Located directly across the Chinatown plaza from Madame Wong's, the Hong Kong Cafe adopted a "catch-all" strategy, welcoming the punk and hardcore bands that Esther Wong rejected. This created a visible schism: New Wave at Wong's, Hardcore at Hong Kong.
Home to Black Flag, The Germs, Fear, The Circle Jerks, The Plugz. Site of chaotic, violent shows featured in "The Decline of Western Civilization." The rivalry with Madame Wong's was dubbed the "Wonton Wars." Location set to become Mood Ring bar in 2026.
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We're collecting stories from musicians who performed at Hong Kong Cafe