Less Halloween jitters for bars and pubs

Eunice Lam

Bars and pubs are optimistic Halloween on Thursday will draw locals and tourists to hot spots in Lan Kwai Fong and Tsim Sha Tsui as they expect a 3 to 5 percent increase in business - thanks to the Wine and Dine Festival, a series of promotional activities and the fact that the revelry will come on a weeknight instead of a weekend.

"Many locals and tourists headed to Lan Kwai Fong to continue their partying after enjoying their time at the Central Harbourfront last Thursday, and business was very satisfying then," said Hong Kong Bar and Club Association chairman Chin Chun-wing.

Hongkongers are more likely to stay in the city - and not head northbound - as this year's Halloween is on a weekday.

Bars are also saying they are setting the theme of decorations to the taste of the younger generation, while hoping that travel agencies can also include Lan Kwai Fong in their itinerary to attract mainland customers.

A staff member at a Lan Kwai Fong bar, King, said mainland tourists tend to spend a lot on wine, whiskey and champagne and they expect a 5 to 10 percent increase in sales this year.

"Many of them would order a whole bottle of wine," he said.

Jacky, an assistant manager at another bar in Lan Kwai Fong, said his establishment's decoration theme is Chinese ghost marriage, and they hope to attract single customers with a series of new games.

He said his bar's reservation situation on Halloween night is "satisfying" and they plan to promote menus with a higher net profit, such as cocktails, champagne and whiskey.

Jacky added: "The government also has many Halloween activities this year to support the night economy, which I believe will help increase business by 10 to 15 percent compared to last year."

Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades president Simon Wong Ka-wo said despite the trend of Hongkongers going to Shenzhen for leisure, he believes the city still enjoys advantages as celebrating Halloween is still not common in the mainland.

But he said mainland tour groups, or short-stay visitors from the Greater Bay Area, are also less likely to spend a lot in Lan Kwai Fong.

"Lan Kwai Fong mainly targets middle to high-end customers, so Hongkongers and foreign customers are still the main force, while the mainland tour groups can help increase foot traffic and enhance the festive atmosphere," Wong said.

The Tsim Sha Tsui Halloween Night Vibes Laser Show, meanwhile, will be held tomorrow and on Thursday night, from 7pm to 11pm, with the Clock Tower and Hong Kong Cultural Centre adding a touch of spookiness as well as cuteness with pandas.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com