Volar
Volar gets top billing for bringing in the year’s biggest electro and tech-house acts, and mixing it up with superstar DJs of both sexes. Responsible for booking acts this past year including Boys Noize, 2manydjs, K. Lectra, Princess Superstar, and Ed Banger (the latter held at HITEC), the club has helped unite Hong Kong partygoers with their consistently kick-ass parties. The majority of local DJs also vouch for the club, regardless of how sick they are of seeing the same groupies there every weekend. It’s cliquey enough for people to hate it, but edgy enough for people to want to be there – models, hipsters, bankers, teenyboppers, and everyone else. With their four-year anniversary just around the corner, you can expect more electro hugeness to come. Basement, 38-44 D’Aguilar St, Central, 2810 1272; www.volar.com.hk.

Runner-up: Cliq
On the strength of the gigs they booked in 2008, Cliq has the potential to be the next ‘it’ club. It is a club that has defined itself by risk-taking. Not only did it bring in a handful of high-profile international DJs such as Derrick May and Norman Jay, but it also threw the dice on edgier acts, such as the first-rate crew brought in for Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy: Hatchmatik, Roxy Cottontail, and CB Radio DJ Posse among them. They’ve also booked professional MCs and dancers, as well as a memorable performance by puppet-wielding beat-boxer Verbal Ase. Keep it coming, Cliq. 2/F, On Hing Bldg, 1 On Hing Terrace, Central, 2868 3111.

Second runner-up: Beijing Club
Beijing Club makes packing its massive three-floor space week after week look easy. The place is like a buffet of ass: models, bankers, cool kids, locals, expats, tourists on the hunt for one-nighters… and there’s a pretty fair gender balance. Kicking it up a notch, they’ve played host to many Ministry of Sound and Pure House parties, and they score points for their not-too-cheesy and not-too-underground hip-hop. 2/F, 3/F & 5/F Wellington St, Central, 2526 8298; www.beijingclub.com.hk.

Honorable mention: Yumla
With edgy music and DJs, and nothing mainstream, you’ll never feel un-cool in Yumla – and the crammed close-quarters means there’s always an excuse to touch strangers. Go, and lose track of time. Lower Basement, 79 Wyndham St, Central, 2147 2382; www.yumla.com.

Honourable mention: Volume
Talk about time in the spotlight: jump onto the dancing pole at this gay bar and the bartenders instantly shine a light on you. Volume sports a ‘love and be loved’ vibe that loosens up even the tightest in the room. LG/F, 83-85 Hollywood Rd, Central, 2857 7683; www.volume.com.hk.

Readers' choice: dragon-i
The favourite haunt of the bold and the beautiful turned six this year, hosting a slew of big-name DJs and hug parties along the way. UG/F, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, 3100 1222.