What’s On HKG: Best Things to See, Do, Eat, Drink on Aug. 17 - 23, 2023
Ahh, another week 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 right now—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 week ahead.
1. Summer Vibes by Hattie Stewart at Pacific Place
Celebrating summer in full swing, Pacific Place has set up an exclusive collaboration with London-based artist, Hattie Stewart. Renowned for her playful doodles, Hattie has transformed Pacific Place into a world bursting with vibrant, fluid cartoonish shapes and colours. Dive into Hattie’s artwork, snapping away in the mirror room adorned with her artwork, including a standout giant pink bunny. The space also features a dedicated photo booth with four unique backdrops where you can create your own personalised gif snapshots for download.
But the excitement doesn't end with the art, an ice cream truck by Teemtonefai promises delightful flavours with equally enchanting packaging. And for the shoppers, a limited-time pop-up store offers exclusive Pacific Place x Hattie Stewart merchandise, with pieces like an endearing heart plushie that is just oh-so-adorable.
When: Now until Aug. 22
Where: Garden Court, Level LG1, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry
2. ‘Welcome >_< Take a Seat Wherever (cringevibing at a downward spiral)’ Group Exhibition at Tomorrow Maybe in Jordan
Hosted in collaboration with HART Haus, this meme and internet culture-fuelled group showcase is a project headed by the local collective Institution of Niche, with featured artists based in Hong Kong, internationally, and beyond in the ether. In a time where earnestness has been diluted by new realities and hyper-futuristic tech into an amorphous version of waking life, these Gen Z artists present a vision that teases the now microscopically thin line between cringe and cool.
From Janice Kei’s textural time capsule of the 2010s Tumblr era that we wish we could forget – and that Gen Alpha are beginning to romanticise – to the hypertextual references in Ringo Li’s examination of electronic dance music sprawled across an entire wall, to E8mkboy’s fetishist deconstruction of unconventional sexualities on canvas, the collection condenses today’s zeitgeist into visually arresting artefacts.
When: Now until Sept. 3
Where: Tomorrow Maybe, 4/F, Eaton HK, 380 Nathan Road, Jordan, Kowloon
How much: Free entry
3. Meditation & Stretch by #0 TAGZERO at PMQ
A special meditation and stretching session await, powered by the Hong Kong-based eco-conscious activewear brand, #0 TAGZERO. This session offers a blend of mindfulness and movement, curated to help participants de-stress, unwind, and rejuvenate amidst the typical bustling Hong Kong rhythm. Guiding this journey will be instructor Simon Hui, who proudly presents 15 years of expertise in yoga and mindfulness. He will lead a meditation practice, segue into a gentle yoga flow, and finish with a soothing body scan, ensuring attendees leave feeling revitalised.
Participants will need to bring their own yoga mats and are recommended to wear clothes allowing easy movement. #0 TAGZERO's activewear, found at Unit H306 of Block B, offers stylish and comfortable choices, with participants of the yoga session receiving a 30% discount on their full-priced items!
In the case of rain, the session will move to Unit S414 of Block A. If this space doesn't accommodate all, the Courtyard on the ground level might be used.
When: Aug. 23
Where: 4/F Roof Garden, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Buy tickets here, HK$100
4. Summer at L'ÉCOLE Workshops by L'ÉCOLE Asia Pacific at K11 Musea
L'ÉCOLE, the School of Jewellery Arts, will be opening its doors to the public for jewellery courses and workshops led by a team of experts, offering insights into gemmology, craftsmanship, and the rich history of jewellery art.
Catering to both adults and youngsters, L'ÉCOLE has curated a diverse summer program. This includes specialised classes tailored for children and teenagers and the newly introduced diamond grading courses for adults. Click here to find out more about the full lineup of courses.
When: Aug. 19-30
Where: L’ÉCOLE Asia Pacific, 510A, 5F, K11 MUSEA, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
How much: Book here, Starting from HK$350
5. Cositas Flamencas by KRAF Events at Studio 33 in Central
Prepare to be captivated by the fervour and vitality of flamenco with SENTIDO Flamenco, a local flamenco cuadro that has been shaped and mentored by renowned international figures in the flamenco world. Don’t miss their “Cositas Flamencas” event this Saturday as they showcase talented flamenco enthusiasts from Hong Kong.
On the roster are Tomás Arroquero, an esteemed flamenco instructor and performer from Australia. As a guiding force behind SENTIDO Flamenco, Tomás has played an instrumental role in honing the group's distinct style. With performances by Margaret Cheung as both a singer and dancer, the graceful moves of Sabrina Shen, and the strumming melodies of guitarist Ashley Chan, SENTIDO Flamenco promises an evening filled with both traditional and modern renditions of this passionate art form.
When: 7 PM, Aug. 19
Where: Studio 33, 5/F, 31-33 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Buy tickets here, HK$296.77
6. ‘Flânerie’ Group Exhibition at Young Soy Gallery in SoHo
Young Soy Gallery proudly presents its inaugural exhibition celebrating burgeoning artists on the cusp of one of life’s first milestones: being either newly graduated or on the verge of completing their university education. Titled "Flânerie," the show draws inspiration from the concept of flâneur, which is a French word for the act of aimlessly wandering.
The featured artists turn an attentive eye to the commonplace scenes of Hong Kong, magnifying the everyday nuances and activities on the streets. Through their art, artists Angelique Santos, Celine Lam, Jerome Leung, Lewis Lee, and Max Lee offer a reflection on the social tapestry and inhabitants of Hong Kong, weaving their observations with poignant social commentary.
When: Aug. 17-Sept. 3
Where: Young Soy Gallery, G/F, 3 Staunton Street, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry
7. W Hotel Hong Kong x Monkey 47 Guest Bartender Night: Jade Lau at WOOBAR, W Hong Kong
W Hotel’s WOOBAR is set to undergo a summery transformation, taking on the lush ambiance of a tropical rainforest for the much-anticipated return of W's iconic guest shift night. The cocktail industry has recently seen a rise in female trailblazers, and in a special partnership with Monkey 47 gin, WOOBAR welcomes the acclaimed local female mixologist, Jade Lau, to craft a unique range of exclusive signature cocktails.
Jade's inventive menu is deeply rooted in local tastes, weaving in the robust flavours of Earl Grey tea, the smoothness of cold-brewed oolong, and the floral notes of hibiscus tea. Through this alchemy of delightful beverages, combined with some pulsating music in the background, the evening promises to immerse guests in the enchanting allure of cocktail craftsmanship.
When: 6 PM-9 PM, Aug. 17
Where: WOOBAR @ W Hong Kong, 6/F, 1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
How much: Buy tickets here, Starting from HK$120
8. Hong Kong Sake Festival at The Mira in Tsim Sha Tsui
Come along on a two-night immersion into the realm of sake and get a glimpse into the judging sessions of the Oriental Sake Awards 2023. Attendees at the Hong Kong Sake Festival will have the exceptional opportunity to sample over 350 types of competition-grade sake sourced from 43 sake-producing prefectures, encapsulating a vast spectrum of flavours.
The admission ticket also includes an unlimited array of delicious Asian dishes like Poached Rock Oyster with Spiced Tomato and Marinated Barbecued Pork Rice Bun to bite into throughout the evening. Guests can also join a workshop dedicated to sparkling sake, led by the Japan Awasake Association. Every guest will leave with a gift bag replete with a Riedel wine glass, dining vouchers, and more, alongside a turn at the lucky draw. Prizes include two Cathay Pacific flight vouchers cumulatively valued at HK$6,000, an overnight stay at The Mira, among other exciting rewards!
When: 7 PM-10 PM, Aug. 17-18
Where: The Ballroom, 18/F, The Mira Hong Kong, 118-130 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
How much: Buy tickets here, HK$680
9. ALICE + OLIVIA Afternoon Tea at The Langham in Tsim Sha Tsui
The Langham, Hong Kong is partnering with renowned American fashion brand, alice + olivia, to present an exclusive afternoon tea experience inspired by the brand's F/W23 "American Icon" collection. This collaboration marries the eclectic style of alice + olivia with The Langham's culinary expertise, offering a menu that features both sweet and savoury treats.
Highlights include the raspberry and white chocolate Classic StaceFace macaron, the Rainbow Delight cake, and the Sparkle Shine caramel apple tarte tatin adorned with pearls that hearken to the fashion line’s embellishments. House pastry chef Tin introduces the Sexy Lips, a delectable chocolate cherry shortcake.
On the savoury front, dishes like the fruity gazpacho named Shadows of Orange and the Bold Charm, a smoked salmon and charcoal sandwich, showcase the iconic alice + olivia striped design. The tea experience is complemented by special beverages, including the Berries Temptation and a selection of premium teas by JING.
When: Now until Sept. 30
Where: Palm Court, Lobby, 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
How much: Book here, Starting from HK$698 for two
10. CulinArt 1862 Presents: Bake in the Dark Challenge in Causeway Bay
In a meaningful collaboration with Dialogue In The Dark (HK) Foundation, CulinArt 1862 is hosting a special baking class that aims to foster social inclusion through a unique, hands-on experience. The event will commence with a baking workshop instructed by CulinArt 1862's pastry chef Leo Sum.
Participants will wear eye masks and be guided to create an Italian Focaccia while relying solely on touch, smell, and sound. Adding to the challenge, attendees will be tasked to design a floral pattern on their sourdough bread. What makes the experience even more enriching is baking alongside People of Differences (PoDs) from Dialogue in the Dark, including individuals with disabilities like blindness and deafness.
Following the class, guests will transition to CulinArt 1862's private dining space for a sumptuous four-course luncheon by Chef Stanley Wong. The session will culminate with reflections on social inclusion, facilitated by a PoDs trainer. The lunch itself promises a gastronomic journey, starting with the Momotaro Tomato paired with Cristal Caviar, progressing to the innovative Squid ‘Carbonara’, and allowing a choice between the Pistachio-encrusted Scottish Halibut and the M7 Wagyu Rump Steak. The delightful conclusion will be a delicate Japanese Cheesecake, rounding off the meal.
When: 10 AM, Aug. 20
Where: CulinArt 1862, 1/F, Chinachem Leighton Plaza, 29 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
How much: Buy tickets here, HK$1,388
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