Central

In a city known for its dime-a-dozen custom tailors, the Armoury quickly made a name for itself back in 2010 when it started offering bespoke men’s clothing by top craftsman from Spain, Italy, and the UK. The high-ceilinged, dark wood-paneled space serves as a backdrop for an assortment of colorful Drake’s ties and suede Aldens for the modern gentleman. It’s the kind of place you can walk into and leave with a whole new wardrobe that’s tailor-made just for you. Bonus: the concierge-like shop staff is happy to tell you if your sportcoat is too big in the shoulders, or if you can really pull off that double-breasted jacket. The Armoury has a second location in HK on Queen’s Road Central and a US outpost in Tribeca in New York City.

Sure, there's something inherently cheesy about a harbor cruise but this one offers incredible views of Hong Kong's skyline (cocktails in hand) and is surprisingly worth it. You can reserve online; the boat is also available for special event private charters.

If you have time to swing by just one store in Hong Kong to pick up gifts for friends back home, WOAW (stands for World of Amazing Wonders) should be it. Curated by local entrepreneur Kevin Poon, the store is an unexpected blend of industrial and rustic elements (exposed pipe ceilings and wood fixtures throughout), packed to the rafters with hard-to-find goods—everything from vintage band tees to feather-weight sunglasses from Mykita to out-there interpretations of everyday items like ashtrays, flip-flops, canvas totes, and more.

A little less sparkly than some of the other bars in Hong Kong, Neo has a cool '60s vibe, with retro furniture, a foosball table, and a pinball machine. The menu, too, is a bit more cocktail bar than full-on club, with a selection of vintage-inspired craft cocktails. This is still Hong Kong, though, so expect a lineup of DJs after the dinner hour.

Feather Boa is the kind of "secret bar" that you're likely to hear about: Their specialty is fresh strawberry daiquiris made to order, and they have become somewhat legendary for it. Like a classic speakeasy, the exterior is unremarkable, but the décor inside is fitting of this former antiques shop. They have an occasionally enforced members-only rule—not surprisingly, it's less likely to be enforced earlier in the evening.

Opened in 1967, Dragon-i is somewhat of a Hong Kong institution at this point—since it's a favorite for expats and tourists, it's an easy place to ease into Hong Kong's club scene. The interior (designed by India Mahdavi, who was also behind the stunning pink gallery at Sketch in London) has a stereotypically Chinese aesthetic, with red lanterns hanging above the always-packed dance floor. The music program is handled by Chris Samba, a former Arsenal soccer player who both DJs himself and packs the schedule with some of the best acts in Hong Kong.

The Pottinger, a 68-room boutique hotel tucked into the Central neighborhood, aims to infuse a bit of modernity into a storied part of town. Guest rooms are on the smaller side (you are in a densely packed metropolis, after all) but the tasteful, Chinoiserie touches makes you feel like you’re in a private residence. Don’t miss the gallery walls of black-and-white photographs by filmmaker Fan Ho, whose imagery tells a deeply personal story of the history of Hong Kong and Central.

Tokio Joe, located in Lan Kwai Fong, the popular nightlife section of Central, is a relatively casual restaurant where you'll get some of the best sushi in the city. The kitchen is run by two chefs who have been with Tokio Joe since the mid-1990's: one began as an apprentice at the restaurant and the other previously spent a decade working in kitchens in Japan. The menu is a contemporary take on Japanese favorites (sashimi, soba noodles, variations of don rice bowls), and changes a couple times a year, although some dishes, like their house salad with marinated tuna, never do.

Despite its somewhat hidden location in a side alley off of D'Aguilar Street, word quickly got out about this graffiti-adorned Mexican restaurant and lively cocktail bar when in it opened in 2012. They don't take reservations, but the bar here makes the wait actually entertaining. For food, don't skip on go-to's: chips and guac, Mexican street corn, queso fundido. Also try their watermelon salad, taco of the moment, and a few different tostadas to share. The kitchen closes at midnight but the bar stays open late (4am on weekends).

While this Chinese/fusion restaurant found its inspiration in the 1960's Chinatown joints of NYC, the kitchen isn't afraid to try new things. Helmed by Chef Jowett Yu, who was born in Taiwan, trained in Sydney (at Testuya's), Ho Lee Fook's popularity is due in part to its exciting menu. The first floor of the restaurant houses its open kitchen, and downstairs, below ground level, is a dimly-lit, club-y dining room.