Hong Kong's nightlife districts announce themselves with a riot of neon, heralding frenetic after-hours action. Clubs and bars fill to capacity nightly, evening markets pack in shoppers looking for bargains, restaurants welcome hearty diners, cinemas pop corn as fast as they can, and theaters and concert halls prepare for full houses.

All premises licensed to serve alcohol are supposedly subject to stringent fire, safety, and sanitary controls, although at times this is hard to believe, given the overcrowding at the hippest places. True clubs, as distinct from public premises, are even less strictly controlled, and wise travelers should think twice before succumbing to the city's raunchier hideaways. If you stumble into one, check out cover and hostess charges before you get too comfortable. Pay for each round of drinks as it's served (by cash rather than credit card), and never sign any blank checks.

If you want to tune in to the arts scene, the most comprehensive calendar of cultural events is HK Magazine, a free weekly newspaper distributed each Friday to many restaurants, stores, and bars. You can also read daily reviews in the Life section of the Hong Kong Standard and its weekend Hong Kong Life magazine.

City Hall (2921-2840) has posters and huge bulletin boards listing events and ticket availability. You can buy tickets for cultural events held in government centers from booths on the ground floor by the main entrance.

URBTIX (2734-9009, 2582-0232, 2734-9009, or 2582-0232) outlets are the easiest places to buy tickets for most performances; you'll find a branch at the Hong Kong Arts Centre (2734-9009, 2582-0232, 2734-9009, or 2582-0232) in addition to the one at City Hall.