The Wanch

You may not hear the tightest rock performances ever, but rock and roll comes from the crotch, not the throat.
The Wanch bills itself as Hong Kong’s home to live music, and they deliver.
Many Wan Chai nightclubs and bars feature live music, but you usually see Philipino cover bands doing watered down pop crap. Not here! This is rock and roll!
You still get cover songs, but these bands cover the Stones, Bowie, the Beatles et al with energy, soul and crotch!
So pack yourself into the tiny crowded dive bar on Jaffe Street, down a couple of brews and get ready to rock!

A very American feeling dive bar right here in Hong Kong. Sometimes good, sometimes terrible local music in an overcrowded, dingy pub that serves an adequate section of drinks. Exactly what one wants in a live music dive bar. 3 stars, which is the maximum a dive bar can achieve unless I become a regular.

Funny place! Ex-​hippie bar with live music, cheap drinks and friendly people in the heart of the Wan Chai red light district… good times!

Not a bad little dive bar. Was expecting some cheaper prices (as with dive bars in most places), but that wasn’t the case. The staff was nice, the music was okay. Just a guy singing and playing guitar. Went to other spots in the area which were more interesting and amusing.

Great bar with a live music venue! Bands come in set up and give a great jam session then breakdown and next band repeats the process. it’s a great way to hear a variety of music while having drinks and hanging with friends.
Place is small but provides a stadium like feel because it’s okay to stand near the front of the band or just hang out at the bar but there’s limited seating inside. Prices for drinks are reasonable with no cover and it’s worth it to get the night started here!

I love the Wanch — there I said it, I’ve declared my love for an inanimate object!
This was one of the first bars that I went to when I arrived in Hong Kong, and it still never fails to please when I drop in for a drink any time of the week.
In terms of what it serves as a bar, it’s fairly standard. There are a selection of beers, wines, spirits, etc., a very small selection of food and bar snacks, and that’s about it.
The venue itself is small with very little seating, but that just adds to the rock ‘n’ roll atmosphere. Also, as this bar is located a little further away from the main action on Jaffe Road, it is possible to spill out onto the streets with your drinks, especially if you’re a smoker. There are even tables and stalls in the alleyway next to the bar, if the noise from the music gets too much. I’m not sure about the legality of this though, so maybe cheese it is you see the cops.
The reason I love this place so much, is that it has live music. It claims to be the best live music venue in Hong Kong, and I’m inclined to agree with that sentiment. Every night there are a number of bands playing. Whether it’s the full rock ensemble, or a one-​man acoustic set. These bands are also amateur bands, unlike that pro Filipino bands that you’ll get in places like Spicy Fingers. This is what gives the Wanch that slight edge of coolness. It’s a great place for people who are interested in music to come and listen to music, or to even come and play music. That said, the quality varies, so don’t be upset if a particular ensemble doesn’t play the tunes the you’ve been hankering for, just wait them out over a cold beer and the next band may better suit.
There is also a loyalty card system whereby the every drink to you by gives you a stamp and after 10 stamps you get a free drink. There is also happy hour every day.
When you next drop by, look out for the owner John. He sings in a band called Don’t Panic and has this huge mass of silver hair. He’s one of the nicest blokes on the planet, and is total rock.