Where do Hong Kong's insomniacs find sanctuary?




About 5 years ago, I kept hearing people say they were going to "in sonia" and it wasn't until I stumbled upon it myself that I realized what they were talking about. It used to be a MacDonald's fast food restaurant in the Lan Kwai Fong entertainment zone, which was not really well placed in the middle of all these trendy cafes and clubs. Not only that, it closed early so it didn't really serve the needs of the area.

The club's name is Insomnia and very appropriately so because it is virtually the only club in the Central district that stays open 'till the sun rises.

The format is very simple and very successful. There are several bands that perform there on a daily rotational basis (e.g. Dusk To Dawn in Wanchai). The entrance from the street is through am open circular arched vestibule bar area that also functions as a balcony overlooking D' Aguillar street. At the other end of this is a doorway into the main temple area with a second bar at the far end. The stage is set in the middle, like an altar, in front of a small sunken dance floor and surrounded by elevated nooks and crannies from where one has a perfect view of the band and the dance floor, it is small enough that it creates an intimate atmosphere, partly rock concert and partly disco. The bands, as is usual in Hong Kong, come from the Philippines and are always top notch.

Oh, and did I mention that it is less than a 60 second walk from my front door or that there is no cover charge? So if I can't sleep and don't feel like reading or doing something else, all I have to do is walk 60 seconds and I can join a bunch of other insomniacs enjoying live music all night long.

© evangelo costadimas 2004

Posted: Sunday - November 28, 2004 at 01:13 AM          

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