Buddha Lounge
You wouldn’t think that a bar fitting only about 30 people would be much of a party venue. But the Buddha Lounge defies those connotations. Designed on a Buddhist theme, with a soft red and purple batik-like feel, this karmic little lounge knows how to get the crowd going into the early hours. Resident DJs spin up the party Monday to Saturday, going well into the morning on weekends, and occasionally hosting big name international mixers. If you want to hear some good electro, house and techno, but aren’t keen on hitting the clubs, the Buddha Lounge is a quality option. L/G, Amber Lodge, Hollywood Road, Central, 2526 2562, H/H 7pm-10pm.

Solas
Part of the Wyndham Street partying triumvirate with Privé and dragon-i, Solas is rarely quiet. On the weekend, the sizeable party spot, designed by Kinney Chan, fills up quickly, heaving with an unpretentious, mainly ex-pat crowd getting down to the resident DJs mix of house, R&B and old-skool hip-hop. Try and score a spot in the couchy havens along the wall, where you can spend the night in comfort whilst watching the bodies cram into the space around you. If you’re not so lucky, expect it to get hot and sweaty, not that that should faze you – you’re there for the party, right? G/F, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham St, Central, 3162 3710, H/H 5pm-9pm; www.solas.com.hk.

Volume
Not many places party like this gay bar. If you’re looking for a place that goes hard almost every single night, you need look no further. The resident DJs, as well as occasional special guests, spin up a massive variety of tracks all week long, from 1980s pop to floor-to-ceiling house, with the bar helping the party along with some crazy nightly offers like Wednesday’s ‘free vodka before 9.30pm’. Of course, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but as far as partying bars go, there are few that can turn it up like Volume. LG/F 83-85 Hollywod Rd, Central, Mon-Sat 7pm-late, H/H 7pm-10pm; www.volume.com.hk.

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See also:
Blasts from the past