If you’ve been to Macau, you would have realised 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, there is still plenty to do once the sun sets.
Here are ten things to keep you busy in Macau at night:
1. Stroll along the Cotai Strip
If you haven’t seen the Cotai Strip at night, then you haven’t seen Macau at all. The famous stretch of casinos, resorts, and luxury hotels looks great against a backdrop of sunny blue sky in the day, but come nightfall, its beauty takes on another level.
With its bright lights and colourful displays, it’s as if each hotel is determined to outdo each other aesthetically. Studio City, Excalibur, and The Parisian’s displays are particularly stunning. For the latter, you can head to the Eiffel Tower replica’s observation decks, where you’ll get to enjoy even better views.
Cotai Strip
Address: Estrada do Istmo, Macau
2. Take your chances at the casinos
You’re in Macau, so how can you not? If you’re already taking a stroll along the Cotai Strip, you might as well head in to try your luck at Macau’s many casinos. The Venetian alone – the largest casino in the world – has 550,000 sq ft (51,096.7 sq m) of casino space, with 800 gambling tables, and 3,400 slot machines.
First-time visitors to casinos may feel overwhelmed, even daunted by the many casinos along the strip. While the minimum amount to play varies at each casino, with some opening at higher amounts than others, there is always something to fit everyone’s budget.
The Venetian Macao
Address: Estrada da Baía de N. Senhora da Esperança, Macau
Website: The Venetian Macao
3. Head to the Macau Jockey Club
If you’d like a different kind of gambling, leave the tables and slot machines, and head for the Macau Jockey Club (MJC). Visitors can choose to only spectate the heart-pumping races. But those fancying a little flutter can always put money on a horse.
MJC’s website provides details on race schedules, betting tips, and even profiles of each horse. The profiles also show each horse’s history in the races, with Macau meet and pre-import records, ensuring would-be punters have everything they need to make any commitments.
Macau Jockey Club
Address: Estrada Governador Albano de Oliveira, Macau
Website: Macau Jockey Club
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4. Dance the night away
No major tourist destination is complete without upscale nightclubs. If you’re staying in the Cotai area, you’d probably find a nightclub within a stone’s throw from your quarters. There is the Galaxy’s China Rouge, which is a club, lounge, art gallery, and cabaret in one. This is one of the clubs you’ll talk about to your friends back home.
There is also the City of Dreams’ Club Cubic, which is Macau’s largest club. Since its inception in 2011, international artists like Steve Aoki, LMFAO, and Flo Rida have starred as headlining acts.
China Rouge
Address: G001, G/F, Galaxy Macau, Estrada da Baía de Nossa Senhora da Esperança, Macau
Website: China Rouge
Club Cubic
Address: Level 2, The Shops at The Boulevard, City of Dreams, Estrada do Istmo, Cotai, Macau
Website: Club Cubic
5. Do a cannonball at pool parties
Think dressing to the nines to party is too pretentious? Throw on your bathing suits and head to Macau’s best pool parties. These are organised on a fairly frequent basis at hotels like Studio City. If the dance floor at clubs is overcrowded and too sweaty for your liking, pool parties keep you cool, all while you let loose and party the night away.
Studio City
Address: Estrada do Istmo, Studio City, Macau
Website: Studio City
6. Take it to the next level
Literally. Soak in picturesque views at the top of Macau Tower, before leaping off into the night to end the experience with a shot of adrenaline racing through your body. At 233 m (764 ft), this is the highest bungee jump in the world.
Yes, you can do this during the day too, but there’s something about bungee jumping at night that injects a bit of romance and charm into it. Also, the package gets you photos and a video, documenting every second of what is sure to be a memorable experience.
Macau Tower Bungee Jumping
Address: Largo da Torre de Macau, Macau
Website: Macau Tower Bungee Jumping
7. Bars of every kind
If you’d prefer a less physically demanding nightlife activity, you can’t go wrong with a good bar. Macau has just about everything for every drinker.
Those who enjoy live performances can head to bars like MGM Grand’s Lion’s Bar, which has nightly live musical acts and an in-house DJ. Sky21 at the AIA Tower is a rooftop bar, for guests who like their tipple with a panoramic view.
For the more discerning drinker, there is the world’s only Macallan Whisky Bar & Lounge, which boasts a collection of more than 400 malt whiskies, including some of the rarest ones from their renowned distillery.
Macallan Whisky Bar & Lounge
Address: 203, 2/F, Galaxy Hotel, Estrada da Baía de Nossa Senhora da Esperança, Macau
Website: Macallan Whisky Bar & Lounge
8. Enjoy world-class entertainment
If you’re in Macau, there will be plenty of world-class entertainment at your doorstep. The City of Dreams hosts The House of Dancing Water, an award-winning theatre production by director Franco Dragone that features acrobats, gymnasts, dancers, divers, and actors.
Studio City lays claim as hosting the only magic show in Macau with the House of Magic, created by Franz Harary, who is best known for making a space shuttle vanish on live television.
The House of Dancing Water
Address: Estrada do Istmo, City of Dreams, Macau
Website: The House of Dancing Water
9. See the Guan Yin statue at night
Located near the Cultural Centre of Macau and Macau Harbour, the Guan Yin statue may not be Macau’s most popular attraction. In the day, it may even look ordinary. But believe us, at night, the Goddess of Mercy in Taoism becomes a shining golden beacon that is truly beautiful. At certain angles, the statue also resembles the Virgin Mary. It is believed that after the statue was built, Macau has become more prosperous and more economically successful.
Guan Yin statue
Address: 1101 Av. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, Macau
10. Enjoy a hearty meal
Macau has plenty of options for famished visitors. There is a stretch of restaurants at Senado Square renowned for their traditional Chinese and Cantonese cuisine. Recommended places here include well-established Cantonese eatery Wong Chi Kei and Tou Tou Koi, which is known for its Chinese hotpot dishes with its traditional cooking methods.
For authentic Portuguese fare, Antonio at the Old Taipa Village is one of the best places to go. It has gained recognition and awards aplenty, with winning signatures like Portuguese-style crab stew, Coehlo’s Portuguese duck rice, and charcoal black pork fillet with fries.
Antonio
Address: Rua dos Clerigos No. 7, Old Taipa Village, Taipa, Macau
Website: Antonio
It isn’t just about the casinos
The casinos are certainly a sight to behold with their bright beautiful lights. But if you tire of Cotai, the rest of the city is just as lively and entertaining. Take the chance to explore the rest of Macau, and you may yet uncover your own set of personal hidden gems.