Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong

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

Be still, our hearts (and be even stiller, our wallets, because we may be about to drop a lot of money) – Animate, Japan’s largest retailer of anime, manga, and video games, will be making its return to Hong Kong! Animate reopening in town will come as welcome news to local anime and manga fans whose travels to Japan will typically include pitstops to Animate branches across the country to load up on new merch releases. A recent post shared on September 12 on the Animate Hong Kong Facebook page appears to confirm the upcoming store opening – the message announced active staff recruitment and called upon interested candidates to apply. Other than that, the Facebook page remains cryptic, with only a ‘coming soon’ post teasing further news. Animate used to operate a Hong Kong retail branch in Mong Kok, in addition to an Animate Cafe – known as Youme Cafe – but both were shuttered in 2020. Five years later, anime fans can look forward to the return of Japan’s leading anime, manga, and games merch and goods retailer, also in Mong Kok, though the details surrounding the opening date and exact location are still murky. In Japan, Animate operates more than 100 retail stores, and internationally, the brand has a number of outlets in mainland China, Thailand, Taiwan, and the US. Its nine-floor flagship store in the Ikebukuro district in Tokyo was recognised by the Guinness World Records as the ‘largest anime store’ in the world. Considering the huge popularity of Japanese anime and manga content among Hong Kong audiences – there’s currently an Attack on Titan exhibition happening in Kai Tak, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle is still screening in cinemas, and let’s not forget the large-scale Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong that happens every summer – the return of Animate to Hong Kong could not have come at a better time. Now to start saving up so we can splurge on whatever merch Animate will bring to our shores… 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: 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 The Black Eyed Peas will be performing in Hong Kong in November

As we eagerly await the results of the annual World’s 50 Best Bars rankings – set to be revealed at an awards ceremony in Hong Kong at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal on October 8 – there’s already some good news celebrating Hong Kong coming our way! On September 24, the 51-100 extended rankings of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 was released, and three Hong Kong establishments have been recognised for their excellence in the field: Argo, Gokan, and The Savory Project. Photograph: Courtesy The Savory Project Against stiff competition, The Savory Project dropped four places from number 82 to find placement at number 86 this year. Coming from the visionary brains and mixologists behind the award-winning Coa, The Savory Project reimagines cocktails as an extension of culinary creativity, transforming food recipes into innovative tipples. Imagine whetting your appetite on an umami-forward drink inspired by Thai-style beef salad or Indian biryani. Japanese mixologist Shingo Gokan’s bar on Ice House Street has been eagerly spoken about in the past few months and highly recommended by those in the know, so we’re delighted to see Gokan make its first appearance on the World’s 50 Best Bars extended list this year at number 70. Gokan is already recognised on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 at number 33 for its meticulously crafted cocktails, which draw on the five senses to blend mixology and gastronomy, with international flavours and influences thrown into the mix. Photograph: Joshua Lin Meanwhile, Argo rose two spots to sit snugly at number 56 this year. We’ve honoured Argo extensively over the years in the Time Out Hong Kong Bar Awards, and this top-notch destination at the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong continues to impress with its terrarium-like interiors, unbeatable views of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour skyline, super friendly staff, and expertly balanced, out-of-the-box cocktails, like the rum-based Pineapple Highball, the gin-driven Marigold Martini, and the bittersweet Dr. J Negroni. Photograph: Courtesy Argo Going by our city’s strong placement on the extended list, we have high hopes for the top 50 bars. Will Bar Leone retain its number two position in 2025, or rise even higher just one year after its remarkable debut on the list? How will three-time Asia’s 50 Best Bars’ number one Coa fare? Will Lorenzo Antinori and Simone Caporale’s Cuban-inspired Montana soar with a high new entry? All will be revealed in a matter of weeks, so stay tuned for our coverage.  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: Sheung Wan is officially one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world The best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend (September 26-28) It’s Hong Kong Negroni Week, so here’s where to drink and celebrate across town

Every year, Time Out scopes out the coolest corners of the world’s greatest cities and lists them in a definitive annual ranking. These are the places where great nightlife, food and drink, culture, art, and independent business thrive next to each other, the areas that immediately give you a ‘good vibe’ and have you planning a return before you’ve even left. Hongkongers can be proud of the fact that one of our own has made it onto the world’s coolest neighbourhood list, and it is Sheung Wan! Sitting comfortably in the 30th spot worldwide, Sheung Wan is a fascinating neighbourhood that boasts plenty of hip cafés, art galleries, little boutiques, and top-rated bars and restaurants, while still retaining a distinctly Cantonese identity at its very core. This was where the British first set foot onto Hong Kong and planted a Union Jack flag to declare us their colony. This was where the bubonic plague once hit our city the hardest, killing scores but also thereby establishing Hong Kong’s first hospital for the general public. Now, it is a hotspot for stylish cafés, fantastic restaurants both Michelin-starred and down-to-earth, attractive street art, and more than a dose of old Hong Kong nostalgia. Photograph: Courtesy CC/Wikimedia Commons/TudernaPossession Street in Sheung Wan Spend a day or two in Sheung Wan indulging in everything from budget-friendly local fare to Michelin-starred avant-garde Chinese cuisine with a French twist, then walk off the calories by trawling the nooks and crannies for coloural murals and graffiti pieces. You can also go antiquing and poke around in vintage shops, then get a caffeine jolt at any of the terrific coffee shops in the ‘hood. For a dose of history, there’s no better landmark than having a wander through the incense-filled halls of the Man Mo Temple, a Grade I Historic Building and temple dedicated to the gods of literature and martial arts. Follow our in-depth neighbourhood guide to Sheung Wan to experience the best of this district, and check out some interesting facts about this area that you probably don’t know! As for which other cities are also among the coolest in the world, we can tell you that the top three honours for 2025 go to Jimbōchō in Tokyo, Borgerhout in Antwerp, and Barra Funda in São Paulo! Check out the full list of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world for your next travel inspiration. Hear from Sheung Wan locals about their favourite spots: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk) 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 best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend (September 26-28) It’s Hong Kong Negroni Week, so here’s where to drink and celebrate across town The Black Eyed Peas will be performing in Hong Kong in November

Negroni Week in Hong Kong is back! Although the next few days will be spent quietly hunkered down at home as Super Typhoon Ragasa sweeps through the city, that doesn’t mean we can’t already look forward to how we’ll be spending the weekend. Here are a few places in town that are joining in Negroni Week – why not make a bar crawl out of it? Photograph: @zzura.hk Zzura Middle Eastern-inspired speakeasy Zzura in Central is celebrating its fourth anniversary during Negroni Week, so you can put on your party hats while sipping on some downright delicious tipples. From now until 28, Zzura’s mixologists will be shaking up a special one-off negroni called the Forbidden Fruit, made with longan gin, mezcal, Campari, Aperol, and Mancino Rosso. A portion of the bar’s Negroni Week sales will go towards supporting the Slow Food Foundation’s initiatives. Photograph: Courtesy Kacti Creative Ltd / Singular Concepts Kinsman Hong Kong bar and restaurant group Singular Concepts is staging a group-wide Negroni Week programme through September, with proceeds going towards Feeding Hong Kong, so hit up your favourite Singular Concepts to support a good cause. At Kinsman, guests can sip on the Red Cliff, an East-meets-West mix of Campari, Wuliangye baijiu, Magnolia Lab liqueur, Averna, and sweet vermouth that blends Italian flair with Chinese soul. Photograph: Courtesy Singular Concepts Tell Camellia  Recognised on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for its groundbreaking tea cocktails, Tell Camellia has created the Move Negroni for the occasion, a drink centred around Campari, milk oolong tea, marshmallow root, longan, clove, vermouth, and gin. As part of Singular Concepts, sales from Move Negroni will benefit Feeding Hong Kong. Photograph: Courtesy Kacti Creative Ltd / Singular Concepts The Daily Tot Why is the rum gone? Because it’s been swapped for Campari! All jokes aside, it wouldn’t be a night out at The Daily Tot without rum, and the bar’s creative offering for Negroni Week shows that Caribbean vibes can be expertly blended with Italian style. The Popcorn & Pandan Negroni is a novel concoction made with Flor de Cana, Campari, pandan, sweet vermouth popcorn, and orange zest for that tropical feeling. Photograph: Courtesy Singular Concepts Ella at The Trilogy New Orleans-inspired jazz bar Ella at The Trilogy presents the dashing Nola Negroni with Campari, coffee vermouth, strawberry gin, and orange, which guests can sip and savour while jamming to soulful jazz tunes thanks to live music performances. Photograph: Courtesy Singular Concepts Barcode Here’s something different for Negroni Week: Barcode has whipped up a delicious, dessert-like Negroni that we’re certain will have patrons rapidly ordering a follow-up. Negroni Land is made with vanilla ice cream gin, Campari infused with Tonka beans, and Lillet Blanc white vermouth. So, where does the dessert end and the drink begin? Photograph: Courtesy Imbibe / Campari Honky Tonks Tavern On September 25, Honky Tonks Tavern will host a vibrant Negroni Party featuring guest bartenders from the Red Hands guest bar shift. Mixologists from Courtroom, Artifact, The Old Man, and The Pearl will shake up special Negronis while DJ Mike Wolf takes over the decks. Honky Tonks Tavern will donate proceeds to Hong Kong Dog Rescue. Photograph: Courtesy Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong Lobster Bar After sipping your way through Central, hop on over to the Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong to experience Lobster Bar’s one-night-only guest bar takeover for Negroni Week. On September 24, Lobster Bar will host Quang Minh Nguyên and Rich McDonough from Workshop14, a pioneering concept from Hanoi that’s already been recognised with the Campari One To Watch Award at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025. This collaboration will serve up the Arc of Insanity cocktail, a negroni with a strawberry twist. Lobster Bar will also present a selection of four negronis until September 28, from a classic negroni and the aromatic lemongrass-based Reminiscence to the plum-driven Reverse Negroni and the floral Young Pal, a refreshing and sweet concoction with citrus zest, rosebuds, and lime leaf. Photograph: Courtesy Tan Wei Ping / The St. Regis Hong Kong The St. Regis Bar Hong Kong All throughout September, in honour of the significant influence of the famous Italian spirit, the St. Regis Bar Hong Kong will be welcoming guests to enjoy its Negroni Week menu, consisting of four signature cocktails designed around its hero ingredient Campari.  One of the Campari-based cocktails currently on The St. Regis Bar Hong Kong’s beverage programme is the eclectic Eastbound Negroni, inspired by the Fortress Hill neighbourhood, blending Siete Misterios Doba-Yej mezcal with Campari, Hachi Shochu Imo, Campari, Mancino Rosso vermouth, Teara hojicha tea liqueur, and Dover Azuki liqueur, so you can bet the exclusive negronis will be served with creative flair. Photograph: Courtesy The Mira Hong Kong Vibes Already sampled all the special negronis on Hong Kong Island? Make your way across Victoria Harbour for Vibes’ Roasted Coconut Negroni – a tropical interpretation that will transport you to a setting of sunny days and warm sand beaches. Campari, Cinzano 1757 Vermouth Rosso, and Taylors Port Wine are blended with the botanical Bulldog Gin for a bittersweet flavour, with a toasted coconut slice on top as the perfect garnish. Donations from each Roasted Coconut Negroni will help to support the Slow Food movement. Photograph: Courtesy Imbibe / Campari Avoca Mondrian Hong Kong’s Avoca will host Phnom Penh’s Sora for a special guest shift on September 27. Jonas Vittur and Phirun Lek will team up to showcase Cambodian creativity through the Num Ansom Knor cocktail, a Negroni-esque creation that draws inspiration from Cambodian celebration cakes. Avoca will also offer three exclusive negroni cocktail options for their limited-time Negroni Week menu: the Banoffee Pie Negroni, the South East Negroni, and the Yan Tao Negroni. 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 Black Eyed Peas will be performing in Hong Kong in November Doraemon, Labubu, and more characters will float down Victoria Harbour in a water parade The best Oktoberfest events happening in Hong Kong this year

Mark your calendars for November 19 – Grammy-winning R&B, hip-hop, and pop group The Black Eyed Peas is making its return to Hong Kong for a concert at AXA Wonderland in West Kowloon! It’s been almost 20 years since the last time The Black Eyed Peas came to Hong Kong for a performance at the AsiaWorld-Expo, so fans can look forward to a set list that will probably consist of a mix of new material and the group’s most recognisable chart-toppers. If you’re anything like us, you’ll be keeping your fingers crossed for pop hits such as Where Is the Love?, I Gotta Feeling, Pump It, Boom Boom Pow, and Let’s Get It Started – and are no doubt ready to get on your feet if they play. In its current formation, The Black Eyed Peas consists of members will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, with Filipino-American singer J. Rey Soul serving as the group’s singer after Fergie’s departure in 2018. It’s a bit sad that we won’t get to see Fergie, but we expect this event will still shape up to be a nostalgic night of revisiting and belting along to some of your favourite 2000s clubbing tunes, and dancing your socks off like it’s 2005. No word yet on when tickets will be available for sale and what pricing tiers we’re looking at, so stay tuned for more information! 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: Doraemon, Labubu, and more characters will float down Victoria Harbour in a water parade The best Oktoberfest events happening in Hong Kong this year The best things to do in Hong Kong this week (September 22-28)

Remember when we all saw a giant Doraemon sitting unexpectedly at the dockyard along Tsing Yi last week? Well, the news is out and it’s not that a robotic cat is invading Hong Kong – instead, a fleet of floating inflatable sculptures will be making their appearance along Victoria Harbour next month. AllRightsReserved, the local creative brand behind last year’s thousands of panda sculptures and the recent Chiikawa exhibition in Tsim Sha Tsui, is putting on the Water Parade, where a set of four giant, floating inflatable figures will be making a debut at sea. In the lineup is Doraemon, perched on his favourite dorayaki snack; Elmo from the Kaws & Sesame Street collaboration; McDonalds’ purple blob-shaped mascot Grimace; and Labubu, the globally viral Nordic-inspired monster by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. After a trial run in the waters of Tsing Yi on September 20, these four figures will be set afloat along Victoria Harbour on October 25, and will be shown in brand-new poses. Visit them just off of Tamar Park in Admiralty and snap plenty of photos, because when else are you going to see such universally recognised and different cartoon characters all sitting together? Photograph: Courtesy AllRightsReserved On November 1, the floating sculptures will be taken on a water parade between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, sailing along both sides of Victoria Harbour, before departing from our waters on the evening of the same day. For the entire duration of the sculpture display, there will also be a Water Parade Market at the promenade near Tamar Park. Aside from pop-up stores, F&B stands, game booths, photo spots, and a capsule toy zone, the market will also feature other internationally popular IPs from KPop Demon Hunters, season five of Stranger Things, Squid Games, Snoopy and the Peanuts, as well as Hong Kong’s classic TOLO Founding Duck, which is marking its 40th anniversary. Early-bird tickets to the festivities will be available at $50 for adults, starting at 12 noon on September 26. Walk-in tickets can also be purchased on site, subject to availability. All tickets include a $20 merchandise voucher, which can be redeemed cumulatively on purchases of every $200. Attendees can also buy a viewing platform special ticket at $150, which includes entry to the Water Parade Market. 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 best Oktoberfest events happening in Hong Kong this year The best things to do in Hong Kong this week (September 22-28) Super Typhoon Ragasa: Hong Kong braces for the strongest typhoon of the year as it approaches the city

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.