Cathay Members’ Choice Awards 2024: Asia’s best nightlife

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Winner: Hong Kong SAR

Hong Kong’s mixology scene ranks among the best of the best, with cocktail spots like Quinary and Coa in SoHo and Darkside in Tsim Sha Tsui rated among the world's top bars. This famously vertical city also boasts sky bars like Ozone at the Ritz-Carlton, but underground gems like Mihn are equally impressive. For the quintessential Hong Kong party experience, nothing beats a night out in Lan Kwai Fong or the lively atmosphere at the Happy Valley horse races. 

Ho Chi Minh City

The night never has to end in HCMC where many clubs stay open till sunrise. From upscale rooftop bars peering out over the sprawling capital to intimate live music venues and the budget-friendly backpacker bars of Bui Vien Walking Street, there’s a party for every kind of reveller. To refuel after a big night out, be sure to snap up a chilled Vietnamese coffee and a steamy bowl of pho.

Bangkok

One night in Bangkok? Travellers will need more than that to explore everything this party-loving city has to offer. Anything and everything are on the menu: discrete speakeasies, next-level superclubs, raucous drag shows, award-winning cocktails, smoky jazz clubs, the streetside bars along Khao San Road – you name it, and Bangkok will provide. Once travellers have had their fill of fun, it’s customary to dig into some oh-so-satisfying street food before hitting the sack.

Seoul

Koreans have a reputation for knowing how to have a good time, and Seoul is no exception. To party like the resident experts, start with a good meal – barbecue or fried chicken, ideally – and plenty of beer and soju before heading to bars in hotspots like Itaewon and Hongdae. Soak up the latest K-hip hop and ambient sounds at an underground club, then finish the night with a rousing session at a noraebang (Korean karaoke bar).

Shanghai

Old-world glamour meets modern indulgences in spirited Shanghai. The perfectly preserved rooftop bars on the Bund offer the best views of the astonishing Pudong skyline, while historic venues like the Peace Hotel Jazz Bar tell a story about the city’s fascinating past. Better yet, an evening wandering around the French Concession or Jing’an reveals cocktail lounges, wine bars, microbreweries and even sports bars hidden away in Art Deco-style villas and traditional lane houses.