It’s been a long time since I was impressed with any of the new additions to Hong Kong’s nightlife. Attending the opening party for Habitat, a new rooftop lounge on Thursday night, I was totally smitten!
Occupying the top floor of a new high-rise building, the space is much larger and more diverse than I had expected. It features not just one, but two large outdoor areas. The first, on the 29th floor, has a unique open-air vibe that gives you the feeling of floating among Hong Kong’s skyscrapers.
[photopress:Habitat_QRE_plaza_Wanchai_H.jpg,full,pp_image]The building itself, QRE Plaza is part of the “new” verticalized Wanchai. Conveniently located on Queens Road East, QRE Plaza contains several restaurants, notably Fatburger (which is finally open) on the ground floor.
Not only is the space big, it’s also divided smartly. There are banks of sofas as well as tables, booths, and a long bar. It’s rare to have such a wide range of seating. The outdoor area on the 29th floor has an interesting cut-away view into the heart of the city.
[photopress:Habitat_club_Wanchai_bar_QR.jpg,full,pp_image]QRE Plaza is easy to get to, situated smack in the middle of Wanchai. It’s directly across the street from the Hopewell Centre, one of Hong Kong’s landmark buildings (the round one, in case you didn’t know!)
With an open bar for the night, the place was packed indoors and out.
[photopress:Habitat_Wanchai_bar_lounge.jpg,full,pp_image] [photopress:Hong_Kong_Habitat_bar_Wanch.jpg,full,pp_image] [photopress:Habitat_lounge_Hong_Kong_HK.jpg,full,pp_image]At one point I made my way up to the roof via a staircase in a far corner. Reaching the top, to my surprise there was yet another outdoor area with smaller tables and stools.
[photopress:Hong_Kong_club_bar_lounge.jpg,full,pp_image]Even at the night’s most crowded point, this level offered a chance to have some room and enjoy the view.
I was surprised at how comfortable Habitat was. The dual outdoor areas are genius because they will allow smokers an easy place to relax while they drink. Though I’m a non-smoker myself, I realize the reality of people’s cravings, and have seen the hassles they present. (Next year I believe Hong Kong clubs are scheduled to go smoke-free, so outdoor areas will become all the more important.)
Seeing how many people fit into the space over the evening I would even say it’s possible to have an event at Habitat.
[photopress:rooftop_bar_lounge_Hong_K.jpg,full,pp_image]Because of its close proximity to both Central and Causeway Bay, it’s not an out of the way option. As much as I like the nightlife concentrated in one area, it’s refreshing to get out and try someplace different. Recommended!
Habitat Lounge
29/F QRE Plaza, 202 Queens Road East
Wanchai, Hong Kong
2907-0888
