[Hong Kong Night] 'Versus' light on buzz, with desire tucked away

A group of five or six men and women sit on a sofa, pouring drinks for one another from the bottles on the table. Meanwhile, in another corner, four men who appear to be in their forties place drink orders at the bar. The energetic younger crowd and the men edging into middle age enjoy the alcohol and music at distinctly different tempos and with different sensibilities. Two young women dressed in revealing outfits discreetly make overtures to a man sitting alone, but when their attempt comes to nothing, their eyes soon begin to wander again.

The interior of Versus, a club located in Hong Kong’s Lan Kwai Fong, is compact. The space is clean and comfortable, sparing patrons the fatigue that often comes with more oppressive club environments. However, indoor smoking is permitted, which may make it difficult for non-smokers to linger for long. The admission fee includes one complimentary drink coupon, making it a decent place to lightly warm up the night.

 

People of various age groups spend their time here without concern for the gaze of others—from those in their twenties to those who appear to be in their forties. Friends gather in small groups, chatting and clinking glasses. There are plenty of people wandering around the room, but bold gestures and aggressive flirting are rarely seen at Versus. Bodies sway to hip-hop and EDM beats, yet close interaction between men and women remains limited.

Versus is not a place to find an intense atmosphere charged with overt desire, nor an explosion of vibrant energy from its crowd. Still, if you have only just set foot in Lan Kwai Fong, it is a suitable spot to ease into the night. If your plan is to talk with friends and pass the time until the district fully comes alive before moving on to bigger ambitions, Versus is hardly a bad choice. After all, every place has its use.

 

◈ In One Line

In a place where stimulation is low and density is high, someone is always wandering in search of desire.