Halloween brings Lan Kwai Fong back to life

Halloween has helped bring thousands of revellers out to wine and dine in the city's night clubs, with Lan Kwai Fong chairman Allan Zeman calling it the busiest he could remember. "It was probably the busiest I've ever seen and I started Lan Kwai Fong about 30 years ago," Zeman told Hong Kong Today. He estimated that more than 60,000 people came out to celebrate. Ahead of the big night, some bar representatives had forecast a 10 percent rise in sales, but Zeman said many businesses reported a revenue surge of 25 percent or more. He said Hongkongers were in the mood to celebrate after some tough years and there was pent-up demand. "It was just a sea of bodies and costumes and just people having the greatest time that they've ever had. I've never seen so many people come out (to Halloween)," he said. Zeman said there was a good mix of revellers, with about 25 percent from mainland China. Another 15 to 20 percent were westerners - probably tourists - and the rest were locals. He said many bars and clubs were booked up two weeks in advance, including reservations made a month in advance "which we've never ever had before".