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adies, do you keep your husband at home out of a fear that his boys’ night out will resemble scenes from The Hangover ? Or, do you have the opposite problem: an uninspired man in your life who takes up valuable sofa space on a Saturday night while you’re desperate for some me-time to watch the latest episodes of Gossip Girl ? It can be hard to fnd a happy medium between all-nighters on the streets of Wan Chai and couch potato. But there are ways for the husbands/ boyfriends/dads of Hong Kong to let off some steam, catch up with mates, keep their wives happy and, with any luck, still remember it all in the morning.

For night owls

If you’re after a reasonably subdued night out, David, a father of three, says there’s nothing better than the trivia night at his local pub. There are similar nights like these all over Hong Kong, and you always have the option of bringing the whole family and having a quiet one, or really letting your hair down with the boys and making a night of it. Or, for a similarly competitive option, Kim, a mum from the UK, says she is always happy to send her husband off to the Happy Valley races on a Wednesday night. She says, “It’s a fun night out, and, because it’s a weeknight, there’s less chance it’ll get too debaucherous!” While Hong Kong’s nightclubs and bars are not often high on the list of wife-sanctioned venues for boys’ nights out, Hong Kong’s comedy clubs, on the other hand, are always guaranteed to get approval. Check out The Punchline Comedy Club in Wan Chai, or

Takeout Comedy in Soho. Look a little closer and you’ll be surprised at what else Hong Kong has to offer. Wine tastings, live music and even poetry nights, it’s not all jelly shots and skimpy-skirted barmaids out there.

For early birds

If daytime activities seem like a safer option, there are plenty to choose from in and around the city. Julian, a pilot, confesses that he has always wanted to get a group of friends together and spend a day zooming around a race track. Track Torque at Zhuhai International Circuit offers just that, and it’s near enough for a day trip. Ben, originally from Australia, booked a junk for a boys’ get together before his wedding. What happens on the junk stays on the junk, but sources tell me there were simply a few friendly games of poker played between the barbecue and beers, and the boys were home at a reasonable hour. Charley, a Lantau resident, plays competitive beach volleyball, and says it’s a great way to unwind on the weekend. He has also met a lot of fantastic people through the sport, and they always end up kicking on after each match. From dragon boating and bowling to cycling and rock climbing, Hong Kong is full of sporting groups and clubs that offer members the chance to engage in their favourite sports and catch up with friends at the same time.

It is defnitely possible to have a good time here in Hong Kong and, if you look beyond Lan Kwai Fong, you’re sure to fnd more PG-rated fun for the man in your life than you expected.

Are there any fun, wife-approved, places for the boys to go? asks Brooke Chenoweth .

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