http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34496 As the lift doors open you’re greeted by a lobby crammed with striking modern art, dark wooden floors and a wrought iron Art Deco staircase curving upwards to your left. The extensive Chinese art collection deserves a mention in its own right, and alone justifies a visit to the China Club. From Yu Youhan’s diptych of Whitney Houston next to Chairman Mao hanging on the stairs to Liu Jianhua’s porcelain fish bowl in the lobby - home to five pairs of protruding, disembodied legs as well as several live goldfish who casually swim around the scattered limbs. The restaurant is designed to resemble a decadent 1930s Shanghai club and everything from the ceiling fans to the lamps conjure a bygone colonial era.
Start with aperitifs up on the 14th floor in the Long March Bar, a glamorous slice of art deco opulence. After you gin & tonic, head back past the shoe-shiners and an enormous pair of wooden shoes to the main dining room. Slip into one of the red leather and dark wood booths and get your chopsticks at the ready for the Cantonese feast to follow. Be sure to order the Peking duck, I think it’s the best in Hong Kong. While you eat, if the people watching doesn't keep you entertained enough (Victoria Beckham visited on her recent trip to Hong Kong), prepare to be wowed by the chef who spins ribbons of noodles right in front of your table and the waiter with the watering-can-like teapots who serves your tea with a side of drama. After dinner, decamp upstairs to the elegant terrace for nightcaps under the stars overlooking the city lights.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34496 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34493 Whenever I have visitors in town I always kick-off with some harbour view drinks on the Island side (mainly because I'm lazy and live on the island but also because I usually then do a set of light show drinks from the Kowloon side - see my Light Show tip). Whatever the time of day, it’s a great introduction to the city.
For the luxe drinks with a view option, head to Sevva in the Princes Building in Central. I've never eaten at Sevva but all reports seem to be along similar lines, disappointing and overpriced. I suggest sticking to liquid refreshments, sinking into one of the white-cushioned, comfy rattan sofas on the fabulous wrap-around terrace and imbibing while marvelling at the views across the harbour to Kowloon and back across the city on the island side. Service is erratic and the drinks are pricey, but with views like these, it's worth it.

For all the views without the hefty drinks bill, I have the perfect insider's tip for a budget option. Red Bar on the rooftop of the IFC mall is located on a big terrace facing onto spectacular harbour views. But here's the great bit - the rooftop is officially classed as public space, so although Red Bar has furnished the terrace, you're perfectly entitled to nab one of the tables even if you're not ordering drinks from the bar. I suggest popping into CitySuper, an international supermarket on level one of IFC mall, grabbing a bottle of wine and some nibbles from the delicatessen counter and then heading on up the escalators to bag your prime harbour view spot while smugly saving yourself enough cash to treat yourself to a smart dinner. My only caveat is that you need to grab paper cups while you're in the supermarket too, Red Bar are not particularly fond of people bringing their own wine and then asking to borrow glasses!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34493 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34489 Let’s reset those expectations as a starting point.
Lots of buildings flash and shoot lasers into the sky on both sides of the harbour, if you stand in certain locations (the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront between the Avenue of Stars and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre; the promenade outside the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai every Monday, Wednesday and Friday night) there’s accompanying music. There’s no real spectacle, there are no fireworks and Cinderella’s Castle doesn’t feature. It is however yet another excellent skyline photo opportunity and, in my opinion, a very good accompaniment to a gin & tonic.
The guidebooks will tell you to head to Felix bar to watch the show. Designed by Philippe Starck and located on the top floor of the Peninsula Hotel, Felix is a nice spot for a cocktail but it’s not an ideal light show vantage point as rather bafflingly, the bar’s windows are obscured by venetian blinds. Instead, I’d suggest heading to the Lounge Lobby bar of the Intercontinental Hotel which affords panoramic views of the harbour through huge waterside windows. The cocktail waiters mix a mean martini, which come complete with a miniature cocktail shaker full of top-ups. A couple of pre-8pm martinis and perhaps the Symphony of Lights will take on a more Northern Lights air after all …]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34489 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34488 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34488 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33911 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33911 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33910 Good service, nice relaxed atmosphere.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33910 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32329 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32329 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19550
Staff are not over-friendly and if you need to know anything they just want to help you, from shopping to directions, or other places to eat or drink! I travel regularly to HK and pop in every time I'm there as it’s like a home away from home for me...hope it’s the same for you!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19550 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19524 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19524 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19518 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19518 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19511 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19511 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15410
The staff friendly, the nights funky, the drinks cheap, and the atmosphere a little different than most of the surrounding bars/restaurants.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15410 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11214 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11214 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11204
That's right… Balalaika is a Russian theme bar complete with huge bust of Lenin, lots of Soviet propaganda posters, red flags and a -20 degree celcius Siberian Vodka Room complete with fur coats (on loan, not to keep. And it's fake fur by the way).

There are over 60 types and flavours of vodka to try as well as a restaurant serving up typical Russian fayre and live Russian music.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11204 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9384 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9384 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4591 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4591 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4549
After the good food try Ned Kelly’s down the street, where the band is the best in HK at what they do. Good old sing alongs and classics that keep the crown entertained well into the night.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4549 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4547
Really friendly staff with a good, relaxed approach makes for a welcome break from the frantic pace of Central. Great stop-over on a day trip to Lantau for a long lunch, some sunbathing and swimming.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4547 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4543 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4543 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4531
The atmosphere is fun, and the drinks are reasonably (for HK) priced, with special promotions throughout the week. Check out ladies’ night on Wednesdays (free "champagne" for the women), and do not miss the parties on Friday and Saturday nights.

The best time to get there at the weekend is after 11pm - just as the night is beginning to warm up! Whilst in the area, also be sure to try out Mes Amis 100m away for more of the same and Eboneezer's - the best kebabs in HK.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4531