Cover The bassist at Café Carlyle (Image: courtesy of Café Carlyle)

Get your live music fix at these hottest luxury, art or jazz venues in town—some frequented by the arts scene's most famous names while others offer great happy hour deals

Now that live music has returned, check out Tatler’s list of some of the city’s favourite music venues where one can celebrate Valentine’s Day, Friday nights or weekends with a blast. Groovy jazz, swanky hotel music, intimate concerts, throbbing dance music in Soho or family- (and pet-) friendly alfresco bars—Hong Kong has something to offer all music lovers.

1/ And all that jazz

Members of one of Hong Kong’s most exclusive clubs, Carlyle & Co, have access to Café Carlyle, the epitome of an old-school jazz club. It is modelled after the original New York space which opened in 1955, from the superb performances down to the painted murals and intimate seating. Director of music Olivia Dawn Mok has curated a distinguished line-up of jazz musicians, and she’s working on setting up a special membership for non-Carlyle patrons working in the arts.

Rosewood Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

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Above Jean by Philippe Delhomme Mural in Café Carlyle (Image: courtesy of Café Carlyle)

2/ On the waitlist

If you’re going to the dark side sans membership, head to DarkSide, one of the best bars in Asia. This cocktail parlour offers a mix of classic drinks and Kowloon inspired beverages, rare spirits and vintage cigars to accompany the live jazz sets that take place seven days a week. Sit back and enjoy an evening of soulful sounds set against chic decor and a backdrop of the glittering Hong Kong skyline.

Rosewood Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

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Above Darkside (Image: Darkside / Instagram)

3/ Calm, cool and cosy

With its curved ceiling, wooden details and low, warm lighting, Salon 10 feels like feel like an eccentric bibliophile’s private library. Wednesday night is jazz night—sit back and indulge in a cocktail or three—but non-jazz bands are also welcome; past performances have brought indie rock and R&B to the frescoed stage.

10 Arbuthnot Road, Central

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Above A Salon 10 poster (Image: Salon 10 / Instagram)

4/ Quality sounds

For a casual experience with a “best kept secret” feel, head down to Quality Goods Club. Don’t be fooled by the gritty exterior; this Soho hole-in-the-wall offers superb food and drinks (with some excellent happy hour deals), as well as lively performances from Thursday to Sunday. With solo musicians and bands offering a mix of jazz, blues, rock and more, there’s something for everyone.

Basement, On Lok House, 39-43 Hollywood Road, Central

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Above A singer performing at Quality Goods Club (Image: Quality Goods Club / Instagram)

5/ Sound-bathe in the garden

The Murray’s popular Jazz Night series has ended, but fear not: a full-blown live music programme will return this month at its alfresco Cotton Tree Terrace, as this five-star Niccolo hotel celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. There are five official genres on the line-up—Britpop, swing, Canto-pop, jazz and soft rock from the 1960s and 1970s—but don’t be surprised to hear an ad-hoc chorus of squawking yellow-crested cockatoos floating over from Hong Kong Park.

UG Level, The Murray, 22 Cotton Tree Drive, Central

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Above Musicians at The Murray (Image: courtesy of The Murray)

6/ Chill the weekend away

A hangout for independent artists and bands, Lau Bak Livehouse has been the breeding ground for local new blood, such as pianist Joyce Cheung, who is now a regular at West Kowloon’s Freespace Jazz Fest. The space has also been graced by big names such as Ted Lo, Hong Kong’s godfather of jazz. The intimate alfresco restaurant and bar is run by Mak’s Brewery, meaning you can enjoy Canto-pop songs, jazz or indie music over a craft beer or two with family and friends of the human and animal variety.

G/F, Freespace, Art Park, West Kowloon

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Above A poster of Lau Bak Livehouse's show (Image: Lau Bak Livehouse / Instagram)

7/ Indulge in splendour

Classic colonial settings more your speed? The Peninsula prides itself on offering decadent experiences: its traditional afternoon teas and indulgent dinners in the neo-classical ground-floor space are accompanied by The Lobby Strings quartet in the afternoon and a jazz band in the evening. The groups perform on the ornate mezzanine level behind golden balustrades, something that has become an iconic sight at the historic five-star hotel. Come for different musical experiences during the week; the performances are a rotation of jazz music, solo piano sessions and group shows.

The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

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Above The Lobby Strings (Image: courtesy of The Peninsula)

8/ Stirred or shaken

An entranceway lined with glass cabinets full of umbrellas, sleek velvet couches, swanky train compartments as dining rooms—Foxglove makes a real effort to stand out. Enjoy fusion dim sum, rare cognac, whiskies bottled in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, and unique cocktails such as the Osaka Sour, as you enjoy jazz-inspired performances.

2/F, Printing House, 6 Duddell Street, Central

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