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Kylie Knott

When The Wanch closed in the summer of 2020, a collective groan reverberated around Hong Kong.
The Wan Chai venue was one of the few options for those seeking a fix of live music.
But a triple blow of protests, the coronavirus pandemic and plans by the building’s owner to convert it into a hotel, meant it had to say goodbye to the cramped space where it had been based for almost 30 years.
Rockers John Prymmer (Don’t Panic) and Keith Goodman (The Sleeves), who were part of a partnership that took over the venue in 2010, made a promise to fans that they’d be back. They kept it.

In April The Wanch will open in a new location on Jaffe Road a space formerly occupied by sports bar Uptown 90 and above another Wan Chai hotspot, Amazonia Bar.
“The new venue is more than 150 square metres, almost four times bigger than the old one,” says Goodman. “There’s loads of natural light, which is different from the old venue.”
Hong Kong institution The Wanch celebrates 30th years of live music
It also has tables with charging ports, an elevated stage and new Yamaha equipment. But it’s the addition of a full kitchen that’s the biggest change. “We don’t want to give too much away about what’s on the menu,” says Goodman. “We want a big reveal when we open.”
What he can share, however, is that British chef Neil Tomes was part of the pre-launch team, helping develop the menu and consulting on kitchen operations. “Foodies will be familiar with some of the places Neil’s worked at,” he says. Tomes has had stints at The Fat Duck, M at the Fringe, Beef & Liberty and Alfie’s by Kee.
A more comprehensive food and drinks menu, including its own exclusive beer, Live Session Ale, means The Wanch can open during the day (restaurants are banned from serving dine-in customers after 6pm until April 20, and live music is banned).

“As for drinks, we’re taking this opportunity to start with a blank sheet, to form new brand partnerships,” says Goodman. They will include guest beers on tap alongside old favourites, a new wine list and spirit brand partnerships.
“No, we haven’t gone all pretentious – I mean look at the two of us,” laughs Goodman. “We just want to cater to a more diverse crowd.”
Fans nostalgic for the old Wanch needn’t despair: capturing its spirit was paramount, say the co-owners.

“The new decor is a mix of old and new,” says Prymmer. “When we closed, we took all the paraphernalia and put it in storage – we even have the old tram benches.”
Old gig posters and framed pictures, like those of The Beatles and The Who, will also return. “And the old jukebox will be back,” adds Prymmer.
Goodman says by the time guests get to the first floor, there will be enough familiar decor “for diehard Wanch fans of the past to feel comfortable that we’ve preserved the heritage”.












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Kudos should also go to the owners for opening at a time when many other businesses are closing. But the road has been a rocky one, says Prymmer, with the pandemic disrupting supply chains and construction schedules. The latest wave of Covid-19 has also taken a toll.
“A lot of the work crew have been sick so, like today, only a bit of work went on in the morning and then that was it for the day because they had to cover another site […] we’re battling through these things,” says Prymmer.
Goodman hopes the semi-lockdown has been a fertile incubation period for new musicians. “We’ve sat on the sidelines for 18 months, so the field’s been laid fallow for that time. Now it’s time to plant again, so hopefully new musical creativity will emerge.”












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It aligns with The Wanch’s philosophy: in the past it provided local acts, such as hardcore rockers King Ly Chee, a much-needed place to play.
“King Ly Chee’s first show was at The Wanch in 1999. Every time we performed at The Wanch the audience was just made up of people who love music,” the band’s frontman Riz Farooqi told the Post in 2021.
The Wanch, says Prymmer, will also provide a stage for musicians in Hong Kong who have struggled during the live-gig ban. “A lot of out-of-work musicians who are not permanent residents are really hurting.

“We’ll offer a stage for all acts, not just cover bands doing Livin’ on a Prayer, every night,” says Prymmer of the Bon Jovi classic. “The Wanch has always been about live music supporting all types of music: indie bands, heavy metal, blues, cover bands, original music, solo acoustic artists … “There’s a tonne of talented musicians in this city but few places for them to play.”
The Wanch is also about keeping patrons happy.
“At the old Wanch, people would rock with friends, or alone, and feel part of something,” says Goodman. “Now we hope people will also come because of the great drink choice and food – and the great atmosphere.”



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The Wanch is back! Hong Kong live music venue to  reopen in Wan Chai, bigger and better, in a new home and with a food menu

The Wanch, a venue for live music in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai nightlife district, is to reopen in a new location. Don’t Panic (above) play the Wanch in 2016. Photo: Hongkong-rocks

John Prymmer (left) and Keith Goodman are behind the return of The Wanch. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Chef Neil Tomes when he worked at Beef & Liberty in 2015. Tomes was part of the pre-launch team. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Sisters of Sharon playing in the Wanch in 1996. Photo: SCMP

A band performs as part of the 2016 H2 Festival. Photo: courtesy of The Wanch

Chinese metal bands turn it up as six months without live concerts come to an end

People dance during a metal concert at Omni Space in Beijing, China. Photo: Reuters/Thomas Peter

Li Shun, Shun Zi and Wang Bao of the Chinese folk-metal band Dream Spirit perform at the Wukesong Mao livehouse in Beijing, China, February 24, 2019. Picture taken February 24, 2019. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Shui Shu of the black metal band Bliss-Illusion holds prayer beads as he performs at Omni Space following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Beijing, China, August 14, 2020. Picture taken August 14, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Shui Shu of the black metal band Bliss-Illusion performs at Omni Space following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Beijing, China, August 14, 2020. Picture taken August 14, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Zhang Xiao Song of the black metal band Bliss-Illusion has his make-up done before playing a concert at Omni Space following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Beijing, China, August 14, 2020. Picture taken August 14, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

People dance during a concert of the heavy metal band Ephemerality at Omni Space following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Beijing, China, August 14, 2020. Picture taken August 14, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Shui Shu of the black metal band Bliss-Illusion performs at Omni Space in Beijing as venues start to open up after months of shutdowns. Photo: Reuters/Thomas Peter

Hong Kong live-music venue The Wanch celebrates 30 years of rock ’n’ roll gigs

On a typically raucous night at The Wanch, Hong Kong band Don't Panic get the crowd going. Photo: hongkong-rocks.com

Handout mage shows a live band band at the Wanch, in Wanchai, Hong Kong on June 21, 2013. [19OCTOBER2017 FEATURES MUSIC] CREDIT / Hongkong-rocks

This image shows the interior of The Wanch while a band playing in Wan Chai. 11SEP15 [2015 FEATURES]

Handout mage shows band Shumking Mansion at the Wanch, in Wanchai, Hong Kong on July 02, 2016. [19OCTOBER2017 FEATURES MUSIC] CREDIT / Hongkong-rocks

This image shows the exterior of The Wanch in Wan Chai. 11SEP15 [2015 FEATURES]

Handout mage shows band Red Stripes at the Wanch, in Wanchai, Hong Kong on December 13, 2013. [19OCTOBER2017 FEATURES MUSIC] CREDIT / Hongkong-rocks

SISTERS OF SHARON PLAY IN THE WANCH PUB IN WANCHAI. 1 Jun 96

The Wanch pub is packed with people as Led Zebra performs at the Wanchai Live Music Festival. 05 May 2001

Where Hong Kong’s budding bands can feel like rock stars

Wan Chai music institution The Wanch is hosting another H2 Live Music Festival this week, and co-owner Keith Goodman says newcomers will be among an eclectic line-up of 76 bands

Phnom Penh band Tango and Snatch

Keith Goodman

Hong Kong band The Sleeves will be playing at the Wanch during the H2 Live Music Festival.

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After closing in 2020, the live-music pub returns next month, in a bigger location, with a food menu
Part owners John Prymmer and Keith Goodman have kept much of the memorabilia from the original location


Hong Kong music venue The Wanch is ready to rock again, in a bigger space, this time serving food. There are enough nostalgic touches from the old place to keep diehard fans happy.


Coronavirus Hong Kong

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