What is the biggest F&B group in Lan Kwai Fong and SOHO? Lan Kwai Fong Entertainment? Igor’s ? Dining Concepts? Few people may have noticed, the fast growing “F & B” business in town is in fact – CLUB 7-(11) GROUP.

Within several years, the CLUB 7 GROUP has gained incredible popularity. Despite the 97 economic downturn and the current financial tsunami, the group has not only survived but is also aggressively expanding its business. Hiphongkong has investigated the secret of their success.

WHAT MAKES A 7-ELEVEN A SUCCESSFUL CLUB 7

The first criteria for a 7-11 to be upgraded to a Club 7 is a prime location near the drinking areas that attract a good crowd of young people and bohemians who definitely know how to drink to impress.

Second, to qualify as a club, a 7-11 needs good food and beverages. CLUB 7s all have a wide range of cocktails, special imported bottled beer, wines and other liquors. In some cases, they even sell champagnes and sparking wines!

We are particularly amazed with their wide collection of imported beers which are not readily available in other venues. Just to name a few, some 7-11s carry Carlsberg, Elephant Beer, Stella, Hoegaarden, Samuel Adams and Corona. The taste of their (bottled) cocktails are always up to standard.

Their wines are usually popular Australian brands and their liquor shots are always more than double the size. But the most attractive thing about their F&B is their unbeatable prices which is at least 2 - 3 times lower than usual!

Another unique selling point of CLUB 7s is that they are the only clubs that can sell cigarettes 100% legally. This definitely draws smokers from neighboring pubs who are craving a cigarette.

Finally, not only do CLUB 7s have prime locations, good food and drinks with an invincible pricing strategy as well as the exclusive rights to sell tobacco, but they also manage to diversify their branches, with each club having its own personality and vibe.

Hiphongkong has reviewed the 7 best Club 7s around town. Ready for a Club 7 Crawl?

CLUB 7 HERITAGE @ D'Aguilar Street
BEST PICK UP PLACE

CLUB 7 HERITAGE is the pioneer of the group. It is also one of the oldest standing establishments in Lan Kwai Fong that has witnessed the ever-changing scene around the exciting neighborhood. Although there are many sister branches around LKF and Soho now, CLUB 7 HERITAGE is still the busiest for its prime location. It's the best waiting spot to gather up friends and is practically the first "bar" tourists pass by when they are walking up from the MTR station. Many tourists are amused by the amount of people drinking on the street and the fact that it is legal to do so. The interaction between locals and tourists make it an ideal place for “cultural exchange” experience. One of the most commonly used pick-up line there is probably “Do you speak English?”. Whether your answer is a friendly “Yes” or a sarcastic “No”, a conversation is forged.

CLUB 7 HERITAGE offers sushi which is delivered fresh almost daily at 5am. This is something unavailable in other CLUB 7s. Another speciality of CLUB 7 HERITAGE is their premium Moet which is also not sold in other branches.

The prime time in CLUB 7 HERITAGE is the longest. For its budget prices and prime location, CLUB 7 HERITAGE is a popular pre-game location. Therefore, starting from around 9 –10pm, the club is already being filled. CLUB 7 HERITAGE is also the Homebase equivalent of the group, as many people go there for a last beer or a comforting bottle of water before jumping on the earliest MTR or bus home. Despite strong competition, CLUB 7 HERITAGE is still most people’s favorite.

PUB 7 @ Lan Kwai Fong
BEST VIBE + BEST MUSIC

Opened around 4 four years ago, PUB 7 has become one of the most popular venues at the Heart of Lan Kwai Fong. It is always packed and happening and has drawn many loyal customers from CLUB 7 HERITAGE on D'Aguilar Street for several reasons – special décor, alfresco seating and good music.

Unlike a typical CLUB 7, which is decorated with minimalist white walls and bright lighting, PUB 7 is has light-wood wall(paper)s and stylish decor which resembles a corner pub. Their soft lighting also makes the place very welcoming. Like in a regular pub, you can also hear popular tunes there (from the opposite club, Lux).

Adjacent to the indoor venue is an alfresco seating area with a few benches. The area is decorated with natural greens and several pieces of graffiti arts – a unique feature of the pub. There are several venues doing ladies night promotion right opposite to PUB 7. Therefore, the place is also packed with university boys taking a break from the expensive craze for a nice, budget drink. The good mix of young crowd, nice music and the alfresco seating make PUB 7 one of the best mingling and people watching spots in LKF.

CLUB 7 FRESCO @ Wyndham Street opposite to Wagyu
BEST CHILL-OUT PLACE

Unlike other CLUB 7s which is usually tiny and jam-packed by people and stocks, CLUB 7 FRESCO is spacious and has a lot of room for people to stand around the "bar". This is also the only branch that has small tables where you can take your time enjoying your food and drinks without stress. This is also the only CLUB 7 which sells paper cups. They are almost encouraging you to have a bottle of wine with your friends! Therefore, CLUB 7 FRESCO is a nice relaxing chill-out place amid a busy and noisy weekend night on Wyndham Street, especially during the hot summer for its cool fresh air-conditioning which literally chill you out.

CLUB 7 NEIGHBOHEMIAN @ Hollywood Rd X Elgin St
BEST STAFF AND SERVICES

As its title suggests, CLUB 7 NEIGHBOHEMIAN is like a neighborhood bar for bohemians. The place is very popular among musicians and their friends/fans because of the neighboring artsy live music venues such as Peel Fresco, Soiree and The Melting Pot. Musicians usually go there for a cigarette break between sessions. You almost always bump into someone you know when you pass by CLUB 7 NEIGHBOHEMIAN. There, everybody knows everybody, including the very friendly staff who remember the regulars' names! When the place is less busy, you can see people mingling with the nice bar staff. If you are lucky, you may even have the chance to see a free live show by their regulars in this homey place!
 

CLUB 7 STONE @ Pottinger Street X Lyndhurst Terrace
BEST DRINKS

This branch is called CLUB 7 STONE for two reasons. First, it is right next to the stony Pottinger Street. Second, it is visited by the electro-techno crowd from Yumla, who usually look quite intoxicated during late mid-night - definitely not for no special reasons. This latest addition to CLUB 7 GROUP is serious about their drinks. The "bar" is situated right at the entrance, displaying a wide collection of imported bottled beers, colorful looking cocktails and chilled white wines and rosés. Tucked at the back is another bigger "bar" area selling more special brews, "mocktails" and virgin (long island) iced tea. There is also a good-sized red wine "cellar" storing mostly screw-cap Australian and New Zealand wines. The kids really have to watch out when they are walking up and down the stony steps.
 

LOUNGE 7 @ Hollywood Road West opposite to M1NT
BEST FOOD + BEST SEATING

LOUNGE 7 is definitely the classiest CLUB 7 branch. Upon entering, you can see a proper wine rank decorated with (plastic) grapevines and leaves near the entrance. They also sell sparking wine, which is something quite special not only among CLUB 7s but also in the entire Central scene. LOUNGE 7 also has the best gourmet (microwave) food such as Korean Shark-fin Soup and al dente pastas, freshest veggie salads and chicken wraps. Apart from its a la carte menu, LOUNGE 7 also offers set Chinese meals until they run out. Also, LOUNGE 7 has a wide collection of chips sourced from all over the world to match with their special beers. But the most attractive thing about LOUNGE 7 is its comfortable alfresco lounge benches which are great for having intimate conversations with friends. Facing the sexy M1NT, The Classified and Duo, LOUNGE 7 is also to see and be seen people-watching spot.

CLUB 7 GALLERY @ Po Yan Street
BEST EXTERIOR DESIGN

Technically, CLUB 7 GALLERY isn't a proper bar yet. CLUB 7 GALLERY is only happening when their neighboring art spaces including Cat Street Gallery, Para/site and Lomography are doing exhibition openings. Therefore, it is like an after-party space for artist and designer personalities when an exhibition opening is over. Thanks to the BYOB policy of the near by caterer/private kitchen Magnolia, CLUB 7 GALLERY seems to be hosting a block party whenever there's a private function there.

Unlike other CLUB 7s, CLUB 7 GALLERY has a very stylish nameplate which is black in color, instead of the typical red, orange and green striped plate. It also has a black (storage) room next to it which resembles a dark room for developing films. In fact, they actually offer digital photo printing services there - you can be your own party photographer and get your "artworks" printed and exhibited in this CLUB 7 GALLERY.

CLUB 7-10 @ Cochrane Street X Gage Street
GAY-FRIENDLY

This location is quite popular among the gays before dawn on a weekend because it is closest to the legendary gay disco Propaganda and the gay-friendly Drop and Homebase. With several benches under the escalator, some party-animals, whether 1 or 0, may stop by CLUB 7-10 for one last drink before going home. In fact, our journalists have bumped into their gay friends several times there on the way to HSBC for some taxi-money. Its location near the cash machine probably makes it a common final spot to end a wild night out.
 

HIPHONGKONG'S RECOMMENDED CLUB 7 CRAWL

CLUB 7 GALLERY → LOUNGE 7 → CLUB 7 NEIGHBOHEMIAN → CLUB 7 STONE or CLUB 7-10 → CLUB 7 FRESCO → PUB 7 → CLUB 7 HERITAGE

It is perfect to start with CLUB 7 GALLERY on a Thursday night when the Cat Street Gallery or Para/Site is having a gallery opening. Start early at 9pm because it takes around 30 minutes at each spot. By the time you reach LKF that’d be 1am -prime time- time to hit the legendary CLUB HERITAGE on D'Aguilar Street. After having walked around the whole Central nightlife circle, and having had enough drinks, you can then finally hit the real clubs.