Why do we need music to accompany our meal? On a good day, it stimulates our appetite and creates a more relaxing atmosphere to enjoy our food. On a bad day, it alleviates the boredom of sitting with not-so-close friends, colleagues and parent-in-laws for a three-hour meal. bc searched out a few places in town where music will make the difference while you eat.

California Restaurant
Hear the name California in the Big Lychee and you may think fitness centres or karaoke, but if you have been hopping around Lan Kwai Fong for the past two decades you will know California also indicates the origin of our city’s booming nightlife. Opened in 1983 by Allan Zeman, California Restaurant & Bar (G/F, California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Central, 2521 1345) has recently undergone major renovations and the 26-year-old establishment now has a refreshing new look. The classy wooden toned interiors and the mirror wall provide a warm and unpretentious atmosphere and, in terms of food, chef Raymond Kong’s over 30 years of experience in the catering industry is something diners can rely on. His signature dishes are home-made seafood ravioli served with half a grilled lobster tail, parmesan crusted pork with apple potato puree and grilled lamb chops with pesto fingerling potatoes and a pepper coulis. And don’t forget the lemon cheesecake. Live jazz musicians play upbeat jazz classics from 9pm till late on Thursdays and 10pm till late on Fridays and weekends. A recent line-up included South African soul singer Brigitte DaSilva, jazz sensation Michelle Carrillo and Maricel Bedana.

Makumba
‘Original’ is the word for Amina, managing director at Makumba Africa Lounge Bar (G/F, Garley Building, 48 Peel Street, Soho, Central, 2522 0544) – at least that is what she mentioned no less than three times during our visit. Hidden on the rather quiet Peel Street, loud is the word after you sneak inside. With seating upholstered in faux leopard skin, colourful paintings and exotic ornaments on the wall, and a larger-than-life feeling, the lounge offers a unique African touch to our Asian city. On Friday and Saturday, go for the African fiesta with bands playing live music and DJs playing tunes from groovy hip-hop to reggae starting from 10pm; or if you want to learn African drums and dance, check out the session from 3:30pm, when Amina will teach you all the right moves. At the bar, you will find the original Ti-punch made with rum, brown cane sugar and lime – with no ice – Amina insists you can’t find the same taste anywhere else in Hong Kong. But beware: The thing is pretty strong. Food-wise, a variety of African snacks are served. The best way to try things is to order a platter of three or four different snacks served with fufu or bread ($240/$320). Highlights include DG, a fricassee of chicken, vegetables, and savoury spices – chicken is a favourite among regulars – and Yassa, an onion dish from Senegal made with chicken or fish.

Insomnia
‘Hong Kong never sleeps’ sounds very much a cliché, but it’s true. Insomnia (Shop A, LG/F, 38-44 D’Aguilar St, LKF, 2525 0957) is the living proof. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year since 1999, the bar differentiates itself from others by its classy paintings and gothic stone sculptures. Nine in-house bands (3rd Attempt, Adam’s Eve, Blade, Charcoal, Chill Factor, Fever Pitch, J Glass, Music Reborn, Outcast) rotate on different nights between Insomnia, All Night Long (G/F, 9 Knutsford Terrace, TST, 2367 9487) and Dusk till Dawn (G/F, 76 Jaffe Rd, Wanchai, 2528 4689) to play pop and rock tunes. But if you are in for something a bit more laid back, the bands play a two-hour unplugged set from 7:30pm every Wednesday to Saturday.

Balalaika
Balalaika (M/F, LKF Tower, 55 D’Aguilar Road, LKF 3579 2929; 2/F, 10 Knutsford Terrace, TST, 2312 6222) is well known for having the largest ice vodka bar around, but it also boasts some interesting food on a Russian theme. Named after the traditional Russian musical instrument and furnished with decorations straight from Moscow, Balalaika has been serving both traditional Russian and fusion dishes for the last eight and a half years. Restaurant manager Peter Chan recommends the piroshki ($15 per piece) - traditional Russian bread with a variety of fillings including meat, mushrooms and onion. He also has good words to say about marina herring ‘Under Fur Coat’ ($65), a traditional Russian pie with fish salad as a filling. Another popular dish is shashlik ($120 up), particularly with marinated spring chicken. Nightly starting from 7:15pm, Ukrainian performers Geha and Alla will sing Russian folk songs – customers are welcome to join in and even play the musical instruments. And, hey, who leaves a Russian restaurant without downing a shot of vodka or two? Enjoy the buy-one-get-one-free offer from 9:30pm onwards and do it the Russian way!

Club Havana

It may not be the Buena Vista Social Club but at Club Havana (3/F, 10 Knutsford Terrace, TST, 2312 6565), diners can still swing to Latin rhythms from the in-house band. The five-piece performs Cuban and South American hit songs in Spanish as well as English pop tunes, adding some heat while you suck on your puro at their trademark cigar bar or sip your choice from the extensive selection of fine wines. Two spacious balconies are available outside the bar if you’d like to escape the crowd for a while and enjoy a breeze. The live band performs from 7:15pm to 1:00am on Sundays to Thursdays, and 2:00am on Friday and Saturday.

Backstage Live Restaurant
Opened in November by a group of local musicians including Vicky Fung, Pong Nan and Peter Kam, Backstage Live Restaurant (1/F, Somptueux Central, 52-54 Wellington Street, Central, 2167 8985) insists on a variety of live music performances every night. From local jazz guru Eugene Pao to French electro duo The Penelope to upcoming singer-songwriters in Hong Kong, all get to play here from time to time. Set lunch and dinners are available but a recent highlight must be ‘Wine Soaked Jazz’ every Thursday, during which diners can enjoy a three-course dinner and all-you-can drink wine from a weekly selection of four wines ($388 for dinner and wine, or $180 with two standard drinks). The line-up is different every week but local jazz musicians like guitarists Tommy Ho and songbird Joses Liu will not be strangers to the Backstagers. The restaurant defines its food as ‘French Italian fusion’, but we had more fun discovering the desserts named after some of our best-loved pop songs. From Strawberry Fields Forever (strawberry mille-feuille with sweet osmanthus, $78) to We Will Rock You (apple crumble baked with cinnamon and raisin, served with ice cream, $78), you may get a headache choosing between your favourite song and best-loved dessert!

Mackie Kitchen
Mackie Kitchen (9 Caroline Hill Rd, Causeway Bay, 2808 0351) doesn’t host regular live music events yet, but it ought to be the next music and dining hot spot to look out for. Acoustic and indie-pop sounds are owner James Chong’s favourites and Mackie Kitchen’s initial Live Show Nano featuring Singaporean singer-songwriter Bevelyn Khoo back in May and recent Pass on the Lights acoustic show just clicked with the eatery’s bright, refreshing and cozy atmosphere. Set lunch and dinner menus are updated daily and house specialities include papaya and prawn salad and grilled salmon with mustard cream sauce, though we would say sipping a cup of Mackie’s coffee while listening to the acoustic tunes playing in the café is just about the best thing to do there.

Musical Studio
It is a guilty pleasure, but who doesn’t sing along to anthems like That’s Why You Go Away or First of May? 1970s era Cantopop singer Frederick Chan hopes to gather friends for some high quality music in his Musical Studio (2/F, 23 Woodhill Rd, TST, 2992 0722). Golden tunes from the ’60s to the ’80s rule and those in the mood for a nostalgic night can relive the good old days with a live band from 7:30pm to 10:30pm nightly. The log swing, plaid tablecloths and beautiful flower tea ($24, unlimited refill) takes you right into the countryside. An a la carte menu is available.

DY Club Cafe Gallery
We have talked enough about listening to others while enjoying your food. Why not play and sing yourself? DY Club Cafe Gallery (2B Mangan Building, 18-20 Cameron Rd, TST, 2367 2188) is not just a cafe and gallery with a live band but also a karaoke joint. Anyone can be a singing star from Tuesday to Thursday and band Gothic will be on stage every Friday. This artistic cafe arranges lots of shows and exhibitions for local artists, including photographers and painters. What’s more, tasting the dainties made by Jack Yim, DY’s manager and the announcer of Horizon, is unforgettable. His recommendation for mains are smoked salmon with angel’s hair ($88), French grilled knee of lamb with mustard and French fries ($96) and Vietnam shrimp and mackerel with rice ($102) as well as home-made blueberry cheesecake ($28). Another highlight is the presence of Uncle Fu – especially if you happen to be into Chinese chess. Uncle Fu and the winner’s snacks are waiting for you every Tuesday night.

Da Ping Huo
Opened in 1998 by artist Wang Hai from Beijing, private kitchen Da Ping Huo (L/G, 49 Hollywood Road, Central, 2559 1317; two sessions of dinner nightly at 6:30 and 8:30pm, reservation needed) serves Sichuan cuisine in its cozy, art-deco and gently lit setting. Charged $280 per head, diners will enjoy what can be called a banquet – three appetizers, seven main courses, a snack and dessert. For those would really like to sweat, chef Mrs Wang recommends the spiciest item in the menu – ma po dofu (braised diced bean curd with minced beef in hot chili sauce). Stewed beef brisket and tendons in spicy gravy and the cold braised chicken with Sichuan spices are also two of her highlights. But what makes Da Ping Huo special is its artistic atmosphere – adding colour to the paintings scattered on the wall and ornaments in the private kitchen, Mrs Wang’s performance of Yunnan and Sichuan folk songs towards the end of the night offers a completely different experience to the usual pop/rock/jazz you get to hear in most dining establishments.

Melting Pot
In the daytime, Melting Pot (Winly Building, Shop 3, 1-5 Elgin Street, Central, 2559 2777) may serve conventional lunch items like spaghetti and curry dishes that cost a decent $40 and lamb chop and spare ribs during dinner hours, but when night falls the place turns into a live jazz venue with performances from 10pm every Monday to Thursday and 11pm from Friday to Sunday. Led by saxophonist Zane Massey from New York, the music changes nightly – from blues, Latin jazz and funky soul to a free jamming session. Special guests perform every Thursday, with a recent appearance by Shanghai’s rock sensation The Honeys.