Donning a new face, Post 97 (9 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, 2186 1817) has recently re-opened as the first true wine bar in Lan Kwai Fong, with over 100 varieties of red and white wines, cocktails, spirits and bottled beers. Wine lovers can choose a tipple from any of a variety of countries, such as the Jeff Merrill Chardonnay 2004 from Australia ($65/glass), Pinot Noir Martin Borough Te Tera 2006 out of New Zealand ($460) or, from France, a Chateau Lynch Bages 2002 ($1,800). Those undecided can head for the tasting glasses and sips of three different wines. The entire venue has a new, brighter interior focused on its special feature – a bar made of 10,000 wine corks. Open Monday to Thursday, 9:30-1am; Friday and Saturday, 9:30-2:30am; and Sunday 9:30-1am. Happy hour is from 3-7pm daily.

The appropriately named Antique Bar (1/F, 353 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, 3678 3978), a new feature of the Walden Hotel, is offering a wide range of ‘vintage cocktails’ and various promotions for February. Decorated to give a warm, homely feel with the kind of sophisticated furnishings you would find at an antique store, the bar has a drinks list that is also quite unique – the selection of cocktails is dated so you can experiment with samples from any era after the 1600s. For example, from the 1700s you could choose the Calvados Sour ($75), from the 1800s the Bourbon Julep ($65) and, from the 1840s, an Angel’s Tit ($50).

Club PP (Unit 3-5, UG2 Floor, Chinachem Golden Plaza, 77 Mody Road, TST East; 2739 1084) or, to give it its full name, Disco de Patek Philip Karaoke Night Club opened last month in Chinachem Golden Plaza on the corner of Mody and Science Museum Roads. Mysterious hallways lead you into a glamorously decorated nightclub with Victorian décor. It is difficult to imagine the size of this venue located in TST East until you get to the end of the hallway, turn a corner, and stand in awe of the 20,000 sq ft this nightclub covers. Dominating the space is a massive stage, complete with an enormous deck, to keep the crowds dancing with a mix of hip hop, funk, electro and house. More details at www.clubpp.com.hk

Salsa Festival
Buff up your dancing shoes and prepare to shake your tush over to the HK Salsa Festival. With the fest taking place shortly after Chinese New Year, don’t expect the vibrant crowd and colors to subside because this event will continue from February 11 to 17. Moving from different locations such as Club 97, Q 97, Avenue of the Stars, and the HK Convention and Exhibition Centre, the fest will feature sexy performances by an all star line up of salsa dancers.

Confirmed dancers include: Esti & Martin (2007 World Mayan Salsa Champs), Dr. Salsa (French national born in West Africa) and Kadu Pires (Brazil). And since you can’t have a dance off without experienced international DJs and musicians playing exciting salsa music as well as international beats that can probably get even the shyest observers at least bobbing their heads (hopefully up an dancing as well), this year’s party includes Julian The Duke (recognized for winning Best Salsa DJ of 2004), DJ Speedy (the winner of Singapore’s 2007 Salsa DJ competition), Laurent Hounsavi and his group of 7 to 9 musicians bringing Afro-Cuban/ African Salsa tunes to fill our ears and more!

Daily events are as follows: Monday, February 11 – Festival Grand Opening @ Club 97; Tuesday, February 12 – Club Party @ Q97; Wednesday, February 13 – Club Party @ Q97; Thursday, February 14 – Street Party @ Avenue of the Stars Promenade; Friday, February 15 – Asian Salsa Open Championships @ HKCEC; Saturday, February 16 – International Salsa Performances and Dance Workshops (for all level dancers) @ HKCEC; Sunday, February 17 – another Dance Workshop at the HKCEC and the last International Salsa Performance wrapping up the festival.

With various times and various venues, all at different prices, tickets for the HK Salsa Festival are available at www.hksalsafestival.com – It would be advised to call to make sure you have the time, dates, and individual tickets confirmed. For further enquiries, call 2203 0414.