Struggling Hong Kong bars hope lucky draw will provide shot in arm, but Lan Kwai Fong’s Allan Zeman urges them to look beyond ‘desperate’ measures

Hong Kong Bar and Club Association chief hopes lucky draw launched on May 1 can increase business by 10 to 20 per cent

Bar trade performed the worst out of entire restaurant sector in the first quarter of 2024, government figures show

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Customers enjoy a drink in a Wan Chai bar, but times are hard for some businesses. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 8:30am, 8 May 2024Updated: 4:44pm, 8 May 2024

A Hong Kong bar operators’ group has launched a lucky draw with HK$500,000 (US$63,930) worth of prizes as part of its efforts to tackle slumping business, but a nightlife magnate has urged industry players to look beyond such “desperate” moves and offer premium services and experiences instead.

Chin Chun-wing, chairman of the Hong Kong Bar and Club Association, on Tuesday evening revealed “rescue measures” aimed at enticing local drinkers after firing its first shot – a lucky draw – on May 1, as the industry’s receipts in the first quarter dropped by 17.8 per cent year on year.

“We hope the lucky draw can increase our business by 10 to 20 per cent. We will launch more activities in the future to create a better atmosphere in the bar market and activate consumption,” Chin said.

“We hope we can attract Hongkongers to participate and experience the fun in local bars so they want to stay in Hong Kong and spend their money.”

Chin said 20,000 patrons took part in the first week and it was hoped another 80,000 would be attracted by the end of the lucky draw period on May 31 as many bars had lost customers who preferred to spend their money in mainland China.

Patrons who spend more than HK$300 in any of the 100 bars taking part can join the lucky draw, which has prizes and coupons worth HK$500,000 in total, including a Sony PS5, Nintendo Switch and Apple Watch.