Watch: a night out with Francisco Ricafort, Hong Kong public relations guru

The best thing about going out in Hong Kong, says Francisco Ricafort, is that you never know who you’re going to meet, or when the night’s going to end.

“In LA, everything finishes at 2am. In Hong Kong, if you want to keep going, you can go on until 6 or 7. There’s always a late-night club,” says Ricafort, head of public relations, marketing and business development for BCI (Buzz Concepts International) Group, which manages Volar, Fly and Tiger Curry.

“What I love about partying here is that it’s so diverse. Hong Kong is a very international city; you’re never bored, going to the same place seeing the same people, because you’re always going to meet someone new. And here, people are very welcoming.”

Ricafort hails from the Philippines, grew up in LA, and has been living in the city for 11 years. His office is strategically located in Central, making it a prime spot for after-hours drinks, and for checking in on some of BCI’s venues with his friends.

“People tell me I have a great job. And it’s great to work in nightclubs, bars, you get some attention, but all that is superficial. It’s all just about the connections,” he says. “But for me, coming here by myself, I’ve had to make my own friends. And when you grow up in a big family you long for that togetherness. I get my energy from being around people. I enjoy meeting people.”

Ricafort took SCMP to Aberdeen Street Social (35 Aberdeen Street, Central, tel: 2866 0300), Sohofama (Block A, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, tel: 2858 8238), Lily & Bloom (5-6/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, tel: 2810 6166), and Tazmania Ballroom (1/F LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, tel: 2801 5009)

This is the first in our new A Night Out With... video series, in which we’ll be asking Hong Kong tastemakers to take us out on the town and show us their favourite side of the city. Stay tuned for more.