The Old China Hand
The Old China Hand is a British-style pub on Lockhart Road that's been a Wan Chai fixture since the mid-1990s. The interior recreates a classic English pub with dark wood paneling, brass fixtures, pint glasses hanging behind the bar, and multiple flatscreen TVs showing Premier League football, rugby, and cricket. Two pool tables sit in the back room. The bar is long enough to accommodate a dozen stools, and booth seating lines the walls. Capacity is about 100. Pints of lager and ale start at 55 HKD, and the pub serves British comfort food including fish and chips, pies, and full English breakfasts. The crowd is predominantly British and Australian expats, with a strong contingent of regulars who treat this as their default social hub.
What to Expect
Push through the door on Lockhart Road into a room that could be in London if not for the humidity outside. TVs show sports from multiple time zones. The bar is busy with regulars on stools. The smell of deep-fried pub food mixes with beer. Conversations range from football scores to Hong Kong politics.
Authentic British pub transplanted to Wan Chai. Warm, social, and sport-obsessed.
No dedicated music. Sports commentary is the default soundtrack. Occasional jukebox selections during non-match times.
Casual. Rugby jerseys, work shirts, whatever. It's a pub.
British and Australian expats, sports fans, anyone who wants a pint and a pie in a familiar setting. Solo travelers who want easy conversation over a bar.
Cash and cards. Octopus card accepted.
Price Range
Pints 55-75 HKD, wine 65-85 HKD, spirits 55-70 HKD, pub meals 80-140 HKD, no cover charge
Pints ~$7-10/~7-9 EUR, spirits ~$7-9/~7-8 EUR, pub meals ~$10-18/~9-17 EUR
Hours
Daily 8 AM to 2 AM (kitchen closes at 10 PM)
Insider Tip
Come during a Premier League match for the best atmosphere. The back room with pool tables is less crowded on weeknights. The full English breakfast is a solid recovery option the morning after.
Full Review
The Old China Hand is exactly what it claims to be: a proper pub. In a city full of concept bars and themed lounges, this straightforward approach has sustained it for decades. The formula is simple. Good beer, edible food, live sports, and a welcoming atmosphere for regulars and newcomers alike.
The pub layout is practical. The main bar area handles the after-work crowd and sports viewers. The back room with pool tables provides a quieter space for games and conversation. The booth seating works for small groups who want to eat and drink without perching on bar stools.
Sports are the main event. During Premier League weekends, the pub fills with supporters in club jerseys, creating an atmosphere that rivals any pub in London. Six Nations rugby, Ashes cricket, and major sporting events draw similar crowds. The multiple screens ensure you can see the action from any seat.
The beer selection emphasizes British and international lagers and ales. Guinness is a permanent fixture. The pub food is competent without being exceptional. Fish and chips are crispy, the pies are hot, and the full English breakfast has saved many a hangover. Prices are reasonable for Wan Chai.
As a social venue, The Old China Hand works because it attracts a friendly, English-speaking crowd. Solo travelers can sit at the bar and be drawn into conversation within minutes. The regulars are welcoming, and the shared language of sport provides an easy entry point. It's not glamorous, but it's genuine.
The Neighborhood
The Old China Hand is on Lockhart Road, Wan Chai's main nightlife strip. Joe Bananas is a two-minute walk away on Luard Road. The area around the intersection of Lockhart and Luard has the highest concentration of bars.
Getting There
MTR Wan Chai Station, Exit C. Walk south to Lockhart Road, then turn right (east). The pub is on the right side at number 104. Four-minute walk from the MTR.
Address
104 Lockhart Road
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