It’s officially Autumn, or Fall if you’re speaking American, and now that summer is over, the long party into New Year can begin. Where better to start than at the annual Lan Kwai Fong Carnival on 13-14th October? Now entering its sixth year, the lanes of LKF will be filled with booths offering everything from beads to burgers, satays to sangria with street performers, live entertainment and a special kids carnival on Wo On Lane. The fun starts at 1pm and runs till late.

Looking to own a piece of Hong Kong history? Then check out the infamous Bottom’s Up Bar (1/F, 37-39 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, 2721 4509) which is up for sale. Famous for it’s appearance in The Man With The Golden Gun, Bottom’s Up is a throwback to girlie bars of yesteryear and all the better for it. Let’s hope someone continues the legacy, I wonder if Daniel Craig’s interested?

Skitz (5/F 21-25 Luard Road, Wanchai) opened softly at the end of last month, with a comfortable balcony for those who want to sit outside and drink or need to be outside to drink and smoke. There are two pool tables, live TV sports and Wanchai’s first ice room where you can get real chilled out while enjoying a range of ice-cold drinks. Dusk till Dawn (76 Jaffe Road, Wanchai, 2528 4689) has added some outdoor seating which is a very pleasant place to sup a beverage or two and ponder the important questions of the day. Down the street the newly opened Spicy Fingers (78-82 Jaffe Road, Wanchai 2861 3588) has happy hour from noon till 10pm, there’s live music from 22:45 till late and a kitchen open till 4am.

September 29, 2007, was a sad day in Lan Kwai Fong as Hardy’s Folk Club closed its doors after 22 years of good times, great (well mostly) music and the sort of friendly atmosphere that seems anathema to many modern bars. We have heard that Hardy’s will re-open in a new location in the near future, more details as we have them. Also in LKF, Cube on Wyndham St was getting the finishing touches as we went to print, so look for it to be open very soon. As will the new Hei Hei Club which will open sometime in Mid-October if the latest estimate from our quite unreliable inside source is accurate. Come November, Dragon-i (UG/F 60 Wyndham Street, 3110 1222) turns 5 and will celebrate on 24 November with Boy George headlining the anniversary party DJ line-up. More details on this in our upcoming issues.

Boddingtons creamy hours promotion continues in your favourite outlets around the SAR, Manchester’s finest black and yellow can offering a refreshing change to round after round of fruit flavoured Martini’s and trays of shooters

October means Bierfest and this year’s Marco Polo (Harbour City, TST, 2113 0088) German Bierfest runs from October 27-November 20 with lots of authentic food, steins of beer and silly games plus, of course, the traditional tunes of the Notenhoblers.

We had hoped to have more information on the dining and drinking options available at the new Elements shopping mall in West Kowloon but construction is still under way, so check next issue for more details - but it sounds exciting with its large al fresco dining area.