Culture & Cool from Asia's most dynamic city
…the harbor, including landmarks such as the Bank of China, the Convention Center and Tsim Sha Tsui’s Cultural Center. The other side faces the exterior of the harbor, Discovery Bay, and less notable parts of Hong Kong and Kowloon. If you are boarding from Tsim Sha Tsui, heading towards Central, you’re going to want to sit on the left side of the boat to get the best view. Ideally you will want to be one of the first to board and the first in your…
…se.) If you’re up for trying to make a birthday cake for a friend, this seems like the ideal place to visit! I Love Cake G/F, 338 Shanghai Street, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon Open daily from 10am to 8pm 852 2671-2671 To get there by MTR, take exit B2 from the Yau Ma Tei MTR station…
Friday night I stopped by the soft opening of PP Club. The combination disco / karaoke is located in the far corner of Tsim Sha Tsui East, close to Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the footbridge to the Hung Hom Coliseum. PP Club claims to be the biggest club in Hong Kong at 20,000 square feet, but what’s it like inside? Arriving at PP club, there was a long line of floral arrangements stacked up outside the entrance. [photopress:Club_PP_Tsi…
…e stores situated in the neighborhood to pre-party. Hong Kong doesn’t have open container laws, which means that you can walk almost anywhere with an alcoholic drink. (This includes standing on the street, or, believe it or not, even traveling in a car.) Big nights in Lan Kwai Fong often translate into big business for the 7-11’s located nearby (and there are at least four!) Throughout the night there are long lines to checkout, as people in vario…
…e Plus, a new Japanese – Italian restaurant in the heart of Lan Kwai Fong. Opened by the owners of club Qube on Wyndham Street, the place had been filled with people earlier in the night. The location, California Tower, is a famous destination in Lan Kwai Fong, home to several restaurants and clubs. What are the features of Qube Plus? The restaurant is shaped something like an ‘L’. At the very top, it faces D’Aguilar Street, the main vein of…
…n a recent Sunday, the place was completely packed with more locals than tourists – with not a single seat available! Fast food pioneer McDonald’s is extremely successful in Hong Kong and they are ubiquitous throughout the territory. Until recently however, Burger King had only a single branch open in Hong Kong – located inside the terminal of the airport, which limited its customers to only ticketed passengers who had proceeded through immigratio…
…s town, perhaps because of its traditional association with wealth. It’s a common choice for any ordinary night out. The presentation of champagne milk tea is perfect, as it comes chilled in a special crystal-like bucket of ice. (What next sparklers?) [photopress:champagne_milk_tea_tsui_wah_HK.jpg,full,pp_image] Simply ordering one will bring a smile to your waiter’s face! It’s a fun, affordable, not to mention delicious gimmick at $18 HKD (a litt…
…been altered in new ways. The lounge side, aka the Hip Hop room, has been opened up, with the DJ booth now in the center. (Yes, they finally got rid of those Merry-Go-Round horses, which always provided too sweet a temptation for drunks!) The seating has been widened in places, making room for bigger booths. The mens bathroom has also been altered, positioned in a new location that allows visitors to look out into the club… kinky! The club side…
…Due to its location on a steep hillside, just below the reclusive Parkview complex, I’ve never had an occasion to go there. Last weekend, wanting to go for a walk after lunch I suggested it to my friends. I actually had no idea what to expect. Parking up at the top of the hill, which is near the start of some hiking trails, we walked down towards the reservoir. From the outside it looks like the standard government structure. [photopress:Hong_Kong…
…Exhibition Centre in the China Resources building in Wanchai. It’s a large open space used for raves, concerts, and luxury brand events. The party didn’t get crowded til late when the foreign d.j.s took the stage. The performances by local acts were early, so unfortunately no one was there to see them. For some reason the police showed up around midnight, and that stopped the flow of alcohol for about an hour – to the organizers dismay. At least t…
…The World Wide Bape Heads Show is scheduled to run for three hours. Doors open at 7:15 pm. Tickets are on sale now at Hong Kong Ticketing outlets or are available through online purchase. You can also pick them up at Tom Lee Music stores around town. All tickets are standing and are divided into three levels at $580, $880, and $1180. With so many fashion visionaries involved, the production design of the concert should be top notch. Expect a nigh…
…ything from traditional brands with over a hundred years of history, to newcomers just making their initial debut. This year the tradeshow was divided into different segments and spread out over four floors. The Hub took place over two days and included a number of parties in addition to the show itself. Guests from around the world were placed in an environment where they could meet, do business, network, and exchange tips. The Hub closing party…
…ative director Frida Giannini was influenced by the artist’s portraits and commissioned him to do a reinterpretation of Gucci’s classic floral print. Throughout the venue, backdrops and video screens featured the print in various forms. On the seventh floor, which was initially reserved for VIPs, there were several works by the painter hanging along the walls. The party was well-attended, bringing out a large number of fashion insiders, who hung o…
…lan Zeman was the pioneer who envisioned and triumphed in making an entire entertainment district out of Lan Kwai Fong. Built on the success of his first venture, California, which he opened in 1983, Zeman expanded, buying up spaces around the block. Everyone has memories of the famous corner, where tourists often flock to have their photo taken next to the Lan Kwai Fong street sign. [photopress:lan_kwai_fong_LKF_california_zeman_bar.jpg,full,pp_i…
…ibition examines the beauty and freedom in the wild, derelict forms. The upcoming show opens on July 25th at the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre in Shek Kip Mei, and runs until August 3rd. For more photos, have a look at their Facebook page here. Get more details about the exhibition here. Abandoned Exhibition opening reception July 25th, 7:30 to 9:30pm L1 Gallery Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre 30 Pak Tin Street Shek Kip Mei, Kowloon Open from…
…er Youth Samoan from BoooMachine Soundsystem (Portugal) in addition to the True Skool Allstars: Man Logik, Mafio, Hidden Dragon, Blood Dunza, The Groove Thief, Rayshizzle, Stef:funn, Gruv, NYC, and Yeodie. The pier 7 rooftop provides an amazing view of Central’s skyline and the open air party has a unique atmosphere that makes it easy to meet people. There won’t be another Rooftop Reggae party for a long time, so don’t miss this one! Recommended!…
…who got his start in the city throwing the Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy parties. His open-minded approach to new music genres has enabled Hong Kong to experience some of the best avant-garde producers and DJs internationally. Every month at XXX, you can catch anything from 50’s Pop to the latest underground dance music. XXX Gallery 3rd anniversary Saturday’s 3rd anniversary continues in this tradition by headlining Falcons, a genre-defying producer and remi…
…ities congregated early on. Towards the middle of the night guests mingled freely, giving the venue a better party vibe. Entertainment for the night featured music by DJ Tommy followed by a set by actor and sometimes d.j., Sam Lee. [photopress:Sam_Lee_DJ_Coach_HK.jpg,full,pp_image] Sam’s music was a highlight of the event and featured up-tempo party-friendly songs that got everyone (except for the girl passed out in the corner) moving. Though not…
…takes place at their Mid-Levels art space, 26 Degrees. Over thirty local and international artists have contributed works for the show. It may be a chance to grab something unique, while also benefiting a good cause. The 26 Degrees gallery will be open from 1pm on March 15th. There will be a reception that night from 7pm until 10. The sale is organized as a silent auction. For directions to the 26 Degrees gallery, please read my previous post her…
…or athlete visits the club, there’s always an extra amount of people that come to ogle the star. In this case there was a whole team in addition to Beckham, who was obviously aware of the disturbance he causes. Dragon-i’s model-heavy crowd added to the intensity of the night by shaking it just a little more than usual on the periphery of Beckham’s table. After an hour I had enough of the scene and headed over to Club Sugar, which has recently und…
…s car for years! Certain seasons appear to be prime time for donating. For example, right before Chinese New Year people clear their apartments of clutter and throw things away. During this season you start to see make-shift drop zones for old clothing in neighborhoods like Mid-Levels. The containers usually resemble a basic metal cage that leaves the donated goods out in the open. I’ve never liked the design much since it’s not immediately appare…
…flowers, but mostly accessories. If you continue down the street, it will open up to the main flower market area with flowers spilling out onto the street. When you get here, turn left, up from Prince Edward Road West and walk into the main market area. You can only walk for half a block before you turn right, along the street that runs parallel to Prince Edward Road. This is Flower Market Road. Flower Market Road contains dozens of shops selling…
…inside the doors and take the elevator up to ‘R’ for rooftop. As the doors open you’re greeted by a massive rooftop park that feels like a cross between the IFC shopping mall roof garden and the landscaped area of the Cyberport. The views on either side are amazing, and it’s virtually empty. This is a very special new addition to the city that reiterates the recent commitment to building world-class public spaces. There are many patches of grass s…
…lding that housed a pawn shop in its last incarnation. The place is set to open in Spring 2008 according to the large sign on the building’s facade. Hong Kong has very few modern offerings in old settings, which makes The Pawn unique. Whole blocks of Wanchai have been taken down over the last year to make room for new building complexes. Hong Kong’s long march to being the world’s most vertical city continues, as the low-rise buildings that former…
…nd a set of large chandeliers. The turnout was strong, and the d.j. played a variety of old soul originals and jazzy new music for the pre-party. After the fashion show Judge Jules began his set, but his choice of music was very commercial house, and didn’t really excite the crowd. Hong Kong crowds – especially at fashion events, are very difficult to get moving, and once you lose them, they’re difficult to capture (no matter how much champagne th…
…ion for a champagne-soaked night out in Macau. In fact, big-spenders often compete to see who purchases the most bottles. The main action takes place at the rows of private tables which provide the party-within-a-party experience that local party-goers favor. Cubic’s anniversary celebrations are often legendary events that feature notable performances and a great party vibe. Previous anniversaries have included stars like Taio Cruz and Ludacris. P…
…few small restaurants. (Treat these only as a backup since the places are open erratically.) You can stop at one of the easier to reach beaches, but going the extra distance to Tai Long Wan is worth it. Tai Long Wan has certain characteristics that make it superior: a long, clean beach; potentially big waves for surfing or body boarding; clear water that you can wade in far away from shore; untouched mountains; and extras, like a herd of cows tha…
…e the stalls non-transferable, and then came up with incentives to have license holders relinquish their stalls for a fee. Only a handful of true dai pai dongs remain open to this day. In the photo below you can see a dai pai dong that just closed (next to one that remains.)…
…show that the watch can be worn for all occasions throughout the year. The open space was given the Chanel makeover with everything covered in white. Scattered inside the circular interior were a few installation items on display. One was a white bench with an old Apple laptop computer dipped in white (sort of like the Natalia Brilli treatment.) The bench, which cast an interesting shadow, was a wonderful metaphor for the passage of time. Fashiona…
