Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong

2025 marks the year that Hong Kong hosted the prestigious awards ceremony for The World’s 50 Best Bars for the very first time – an honour especially prominent since this is only the second time that the ceremony has ever been held in Asia. Well, the confetti is still floating in the air, the party is going strong, and the 17th edition of the winning list has just been announced. Hong Kong is once again ranking high on the list, with the city’s favourite Bar Leone being crowned first place as the World’s Best Bar this year. Hong Kong’s own Bar Leone, which was recently ranked as Asia’s Best Bar, has risen from its number two rank at last year’s World’s 50 Best Bars in the short two years that it’s been open to be proudly crowned the top bar worldwide. This also marks the first time that a bar based in Asia has been given the top slot. Last year’s crowned winner Handshake from Mexico City has now dipped slightly into number two position, while Sips from Barcelona rounds off the top three. (Incidentally, Sips’ founder Simone Caporale has also collaborated with Bar Leone’s Lorenzo Antinori earlier this year to launch their Cuban-inspired bar in Hong Kong called Montana.) Photograph: Courtesy Horacio Rodriguez Valdes / Handshake Speakeasy The top 50 list was mostly European- and South American-dominated this year, with the only other Asian bar within the top 10 being Singapore’s Jigger & Pony coming in at rank nine. As for our other neighbouring cities, Bangkok’s Bar Us ranks at number 15; Zest from Seoul at number 16; Tokyo’s Bar Benfiddich at number 18; and Guangzhou’s Hope & Sesame at number 29. Hong Kong’s famous agave spirits-based bar Coa – which was once crowned the best bar in Asia for three years in a row – now ranks at number 38 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025. Rounding off the Asian bars within the top 50 is Tokyo’s Virtu at number 45; The Bellwood at number 48, also from the Japanese capital city; Bangkok’s BKK Social Club at number 49; and finally Singapore’s Nutmeg & Clove at number 50. Photograph: Courtesy Coa Other notable wins include the Roku Industry Icon award going to Simone Caporale, while South Korean Singapore-based Uno Jang from Jigger & Pony went home with the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award. Penang’s Backdoor Bodega is a testament to the Malaysian food capital with the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu award, while buzzy family-owned bar Laby Bee from Peru won the Mitcher’s Art of Hospitality Award, as well as ranking number 13.  The prestigious World’s 50 Best Bars list was compiled by over 700 beverage experts across 28 global regions, comprising bartenders, consultants, writers, and cocktail specialists who have sipped their way around the world. Voters casted seven votes based on their own bar experiences in the previous 18 months. Relive the highlights of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 ceremony on the 50 Best YouTube channel. Photograph: Courtesy Bar Leone The complete list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 1 Bar Leone Hong Kong 2 Handshake Speakeasy Mexico City 3 Sips Barcelona 4 Paradiso Barcelona 5 Tayēr + Elementary London 6 Connaught Bar London 7 Moebius Milano Milan 8 Line Athens 9 Jigger & Pony Singapore 10 Tres Monos Buenos Aires 11 Alquímico Cartagena 12 Superbueno New York 13 Lady Bee Lima 14 Himkok Oslo 15 Bar Us Bangkok 16 Zest Seoul 17 Bar Nouveau Paris 18 Bar Benfiddich Tokyo 19 Caretaker's Cottage Melbourne 20 The Cambridge Public House Paris 21 Satan's Whiskers London 22 Locale Firenze Florence 23 Tlecān Mexico City 24 Tan Tan São Paulo 25 Mirror Bar Bratislava 26 CoChinChina Buenos Aires 27 Baba au Rum Athens 28 Nouvelle Vague Tirana 29 Hope & Sesame Guangzhou 30 Danico Paris 31 Scarfes Bar London 32 Svanen Oslo 33 Sastrería Martinez Lima 34 Panda & Sons Edinburgh 35 Röda Huset Stockholm 36 Mimi Kakushi Dubai 37 Salmon Guru Madrid 38 Coa Hong Kong 39 Sip & Guzzle New York 40 Drink Kong Rome 41 Double Chicken Please New York 42 Maybe Sammy Sydney 43 1930 Milan 44 Jewel of the South New Orleans 45 Virtù Tokyo 46 Overstory New York 47 The Bar in Front of the Bar Athens 48 The Bellwood Tokyo 49 BKK Social Club Bangkok 50 Nutmeg & Clove Singapore Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: The Old Man’s new menu explores intimate relationships through bold flavours LMO Freshly Baked partners with Leela for a limited-time menu in October The best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend (October 10-12)

Tucked away near the corner of Aberdeen and Staunton Streets in Central, popular Hong Kong speakeasy-style bar The Old Man serves creative concoctions inspired by the works of Ernest Hemingway. A firm staple among Hong Kong’s drinking scene, this crowd-favourite watering hole is launching its seventh menu named ‘Relations’, and telling fascinating stories while doing so.  The three-part menu explores a myriad of relationships and mutual fulfillment through bold flavours and tastes, from mentorship and rivalry to love, friendship, and family. Among the 12 new cocktails on offer, Handshake takes inspiration from Hemingway’s respect for fellow literati Ezra Pound, where a jalapeño garnish adds a refreshing kick to a crisp spirit base.  In contrast, the vodka-based For a Moment Only offers a more rounded tasting experience, where the subtle sweetness of roasted grape cordial and floral aroma of jasmine reflect the author’s impossible love for fellow poet Adriana Ivancich. The final section of the menu takes us through Hemingway’s formative influences in four earthy, herbal cocktails. In particular, Paradox delivers a warming yet bittersweet touch that perfectly mirrors the discipline and pressure imposed by the author’s own mother.  Accompanying this menu change is a slight revamp of The Old Man’s interiors. Returning guests can expect a subtle yet welcomed shift around the speakeasy’s iconic I-shaped bar. ‘Relations’ is now available for you to explore, with cocktails priced from $125 per glass.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: LMO Freshly Baked partners with Leela for a limited-time menu in October Hong Kong International Airport ranks 5th for best airport bathrooms in the world Guess these lantern riddles for Mid-Autumn Festival

If you thought the LMO Freshly Baked series was coming to an end last month after May Chow’s Little Bao collaboration – psych, there’s more! Richard Ekkebus of Mandarin Oriental The Landmark, Hong Kong is teaming up with Manav Tuli of Leela from now until the end of October to present five menu items that allow vibrant Indian flavours to shine. LMO Freshly Baked, a grab-and-go bakery and deli counter located inside Landmark Atrium, has made a name for itself as a destination for casual sweet and savoury treats. Its Tastemaker Series invites guest chefs to join in on the fun every month by creating a special menu that brings their gastronomic strengths to the LMO Freshly Baked format. LMO Freshly Baked and Leela’s exclusive menu is available from September 29 to October 31, and includes a chingri malai soup ($48), which showcases Leela’s spin on the classic Bengali curry, featuring prawns in a creamy sweet-spicy coconut broth. We’re also excited for the beef cheek do pyaza sandwich ($98), stacked with slow-braised beef cheek and a rich caramelised onion gravy inspired by the North Indian do pyaza curry. Another thing that’s really got us drooling is the masala chai egg tart ($28). Who’s not excited to sink their teeth into this inventive Indian version of the beloved classic pastry? For its highly acclaimed Tastemaker Series, LMO Freshly Baked has brought some of Hong Kong’s most prominent F&B giants along for the ride, including Danny Yip of The Chairman, Vicky Lau of Tate Dining Room, Lorenzo Antinori of Bar Leone and Montana, Matt Abergel and Lindsay Jang of Yardbird, and May Chow of Little Bao. Collaborations with Korean restaurant Hansik Goo and The Chinnery at the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong are being teased to round out the year, so stay tuned for more exclusive menus! Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Hong Kong International Airport ranks 5th for best airport bathrooms in the world Guess these lantern riddles for Mid-Autumn Festival Your guide to the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance 2025

Hong Kong already boasts the fifth cleanest airport in the world, according to Skytrax, but the international air transport rating organisation is far from done when it comes to recognising airport excellence. In the inaugural World’s Best Airport Washrooms 2025 awards – yes, you read that right – Skytrax has honoured Hong Kong International Airport with fifth place for its bathrooms, trailing behind Bahrain International Airport (number four), Seoul Incheon International Airport (number three), Tokyo Haneda Airport (number two), and this year’s winner, Singapore Changi Airport. Who knew airport bathrooms could be an experience? Aside from the cleanliness – which we can now brag is award-winning – what’s special about the public bathrooms at HKIA is that they are generously spacious, both in cubicle size and waiting areas, since schlepping our carry-ons with us is a common scenario. Wash basins are designed as ultra-modern all-in-one stations where you can rinse, soap, and dry your hands in one place – no more dripping water all over the floor to get to the tissue paper dispenser. Plus, there’s a smart noticeboard system at the entrance of the bathroom informing you of the current occupancy rate and how many bathroom stalls are unoccupied, as well as red and green LED lights by each cubicle to indicate if the stall is already occupied. No more guesswork and hesitant knocking! In the men’s bathroom, some urinals even have small screens that emulate airplane windows installed on the wall above, so you have something interesting to look at when you’re relieving yourself. Skytrax assessed 235 airports around the world to deliver these results, and because this is the organisation’s first year rating airport bathrooms, the 2025 awards are based on feedback from the Skytrax audit office. For future awards, feedback from travellers will be incorporated into the rankings. What’s remarkable is that all of the 10 airport bathrooms honoured as the best in the world are based across Asia. Japan alone has five airports represented in the top 10, and in the land of smart toilets, we simply can’t complain. Personally, we’re huge fans of the New Chitose Airport (number seven) in Hokkaido. Where else are you going to find Japanese onsen bathing facilities inside an airport terminal? Best airport bathrooms in the world 2025: Singapore Changi Airport Tokyo Haneda Airport Seoul Incheon International Airport Bahrain International Airport Hong Kong International Airport Kansai International Airport New Chitose Airport Tokyo Narita Airport Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Fukuoka Airport Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Your guide to the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance 2025 An outdoor Mid-Autumn Festival installation lands at Kai Tak Sports Park Hong Kong was the 4th most visited city in the world in 2024

When it comes to celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival, no event is more grand than the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance. Listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, this cherished tradition draws massive crowds of Hongkongers and visitors every year, all for a glimpse of this blazing spectacle. Read on to find out when, where, and what is happening this year.  What is the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance? With more than 140 years of history, the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance is an annual tradition commemorating the triumph over a plague that once broke out in Tai Hang in 1880. This ritual sees a magnificent dragon – spanning 67 metres and meticulously crafted using more than 10,000 burning incense sticks – paraded through the streets of Tai Hang by around 300 performers. In 2011, the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance was inscribed onto the third national list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. When is the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance happening? The dance will take place from Sunday, October 5 to Tuesday, October 7, starting from 7pm. Special traffic arrangements will be in place to facilitate the event, so be sure to make note of any road closures, traffic diversions, and the suspension of parking spaces. If an Amber Rainstorm Warning or above is issued, or a Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 and above is hoisted, the event will be cancelled, so keep an eye on the weather. Where will the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance take place? Before the parade begins, officiating guests will perform rituals at the Lin Fa Kung Temple in Tai Hang to ‘bring life into the dragon’. The fire dragon is then moved to its starting point on Ormsby Street. Here, dragon dancers burn incense and place it on the dragon, paying their respects. Officiating guests then perform the ceremony of hanging red hairpins and dotting the eyes of the Fire Dragon, officially marking the start of the event. Led by two dragon balls and accompanied by the rhythmic beat of drums and gongs, the fire dragon parades around the streets of Tai Hang in a clockwise direction through Warren Street, Brown Street, Ormsby Street, Wun Sha Street, Sun Chun Street, King Street, Jones Street, Lai Yin Street, and finally, School Street. The main streets to view this dance is usually Wun Sha Street and Tung Lo Wan Road. This year, the Dragon Dance performance will move to Victoria Park on October 6 from 10.30pm, so if you don’t want to cram into the narrow streets of Tai Hang, this is a good chance for you to catch the event with a little bit more breathing space (but expect crowds nevertheless). Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: An outdoor Mid-Autumn Festival installation lands at Kai Tak Sports Park Hong Kong was the 4th most visited city in the world in 2024 World’s 50 Best Bars 2025: Bartender guest shifts to catch in Hong Kong  

A five-metre-tall Jade Rabbit and moon installation is popping up in Kai Tak Sports Park! Titled ‘A Celestial Mid-Autumn’, this illuminated display will add flair to your celebrations this year. The installation will call the sport park’s Dining Cove home until October 13, where adorable renditions of the Jade Rabbit and full moon will grace Kai Tak’s waterfront.  In addition to this megasized photo spot, Kai Tak Sports Park is bringing a series of festive, family-friendly activations to the neighbourhood. From October 4 to 7, watch as the ‘Light-up Bubble Party of Dreams’ transforms the sports park into a playful and whimsical haven. Exclusively on October 5 to 6, visitors can move and groove among rainbow-coloured bubbles against live busking performances by Hong Kong’s up-and-coming musical talents.  Visit the oversized bunny installation at Kai Tak Sports Park from 10am to 10pm until October 13. Accompanying festive activities will take place from 5pm to 10pm between October 4 to 7 around the park. No entry fee or registration is required.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Hong Kong was the 4th most visited city in the world in 2024 World’s 50 Best Bars 2025: Bartender guest shifts to catch in Hong Kong Vote in the Time Out Recommended 2025 Readers’ Choice survey to win prizes!

Global tourism is on an unstoppable upward trajectory, and international travel is booming – more people are travelling than ever before. According to UN Tourism, in the first six months of 2025 alone, close to 690 million people travelled internationally, which is a five-percent increase over the same period in 2024, and a four-percent increase from 2019. With so many travellers and tourists jet-setting around the world in large numbers, the big question that comes to mind is: where are they all going? Which city is stamped on their boarding pass, and which destination has captured their fancy? Euromonitor International collates a Top 100 City Destinations Index every year, and the most recent edition spotlights the most visited cities in the world based on the volume of international arrivals. Bangkok snatched first place with more than 32 million arrivals recorded in 2024, representing a 37-percent year-on-year growth. In second place is Istanbul with 23 million international arrivals, followed closely by London with 21.7 million, and even closer by Hong Kong in fourth, with 20.5 million international arrivals last year. According to the data analytics and research firm, our numbers show a 19-percent growth from 2023 to 2024, which spells good news for our ongoing tourism push. Hong Kong’s attractions are too many and varied to list, but some factors that certainly propel the city to the top of any traveller’s bucket list are its fantastic public transportation systems which make it easy to get around town and explore the city at your leisure, modern conveniences that are embedded into the city’s fabric, amazing culinary options, easy and speedy access to nature, and a seamless blend of East and West.  From incredible hiking trails suitable for all levels, delicious street food, picturesque beaches, and unbeatable views to countless retail therapy options, there’s something for every kind of traveller that makes a visit to Hong Kong the trip of a lifetime. Hop on a ferry to explore outlying islands, snap photos of the city’s iconic neon signs, discover different neighbourhoods, or maybe even curse your nemesis with a villain-hitting session. Check out more things to do in Hong Kong to plan your next visit. Top 10 most visited cities in the world by international arrivals: Bangkok Istanbul London Hong Kong Mecca Antalya Dubai Macau Paris Kuala Lumpur Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: World’s 50 Best Bars 2025: Bartender guest shifts to catch in Hong Kong The best things happening in Hong Kong this October Jay Sean chats 2010s music magic, breaking down industry barriers, and his plans in Hong Kong

2025 is a special one for alcohol-lovers and barhoppers, because the most anticipated bar event of the year – The World’s 50 Best Bars ceremony – will be held in Hong Kong for the first time. This is only the second time that this prestigious event has ever been hosted in Asia, and it means that the crème de la crème of bar professionals from all over the globe will be descending upon Hong Kong and taking over bars across the city to showcase their creativity and craftsmanship ahead of the actual awards ceremony on October 8. Here are all the bar guest shifts to mark on your calendar! October 4  Photograph: Courtesy Honky Tonks Tavern Honky Tonks Tavern From 5 to 9pm, find a transcontinental takeover at Honky Tonks, where Denver’s Yacht Club will serve up crowd-pleasers from 5 to 7pm, followed by Buenos Aires’ Tres Mono – which won seventh place in The World’s 50 Best Bars, and is The Best Bar in South America 2024 – from 7pm onwards. This is a walk-in-only event with limited drink portions, so arrive early – the doors open at 2pm.   Photograph: Courtesy Call Me Al   Call Me Al One of our favourite neighbourhood watering holes is hosting a 50 Best Signature Session that unites top bartenders and venues from across the World’s 50 Best lists, specially spotlighting the 50 Best Bars Scholarship winners. Drew Fleming, Apoorva Kohli, and Calliope Draper will be behind the stick from 9.30pm until late, with drinks going for $110 each. October 5 Photograph: Courtesy Coa Coa  From 2 to 3.30pm, visit Coa for an exclusive tasting session of Montelobos mezcal with renowned expert Dr Iván Saldaña. If you’d like to learn more about agave spirits instead of just quaffing it, pop in earlier from 12 noon to 1.30pm for a panel discussion with Dr Saldaña, Freddy Andreasson, co-founder of El Gallo Altanero in Guadalajara, and Coa’s founder Jay Khan. The tasting is priced at $250 per person, and proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong. Photograph: Courtesy Wing Lei Bar / Bourke’s Bourke’s Head mixologist Mark Lloyd from Macau’s Wing Lei Bar will be at Bourke’s from 3 to 6pm showing how he reinvents classic cocktails. If you haven’t experienced Lloyd’s almost scientific infusion and distillates in elevated cocktails – or haven’t managed to get seated in his little jewellery box of a bar in Wynn Palace – then don’t miss this guest shift. Sunday roast at Bourke’s runs from 12 noon to 3pm, so you can just stick around after. Photograph: Courtesy Campari Group The Green Door  From 4 to 7pm, a range of Asian bartenders will bring their local flavours and ingredients to The Green Door, ready to make drinks that’ll surprise and delight. Guest bartenders include Phoebe Han, founder of Shanghai’s Healer; Supawit 'Palm' Muttarattana, co-founder of Bangkok’s Drywave Cocktail Studio; and Mitzar Lee from Seoul’s Le Chamber. Honky Tonks Tavern Three renowned global bars will be stationed at Honky Tonks, each bringing their own unique flair. From 5 to 6.30pm, Eli Martínez from Mexico City’s Tlecān (number three in North America’s Best Bars) will delve into the soul of agave; from 6.30 to 8pm, Rob Libecans of Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage (the Best Bar in Australia 2024) will shake up signatures from home including their famous Plymouth Gin ‘House Martini’. Finally, Iain McPherson from Scotland’s Panda & Sons (number 30 on World’s 50 Best Bars) will be behind the bar from 8 to 9.30pm – order his Coconut Drop. Walk-ins only, the doors open at 2pm. Photograph: Courtesy The Foundry Asia Quinary Stop by Quinary from 6 to 9pm for an international double-bill featuring Svaja and Rose from Le Syndicat in Paris, and Emanuel and Paulo from Red Frog in Lisbon. Expect European flair, innovative twists on flavours, and a taste of France and Portugal right on our doorstep. Photograph: Courtesy Gokan Gokan Gokan will host a reunion of some of the world’s most respected bartenders and former winners of the Altos Bartender’s Bartender Award, which is also part of The World’s 50 Best Bars. Should you want every single cocktail to be delightful, this guest shift sounds like a pretty good bet. Call Me Al Denver’s Yacht Club makes another appearance, this time at Call Me Al, where Mary Allison Wright and McLain Hedges will take the lead on their signature cocktails, legendary hot dogs with Frank relish, and rollicking Colorado-style party. Walk-ins only from 9.30pm till late. October 6 Photograph: Courtesy Bourke’s / Campari Group Bourke’s Drop into Bourke’s from 3pm till midnight for live DJ tunes and a showcase of Campari cocktails done the Aussie way. Catch Alex Burt with Bourke’s Showcase from 3 to 6pm; Evan Strove and Andie Bulley from The Warratah in Darlinghurst from 6 to 8pm; Dre Walters, Adam Cork and Callum Marra from Old Love’s in Sydney from 8 to 10pm; and Kax Kite and Jordan Grocock from Sydney’s Cantina OK! from 10pm to midnight. Coa From 6 to 9pm, Bar El Gallo Altanero is taking over Coa, with co-founder Freddy Andreasson offering a taste of the Guadalajara bar’s innovative drinks, with twists on classics using seasonal fruits and regional pairings. Photograph: Courtesy Jean-Pierre / Black Sheep Restaurants Jean-Pierre Three top bars from Paris will come together for one night only at Hong Kong’s own Jean-Pierre! From 6 to 9pm, Patrick Vladich from the legendary Danico will whip up his theatrical avant-garde cocktails; Remy Savage and twin duo Sara and Hadrien Moudoulaud from Bar Nouveau will deconstruct classic tipples; while Lucas Joussemet and Xénia Patros will showcase their technique and flair that make The Cambridge Public House such a hit. All three bars are the darlings of the Parisian cocktail scene, and will be creating exclusive drinks featuring the St-Germain elderflower liqueur, Grey Goose vodka, and Bombay Sapphire gin. This event also marks the opening of La Terasse, Jean-Pierre’s new outdoor space! Photograph: Courtesy Ho Lee Fook Ho Lee Fook We’re in for a night of eye-wateringly good food and drinks, as Ho Lee Fook opens its doors to Andrew Ho from Guangzhou’s Hope & Sesame and Mark Lloyd from Macau’s Wing Lei Bar. Chef ArChan Chan will be in the kitchen dishing out Cantonese favourites from 6 until 10pm, then the tables are cleared and the beats start with a DJ on the decks. An entry fee of $388 gets you three cocktails, chef’s snacks, and a good time. This intimate event will be capped at only 40 guests, so book ahead here. Courtroom Barro Negro, hospitality pioneer in Athens and authority on agave spirits, will join forces with the globally renowned platform World of Mixologists to bring an authentic taste of Mexico to Hong Kong, interestingly filtered through a Greek lens. Catch these three bar heavyweights at Courtroom from 7 to 9pm. Photograph: Courtesy Emmanuel Rosario / The Foundry Asia The Opposites New York’s highly acclaimed design-driven bar Double Chicken Please – number one in North America’s 50 Best Bars 2023, and number 14 in The World’s Best Bars 2024 – makes an appearance at The Opposites from 7 to 10pm. We’re so excited to experience Faye Chen and GN Chan’s playful approaches and their iconic ‘liquid meals’ concept. Artifact From 8pm onwards, Singapore’s glamorous Atlas Bar will be transplanted into the otherworldly interiors of Artifact. If you haven’t had a chance to hop across to the Lion City, this is a great opportunity to try their award-winning tipples. Avoca From 8 to 11pm, Mondrian Hong Kong’s Avoca will host Jeff Savage from Vancouver’s Prophecy. Savage blends vintage elegance with modern mixology into fresh and seamlessly forward-thinking flavours, so head on over to Kowloon side. Alibi Robin Leung, co-founder of Shanghai’s Tuxedo, will be behind the bar from 8pm. Having been the former bar manager at Coa Shanghai, Leung is an agave spirit expert, and guests can expect post-modern takes on classic cocktails that blend east and west, featuring Amrut whisky, Elijah Craig bourbon, and Lejay Cassis. The Savory Project Umami fans will love this one: modern pioneers of savoury drinks programmes, as well as previous winners of the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award, will gather at The Savory Project to venture into explorative cocktail flavours together. Walk-ins only with limited seats available, so get in line early! October 7 Kimpton Hong Kong From 3 to 7pm, top talents and rising stars across Europe will gather at Birdsong in the newly opened Kimpton Hong Kong to showcase the bold flavours and refined craftsmanship that define European bar culture. Guest bartenders include Tomasso Cecca from Milan’s Camparino and Rory Shepherd from Paris’ De Vie, alongside four Campari Red Hand winners from Italy. Photograph: Courtesy Joanna Lin / Courtroom Courtroom New York’s high-tech, sensory-driven bar Shinji’s will be hosted by Courtroom, where Bobbi Adler will present cocktails made famous by their innovative techniques and meticulous preparation. If you want to experience drinks that challenge conventions, pop by from 4 to 6pm. Photograph: Courtesy Honky Tonks Tavern Honky Tonks Tavern The Tavern is celebrating their birthday and they’ve roped in some global bar stars to contribute to their five years of mucho danger in Hong Kong! Singapore’s Sago House will be taking over from 5 to 6.30pm; followed by Tijuana’s Aruba Day Drink from 6.30 to 8pm; Mexico City’s Hanky Panky from 8 to 9.30pm; and finally, Sri Lanka’s Smoke & Bitters from 9.30 to 11pm. DJ Mike Wolfe will be behind the decks, and free Honky pizza slices, cauliflower bites, chicken tenders, and fried pickles will be passed out from 5pm until the barrel runs dry. This is a public holiday so things are bound to get packed – arrive early. Photograph: Courtesy Hope & Sesame / Lobster Bar & Grill Lobster Bar Guangzhou’s Hope & Sesame – ranked number seven in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, and the best bar in mainland China – will take over Lobster Bar from 7pm with their scientific approach to cocktail making, inspired by both Chinese traditions and global influences. We like the sound of their Negroni 8.0 made with Solisca Blanco, rattan pepper, lavender, butter milk Eisbock, and butterfly pea; and their Truffle Banana, featuring Torres 15 Years brandy, truffle banana bread wine, and spices. Photograph: Courtesy Obsidian / Avoca Avoca Shenzhen’s famous broody, dimly lit Obsidian Bar brings beverage director Paul Hsu and head mixologist Victor Su to Avoca for a night of unique mixology style and creative flair. If you’ve always wanted to try Obsidian’s offerings but dislike the trek across the border, this is your chance. Alibi Head over to Mongkok from 8pm to catch Ju Young Lee from Seoul’s Bar SookHee for a night of Korean mixology featuring Disaronno, Tia Maria, and Sagamore Rye. October 8 Photograph: Courtesy Moebius Bourke’s In addition to just drinks, this bar shift is also keeping us fed. Moebius from Milan will take over Bourke’s from 12 noon to 3pm with bar manager Giovanni Allario and his team shaking up their signature cocktails, while chefs Enrio Croatti and Luca Sinisi whip up snacks to line your stomach.  October 9 Photograph: Courtesy Satan’s Whiskers Bourke’s Head to Bourke’s from 5pm for a taste of East London with Satan’s Whiskers – they’ve earned the moniker of London’s bartenders’ bar, so you know they’re bound to be spectacular. Back home, they’re well-known for their menu that changes daily, so we’re excited to see what modern classics they’ll shake up. Photograph: Courtesy Paradiso / Lobster Bar & Grill Lobster Bar Speakeasy-style bar Paradiso, hidden behind a fridge door in a pastrami shop in Barcelona, lands in Hong Kong’s Lobster Bar with their theatrical cocktails that blend science and art. Some drinks that have caught our eye include the Savoury Martini, the Banana Eclipse, and the BBQ Colada. Alibi The dynamic duo of David Ong and Kiko Victor from Manila’s The Curator Coffee & Cocktails will be behind the stick, crafting bold drinks Ketel One, Don Julio, Tanqueray Ten, Zacapa, and warm Filipino hospitality. Call Me Al For their final guest shift, Call Me Al gathers a trio of global bars and bites, with Singapore’s Puffy Bois Cocktails and Pizza and Cat Bite Club, as well as Brooklyn’s Bar Madonna taking the stage. Expect a late-night boozy pizza party, powered by Mr Black Coffee Spirit in espresso martinis, slices of Puffy Bois’ cult-favourite pizzas, and plenty of rowdy good vibes. October 10 Photograph: Courtesy Hideaway Goa / Bourke’s Bourke’s Bourke’s closes off their guest shift series with Vagator’s Hideaway Goa, Expect eclectic, inventive cocktails like their signature Mogambo, made with Altos Tequila, Creyente Espadin, Choya Golden Ume, Lillet Blanc, guava, and yuzu; or the Supertramp, with Monkey 47 Gin, blood orange, passionfruit, and Anatamool soda. October 11 Photograph: Courtesy Soko / Kerry Hotel Red Sugar Seoul’s Soko is known for their impeccably dressed bartenders with suits, bowties, and all, and two of their dashing oppas will be at Red Sugar for a final guest shift. This bar also has a martini shaking routine that’s been tightly choreographed and rehearsed to perfection, almost K-pop band style, so we can expect a bit of a show along with the drinks. Alibi Shakira Huang, founder of Bar STG in Wuhan, will take over Cordis, Hong Kong’s Alibi from 8pm, bringing cocktail artistry that features Amrut whisky, Elijah Craig bourbon, and Lejay Cassis. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Popular Korean porridge chain Bonjuk is opening in Hong Kong Jay Sean chats 2010s music magic, breaking down industry barriers, and his plans in Hong Kong Everything we know about Hong Kong Disneyland’s new Marvel and Pixar attractions

Canadian rapper and singer bbno$ is coming back to Hong Kong for his first solo show in the city! Alexander Gumuchian, who performs under the stage name bbno$, made his Hong Kong debut at Clockenflap back in 2023, but his music has been making the rounds for years, growing to stratospheric heights with the rise of trending music on TikTok. With viral hits like Lalala released with American producer Y2K and edamame featuring Indonesian rapper Rich Brian, and through his collaborations with American rapper Yung Gravy, bbno$ has racked up 14.8 million monthly listeners on Spotify. His over-the-top music videos have also garnered him a 3.78 million-strong following on YouTube. His newest album, the eponymous bbno$, is slated for launch this October. Bbno$’s first solo gig in Hong Kong – part of the artist’s ‘it’s pronounced baby no money’ world tour – will take place at Tides in Whampoa, a newly opened music venue, on November 13, so fans will likely get to hear a couple of tracks off the new album live. Live Nation members can snag tickets ($599) on Live Nation on September 25 from 12 pm onwards. General sale tickets will then be released on September 26 from 12 pm onwards. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Everything we know about Hong Kong Disneyland’s new Marvel and Pixar attractions Japanese anime retail megastore Animate is reopening in Hong Kong 3 Hong Kong bars made it on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 extended list

Earlier this month, Hong Kong Disneyland celebrated their 20th anniversary and among the many parties, parades, and performances, the park also released more news about their two new major expansion projects that are currently underway: a Pixar entertainment offering and new Marvel-themed experiences. Photograph: Courtesy Hong Kong Disneyland The new Pixar adventure will be an immersive theatrical show centred on the world of Monsters, Inc. that promises to be fun, heartwarming, and ‘unlike anything ever done before at Hong Kong Disneyland’. According to the park, the experience will utilise cutting-edge theatrical technology that blends real and digital environments, so our best guess is it might be something similar to the ‘It’s Tough to Be a Bug’ show at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom (which closed to make way for a Zootopia attraction in March this year, RIP!) or the ‘Muppet*Vision 3D’ show in Disney World’s Hollywood Studios (which also finished its run permanently earlier this year in June after over 30 years) – but likely with less animatronics and updated animation style. Photograph: Courtesy Hong Kong Disneyland Tomorrowland in Hong Kong Disneyland will also be expanding with a new Marvel-themed attraction. According to a teaser posted on Instagram, there will be a brand-new futuristic-looking building in the Stark Expo zone, and if the concept art is anything to go by, the venue will star Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, Thor, and Black Panther, and will contain what looks like a drop tower ride similar to ‘The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror’ or the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!’ experiences. This Marvel ride will join expanded entertainment and shopping offerings featuring inventions and technologies from the Avengers and their friends, according to the park. Hong Kong Disneyland is currently home to two Marvel attractions, the ‘Iron Man Experience’ and the ‘Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle’, which are both exclusive to this location. There’s no word yet on when these Marvel and Pixar attractions will be unveiled, but given the scale of the expansion, we’re likely looking at 2026 or 2027. What would you like to see at these new Hong Kong Disneyland offerings? Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Japanese anime retail megastore Animate is reopening in Hong Kong 3 Hong Kong bars made it on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 extended list Sheung Wan is officially one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world

Do you remember an exhibition last summer that displayed miniature scenes of the Central and Western districts in Pacific Place? In case you missed it, the Joyful Miniature Association (JMA) is back once again, this time with more incredibly detailed dioramas of life in Hong Kong, including seven brand-new miniatures that have never been seen before. The 24 art pieces will highlight some of Hong Kong’s famous landmarks, cultural customs, and unique lifestyles. Peek into painstaking recreations of Sunday dim sum at Maxim’s Palace in City Hall, chaotic nighttime revelry along Lan Kwai Fong, the customs of worship and pin wheel buying at Man Mo Temple and Wong Tai Sin Temple, a moving model of the fifth generation of the Peak Tram funicular railway, views of Victoria Harbour complete with boats sailing and fireworks, and more.  Photograph: Courtesy Joyful Miniature Association The new miniatures at this show include the Kai Tak Sports Park, the legendary old Kowloon Walled City, night scenes of Temple Street, horse racing, aquatic animals on sale at one of the many shops along Goldfish Street, the cable car at Ngong Ping 360, and Hong Kong’s transhipment history at the Insta-famous Western District Pier. The JMA brings together over 100 Hong Kong artists who collectively integrate the traditionally European craft of miniatures with our distinctly local culture using cutting-edge technology. If there’s one way to stroll through the most iconic sights and experiences of Hong Kong in just a few steps, this exhibition is definitely it. ‘Hong Kong: Through the Looking Glass Miniature Exhibition’ will be on display at The Peak Tower from April 25 to June 23 – JMA’s longest exhibition in the city. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Hong Kong ranked as the 10th most walkable city in the world; 1st in East Asia Hong Kong Airport Express proposes fare increase of 9.4 percent The Cheung Chau Bun Festival is hosting a carnival this Sunday

We sit down with artist and designer Joe Foti before his new exhibition in Hong Kong

March in Hong Kong is not complete without a trip to the Wanchai Convention Centre to spend a day or two at Art Basel. This year’s fair gathers 240 global galleries, with large-scale installations, paintings, sculptures, digital art, live performances, video works, and more to see!

From a world without colours to her love of big city metros, we caught up with British artist Monster Chetwynd for a round of quick-fire questions while she's in town for her new installation at Pacific Place! 

Free on Tuesdays? Head over to Hugo's in TST for their unlimited steak and frites night, which also come with Caesar salad, a dessert, and plenty of tipples – just remember to wear loose pants.

G'day foodies! Renowned chef Shane Osborn has just opened a laidback Aussie-style cafe inspired by Australian pit stops. Perfect for a casual meal when in Central.

This arts month, don't miss Hong Kong's first ASMR exhibition that will give you all kinds of tingles.

This ‘Picasso for Asia’ exhibition is the first time that masterpieces from the Musée national Picasso-Paris are being shown alongside works from an Asian museum collection. Find out what makes the Spanish master of Cubism so influential – you have until mid-July!

These cool (and just a tad creepy) faceless sculptures are here for the whole of Hong Kong Arts Month, so make time in your diary to visit this month

What is villain hitting and why are old ladies beating paper with a shoe for $50? Of all the weird and wonderful traditions we have in Hong Kong, this one is definitely up there.