BAR wars is about to be declared in Wan Chai as a cluster of newly opened pubs and clubs prepare for an around-the-clock battle for the hearts, minds and thirsts of Hongkong Bank Cathay Pacific Invitation Sevens fans and players.
Irish pub Delaney's, rock 'n' roll bar Carnegie's, the Hong Kong Island version of Rick's Cafe, the Flying Pig and the members-only Hong Kong Rugby Football Union bar have all opened in the last year, joining the already buzzing Beer Castle, Big Apple and The Jump down the road in Causeway Bay.
In their collective sights is Joe Bananas, the bar and disco with almost mythical status among overseas Sevens teams and the camp followers they attract during Sevens week.
Joe Bananas' assistant general manager, Lloyd Gallon, says the venue will remain open around the clock from Wednesday evening until breakfast time on March 28, after the Sevens, with happy hour stretched from 11.30 pm to 8 am the following day. But Gallon dismissed the suggestion the policy was in response to the new competition. 'The influx of new bars in the area has not made a difference to our takings; what it means is that a lot more people are coming to Wan Chai from Lan Kwai Fong especially.' Carnegie's, in the Wayson Commercial Building in Lockhart Road, is also keeping its bar and kitchens running around the clock from Thursday until the end of the tournament, with pints of Fosters and large cans of Grolsch selling for $30. Carnegie's Claire Mackenzie said: 'The competition [for customers] can only be a good thing, after all it brings more people into the area and it's inevitable that they will find their favourite venues.' Delaney's is promising to remain open until the last customer leaves, and is offering happy hours from 3 pm to 8 pm and again from 2 am to 3 am. The pub is also confident it will be adopted by the popular Irish team as its unofficial club house during their stay in Hong Kong, attracting expatriates in their wake.
Rick's Cafe in Jaffe Road will be open from 11 am to 8 am the following morning, according to manager Nicola Caldwell, with happy hour from 11 am to 10 pm. Hardy Wan Chai perennials like The Pussycat, Country Club 88, Country Club One, and the Old China Hand are also likely to attract their fair share of fans.
Over in Central, Joe Bananas' stablemate Mad Dogs will open at 7 am for breakfast on both days of the Sevens. Clark Martin at The Jump believes the bar's proximity to the Hong Kong Stadium will work well in its favour. 'Several groups from overseas have already booked tables and parties here. I think there are several options now. People are after higher quality, higher standards of service and they remember where they obtained them.' Down the hill, the Godown is poised to clean up. Its latest incarnation is in the basement of the Furama Kempinski, now the tournament's official hotel where all the players, officials and many of the media are staying. Sinead Lavery of the Godown said, 'We'll be serving pints as long as there is a player in the bar. We expect to be very busy, although we do have a lot more space here than we did before.'
