Best of 2010: Best Club
Yumla
Too small? Too niche? Perhaps. But with a clientele that is deeply passionate about electronic music (tech-house, mainly), a crisp (and revamped) sound system, some of the best resident DJs in the city, some dope new lights, well-priced drinks, cheap entry, quality guest DJs (this year alone we’ve seen Phillip Jung from M.A.N.D.Y., Martin Eyerer, Marcus Homm, and Technasia to name but a few), a music-savvy owner (not to mention the record label he started to promote home grown production), and the best public outdoor spot in which to smoke and catch the breeze – Yumla is where it’s at. It’s the Yumla of old: refreshed, revamped, and better than ever. Lower Basement, 79 Wyndham St, Central, 2147 2382.
Runner-up: Volar
The entrance fee and drinks may be pricey, the space poorly designed for dancing, and a large portion of the crowd frankly irritating – but the awesome sound system, top-notch residents and consistently cutting-edge guest DJs keep the club that topped our list in 2008 and 2009 a whisker off the No.1 spot this year. Visits from the likes of 2manyDJs, Tiga, Major Lazer and DJ Marky in the last 12 months prove yet again that the Volar crew know their shit. Basement, 38-44 D’Aguilar St, Central, 2810 1272.
Honorable Mentions: Backstage
Props to Backstage for having hosted some of the best drum’n’bass and dubstep nights this year – especially Kode9 and Kryptic Minds. The John Digweed after-party there was also a classic. And this has to be slipped in somewhere, but Hidden Agenda hosted DJ Fu’s killer set and they absolutely must put on more club nights in 2011.
Readers' Choice: Volar
Volar gets your vote, after another year filled with top-class electro and techno nights.
11 Comments Add your comment
Yumla over Volar? You gotta be kidding me! You've just lost all credibility!
And you Brody are a muppet who wouldn't know a good time if it smacked you square in the face. I'm also pretty sure you're a fan of 'I Got a Feeling' by the Black Eye Peas. Yumla > All
Thanks Ant, but not necessary :)
for sure over Volar!! Volar is a commercial place trying to be underground. Yumla is the only place in hong kong for music lovers without selection. Great choice !!!!
Volar is still the best competitor to Yumla, considering the number of quality acts it books throughout the year, and over the years. For those who are interested in a variety of dance music (underground and mainstream) - Volar tops it. For consistency in quality underground music, Yumla is the clear winner. However, it is a shame that Yumla tries to keep an almost closed social network of regulars; if you don't party like them, they don't want you there. Kinda arrogant if you ask me, but hey, their DJs play great music and they have the best sound system in town. So if you're a music-lover , you really won't give a shit.
@ A Funny Dumpling! Whats the difference to Volar??? There you dont make it inside if you not a model or dressed gay or a big spender. Plus you cant compare the space of yumla to Volar:)) If yumlawould be as big as volar different story
@ Funny Dumpling – point totally understood about Yumla being a seemingly closed group – and sadly you are right. But when you're as small as we are, it's a fine line between keeping up a consistently good atmosphere and losing control of the place entirely. We try to strike a balance but unfortunately, the busier the night, the tougher the door policy. It's kept us going for 7 years so I'm not about to change that, but if anyone wants to become known as a regular, just turn up during the week (or before 10PM on the weekends) and get to know the staff a few times – makes all the difference. BTW Volar is the only club I rate in HK. The guys behind it are doing a first class job – the music pushes the envelope as much as anyone located in LKF can afford to, and the sound system was beautifully set-up.
Agreed. These are the only two places in Hong Kong putting an emphasis on top-notch resident and international DJs. Thankfully the music direction appears to be the main criteria for Best Club, as opposed to "Best place to be ignored by 17-year-old Eastern European models" or "Best place to be seen wearing designer sunglasses. Indoors. At two in the morning." Hmm... who'd win that? I have a soft spot for Yumla since I'm a regular and occasional DJ, but the only other place I'll go for good tunes is Volar. Unfortunately every time I've been to Volar for an international DJ in the last year, I've had to leave before the main act finished. It gets way too crowded, and I'm a delicate flower. I don't like to be non-consensually jostled, to and fro, all the live-long day. Either way, congrats. For anyone complaining about door policies: If you want in, show up early or on off-nights, and get to know the door and bar staff well before peak hour, when they aren't slammed with customers or chatting with regulars. Welcome to your first nightclub.
@ mark - you're right. I guess i know people at the door which helps, but I'm not a model and honestly speaking, I don't carry the image of what is socially accepted as cool in a place like Volar. I guess I'm just friendly wherever I go! @ Dan F - thanks for acknowledging and being inviting at the same time. :) Yumla truly has a genuine spirit, and that is clearly felt by many!
oh.. and thank you Time Out for not mentioning Dragon-i. Last thought, I promise: in the future, there should definitely be a category for Best Lounge (bar + music + food + comfy atmosphere + no dancefloor = most venues in HK), unless you already classify them under Bars.
LOL @ Ant's comment @ Funny Dumpling - Yumla welcomes everyone! Their venue capacity, unfortunately, does not. It's quite apparent they do what they can to accommodate, though. Plus, sometimes it's nice to just hang out in the beer garden!
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