Vinyl is king at Frank's Records in Hong Kong

Cutty alleys, covert locations and tiny elevators: all the elements that — when set in stark contrast against the city's towering skyscrapers — remind the residents of Hong Kong that the city still has some whimsical charm and alluring appeal. You get a wave of that exact feeling when you step into Frank's Italian-American Social Club (but really, it's Frank's for short).

First opened a couple of years ago, Frank's has carved out its niche as a cocktail bar and restaurant but being run by a couple of vinyl aficionados, music has always been at the forefront of operations — which is apparent upon walking in and seeing stacks of records line the place. Weekends at Frank's soon became known for DJs throwing down 45s across a wide variety of for-the-soul genres, and the owners wanted to nurture that community a little further.

So in December, Frank's Records opened as an extension of the original concept and you can think of it as a small record shop cum speakeasy depending on the time of day. The stock is mostly hip hop, dub, reggae, funk and soul classics as well as a couple of cool compilations alongside quite a few albums, and the vibe is easy breezy.

Rich with retro appeal, the design-forward space nods to decades gone by with its furnishings and dark timber record bins. A DJ booth awaits a green light for events to start up again, and when it does, it promises to be manned by selectors handpicked for their ability as masters of wax and maestros of good times.

We get the feeling we'll be holed up at Frank's soon, also for its light seafood menu at the bar and late-night libations on the outdoor terrace — an escapist haven in a city desperately in need of forgetting what lies on the outside of one's four walls.

Frank's Italian American Social Club & Frank’s Records is at Harilela House, G/F & 1/F, No. 79 Wyndham St, Central, Hong Kong. Connect on IG here.