As the summer winds on, construction crews have been picking up the pace to complete a multitude of new bars and clubs -which are multiplying fasterit seems than rabbits. Are there enough customers to go around? Only time will tell, but some well thought-out and hip places are interested in providing a good time for your wallet this autumn.

The basement space that used to be C Club has been taken over and is currently being renovated by the Epicurean Group. It will metamorphose into a new club called Q (Bsmt, California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, LKF, 2868 6062) which will open from early evening till late from mid-August onwards. While you’re in the area and feeling puckish, check out the new burger bar, Atomic Patty the Great Burger Shed! (2868 3666) next to the pharmacy. It’s open from 11:30am till late seven days a week and the menu includes the Classic Atomic (with a 1/3 lb chilled Canadian beef patty) for $54 plus hot dogs, beer...

Also in the area Divino is getting a lick of paint and freshening up and will reopen on August 4. Further down Wyndham Street and currently under construction with a scheduled opening in early August, Cupid is the latest outlet to pitch its tent in the SAR’s hippest location. Hei Hei Club is also waiting for the paint to dry after a renovation – we’ll have more on both of these outlets next issue.

Stroll down D’Aguilar Street and you’ll find Century Square – think the Starbucks and Page One building opposite the 7-11. It’s not the most instantly obvious place to stick a club on the top floor but that’s where you’ll find Avenue (20/F Century Square, 2810 8168). Open 5pm till late, Avenue started pumping out the beats last month with DJ Tazpun on the decks.

Looking for something different? Then check out the popular private club, Racks mdb (M88, 7/F, 2-8 Wellington Street, 2868 3762), a modern take on the old billiards hall where the mdb referred to music, drinks, billiards. Open since March this year, Racks features five pool tables, some great tunes (usually spun by co-owner Drafus Chow to a celebrity/model-filled crowd), and a relaxed vibe. Go to www.racksmdb.com for more details on the club and membership.

Down Wanchai way, Sticky Fingers (Jaffe Road) looks to be finally rocking its way over from TST East – the tour bus obviously stopped for a few gigs along the way. Re-opening in August, Skitz is at a new location on the 5/F, Phoenix Building, 21-25 Luard Road, Wanchai (2866 3277). A week of opening parties starts from August 25 – send your details to kissevents@kissltd.com for an invite.

If you want to dance the night away, Laguna (1/F, 17-21 Fenwick Street, Wanchai, 2866 4736) will now be open every night till 6am. It’s also Ladies Night from Monday-Thursday all night, so party on.
Absolut expanded the range of its flavoured vodkas recently with the launch of Absolut Pears joining existing flavours Citron, Vanilla, Peppar, Raspberri, Peach, Kurrant, Mandarin and Ruby Red. Look for it in your favourite outlets and try one of the signature launch cocktails: Absolut Pears Angel (45ml Absolut Pears, 10ml lemon juice, 10ml sugar syrup, top up with tonic water, a squeeze of lemon to taste, garnish with lemon and pear wedges and build over ice in a long drink glass.); Absolut Pears Innocence (45ml Absolut Pears, 60ml apple juice, 30ml red grapefruit juice, 10ml lemon juice, 10ml sugar syrup, garnish with a red grapefruit wedge and build over ice in a rock glass.); Absolut Pears Devil (45ml Absolut Pears, 15ml Monin kiwi, 10ml lemon juice, half a peeled kiwi, top up with apple juice, muddle the kiwi in the bottom of a shaker, add the rest of the ingredients and shake with crushed ice and build over ice in a long drink glass.); Absolut Pears Temptation (60ml Absolut Pears, 15ml Monin peach, top up with cranberry juice, garnish with a pear wedge and build over ice in a long drink glass.)

American-style seafood restaurant Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. (Shop 304 and 305, Level 3 The Peak Tower, 128 Peak Road, 2849 2867) is introducing seven new summer drinks to complement their popular line of original recipe cocktails. The Pomegranate Margarita ($65), pear-flavoured Pearadise ($65), and the Sunburst ($78) all feature Finlandia vodka; the Tropical Breeze ($65) is made with Malibu coconut-flavoured rum, Midori Melon Liqueur and mangos, oranges and pineapples; Jenny’s Cosmic Lites ($78) features Stoli vodka, while the Blue Louisiana Lemonade ($88) and Louisiana Lemonade ($88) are both designed to incorporate fresh juices and seasonal produce, ‘Cool drinks with a cool view from Hong Kong’s Peak’.