Hope twangs for more LKF action

Lan Kwai Fong remained quiet despite authorities relaxing the cap on public gatherings and allowing bars to have live music from midnight yesterday.

But Lan Kwai Fong Group chairman Allen Zeman said many musicians had left Hong Kong when the ban was in place, and many might not return.

Authorities had earlier relaxed the size of gatherings, going from four to 12 people, while live performances and dancing are now allowed at restaurants, bars and clubs.

But no live music performance was heard ringing out from bars in Lan Kwai Fong in the early hours of yesterday, and patrons were seated while drinking and chatting and not dancing.

One manager said his bar used to invite bands to perform, and there are plans to resume live music performances tomorrow to help the establishment attract more business.

But it will be difficult to return to levels enjoyed before the pandemic bit as there are no foreign tourists.

An employee at another bar said customers will be allowed to dance from today.

But he added that people might not be able to enjoy themselves fully as bars can only operate until 2am under continuing anti-Covid rules.

"I hope authorities will cancel the restrictions on opening hours for bars and allow customers to drink overnight," he said.

He also noted many bars that broadcast overseas football games have been hit hard by the operating-hours rules as they can no longer livestream matches into the early hours.

Still, Zeman said yesterday that the decision to allow live music again was like "music to his ears."

Live music will definitely help bring back more customers to bars, he said.

"If there's no live music and DJs are not allowed either it is pretty tame in the bars," he added.

And live music could bring back the good atmosphere at bars, so people should be more willing to go out and visit.

On many musicians having left Hong Kong, Zeman said: "Many cannot come back because they don't have the money to return, though the hope is that was some will be able to make it.

He also noted that many musicians "have families to support and children going to school. I felt very, very bad for them. Hopefully, with life coming back to normal they will be able to survive again."