Welcome to Macau’s premier nightlife guide.
On this page, you’ll discover the vibrant and varied nightlife scene in Macau. You’ll find the perfect venue for you and your preferred night out. Whether you want to go all-out clubbing or if you’d like a more laid back dinner and drinks with a view, we’ve got your covered.
Enjoy!
An introduction to Macau
Macau or Macao officially the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, is a special administrative region on the western side of the Pearl River estuary in southern China.
Although Macau is often referred to as “Las Vegas of the East”, Las Vegas should actually be called the Macau of the West as the Chinese territory has been bigger than Las Vegas in casino revenue since 2007, despite Western casinos only arriving in Macau in 2002 and the first hotel on the infamous Cotai Strip opened its doors in 2006. In 2011, Macau’s gambling revenues were four times higher than those of Las Vegas.
Like Las Vegas, Macau is aiming to be known as a non-stop city with entertainment 24 hours a day. The old architecture in this small area, warm climate, and the parks and sea make for places to stroll at night, and the big casinos draw the world’s club entertainment performers and popular music groups. The city of Macau has gardens and picturesque landscapes. You might enjoy seeing the Portuguese-style buildings lit up at night at Senate Square. A free night spectacle on weekends is laser and music shows at the beautiful Cybernetic Fountain. Located on the waterfront across from the palace, this amazing fountain sends jets as high as 80 meters, and hundreds of spotlights add color.
Here in this article, we will provide all the necessary information related to the nightlife features of Macau, including a comprehensive list of the best destinations. You will find all the tools and necessary information here to organize your holidays in Macau the most complete way to make your journey a beautiful experience.
The Nightlife of Macau
A symphony of glamour, gaming, and gastro pubs, Macau is a hot favorite party destination in Asia. A night out in Macau is a fusion of traditional culture and contemporary lifestyle, which promises a soulful experience to the curious traveler. If you’ve been to Macau, you would have realized that it is truly a city where East meets West. There is plenty to do and many sights to behold. Its casinos may always headline the advertisements and travel guides to Macau, but while this is definitely on our list as well.
So here we have compiled this list of what we believe are the top activities to do in Macau, check out our recommended options here for the best venues available in Macau and all are ready to make you happy while you are enjoying your nightlife experience over there:
The largest casino in the world
Although Macau has far fewer tables and casinos than Las Vegas, it has eight of the top ten largest casinos in the world with the number one spot taken by The Venetian which was the first to open and the largest occupying a total of 546,000 square feet, over 4,000 gaming tables and an indoor arena that can host up to 15,000 people. The Venetian is a massive undertaking and you can spend an entire day inside its complex, hotel, bars, restaurants, stores and entertainment options and never have to step outside. In case you were wondering, the second-largest casino, The City of Dreams, is also in Macau.
Over the top hotels and resorts
Macau has some of the most over the top, extravagant and incredible hotels, casino resorts and nightlife entertainment options you can imagine. So much of it is so obscene that it is hard to get your head around it. Las Vegas does feel a bit the same but the difference is that Macau is made of a lot of high rolling VIP gamblers whereas Las Vegas is filled with visitors coming for the fun, the party and the atmosphere first, then for casual gambling. As a result, Macau’s casinos are a step above anything else.
Catch a glimpse of 338m tall Macau Tower and Bungee Jump
Regardless of how you arrived in Macau, be it by plane, ferry or otherwise, you’ll definitely always be able to catch a glimpse of the 338m tall Macau Tower, where you could take a few pictures of the dizzyingly tall structure and move on or you can (if you have the courage) challenge the world’s highest bungee jump from a building. Yes. Jump more than 200m above ground and plunge towards the ground at an insane speed only to have death’s doors slammed shut just before you get close enough to peer into it. Apart from the bungee jump, you could also take a relaxing walk around one of the highest floors of the tower. Except you’re walking on a narrow platform on the outside and held only by a suspension rope. If there are any adrenaline junkies among you, definitely pay a visit to the Macau Tower! The activities there are sure to be to your liking.
Relax on the sands of Hac Sa Beach
Hac Sa Beach is the largest natural beach in Macau and one of the top tourist destinations in the summer. The beach got its name from the natural black sand on the beach (Hac Sa means black sand in Cantonese) and nothing beats a good beach day. However, because the beaches are being eroded for the past few years, the Macanese government has filled the beach with some yellow sand to prevent it from disappearing completely. As with most beaches, a worthwhile activity would be to relax and laze on the beach and catch the sunset over the horizon.
Open-Top Bus Night Tour
Beneath the glimmering night lights admire Macau’s landmarks and iconic structures from an open-top double-decker bus. Explore this charming city and have the chance to top off your magical evening with a delicious Portuguese dinner. With more than 11 attractive stops see Macau from an open double-decker bus. Marvel at the City’s beautiful skyline under the glistening night lights and don’t forget to take postcard-perfect images of gorgeous structures such as Kun Iam Statue, the Science Center, and the fantastic casino resort, Lisboa.
House of dancing water
The House of Dancing Water is the world’s largest water-based stage show, exclusive to the City of Dreams Resort and Casino. The show is earning an international reputation as one of the most cutting-edge productions in the world, making it a must-see event if you are in Macau. Developed over 5 years and with 2 years of rehearsal, it is easy to see why The House of Dancing Water has become the iconic entertainment centerpiece of the city. Take your seat inside the theater-in-the-round and watch as director Franco Dragone creates a mystical masterpiece of opera, gymnastics, waterworks, and circus. All the while, neon-colored water jets spray in time to the music, and multimedia theatrics provide even more magic to the visually stunning set. Dazzling, dramatic, and state-of-the-art, this never-before-seen event pushes the boundaries of human performance and leaves you astounded and amazed.
Best Bars in Macau
Macallan Whisky Bar and Lounge
If there’s one thing The Macallan Whisky Bar & Lounge excels in, it is the extensive collection of more than 400 spirits in which to indulge. But even if the comprehensive menu weren’t so compelling, the interior design alone would make this watering hole worth a visit. Tucked inside the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Galaxy Hotel, the bar feels warm and inviting with fur throws, leather armchairs, and a fireplace. A perfect spot for a nightcap, The Macallan Whisky Bar & Lounge naturally specializes in flights of its namesake nip. There are also extremely rare bottles, such as a 57-year aged Macallan poured from a gorgeous decanter.
The Ritz-Carlton Bar & Lounge
High atop Five-Star, The Ritz-Carlton Macau is one of the City’s best-kept secrets: The Ritz-Carlton Bar & Lounge. The elegant spot is the highest bar in Macau, overlooking the neon Cotai skyline and waterways below from its perch on the 51st floor. The views are matched only by the beautiful surroundings: rich red leather couches create a contemporary feel, while marble and wood accents add to the glamorous vibe. Head here at sunset to soak up the views and enjoy a nightly jazz performance – with a gin and tonic in hand, of course.
Wing Lei Bar
It has a breathtaking design, reminiscent of an ornate jewelry box, shines with mirrors, bright emerald hues, and champagne tones, gold trim, and billowing drapes. The star of the show is an 18th-century crystal chandelier that shimmers in the center of the bar, complemented by the semi-precious stones embedded on the walls. Amid all the glitz and glamor, the bar has also perfected the art of tea and cocktails. For afternoon refreshment, more than 50 herbal brews grace the menu, hand-selected by the hotel’s tea sommelier. Come evening, a glass of Gosset Grande Reserve Brut should round out the luxurious experience.
Vida Rica Bar
Taking up prime waterfront real estate on Macau’s main peninsula, the Five-Star Mandarin Oriental, Macau is one of the City’s most prestigious addresses. The hotel overlooks the cityscape from several angles, thanks to its wedge-like shape. And the best place to soak up the views would have to be Vida Rica Bar. A marvelously designed space with double-height ceilings, intimate nooks, crystal cylindrical lighting fixtures and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the skyline, Vida Rica is home to three separate bars and a carefully curated menu of Macau-inspired drinks. The signature Millionaire’s Mojito features mint, lime, and rum topped off with champagne, while the refreshing Litchi Martini mixes together lychee fruits, white wine, vodka, and green apple.
The St. Regis Bar
One of the most creative lounges on the strip, The St. Regis Bar, located inside Four-Star – The St. Regis Macau, Cotai Central, combines thoughtful aesthetic and innovative cocktails. In homage to Macau’s Portuguese and Chinese heritage, the address sports a glowing mural above the bar as well as a mix of contemporary and historic art. Throughout the various rooms, you’ll find large leather sofas and sculptural touches, including a chandelier-like centerpiece with gold rings dangling from the ceiling.
Old Taipa Tavern
Set in Taipa Village, the Old Taipa Tavern is the sort of sleepy local pub you’d find on the back roads of Cork. The out of the way location is certainly part of the charm, and it means most of the customers are regulars, consisting largely of local expats. It has everyone-knows-your-name community club friendliness that’s missing from most Macau pubs. Go here to sip a few pints, dive into a newspaper and get into an argument about politics. Other attractions include occasional live music, comedy, and Irish-style pub grub, including breakfast.
38 Lounge
Finally, what is perhaps Macau’s most discreet drinking haunt has secured a niche for itself at the top of the Altira Hotel on Taipa. Called 38 Lounge – a traditionally lucky combination of numerals, it is a blend of indoors and out, with a house band and a resident DJ, all sorts of enticing cocktails, and a fun ambiance that pulls in a young crowd intent on having fun. The lounge opens late afternoon, but has no set closing time: it’s very much a case of “the last man standing.”
Moonwalker Bar
Right in the heart of Macau’s nightlife hub, Moonwalker Bar is one of the strip’s more famous and more permanent residents. If you’re looking for a crowd and a chance to swap phone numbers, Moonwalker is the place to bring your little black book. The back-lit spirit shelves and exposed pipes look like the 1980’s Miami, but that’s excused by the sheer enthusiasm of the patrons and regular cover bands from the Philippines who belt out rock and pop classics. The action tends to start late and end early in the morning.
ABA BAR
The MGM hotel has one of the most amazing atriums in Macau – high and bright and a stunning tribute to the City’s architecture. In one corner ABA Bar, complementing Aux Beaux Arts restaurant – is a parlor-style lounge where guests can enjoy a crafted cocktail or sip from a multitude of varietal selections housed in the wine cellar. High-backed chairs and satin sofas provide the perfect backdrop for a pre-dinner drink or a romantic nightcap. On weekends DJs serve up contemporary and chic sets for the music-loving crowd.
Best Bar Restaurants in Macau
Clube Militar de Macau
Built-in 1870 as a private military club, the stately pink-and-white structure was restored in 1995 and reopened as a restaurant. The place exudes old-world charm, complete with its colonial-style décor of teak floorboards, netted windows, and ceiling fans. It welcomes you to a much slower and quieter side of Macau; a sanctuary of peace and calm from the hustle and bustle out on the streets. The restaurant serves delicious Portuguese fare and offers an excellent selection of wines. Either The MOP$153 buffet or degustation menu are both good options.
Yamazato
For Japanese fine ding in Macau look no further than Yamazato, located on the 28th floor of Hotel Okura. Here they serve kaiseki meals, multicourse meals using only the finest seasonal ingredients and cooking techniques. We recommend you try the Kaiseki Set-Lunch priced at 600 patacas. Standout dishes include the Oita bungo beef sukini, which melts in the mouth, and the delicious rice bowl with sea urchin and salmon roe. Decked out with wooden ceilings and Japanese minimalist design, the restaurant has a zen atmosphere and its high location offers some of the best views in Macau. They are happy to tailor the meal to your own desired menu.
Restaurante Litoral
Litoral is the spiritual home of Macanese cuisine. Set inside a classic Portuguese colonial building, the wooden framed interior is stacked with wine bottles while the starched white table cloths are more Algarve than Asia. You will have to put up service that borders on grumpy, but it is worth suffering the surly service for first-class interpretations of Macanese classics. Try the baked duck rice – laced with chorizo or the minchi beef or pork cooked with potatoes, onions, soy sauce. The portions are belt-busting.
Albergue 1601
This place is a bit of a hidden gem. Set in a courtyard in a stunning two-story colonial building, it offers superb ambiance, character, and great food. You could be forgiven for thinking you were in Europe rather than Macau. The restaurant serves both Portuguese and Macanese cuisine, offering various dishes from seafood to roast crispy skin pork, which is delicious. Unquestionably, this restaurant is the perfect place to come for a spot of al fresco lunch, enjoyed in a leisurely fashion at one of the outside tables.
Riquexo
If you are looking for somewhere to try traditional Macanese dishes (rather than Portuguese), this is the place. Riquexo is run by a former chef who is sometimes referred to as the “Godmother of Macanese cuisine.” As a casual and affordable canteen-style restaurant with a handful of outdoor tables, it has its own charm, not least because it is one of the last remaining spots to find pure and simple Macanese food. Come here for real home-cooked-style Macanese dishes, like Macau’s very own national dish – minchi – a savory minced pork and potato dish with a touch of soy, eaten with steamed rice.
Best Nightclubs in Macau
D2 Nightclub
D2 is a hidden gem of the clubbing variety. It is hard to believe the corporate AIA Tower houses one of the most popular nightclubs in Macau. But after the suits have gone home, the building comes alive with a totally different crowd. Both expats and locals pack it in on the weekends, though there is rarely a queue and no cover charge unless there is a special event.
Club Cubic
If you want to know why the new casinos which have flooded into Macau have been so successful, look no further than Club Cubic, which provides revelers with exactly the sort of fabulous sound and light show they crave night after night. A tad under 3,000 square meters, it is the largest club in the city, and it lines up the international DJs and performers such as Floridian hip-hop artist Flo Rida night after night. There are a champagne bar and (pricey) VIP rooms with a grandstand view of the action, so given the operating hours, this is the place for young hipsters to start / end their day. As you might imagine, Club Cubic is not somewhere for a quiet pint.
Macau Soul
It would be hard to find somewhere more laid-back than Macau Soul. The bar / club is run by a couple from the north of England with a fondness for good wine, good music and all the other good things in nightlife entertainment. Anyone dropping by here should take a moment to browse the wine list, which carries more than 400 labels from Portugal, chosen from both traditional and newer progressive producers. The live entertainment is similarly wide-ranging and varies from night to night: jazz, blues, old-time, Texas swing, country, folk and classical. It is always fun here, that’s for sure.
Live Music Association
The wildcard of Macau Entertainment, LMA is a not-for-profit venture, put together by a bunch of musicians and other arty types, and as such, we have to admire it. Rather than staging nightly gigs, LMA hosts occasional live acts (both home-grown and from out of town) from the alternative or emerging music scene. The bands normally get started around 8 pm. The venue has a surprisingly large fan base, perhaps because it is the only joint of its kind in the city. The drinking on offer is fairly basic but comes spiced with some unusual music. By a strange quirk of fashion, wearing an LMA tee-shirt (for sale on the premises) is regarded.
Best Casinos in Macau
Macau (also known as Macao) has long been Asia’s gaming capital. Here are still many hotels in Macao that cater to family and / or businesses and therefore are gambling free but Macao is a small island and those who wish to try their luck can easily find a casino nearby. Following are some of the best casinos in Macau:
City of Dreams
Situated right across from its competitor Venetian Macao Casino on Cotai Strip, the City of Dreams is one of Macao’s most extraordinary gaming destinations. With an extensive range of more than 1,000 machines and over 350 gaming tables (games include baccarat, blackjack, roulette, Caribbean stud, craps, three-card poker, three-card baccarat, casino war, fan tan). The City of Dreams has a lot more to offer: Don’t miss the most talked-about stage show in town; the House of Dancing Water (created by the multi-award-wining show maker Franco Dragone) and the Dragon’s Treasure – a 10-minute multi-media experience combining high-definition video, a sweeping musical score and over 29,000 theatrical LED lights.
Hard Rock Casino
The Hard Rock Hotel together with Crown Towers and Grand Hyatt are the three hotels located in a mega-sized integrated entertainment resort called the City of Dreams. Gamers have more opportunities to try their luck in Rock ‘n’ Roll style at the Hard Rock Casino adjacent to the hotel which features, for example, ‘Round the Clock’ Texas Hold ‘em – games available and seven poker tables in the main area including two VIP high stakes tables. In conclusion, Hard Rock Casino offers 35 tables and 193 machines slot machines covering 35,700 square feet of gaming floor on the hotel’s level 2. Expect to see a huge Rock ‘n’ Roll memorabilia collection there.
Pharaoh’s Palace Casino
Play and have fun while wandering through the beautiful images, paintings, and carvings of sphinxes and ancient Egyptian figures at the Pharaoh’s Palace Casino, the first themed casino in Macao. It occupies three spacious floors in the Landmark Hotel and entertains people with games and slots ranging from blackjack to fish-prawn-crab cusses and stud poker. The shopping arcade houses many leading international brands including Patek Phillippe and Franck Muller. For dining options, customers will not be disappointed with the variety of world cuisines such as Chinese, Japanese and European.
Rio Casino
Rio Casino has four VIP rooms with a total of 15 baccarat tables while the main gaming floor provides only 150 slot machines and 51 gaming tables. With its comparably modest size, Rio Casino is popular among local gamers who prefer fewer crowds and more intimate gaming experience. Other attractions in the Rio Hotel & Casino are a men-only spa as well as an exotic nightclub.
StarWorld Hotel & Casino
This luxurious five-star hotel and casino feature dazzling décor with well over 500 luxury rooms and suites. Located in one of the best neighborhoods in town on Avenida da Amizade, in the heart of Macau’s gaming district, StarWorld Casino boasts 140,000 square feet of gaming area with 249 gambling tables and more than 280 slots and covers all kind of games. Each of the VIP rooms is located on different floors to give players more privacy.
The Sands Macao
The Sands Macao is owned by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, one of the world’s major casino operators, and offers a fun gaming atmosphere over three spacious floors (total 165,000 square feet) with a lot of entertainment, free drinks and buffets just like at the Las Vegas Sands. No one can miss their spectacular 36-meter long chandelier when entering the main casino floor. It’s huge and weighs over 100,000 pounds! The Sands Macao entertains both small-time and high-rollers who come to enjoy the 740 tables and 1,254 slot machines as well as their outstanding VIP rooms. The Sands Macao is usually extremely busy over the weekend because of its superb location near the Hong Kong ferry pier.
The Venetian Macao
This is currently the biggest casino in the world with a vast selection of 800 gambling tables and a couple of thousand slot machines from four differently themed gaming sections (total area well over 550,000 square feet!). The $2.3 billion projects has 3,000 luxury hotel suites, more than one million square feet of retail space, huge event venues (large enough to hold 90 Boeing 747 jumbo jets) and entertainment. In short, it is the biggest single-structure building in Asia. The casino consists of over with 3,400 slot machines and 800 gambling tables. The Venetian Kids zone will look after and amuse your little ones while you enjoy yourselves at the tables or you could choose to have a round on the fun 18-hole mini-golf course.
Wynn Macau
Wynn Macau was the first to open a Las Vegas-style destination casino resort in Asia. Opened in 2006, it has 600 deluxe hotel rooms and suites, six restaurants, cavernous retail space and the heart of the matter- a big gaming room of around 205,000 square feet featuring about 360 slot machines and 200 tables. After Wynn’s success, the owners decided to build a sister hotel. Encore at Wynn Macau has 400 plus luxury suites and villas located immediately adjacent to Wynn Macau. It means gamers can enjoy not only more shopping (including Prada and Versace) and dining experiences but a new intimate gaming facility too.
Conclusion
Let us conclude the topic, here in this article we had a brief introduction of Macau along with highlighting some of its prominent norms, culture, and nightlife features. We also went through different activities and places to enjoy the nightlife of the region, Musical venues, Bars, Restaurants and Nightclubs as well. Such activities provide a great source of entertainment for tourists and locals as well.
As already elaborated, the nightlife attraction of Macau scattered throughout the city. There are several streets / bustling areas of the city where cafes, concert and dance venues, galleries and restaurants offer something special to everyone who loves the culture, shopping and nightlife attraction. There are plenty of pubs & bars throughout the City areas and they are truly satisfying the desire of thirsty visitors where you can enjoy your cocktails with the mesmerizing architectural beauty of the hand-crafted beers and their decors.
You don’t feel any hunger during your trip, that is why we also suggested some of the finest restaurants in the city that offers exotic and delicious food along with your favorite drinks. You can enjoy the taste of good food along with some great booze.
And lastly, we went through comprehensive options of nightclubs of the city that offers great music and fun with some delightfully exotic choices of drinks and cocktail that will delight your overall experience of charming nightlife during your stay at Macau.
All of the experiences as mentioned above will work together to make your journey to Macau absolutely a memorable one. A perfect and balanced blend of the above-identified activities can actually boost your experience and make your trip extremely unforgettable for you.
Video To Watch To Discover
Is Macau a party city?
A symphony of glamour, gaming, and gastro pubs, Macau is a hot favorite party destination in Asia. A night out in Macau is a fusion of traditional culture and contemporary lifestyle, which promises a soulful experience to the curious traveler.
Which country has the best nightlife?
Greece, Hungary, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, and Spain are the best countries to explore for all kinds of tourist activities including the nightlife. Where is the party capital of the world located? Ibiza in Spain is also called as the party capital of the world and offers an engrossing Spain nightlife experience.