Kong 72 Speakeasy Bar

The ceiling is the first thing you notice. Paper parasols, dozens of them, packed edge to edge the whole way across, with red lanterns hanging between. The light comes through them pink and red, and the room stops looking like Da Nang.

Then you see the stage. A pink neon sign with the bar's name, red curtains behind it, a rug on the boards. On a good night there is a full band on it, keys and drums and three guitars and somebody singing. On another night there is an aerial hoop hanging over the floor with a performer folded into it.

The rest of the room is built for staying. A long bar, a pool table at the back, low chairs, and private rooms if you came with a group and want a door.

The detail people photograph is the old Coca-Cola fridge by the entrance, repainted with the bar's own name on it and the words ice cold. It tells you what the place is: a Hong Kong bar built with care, not a theme printed on a wall.

It is on My Da Dong 12, one street back from the An Thuong bars, open from six in the evening until two in the morning every day except Monday. What is playing is posted on their Instagram.