Club 71
Club 71 is a small, politically charged bar tucked away on Hollywood Road at the edge of Lan Kwai Fong. Named after the massive July 1, 2003 pro-democracy march, the bar is a meeting point for Hong Kong's activist, artistic, and intellectual communities. The space is modest: a narrow indoor room with a bar counter, some tables, and a covered outdoor terrace that's the main draw. The terrace sits on a quiet section of Hollywood Road, surrounded by art galleries and antique shops, a world away from the frenzy of D'Aguilar Street just minutes downhill. Beers start at 45 HKD, making it one of the cheapest drinks in the LKF area. The walls display rotating art and political posters. There's no DJ, no dance floor, and no pretense. Club 71 exists for conversation, and it attracts people who have something to say.
What to Expect
You walk in from Hollywood Road into a dimly lit room that feels more like someone's living room than a bar. The terrace outside has plastic chairs and tables under a canopy. The crowd is a mix of journalists, artists, academics, and longtime LKF regulars. Conversations are intense and wide-ranging. The drinks are cheap and simple.
Bohemian, political, and unpretentious. The opposite of everything else in Lan Kwai Fong.
No music system. Background chatter and street sounds are the soundtrack. Occasional acoustic performances are scheduled but rare.
Anything goes. This is the most casual venue in the LKF area. T-shirts, sandals, whatever you wore today.
Intellectuals, journalists, travelers who want genuine conversation over cheap drinks. People tired of the LKF club scene looking for something with substance.
Cash preferred (HKD). Some card facilities available.
Price Range
Beer 45-65 HKD, wine 60-90 HKD, spirits 50-80 HKD, no cover charge
Beer ~$6-8/~5-8 EUR, wine ~$8-12/~7-11 EUR, spirits ~$7-10/~6-9 EUR
Hours
Mon-Sat 5 PM to 2 AM
Insider Tip
The outdoor terrace is the best spot, especially on cool evenings. Go on a weeknight for genuine conversation with regulars. This is not a pickup bar; it's a discussion bar. Respect the political atmosphere, even if you disagree.
Full Review
Club 71 is an anomaly in Lan Kwai Fong. While the rest of the district sells glamour, volume, and expensive cocktails, this bar sells conversation and cheap beer. Its location on Hollywood Road, technically at the edge of LKF rather than in its center, reinforces the sense that it exists apart from the mainstream.
The terrace is the reason to come. On a quiet weeknight, you can sit outside with a 45 HKD beer and watch the art gallery district go by. The crowd at the surrounding tables will include journalists, documentary filmmakers, university lecturers, and long-term Hong Kong residents who remember the city before the handover. The conversations are the entertainment.
The indoor space is small and functional. A bar counter, some stools, tables against the walls. The art on the walls changes and often carries political messages. The naming of the bar itself is a political statement, and the owners haven't softened this over the years. If Hong Kong's political situation makes you uncomfortable, this might not be your venue.
Drink quality is basic. The beer is cold, the wine is drinkable, and the spirits are standard pours. Nobody comes to Club 71 for mixology. The prices are honest, and the absence of cover charges, service fees, and minimum spends makes it a refreshing change from the rest of LKF.
As a place to meet people, Club 71 works differently from the clubs. Conversations start naturally because the setting encourages them. You'll leave knowing more about Hong Kong than when you arrived.
The Neighborhood
Club 71 sits on Hollywood Road near the edge of LKF, surrounded by art galleries, antique shops, and the Man Mo Temple. The area is quieter and more cultural than the D'Aguilar Street strip. A five-minute walk downhill puts you in the thick of LKF nightlife.
Getting There
MTR Central Station, Exit D2. Walk uphill through LKF on D'Aguilar Street, then continue onto Hollywood Road. Club 71 is on the left. About seven minutes from the MTR. Alternatively, take the Central-Mid-Levels escalator to the Hollywood Road exit.
Address
67 Hollywood Road
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