The Pawn – 62 Johnston Road, Wanchai (2866 3444)

Designed by Hong Kong film director Stanley Wong, The Pawn inhabits its namesake Woo Cheong Pawn Shop building and its adjacent tenement houses. These iconic structures have been conserved and converted into a bar, restaurant and roof garden spanning three floors. For a late-night drink checkout the mixologists at The Living Room who can also offer you a menu of fine cigars.

dragon-i – 60 Wyndham Street, Central (3110 1222)

Much hyped, some might say over-hyped, dragon-i is the place to come for touring international DJs and model ogling. Having said that, the design is modishly seductive with glowing red lanterns bathing the luminescent interiors and the over-sized bird cages swinging on the outdoor patio are either a clever social critique or a terrible waste of space. The dancing really gets going around 11:30pm but happy hour from 6-9pm provides good value for their impressive cocktail list.

Soirée – 19 Elgin Street, SoHo (2857 2808)

Soirée tends to feel like just that, an intimate soirée among friends because the space is rather limited and the tables are close together but this is not necessarily a bad thing. It's tucked away, in what feels like a cozy Victorian nook with black lace and mirrors making it a good choice for an aperitif before supper or a post-dinner drink if your date is going well. The champagne cocktails are killer.

Feather Boa – 38 Staunton Street, SoHo (2857 2586)

Feather Boa is the kind of place that you walk right past unless you have a friend who is in the know. Housed in a former antiques store, the bar kept the antiques and threw up some French nudes on the wall making the décor Miss Havisham chic. Nevertheless the clientele is all A-listers and the frozen margaritas are mmm…mmm…good.

Lei Dou – G/F, 20-22 D'Aguilar Street, Central (2525 6628)

Lei Dou is to Lan Kwai Fong what a rich-straight-single-emotionally mature-man is to a thirty-something woman: a mirage. But lucky for us, if you know exactly where to look you can find it before the door disappears. Lei Dou looks like a prohibition speak-easy: chandeliers, flowers, jazz music. Trendy media types come for drinks after work but there's usually an eclectic mix of people and on weekends the DJs spice things up a bit.

SUBHEAD: And So To Bed

The Fleming – 41 Fleming Road, Wan Chai (3607 2288) thefleming.com.hk

Located on a side street in the heart of the quickly gentrifying Wanchai neighborhood, The Fleming is a snazzy boutique hotel that won't break the bank. The concept behind The Fleming is 'Urban Lifestyle' which translates into all the mod-cons that non-cave dwellers have come to expect such as plasma televisions and wireless internet in each of its 66 cozy-chic rooms. Located a stroll away from the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre and those questionably seedy bars immortalized by Suzy Wong, it's appeal extends to business travelers who appreciate a drink …or two, after hours.

W Hong Kong – 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon Station, Kowloon (3717 2222) www.whotels.com/hongkong

The most anticipated hotel opening of the year is undoubtedly the W Hong Kong. Blessed with a prime location in Kowloon, all guestrooms offer fabulous views of the famed Hong Kong skyline. Although the official launch is September, a smattering of rooms will be opened for a lucky few the week before the beginning of the Olympic Games. The edgy modern look incorporates Feng Shui elements and creature comforts such as include iPod docks, bathtub LCD screens and the chance to take a dip in the city's most highly elevated swimming pool at 700 feet above street level. In addition to the much anticipated Bliss Spa, the W will feature two restaurants Fire and Kitchen under the direction of celebrated Executive Chef, Michael Poutawa and a destination bar that is sure to become a new hotspot.

Hotel LKF – 33 Wyndham Street, Central, (3518 9688) hotel-lkf.com.hk

This swanky 95-room boutique hotel is in the heart of the action, perfect for die-hard clubbers. Somewhat incoherently it is also home to a 15,000 sq.ft. Yoga and Spa center, aka Yoga Plus, equipped with Gyrotonic facilities where you can take private yoga and pilates classes. There are several popular restaurants within the LKF tower including FINDS, serving Scandinavian fare, the Balalaika Russian restaurant which also has an ice bar so you can drink your vodka like back in the old country, and a Japanese Kabuki Lounge. Expect spacious rooms, with upper floors boasting superb views, Lavazza espresso machines and Bulgari toiletries.

The Luxe Manor – 39 Kimberly Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (3763 8888) theluxemanor.com

The Luxe Manor is a homage to Salvador Dalí and its kitsch, whimsical interior may not be to everyone's taste but it is a conveniently located bijou hotel that provides flair on a budget. The hotel's Italian restaurant, Aspasia, is surprisingly good due to its chef Roland Schuller who has received several Michelin stars elsewhere and the breakfast buffet is truly outstanding. Every room has Wifi and LCD TV screens and bathrooms are fitted with deluxe rain showers. There is a small business center downstairs as well as a gym. An entire floor of themed suites as well as a new bar with three private dining rooms is slated to open by autumn.

The Peninsula Hong Kong – Salisbury Road, Kowloon (2920 2888) hongkong.peninsula.com

Designed in the 1920s as 'the finest hotel east of the Suez,' the Peninsula Hong Kong is a living bit of history; did you know that the formal surrender of Hong Kong to the Japanese took place by candlelight in Room 336 on Christmas Night 1941? All of the rooms are glorious and only for those on good terms with their bank managers but the one that takes the cake is the Peninsula Suite perched atop the 26^th floor with direct access to the fabled China Clipper helipad and security standards approved by the CIA – we could tell you what they are but then we'd have to kill you. Our favorite luxury in the Peninsula suite is the marble master bathroom with a deep tub built for two (or perhaps three or four) set against a glass wall facing Victoria Harbor. Soak your weary body with bubbles and bubbly after a tough day and gaze at the sun setting over Hong Kong. Heavenly…