars refer to it -- after midnight and stay until dawn. The club has a loose, fun vibe and that sense of anticipation in air that marks popular clubs. You never know what might happen there.