Catharina Cheung

Not sure how to spend your free time this week? We’ve rounded up some of the best happenings across the city – from art exhibitions and food pop-ups to music nights and kid-friendly activities – so you don’t have to go searching. But if all else fails, you can always turn to one of Hong Kong’s best restaurants, or cross things off our ultimate Hong Kong checklist. Whatever you decide, we’ve got you covered for the next seven days. RECOMMENDED:  🎨 Art exhibitions to check out right now📆 December events in Hong Kong🥹 Free things to do in Hong Kong

One of our favourite things to do at the beginning of every Chinese New Year is to check our fortunes for the year ahead. Bookstores, newsstands, and even convenience stores will be selling almanacs that predict how the year will look for individuals – look out for bright red tomes, usually featuring a sage-looking Asian with arms akimbo – but these books can be hard to peruse, especially if you don’t know Chinese. Fret not, we’ve asked fortune telling and feng shui master Mak Lingling to break down the fortunes of each zodiac sign for us. Read on to find out what lies in store for you in the Year of the Horse! Time Out Hong Kong thanks master Mak Lingling for her insights in this article. RECOMMENDED: 🐲 Your guide to Chinese New Year in Hong Kong🧧 The ultimate cheat sheet to Chinese New Year greetings🍽️ 50 best Hong Kong restaurants to try out

Much like most traditional holidays in Hong Kong, Lunar New Year comes with a series of traditional foods that are specially prepared and enjoyed during the holidays. Together with festive menus filled with auspicious dishes and abundant poon choi basin dishes, Chinese New Year puddings make up a piece of the trifecta of LNY festive cuisine. Traditionally dominated by a savoury option – our favourite, the turnip cake – and a sweet option, the New Year red dates pudding, various restaurants and establishments have since introduced innovative flavours and unique twists on these time-honoured recipes. Whether you’re celebrating with friends, family, or your loved one, these Chinese New Year puddings are sure to delight every palate.  RECOMMENDED: Find out about with a guide to Chinese New Year flowers and fruits that promise good luck and fortune, or take in some auspicious vibes with these Chinese New Year decorations and displays around town

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Whether you're planning a fancy dinner date, splurging on a romantic gift, or preparing for sweet surprises at the most romantic spots in town, here's a guide to celebrating Happy Hearts Day in Hong Kong.  RECOMMENDED: 📆 February events in Hong Kong 🏝️ 10 Secret islands you need to explore in Hong Kong 🍽️ New restaurants in Hong Kong 2025

Looking to make your weekend worthwhile? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you want to catch some live music, check out a new art exhibit, or just find a casual spot to relax with friends, Hong Kong knows how to keep you busy. Come rain or shine, day or night, here’s everything you need to plan the perfect weekend.  RECOMMENDED:  📆 Hong Kong events in December🎡 Top attractions in Hong Kong🛍️ Your ultimate Hong Kong checklist 2025

Sure, there’s plenty to do when exploring Hong Kong, but if you’re planning for a big date – well, that’s a whole different game. Lucky for you, we’re here to point you in the right direction. Whether it’s a sweet first date, a special occasion, or something to reignite that spark, here are some great date ideas that will get those butterflies going. RECOMMENDED: 💕 Hong Kong’s most romantic restaurants💐 Best flower shops and florists in Hong Kong🍫 Chocolate shops we love in Hong Kong

If you’ve been living among Chinese people for a while now, you’ll know that one of the best parts of Lunar New Year is receiving red packets containing money, known in Hong Kong as ‘lai see’. Unless, of course, you are married and you’re the one having to do the giving. The gifting and receiving of lai see can be a fine art, with plenty of rituals and cultural nuances that are probably not apparent unless taught. We’re here to help – from the phrases said to the amount of money you should give! RECOMMENDED: Here is our full guide to celebrating the Lunar New Year in Hong Kong 🧧

Nothing says ‘I love you’ more than taking your special someone to one of these stunning locations for a meal they’ll never forget. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or thinking of popping the question, we’ve got you covered with these romantic venues across town to get you feeling all lovey-dovey. RECOMMENDED: Grab your gang and have a meal at the best restaurants with epic views in Hong Kong

From menu takeovers by renowned chefs to creative baked goodies and exclusive pop-ups, Hong Kong’s food and drink scene is always hard at work to keep us happy, well-fed, and forever curious. If you’re a bona fide foodie who's always on the lookout for the latest eats, turn your attention to these delicious happenings in the city right now. RECOMMENDED:  😋 New restaurants to check out in Hong Kong🍽️ 50 best restaurants in Hong Kong🍜 Unique Hong Kong dishes you need to try

Chinese New Year is the most important cultural holiday in the lunar calendar, so you can expect there to be a tonne of preparations leading up to the big event. Here are certain things that Chinese people will tick off their to-do list before CNY comes around – follow along to celebrate just like a local! RECOMMENDED: Here are the best things to do this month, as well as our full guide to celebrating the Lunar New Year in Hong Kong

So, you’ve secured a reservation at a dreamy restaurant, mapped out a date at one of Hong Kong’s most romantic spots, and picked up a stunning bouquet from the city’s top florists. But if you’re looking to wow your special someone with a thoughtful gift as well, we’ve put together a list of inspiration for you to find that perfect present. (And even if you don’t have someone special to shower you with gifts, who’s to say you can’t spoil yourself?) RECOMMENDED: 📆 February events in Hong Kong 🏝️ 10 secret islands you need to explore in Hong Kong 🍽️ New restaurants in Hong Kong 2026

February might be the shortest month of the year, but don’t let that stop you from filling it up with all kinds of fun and excitement. Whether you're looking for date ideas on Valentine’s Day or something delicious for the foodies, we’ve picked out some of the best activities happening across town this month – so get busy! RECOMMENDED:  🏝 Secret islands to explore in Hong Kong 📸 Hong Kong’s most Instagrammable restaurants

From March 20-29, Jimmy O. Yang’s sold-out Hong Kong leg of his 2025 comedy show will be available to watch on the big screens exclusively in Emperor Cinema locations in Causeway Bay Times Square and Tsim Sha Tsui iSquare. Captured in 4K and reengineered for cinema acoustics, viewers can fully immerse themselves in the applause, laughter, and whoops that rang through the Hong Kong Coliseum last summer. Those who have seen O. Yang’s work in movies and TV series such as Silicon Valley, Crazy Rich Asians, and Interior Chinatown will know that his professional comedy is performed in English, but for his Hong Kong show, which he described as a homecoming, O. Yang had especially whipped out his Cantonese skills and worked in local elements as a tribute to Hong Kong comedy culture. Tickets for ‘Jimmy O. Yang Finally Home’ are available for $120, while VIP Cinemer members can enjoy a discounted price of $108. Find out more details (and early-bird ticket gifts) here.

Premium art book publisher Taschen is holding its biannual sale soon, so if you’ve ever wanted one of their beautiful coffee table books, now’s the time to act! From February 5 to 8, Taschen will be offering discounts of up to 75 percent off, both online and in their flagship stores worldwide – and for Hong Kong, this means their location in Tai Kwun. Browse through books exploring a wide range of topics, from art, fashion, photography, and design, to architecture, travel, and even more obscure topics like witchcraft and esoteric teachings. This season we’ve got our eyes on Spirit Worlds from ‘The Library of Esoterica’ series, a relatively new volume released last September exploring art’s relationship with death and other realms; The Gourmand’s Lemon, which deep dives into the literary, linguistic, historic, and gastronomic influence of lemons, and make us salivate the entire time; and the stunning Japan 1900: A Portrait in Colour, capturing the Land of the Rising Sun just as the country opened its doors to the world after two centuries of seclusion. Taschen’s sale runs next week, on February’s first Thursday to Sunday, but in case you’d like to browse the tomes before purchasing, there is an exclusive early shopping day on Wednesday, February 4, held only in stores.

This park and play area in between the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park and the Western Wholesale Food Market is an absolute dream for little ones. Featuring cloud-shaped bouncing areas, slides, climbing frames, and even sand and water play areas, there is plenty to entertain children with energy to burn off, while others can simply chill at the seating areas and enjoy the city’s unmatched harbour views.

Located in The Henderson, this is the brainchild of Seoul native and former professional snowboarder, chef Akira Back. With over 20 global locations, he brings Japanese-Korean-American cuisine to the table with seasonal tasting menus. Expect dishes such as the famous AB Tuna Pizza, featuring ponzu aioli and white truffle oil drizzled over fresh tuna sashimi slices on a wafer-thin crust, and Toro Tartare — served with fresh caviar and nine variations of condiments inspired by the traditional Korean royal dish of Gujeolpan. There is also their Brother from Another Mother roll, made with unagi, anago tempura, and shaved foie gras torchon.

Building on their seven-year brand identity as a hotspot for authentic vinyl DJ-ing, graffiti art, and Japanese chill drinking culture, 8055 is back in the game after their previous Causeway Bay and Wan Chai iterations with a new home in the heart of Hong Kong’s nightlife district, Lan Kwai Fong. Expect the warmth and pops of analogue sound being played all night, with a focus on Japanese hip-hop, jazz, funk, and city pop – a sound that’s pretty unique to our nightlife scene. To pair with the music, 8055’s drinks focus on premium Japanese whiskies and umeshu plum wine. Their signature tipple is an elegant, simple umeshu soda, but you can also truly do things the Japanese way by leaving the choice up to the bartender, omakase-style. Staying true to the brand’s history, 8055’s new venue will allow guests to freely draw, scribble, and unleash creativity all over the walls with graffiti markers, so if you’ve ever left your mark in bars like Not2Sweet, you’ll want to do the same here as well.

ComplexCon Hong Kong 2026 is the third Hong Kong edition of this major youth culture, music, fashion, and arts festival. Taking place on the weekend of March 21 and 22 at the AsiaWorld-Expo, it will comprise Complex Live! Concerts for music and performances and the ComplexCon Marketplace for brand, artist, and creator showcases. Blackpink’s Jennie and American rapper Yeat have been confirmed as headliners for the concerts, with the addition of the legendary Jay Park (March 21) and South Korean R&B and hip-hop artist Crush (March 22) also set to perform. K-pop boy band Lngshot, co-ed sensation All Day Project, singer Amy Lo, Chinese rapper Skai IsYourGod, beatboxers Wing and Hiss, and producer and songwriter R.Tee complete the eclectic roster of performances this year. For some idea of what to expect, last year the Marketplace featured more than 150 brands and 400 artists and creators, showcasing unique products, limited-edition merch drops, collaborations, and coveted collectibles. Attendees can also browse the official ComplexCon Gift Shop, which will carry exclusive items from the artist directors of ComplexCon, including Kasing Lung – the creator of the viral Labubu, and the artistic director of this year’s ComplexCon. Read our guide to ComplexCon 2026 for details.

Hong Kong’s spring electronic music event is back under the neon lights this year! In partnership with Sunken, Remy Kerstens and Aurélien Arbez are once again transforming the Big Top at the AIA Carnival into a full-scale dancefloor for one night only. Leading the line-up is the iconic German DJ and electronic music veteran Sven Väth, joined by Ken Fan of the Café del Mar Ibiza sunset experience fame. The night will also see the Nodes Crew, Leon (FR), Mo-Shi, Milam, as well as Nat Dunn behind the decks. General entry tickets range from $580 to $780 inclusive of one drink, and additional drink tokens can also be purchased on the ticketing page. We’ll see you all out there!

Tai Kwun’s yearly lights and projection display is back again, and this year sees the Parade Ground and historic Barrack Block façade as the backdrop for a dive into funky disco. Design and technology studio The Collective has been brought in to create Discotheque Dreams, a production which recalls the revolutionary arrival of disco in Asia. Watch a neon dreamscape unfold across the walls, displaying culturally relevant crafts from both East and West such as lion dance and martial arts films, to Hollywood classics from the 70s – a reflection of Hong Kong’s own mixed identity. For the first time in the five years since InnerGlow has been held, this edition uses technology that allows for real-time audience interaction, inviting visitors to step into the show themselves alongside the projections and live performances. We can already just see everyone boogie-ing in the main courtyard, surrounded by multi-coloured swirling lights and the pulsing rhythm.

Mainland Chinese karaoke chain Mei KTV has opened its first Hong Kong flagship location in Central, in the nightlife district of Lan Kwai Fong. Mei KTV is known for integrating technology such as AI and virtual reality into traditional karaoke. Instead of just plain old belting into a mic, they offer features like AI-powered sound alterations and metaverse-inspired music video production for a more immersive experience catered to a younger crowd. The Hong Kong flagship promises luxurious rooms fitted with full-screen displays and performance stages, along with interactive facilities such as a virtual DJ mixing station.   

The Rescued Feast, billed as Asia’s first-ever sustainable dining experience where all dishes are made using food surplus, is hosting their last dinner of 2025 and donating the proceeds to help the affected residents of Tai Po. This special edition of The Rescued Feast will transform surplus ingredients, food scraps, and unwanted produce into a gourmet meal. Aside from raising awareness about Hong Kong’s food waste, the event will also turn over all the net proceeds to Bethune House, a charity organisation that provides emergency shelter, food, and essential care for migrant domestic workers and others in need, and who are currently supporting those affected by the fire at Wang Fu Court. Tickets are available for $550 per person, which includes the dinner buffet, one drink, a goodie bag with gifts from the event sponsors, and a discount code for Fenxiang since the evening will turn into a late-night disco. You can also purchase raffle tickets to try your luck at winning a range of sustainable prizes during the dinner. These cost $50 for two entries and $100 for five entries – there’s no limit to how many you can buy to increase your winning chances

As the name suggests, this is a little boutique tucked away in Lee Garden, but don’t let its dimunitive size fool you into ignoring it. The Little Shop stocks a carefully curated range of bags, jewellery, scarves, accessories, fragrances, and more – all thoughtfully and deliberately stocked from niche brands around the world. If you’re into one-of-a-kind items, whether as gifts or for yourself, then check out this store.

In response to one of Hong Kong’s most devastating tragedies in several years, JIA Group’s chef will unite at Louise for a one-night-only charitable dinner that goes towards aiding the Hong Kong Red Cross. Culinary talents from Louise, Estro, Mono, Andō, Leela, and 22 Ships will be participating in a cross-cultural menu that includes dishes such as red tuna  with Baikal caviar and Kyoho grapes, langoustines with Ecuadorian cacao expressions, Konkani cod fish curry, and yellow chicken with morel mushrooms and alba white truffles. Priced at $3,888 per diner, including food and wine, all proceeds from this dinner will be donated to the Hong Kong Red Cross, who have been on the frontlines of Tai Po providing emergency relief, shelter support, and psychosocial services to victims affected by the deadly fire.

The hot topic of June last year was most definitely Asian-American comedian Jimmy O. Yang bringing his stand-up comedy show to Hong Kong. After multiple rounds of teasing, pre-sales, ticket drops that sold out immediately, and additional dates to cope with the demand, O. Yang finally performed a total of five shows in the Hong Kong Coliseum, but there were still plenty of fans who were left bereft. Good news for all who couldn’t manage to beat the bots and online queues last summer, because O. Yang’s show will be screened in cinemas next month! From March 20-29, ‘Jimmy O. Yang Finally Home’ will be available to watch on the big screens exclusively in Emperor Cinema locations in Causeway Bay Times Square and Tsim Sha Tsui iSquare.  Photograph: Courtesy Jimmy O. Yang Captured in 4K and reengineered for cinema acoustics, viewers can fully immerse themselves in the applause, laughter, and whoops that rang through the Hong Kong Coliseum last summer. Though not officially confirmed, we’re guessing this cinematic version will feature the best bits from all five shows, because why wouldn’t they if they’re editing a cinema cut? Those who have seen O. Yang’s work in movies and TV series such as Silicon Valley, Crazy Rich Asians, and Interior Chinatown will know that his professional comedy is performed in English, but for his Hong Kong show, which he described as a homecoming, O. Yang had especially whipped out his Cantonese skills and worked in local elements as a tribute to Hong Ko

It’s no exaggeration to say that foreign domestic helpers (FDWs) form the backbone of Hong Kong’s society. We were able to build our small city into the global hub that it is today thanks in no small part to the helpers who take over running our households so citizens can focus on accomplishing big things. To recognise and show gratitude for their contributions to local families, various local charities have launched FDWs-exclusive offers in recent years, such as the Li Ka Shing Foundation. Following a successful campaign last year, the foundation will run another giveaway of Disneyland tickets catering to domestic workers that covers everything from transport to in-park meals and activities.  The Li Ka Shing Foundation announced the giveaway on February 10, citing an expansion of the campaign scale and offerings compared to 2025. The number of tickets offered this year will also increase from 4,000 to 5,000. Meanwhile, for the first time, eligible FWDs who can apply for these tickets will include nationals from Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Thailand in addition to last year’s Filipino-only cohort.  Participating FWDs can use their ticket on March 29 or April 12. Each admission ticket will come with a loaded Octopus card to facilitate travel to and from the park plus in-park meal vouchers for two full meals and a snack. This “heartfelt gesture of gratitude” makes us smile. To effectively distribute tickets to FWDs across Hong Kong, the foundation has partnered with

It’s no secret that we love this city and all it has to offer, and we’re always proud to call ourselves Hongkongers. But if there’s one gripe we have – a bone to pick, if you will – it is that Hong Kong is not exactly the most pet-friendly place in the world. We have the bustling city, the teeming nightlife, the lush greenery, and so much amazing food, but when we look at other cities all around the world, Hong Kong pet owners can’t help but think about how we can’t simply stroll into malls or places of entertainment with our furry companions, or even ride on the subway with them. Luckily, things are taking a turn for the better, with the Hong Kong government recently announcing the introduction of a special permit that will allow selected restaurants to welcome dogs indoors. Targeted for approval by mid-2026, between 500 and 1,000 permits will be issued to restaurants which apply for them. This means that we could see a sudden influx of restaurants that actively embrace patrons dining alongside their pets within this year – an absolute dream for dog owners who are tired of being relegated to outdoor seating with no air conditioning. Photograph: Joshua Lin The sentiment among most Hongkongers has been overwhelmingly positive since the news broke. All the dog owners we’ve spoken to have exclaimed ‘Finally!’ with a sign of relief at being able to incorporate their pets into more of their daily routines outside their homes. Dorathy, who owns two Samoyeds named Halo and Nova, t

Valentine’s Day is coming up this weekend, and it’s got us thinking about love and human connection, and the possible differences between how regions and cultures can affect the way we approach dating. If you’re curious too, we have good news: Time Out has conducted a global survey with thousands of respondents, and we are ready to spill the tea where 16 cities in the Asia-Pacific region stand against each other in the realms of dating, sex, and connections. Read on for the results! On attractiveness It might come as some surprise that leading the entire group of Asian cities is our sister SAR Macau. Despite Hong Kong being three times as big as Macau in land area, and housing 10 to 11 times Macau’s population size, our 720,000-strong Macanese neighbours sure have been keeping way busier. The disparities don’t seem to hinge on attractiveness: Macau residents reported noticing someone attractive approximately 10 times per month, while Hongkongers don’t trail that far behind with attractiveness noted approximately seven times per month. On flirting and dating The rest of the survey seems to indicate that the issue with Hongkongers lies with being less proactive after spotting someone attractive. People from Macau reported flirting with someone 10 times per month, while Hong Kong is at the bottom of the pack, only flirting 2.9 times per month on average. It seems that we’re a shy bunch when it comes to approaching people we find attractive! Hong Kong respondents also reported go

Spring calls forth one of Japan’s most coveted flora-inspired celebrations: the cherry blossom season! Every March and April, sakura trees in full bloom line the streets of Japan in an aesthetic pink hue, attracting locals and visitors alike to admire the cherry blossom’s stunning birth. The beautiful but short-lived cherry blossom viewing is so beloved that the Japanese take it very seriously, and the Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) keeps a close eye on weather conditions with a detailed forecast of the blooming season that goes through several updates in the lead up to the occasion. The JMC has recently announced its third and newest update for cherry blossom season 2026, offering location-specific blooming dates and times for visitors to plan their annual spring sojourn accordingly.  Photograph: Courtesy Japan Meteorological Corporation Cherry blossom season in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and more According to data from the JMC, the first blooms this year will likely be spotted in Kochi and Nagoya on March 21, with Nagoya blooms reaching its fullest on March 30. Meanwhile, cherries in Tokyo are expected to flower on March 22 and be in full bloom by March 29. Predictions for popular tourist destinations include initial blooms in Osaka on March 25 and full blooms on April 1, while Kyoto will see a blossoming period from March 25 to April 2, and Fukuoka’s will run from March 22 to March 30. Northern destinations such as Sapporo will receive its first blooms on April 26 and

Is drinking unhealthy? Well, yes, consuming alcohol in excess generally results in negative outcomes, but perhaps the whole thing’s a little less dire so if you’re doing it at a bar that serves cocktails inspired by Hong Kong herbal tea culture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Clan & Company Community Bar has been delighting Hongkongers with its unique, drinkable interpretations of the ‘Five Flavours’ of traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese cuisine, and their latest project takes mindful drinking to greater heights, from cha chaan teng to Victoria Harbour. Located on the outdoor terrace of the Michelin-starred French restaurant Épure, the Clan & Company Lounge is a new alfresco pop-up bar offering a cocktail experience lifted from Hong Kong’s golden era, blending local flavours with nostalgia and botanical goodness. For those who don’t know, Clan & Company is a heritage concept brand and bar by Magnolia Lab, a Hong Kong liqueur producer founded by a local bartender and a TCM practitioner, known for their modern revival of local herbal tea culture through the art of mixology. Reimagining traditional Chinese medicine into innovative cocktails, Clan & Company’s philosophy is centred around crafting “liquid remedies” designed to heal, soothe, and nourish.  Photograph: Courtesy Clan & Company Lounge / @clan.andco.lounge Inventive libations here are completely different to the menu in their cha chaan teng-themed Community Bar in Yau Ma Tei, and some new highlights here

Love dim sum and surreal imagery? You’re in good company. Hong Kong street artist Lousy, best known for his bold graphics resembling glyphs and pictorial shapes, is collaborating with viral food photographer-artist David Leung – also known as Davidgoodtime, who specialises in capturing reflected food images highlighting pareidolia – for a dynamic exhibition about dim sum and the ritual of yum cha.  Hosted at JPS Gallery, ‘Double Umami’ is an artistic ode to Hong Kong cuisine, reimagined through the unique lenses of two distinctly different creators, who shaped their love of dumplings and morning teas into a visual celebration of Hong Kong’s DNA.  Photograph: Courtesy JPS Gallery In the exhibition space, visitors will encounter a customised dim sum cart installation, decorated by David and Lousy, in addition to photographs depicting beloved dim sum dishes in Leung’s signature mirrored style, mounted inside bamboo steamers crafted by master artisan Lui Ming of Ming Sang Steel Bamboo Receptacle. ‘Crab’s Kid Burn & Sell’ shows siu mai in a different light, appearing almost like the face of a crustacean, while ‘Char Siu Cat No. 2’ draws parallels between char siu bao and felines. We also particularly liked the birdcage installation which houses real emu eggs and plastic cards from dim sum carts inscribed with the Chinese onomatopoeia for bird chirps. Photograph: Courtesy JPS Gallery Branching out from photography onto canvas and installation work for the first time, Leung is a

Art lovers and bookworms, our time has come! Premium art book publisher Taschen is once again coming back with their twice-yearly sale on their range of iconic, visually stunning coffee table books. Read on if you’re looking to spice up your bookshelf, or even stuck on a Valentine’s Day present. From February 5 to 8, you can get fantastic deals of up to 75 percent off on the Taschen website and in their flagship stores worldwide. These books span a wide range of categories including fashion, architecture, food, photography, travel, design, and of course art. We’re always scrolling through the Taschen catalogue and this season we’ve got our eyes on Spirit Worlds from ‘The Library of Esoterica’ series, a relatively new volume released last September exploring art’s relationship with death and other realms; The Gourmand’s Lemon, which deep dives into the literary, linguistic, historic, and gastronomic influence of lemons, and make us salivate the entire time; and the stunning Japan 1900: A Portrait in Colour, capturing the Land of the Rising Sun just as the country opened its doors to the world after two centuries of seclusion. Photograph: Courtesy Taschen The child in us who loved the Egyptology book is insisting that King Tut: The Journey through the Underworld is also on the list, which captures in detail Howard Carter’s historic excavation of the Egyptian boy king’s tomb. Meanwhile, we’re also loading our cart with Cultured Traveler from Taschen’s collaborative series with

Most of us are already familiar with Starbucks and its signature location-specific products, and while Hong Kong branches certainly stock a coveted collection, the San Francisco coffee chain’s new home inside the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) promises one-of-a-kind merchandise alongside beverage experiences that are fit for an emperor. Now open to the public, Starbucks’ new concept store brings tea-centred new menu items to an interior inspired by the museum’s Ming and Qing collections.  Photograph: Courtesy Starbucks The HKPM branch is the only Starbucks location in Hong Kong to sport a traditional Chinese calligraphy shop sign. The sign is modelled after those found on high streets during the Ming and Qing dynasties, with the coffee brand’s Chinese name artfully crafted by local calligrapher Westley Wong. Other design highlights include a mural by local artist Elsa Ngai, depicting the life cycle of a coffee tree in detail through mineral pigments and clay-based paints, as well as installations by local sculptor Leo Wong that interprets the humble coffee plant with traditional shan shui painting styles.  These fitting additions to the café are accompanied by an exclusive plum-flavoured beverage line. Using sweet and sour plum sauce and whole plums as bases, visitors can pair this traditional Chinese flavour with Starbucks’ coffee or oolong tea and enjoy it warm or iced as a tonic. Another exclusive menu item, the Turmeric Oatmilk Latte, similarly incorporates oriental fla

If you’ve ever stared at your old Polaroid shots and wanted to see them move, or watched old video clips and wished you could capture a shot as a keepsake, we have good news. Fujifilm has just released their brand-new hybrid instant camera that combines video capabilities with their iconic instant photo prints, in a best-of-both-worlds package named the instax mini Evo Cinema. Apart from its ability to capture both still images and videos, the first feature we loved was its vertical grip design, inspired by Fujifilm’s Fujica Single-8 8mm camera from the 60s. The physicality of holding a piece of machinery aloft that isn’t just a smartphone or those discreet little cameras favoured by vloggers and influencers tickles our brain right – it’s reminiscent of using an old-school camcorder, even if the way you hold it and take shots is different. Photograph: Courtesy Fuji Photo Products Co. On the opposite end of the lens sits an LCD monitor that acts as both viewfinder and the digital screen to select favourite shots to print. Users can single out still images from their clips to be printed into an instant photo – these cleverly come printed with a QR code that links to the actual video itself. Of course, normal Polaroids unmarred by the hyper-digital touch of QR codes can also be printed like any of Fujifilm’s instant cameras as well. Another key feature of the mini Evo Cinema is the Eras Dial, which applies visual effects inspired by different eras in time. Think the texture of

Just last month, Hong Kong’s bamboo scaffolding for the Heung Jiao Festival in Kam Tin – also known as the Da Jiu Festival – garnered international acclaim when it officially got certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest temporary bamboo altar structure. Standing at five stories high and over 40,000 sq ft, this massive structure was erected using more than 30,000 bamboo poles, and took a team of 17 craftsmen 60 days to assemble. The man leading this ambitious project was Master Lai Chi-ming, who is now one of approximately 10 theatre scaffolders remaining in Hong Kong. “I don’t need drawings or blueprints; I can start building as soon as I arrive on the site,” Master Lai says with a smile. He fell into the trade in his youth, ‘stealing skills’ by following his father, accumulating experience with hands-on practice before eventually becoming a master craftsman in his own right. Building bamboo theatres is a very different animal than erecting scaffolding for buildings. The latter largely relies on the structure of the building for support, while a theatre scaffold is built from the ground up, essentially forming a ‘castle in the sky’. This process hinges entirely on the craftsman’s visual judgement and ability to picture and design the structure in his mind – this sort of mental gymnastics requires immense experience and is really not something that computer technology can easily replicate. Photograph: Jenny Chan The theatre houses Chinese opera performances

Listen, we love a good beat drop or screaming chart-toppers like any other nighttime reveller in the city, but in this era of EDM and throwback pop-heavy party scene, it would be nice to enjoy something authentic that sounds different for once. Well, it looks like we got our wish, because a vinyl record-based bar has just announced they’ll be opening in Lan Kwai Fong. The brainchild of longtime friends Brian and Ah Hei, the 8055 vinyl bar has had previous iterations based in Causeway Bay and Wan Chai, which grew in popularity to welcome even local celebrities and creatives like Eason Chan and Tyson Yoshi as patrons. The pandemic eventually saw the shuttering of the bar – but not for good. Photograph: Courtesy 8055 Building on their seven-year brand identity as a hotspot for authentic vinyl DJ-ing, graffiti art, and Japanese chill drinking culture, 8055 is now back in the game with a new home in the heart of Hong Kong’s nightlife district, Lan Kwai Fong. Expect the warmth and pops of analogue sound being played all night, with a focus on Japanese hip-hop, jazz, funk, and city pop – a sound that’s pretty unique within our nightlife scene and, frankly, a breath of fresh air from all the other clubs around. To pair with the music, 8055’s drinks turn the focus on premium Japanese whiskies and umeshu plum wine. Their signature tipple is an elegant, simple umeshu soda, but you can also truly do things the Japanese way by leaving the choice up to the bartender, omakase-style. Stayi