Sense 99
Tucked away in a pre-war building overlooking the neon glow of Wellington Street, this underground music venue is just far enough removed from the mayhem of the Lan Kwai Fong main strip. Super-high ceilings, French windows and original floor tiles give Sense 99 a sense of retro charm, harking back to the day when no one had even heard of Rugby Sevens, let alone beer bongs. Expect to rub shoulders with artists, poets, musicians and if you’re lucky, a few bongo players. Lounge around, nurse a Tsingtao and thank the heavens you’re a world away from Pimm's-chugging, sports-crazed louts downtown.
2/F, 99F Wellington St., Central, www.sense99.org.
M1NT
M1NT is located on the edge of SoHo, and as such it’s surrounded by galleries and wine bars. Chances are you won’t run into rugby revelers here. Enjoy the swish company and rejoice in the fact that the alcohol is expertly muddled and served chilled as opposed to half-a-day old and warm. And if a sunburned idiot in a mankini somehow makes it past the bouncer, take heart in the fact that you can always dunk him in the shark tank.
108 Hollywood Rd., Central, 2261–1111.
Sorcerer’s Lounge
Pretty much as far removed from rugby as you can get, The Sorcerer’s Lounge at Disneyland will have you magically transported to a parallel universe where you don’t get pelted with jugs and people don’t piss in sinks when the bathroom queue gets too long (insert your own mainlander joke here). The cozy bar has been decorated with dark wood, plump sofas and ornate carpets. A veritable Aladdin’s cave and far more comfortable than the plastic seats at the South Stand. Drinks include the “Herbal Harmony“ and “Peppermint Twister“ – a world away from a beer in a plastic cup with a cigarette butt floating in it.
Disneyland Hotel, Lantau, 3510-6000.