Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [267]
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DRINKING
Despite an economic downturn, larger casino resorts still have thriving bar and music scenes. The southern end of the NAPE area on Macau Peninsula (what locals call Lan Kwai Fong) is also where to head for pub crawls.
Drinks-wise, Macau Beer has a couple of its own brews: the citrus-tasting Blond Ale and the Amber Ale, which is quite hoppy. All sorts of ‘ruby’ ports are available in Macau – the Parador is particularly fine – but go for something different, such as the evocatively named Lágrima do Christo (Tears of Christ), a white port. Some Portuguese aguardentes(brandies) are worthwhile, such as Adega Velha and Antqua VSOP Aliança.
38 Map Bar
2886 8888; 38th fl, Altira Macau, Avenida de Kwong Tung, Taipa; 24hr
The latest incarnation of the famous Crystal Club, this bar sits atop the hotel tower with a terrific outdoor terrace that offers spectacular vistas of the harbour and Macau Peninsula. Combine this with its extensive wines and whisky selection and you get one of the best drinking haunts on Taipa.
CASABLANCA CAFÉ Map Bar
2875 1281; Ground fl, Vista Magnífica Court Bldg, Avenida Dr Sun Yat Sen, Macau Peninsula; 6pm-4am, happy hour 6-8pm
Casablanca is a favourite hang-out for the Portuguese in Macau’s Lan Kwai Fong. It has a long list of cocktails, plays cold jazz in the background and is considered the best spot to chill out in NAPE.
CINNEBAR Map Bar
8986 3838; Ground fl, Wynn Macau, Rua Cidade de Sintra, NAPE, Macau Peninsula; 3pm-midnight
Cinnebar is a good place to go for a quiet natter. It has a fantastic combination of swish and casual: upmarket and classy surroundings indoor and a relaxed, amic-able atmosphere in its outdoor seating area around the swimming pool and the garden. Some exotically blended cocktails and homemade snacks are served in this lobby bar.
CORNER’S WINE BAR & TAPAS CAFÉ Map Bar, Cafe
2848 2848; 3 Travessa de São Paulo, Macau Peninsula; cafe noon-5pm, wine bar 5pm-midnight Sun-Thu, 5pm-1am Fri & Sat
This popular rooftop bar and tapas joint attracts the cool, arty-inclined crowd. It has a great location just across from the cathedral ruins, and is dominated by pink comfy couches. At night it’s a perfect place for chilled-out drinks amid soft lighting and soothing music.
MACAU SOUL Map Cafe, Lounge
2836 5182; www.macausoul.com; 31A Rua de São Paulo, Macau Peninsula; 9.30am-8.30pm Mon-Thu, 9.30am-midnight Fri-Sun
Run by two English retirees, this low-key spot is a hidden gem just down the hill from St Paul’s ruins. The ground floor is elegantly decked out with wooden furniture and stained-glass windows that ooze a comfy, easygoing feel. The basement gets very crowded when it is transformed into a live venue for jazz, blues and country bands. The opening hours vary, so phone ahead before you go.
MCSORLEY’S ALE HOUSE Map Bar
2882 8198; Shop 1038, Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, Estrada da Baía de Nossa Senhora da Esperança, Taipa; 11am-2.30am
This cosy tavern-style watering hole in the Venetian is a genial spot that attracts rugby and soccer fanatics watching footy on the telly with its live-satellite broadcasts of European matches. The selection of imported beers and pub grub is extensive and reasonably priced.
MGM GRAND MACAU Map Bar
8802 3888; Grande Praça, Avenida Dr Sun Yat Sen, Macau Peninsula
If you can’t make up your mind where to sip in the city, MGM Grand has several excellent bars that offer a bit of something for everyone. The handsome Veuve Clicquot Lounge ( 8802 3888; 6pm-4am) is decked out with whimsically designed loveseats and populated mostly by yuppies and after-work suits enjoying the pricey champagnes. The sleek, high-up Aba Bar ( 8802 2533; 5pm-2am) has a beautiful glass cellar stored with a variety of wines that attracts beautiful urbanities at all times. Next door is the Russian Room ( 8802 2374; 5pm-2am), a sparkling and splendidly designed pub for the high-heeled types to wash down the caviar with the expertly selected