The Beat Hong Kong’s Weekender Guide: Best Things to See, Do, Eat, & Drink on July 15-17

Ahh, another weekend is upon us and you’re looking for cool things to get up to in the 852! We’ve saved you the hassle with The Beat Hong Kong’s rundown of the best places to hit up and things to do this weekend—from blink-and-you'll-miss-it pop-up sights and new restaurant openings, to the hottest activities that you shouldn’t miss.

To keep your finger on the pulse of the city, follow The Beat Hong Kong to see what’s best in store for the weekend.

1 Messina X Little Bao

No stranger to melding unique local tastes into their top-shelf gelato, Messina has joined hands with neo-Cantonese eatery Little Bao to concoct two limited-edition flavours for the summer, only available at the confectioner’s Pottinger street store. Collaborating with Black Sheep Restaurant Group’s chef Karys Logue, chef May Chow plays with the elements of savoury and sweet to twist common expectations.

Featured flavours include the Lil’ Bean made with fermented black bean and black bean shortbread (a far cry from the typical read bean in traditional desserts), next to the piquant Se’same But Different churned from toasted white sesame and topped with chilli crisp crunch.

When: Now until July 20

Where: Messina, 37 Pottinger Street, Central

2 Java Apple Jam

An underrated summer treat, wax apples are rose-coloured fruits that are adorable to look at, with a crisp and refreshing taste. To appreciate its gorgeous flavours all summer long, join Jam Story in transforming this little fruit into a homemade natural spread, as part of their workshop for the Lee Gardens Summer Community Festival. Click here to find out more on the workshop and get your tickets.

When: 2:30 PM-4 PM, July 16-17

Where: Bizhouse, 12 Pak Sha Road, Causeway Bay

How much: HK$220 per person

3 Terroirs by LQV

Perched above Lyndhurst Terrace, with a cosy al fresco area to boot, Terroirs by LQV is the all-new wine bar by the iconic French group. Having logged in years and gallons of wine imports to Hong Kong over the years, Terroirs by LQV is a culmination of the purveyors’ finest curations from France. With offerings that range from biodynamic and organic vinos to prestigious vintages and classic labels, their wine list is one of Hong Kong’s most extensive. What’s more, LQV’s expertise in cheese and butchery has also informed their menu of French eats that are just perfect for wine pairings.

When: Open 3 PM-12AM

Where: Terroirs by LQV, 3/F, 1 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central

4 House of Vermouth Pop-up

As a prelude to their upcoming Vermouth bar concept due to open later this July, Bianco & Rosso is holding a teaser pop-up at café-bar Barcode this weekend. Giving diners a sneak peek into what’s in store at The House of Vermouth, the get-together serves up delectable small plates complementary to the summery cocktail and spritz selections on show. The event is chaperoned by Bianco & Rosso co-founder Luca Andrei, alongside chef Ban Jee Min and star mixologist Gagan Gurung.

When: 6 PM-12 AM, July 14-16

Where: Barcode, 1 Glenealy, Central

5 Sake Central July Matsuri

Paying homage to the tradition of Matsuri festivals in Japan, Sake Central is celebrating the full-fledged arrival of summertime with a curated tasting session this Saturday. Guided by the knowledgeable and passionate Sake Central team, the flight is split into three rooms that each showcases a selected type of sake. Snacks will also be provided, and yes that includes the beloved Sake Central signature nori crisps! Get your tickets now by clicking here.

When: 3 sessions between 3 PM-10.30 PM, July 16

Where: Sake Central, Showcase, S109 - S113, Block A, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central

How much: $288 early bird, $348 regular & walk-in

6 Atmospheric Kid

Heaping together an assortment of genres, Atmospheric Kid is a semi live and DJ set helmed by long standing local performers Changa, Psysert, and Casey Anderson. Traversing through the sounds of ambient electronica, with dashes of soul, memorable jingles, and slight psychedelic elements, one thing remains constant at the show, and that is the overall sense of chill. Presented by The Good Kid collective, the show welcomes guests via tickets purchased here.

When: 3 PM-8 PM, July 16

Where: Soho House, 33 Des Voux Road, Sheung Wan

How much: HK$250 incl. one drink

7 Celluloid Animation Exhibition @ Upper Deck Tai Nan

A thin sheet of celluloid might seem innocuous enough or even like a piece of junk, but many may be shocked to learn that this piece of material is in fact an unmissable part behind favourite cartoons from our childhood. Unpacking the laborious processes that go into piecing together iconic animated television shows over the past decades, this exhibition at Upper Deck Tai Nan is an homage to the nostalgic and vanishing art of celluloid animation. Amongst the familiar faces featured include Doraemon, Sailor Moon, Old Master Q, and more.

When: 1 PM-8 PM, Now until July 17

Where: Upper Deck Tai Nan, 1/F, 173 Tai Nan Street, Sham Shui Po

8 Walking With Dinosaurs

Held in tandem with the celebration of the HKSAR’s 25th Anniversary, the Hong Kong Science Museum has opened the doors to a grand dinosaur exhibition titled “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Big Eight — Dinosaur Revelation.” Uncovering the prehistoric world of dinosaurs through fossil specimens and reassembled skeletons, the exhibition is a thrilling showcase of rare dinosaur species that have never been seen before in Hong Kong. Entry is free but requires an advance booking, which can be made through the online system shown here. Click here to check out our Daily News article on the story for a full low-down.

When: Now until Nov. 16

Where: Hong Kong Science Museum, 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

9 An Art Journey into the Past and Present

Travel back in time and traipse about the city of Hong Kong through new eyes. Hosted by Central Market, the “An Art Journey into the Past and Present” exhibition employs traditional local crafts to shrink down scenes of the city into intricate miniature replicas. Consisting of up to 100 handmade dioramas, rediscover quintessential Hong Kong locations like Victoria Harbour and even Central Market itself!

When: Now until July 16

Where: Central Market, 80 Des Voeux Road Central, Central

10 Good Old Soil Farm Fest

Head over to Lantau Island for an easy getaway from the bustle of urban Hong Kong and uncover the lesser-known creature comforts of offshore island living. Organised by a group of eager Lantau-based youths, the Good Old Soil festival showcases the vibrant produce of Lantau, signature made-in-Lantau products, and the joys of farming through a series of hands-on workshops and lively sharing sessions. Check out the schedule, as well as register for your sessions of interest by clicking here.

When: Sessions between 10 AM-6 PM, July 17/31 and Aug. 14

Where: Lantau Island

How much: Free, Paid sessions starting from HK$100 per person