Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong

Think we have enough ice cream parlours lining our streets already? Think again! Emack & Bolio’s, the Boston-based ice cream chain known for their towering scoops covered with toppings, is making a comeback in Hong Kong. Not much else is known about their new store, apart from the fact that it will be situated on Hollywood Road, and they’re currently hiring their local team. But ice cream lovers will remember their funky flavours such as Bananas Foster, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup, Deep Purple Chip (black raspberry with chocolate chips), Pumpkin, and our personal favourite Space Cake (cake batter flavour with red velvet bits and shortbread cookies). It’s not an Emack & Bolio’s treat without the loaded cones, so we can also look forward to their crispy cones and cups sprinkles, Fruit Loops, Rice Krispies, and more. The whole indulgence is a truly American snack that should be experienced. For those who don’t fancy a sugar high and subsequent crash, the brand also carries vegan options, sorbets, and frozen yoghurts. Emack & Bolio’s first entered the Hong Kong market in 2015, though their shop on the slopes of Cochrane Street alongside the Central–Mid-Levels Escalator eventually shut during the pandemic in 2021. Their brand-new store will open around early September on 47 Hollywood Road, Central. 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: Got Balls returns this Halloween with a ‘Netfl!x & Kill’ theme Five Guys launches its first-ever Kids Meal in Hong Kong starting from just $80 Margarita Mile returns with 10 bars and a chance to win a trip to Mexico

If, like us, the idea of tackling the insane queue barricades to get into the LKF clubbing district on Halloween night is more trick than treat, we’ve got the perfect party alternative for you. Hong Kong’s famously chaotic Got Balls party is back this October, promising its “biggest, baddest, and bloodiest” fancy dress spectacle to date. After a five-month hiatus, the beautifully shambolic bingo night returns to bring more high-octane gameplay, live performances, lots of unhinged crowd participation, and the best party atmosphere. Expect to compete in three rounds of games sprinkled with a generous dose of surprises, tie-break play-offs on the stage, and plenty of giveaways. Photograph: Courtesy Got BallsGot Balls Of course, the night will be well lubricated with an open bar serving three hours of free-flow prosecco, spirits, mixers, beer, and Only beverages. There will also be live entertainment in the form of live singers, dancers, musicians, DJ sets, lots of bangers and anthems, and the mandatory dancing on chairs that always accompanies a Got Balls event. Seeing as it’s Halloween, dressing up in costume is a must for entry. Keep with the ‘Netfl!x & Kill’ theme and arrive channeling silver-screen legends, killer villains, or horror versions of your favourite TV characters. The organisers have promised a massive prize for the Best Dressed award, so lock in! We’re going to up the ante by doing shots every time we see a pink-suited Squid Game guard costume, and you’re more than welcome to join us. Photograph: Courtesy Got BallsGot Balls Got Balls will be held on Saturday, October 31, at the Hong Kong Football Club. The doors will open at 7.30pm and the whole party will wrap up at 11pm, sending you out into the city nicely sloshed, rumpled, and buzzing with adrenaline. Pre-sale tickets will be released on September 9 and these are limited to 100 slots at $600. First release tickets will then come out on September 10 at $680, followed by final releases at $745, so get booking early. 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: Five Guys launches its first-ever Kids Meal in Hong Kong starting from just $80 Margarita Mile returns with 10 bars and a chance to win a trip to Mexico Pici’s carb-filled Pasta Run returns next month with Full Runs for all age groups

The only possible con about a big, loaded burger is that sometimes you’re simply too stuffed to finish your meal, and you’re sat there in the detritus of a semi-demolished Wagyu patty and a few stray pickles, left with an overwhelming sense of guilt. Well, no more! Five Guys has just put a Kids Meal on the menu, and it only starts from $80. For four decades, the American burger brand has barely changed their menu, but in the year of its 40th anniversary, Five Guys has made a child-centric addition to their offerings, and Hong Kong is one of the first markets to have it.  Photograph: Courtesy Five GuysFive Guys Kids Meal The Kids Burger ($85) comes with a 100-g meat patty, hand-formed in store from fresh beef with a 80:20 lean-to-fat ratio. There is also an all-beef Kids Dog ($80), with the weiner split down the middle and grilled butterfly style so the edges get a little burnt. Both Kids Meals come with a mini portion of salted or Cajun fries, and a Minute Maid Qoo juice or bottled water. Keeping with Five Guys tradition, younger customers can also call out their own toppings at the counter: any combination of ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, and barbecue sauce comes at no extra charge. This meal was created with children aged 12 and under in mind, but what’s stopping an adult with a smaller appetite from ordering it themselves? Get the new Kids Meal at Five Guys branches across the city, for online collection, and via delivery. 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: Margarita Mile returns with 10 bars and a chance to win a trip to Mexico Pici’s carb-filled Pasta Run returns next month with Full Runs for all age groups Contemporary French-Japanese restaurant Ankôma is moving to Causeway Bay

A big bar crawl adventure is back this month with the return of Margarita Mile, featuring a route extending across 10 of Soho’s popular watering holes. Supported by the Mexican Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, the Margarita Mile is basically an in-built excuse to go out drinking. Make your way to the 10 participating bars – The Old Man, Honky Tonks Tavern, Coa, Dead Poets, Bourke’s, Dragonfly, Socio, The Pontiac, Lockdown, and The Mixing Room – to collect your free Margarita Mile passport. At each location, order one of the featured Marg Mile cocktails or any cocktail made with El Tequileño tequila to earn a stamp. Every cocktail will get you one stamp, and when you get five, you can collect a tequila shot and a shot glass to take home, plus a chance to win a bottle of El Tequileño 1959 The Sassenach Select Tequila (worth $1,208). Complete the passport with drinks at all 10 bars to put your name up to win a trip for two to Mexico, including return flights, a three-night stay in Casa Salles, and a tour of El Tequileño’s distillery and agave fields!  The Margarita Mile has already started on September 1 and will run until Wednesday, September 16, so you can stagger your margs over this period as you please – but hats off if you want to take a page out of our book and complete the Mile in just one night. Either way, pop over to Honky Tonks on September 16 for the official closing party in celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day, which is bound to be a rowdy party. 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: Pici’s carb-filled Pasta Run returns next month with Full Runs for all age groups Contemporary French-Japanese restaurant Ankôma is moving to Causeway Bay The Taschen sale is back with beautiful coffee table books up to 75 percent off

Carbs and workouts sound like they shouldn’t even appear in the same sentence, but Pirata Group disagrees. The F&B group’s yearly carb-fuelled tradition, the Pici Pasta Run, returns for the sixth time in October for its largest edition yet. Following the opening of the neighbourhood pasta joint’s 10th location in Yuen Long, this quirky costumed run remains a highlight among Hong Kong’s fitness enthusiasts and foodies, bringing together an unbeatable combination of fun, community, and fresh pasta. For the first time ever, this year’s event opens its Full Run 10-km category to families, so participants of all ages can tackle a longer-distance slog together. Photograph: Facebook / Pici Hong KongPici Pasta Run The Full Run starts at the Kennedy Town Pici location, while the 5-km Half Run starts in Causeway Bay at the Harbour Fun Restaurant & Bar for a shorter, more accessible option. Both routes will conclude at Pici Taikoo Place in Quarry Bay, where fresh, handmade pasta, drinks, and desserts await for a perfect post-workout indulgence. Don’t forget that runners have always dressed up in funky costumes – think the Rugby Sevens, but with running – so show up in your snazzy or crazy group outfits for a chance to win trophies and prizes for the Best Dressed Costumes!  Photograph: Facebook / Pici Hong KongPici Pasta Run Registration for the Pici Pasta Run costs a donation of $250 per person, while kids under 12 can run for free when accompanied by a paying parent – all of these proceeds will go directly to Mind HK to fund mental health initiatives in the city. General registrations are now open, until October 10 or when slots run out. Run, don’t walk, to get your spot now. 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: Contemporary French-Japanese restaurant Ankôma is moving to Causeway Bay The Taschen sale is back with beautiful coffee table books up to 75 percent off The Pontiac is launching a brand-new cocktail menu inspired by neon signs

Great news for Causeway Bay’s dining scene: Ankôma is moving in. The contemporary French-Japanese restaurant is packing up its Tsim Sha Tsui location and moving across the harbour to Cubus this mid-September. Led by chef Frankie Wong, Ankôma 2.0 – now with a much bigger kitchen, an expanded team, and dedicated dry-ageing facilities – will put Hong Kong food culture front and centre. To celebrate this expansion, the restaurant has put together a new 10-course tasting menu ($1,580) complete with wine and non-alcoholic pairings.   Photograph: Courtesy AnkômaThree yellow chicken three ways   Highlights include a play on lo hei featuring sanma sashimi brushed with sesame oil and finished with a citrusy whey broth poured fresh at the table. Street food nostalgia also gets a nod in the grouper dish, which reimagines curry fish balls by blending grouper trimmings with cuttlefish, served with a dai pai dong-style stir-fry king and vadouvan clam sauce. For the main course, three yellow chicken is served three ways: a slow-cooked breast layered with thigh mousse and vin jaune chicken jus, the wing stuffed with mushroom and liver pâté, and Japanese rice cooked in chicken fat topped with a marinated egg yolk and crisp chicken skin.   Photograph: Courtesy AnkômaCoconut & lychee sorbet   The relocation also marks the arrival of the restaurant’s first pastry chef, Tina Lam. Having worked at vegan bakery Moono and Marseille’s Le Petit Nice Passedat, Lam closes out the meal with layers of lychee sage sorbet, hojicha jelly, fresh lychee with olive oil and lime zest, and coconut panna cotta, all to be enjoyed with a crunchy meringue base and a house-fermented lychee calamansi kombucha for a palate-cleansing finish. As for the venue itself, the upgrade opens up the dining room with a comfortable 28-seat layout. Decked out in rich walnut tones, softly textured walls, and handcrafted ceramics with wabi-sabi aesthetics, the space also has an intimate private dining room ideal for group gatherings. You can now make reservations for Ankôma’s new tasting menu, launching in mid-September at 16/F, Cubus, 1 Hoi Ping Road, Causeway Bay. 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 Taschen sale is back with beautiful coffee table books up to 75 percent off The Pontiac is launching a brand-new cocktail menu inspired by neon signs What we know about the Apple iPhone 18 Pro series, release dates, colourways, and prices

One of our favourite shopping events of the year is definitely for the art lovers! Luxury art book publisher Taschen is holding its biannual mega sale, offering plenty of tomes at discounts of up to 75 percent off. Considering that most of their books usually cost a pretty penny at original retail prices, this sale is well worth browsing through. For their autumn edition, we’ve got our eye on Paleoart: Visions of the Prehistoric Past, which collates dinosaur paintings, drawings, prints, mosaics, and murals from all around the world, dating from the early 19th century to the present digital era. Since we only have fossils to go off of, our current scientific reconstructions of these prehistoric creatures involve a good degree of educated guesswork when it comes to their musculature, soft tissue, colours, and more – which means the works in this book are one of mankind’s most imaginative collective visions. Photograph: Courtesy TaschenPaleoart For Hongkongers who want to make the most of our infamously minuscule apartments, Homes For Our Time: Small Houses will spark some beautiful inspiration for any decorating or refurbishing you might have in mind to maximise the use of your precious square footage. If you want to be one of those people who always have insightful things to say about artwork, then check out What Great Paintings Say: Masterpieces in Detail, which breaks down 100 renowned works of art, their historical context, and the messages behind them that might be easy to miss at first glance. Photograph: Courtesy TaschenWhat Great Paintings Say (L) and Small Houses (R) Did you watch Chris Nolan’s The Odyssey and find yourself clamouring for more? Taschen’s Greek Myths will be right up your alley, presenting the tales of a host of famous Greek heroes such as Heracles, Jason, Perseus, and Odysseus bolstered by masterful illustrations. Taschen’s library consists of more than just art, however; foodies will love The Gourmand’s Egg, a sumptuous tome celebrating the intersection of food and art with recipes and stories all centred around the humble egg. Pro tip: do not flip through this one on an empty stomach. Photograph: Courtesy TaschenThe Gourmand’s Egg (L) and Greek Myths (R) The Taschen sale runs from September 3 to 6, available both online and at their brick-and-mortar store in Tai Kwun. If you prefer flipping through books in person like we do – and Taschen’s tomes are definitely worth seeing and feeling for yourself – there will also be an exclusive early shopping day in store only on September 2. Some of the volumes on offer will be previous display copies, overstock, or slightly damaged copies, but at these massive discounts, who are we to complain? 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 Pontiac is launching a brand-new cocktail menu inspired by neon signs What we know about the Apple iPhone 18 Pro series, release dates, colourways, and prices The Pokémon Run 30 is heading to Hong Kong Science Park early next year

Hong Kong’s neon signs may be slowly disappearing from the skyline, but Central dive bar The Pontiac is keeping the glow alive with a brand-new menu inspired by the nostalgia of neon lights and community spirit. Launching on September 1, the ‘Neon Lit: A Light in Shadow Spaces’ menu is a nod to the bar’s iconic glowing street sign, which has guided revellers to its inclusive space for over a decade. Designed to celebrate the idea of stepping out of the shadows and owning your power, the lineup features six new drinks inspired by 90s club classics and personal memories from the bar’s female-centric team. The venue is even fitted with new neon signs around the room to build on the idea of being a guiding light that champions individual self-expression. Photograph: Courtesy The PontiacMidnight Sun (left), Kick at the Dark (right) Among the fresh creations is ‘Midnight Sun’, a mix of Compass Box Artist’s Blend, blackberry-shiitake cordial, and angostura bitters. Named after the iconic San Francisco gay club, it sits alongside ‘Kick at the Dark’, a punchy blend of Nuku Mezcal, ancho verde, jalapeño brine, lemon, cilantro, and wonderfoam. If you prefer fruitier tipples, ‘Teaches of Peaches’ combines charred and minted peach scraps with Planteray 3 Star rum, verjus, orange bitters, and soda. Photograph: Courtesy The PontiacSignature cocktail ‘Hobnail’ The menu also retains six fan favourites under its greatest hits collection, including the signature ‘Hobnail’ made with whiskey, rich bitch ginger, averna, lemon, and orange oil. You’ll also find ‘Pinkies Up’, a gin and rum tea creation with strawberry-oolong cordial, as well as ‘1.3.O.B.’, a peanut butter whiskey and hazelnut liquor concoction that pays tribute to their Old Bailey Street home. For anyone wanting to see what else the bar team can do, the menu also boasts a rotating selection of reinterpreted classics, single shots, sixers, and low-ABV options made with Crossip for those taking it easy for the night. 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: What we know about the Apple iPhone 18 Pro series, release dates, colourways, and prices The Pokémon Run 30 is heading to Hong Kong Science Park early next year Post Malone’s Hong Kong concert in September has been postponed

The wait is almost over for every tech bro’s favourite annual event: the launch of the new iPhones. This year, things are particularly interesting because we’ll see the release of Apple’s first foldable iPhone! Read on for more about the 2026 launch of new iPhone models in Hong Kong, including prices, release dates, new colourways, features, and more. When is the Apple iPhone launch event and livestream? This year’s product drop, themed ‘Surprise and Shine’, will begin at 10am West Coast time on September 9, which is 1am on Thursday, September 10 in Hong Kong. Enthusiasts who can’t wait to learn about the new iPhones can watch the livestream on the official Apple website, on Apple TV, and their official YouTube channel. What are the iPhone models that will be released? According to industry news, it is likely that Apple will be splitting their iPhone releases, instead of dropping the whole lineup like previous years. The devices debuting on September 10 should mainly be high-end models such as the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, as well as Apple’s first foldable phone (tentatively nicknamed the iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra online for now). The standard iPhone 18 and relatively economical iPhone 18e models are expected to be announced in spring 2027. Photograph: Courtesy Apple蘋果發佈會2026 When will the iPhone 18 series actually be available? Going by Apple’s previous release patterns over the years, pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro series should start at 8am on September 11, while in-store sales and pick-ups should start at 8am on September 18. Why would Apple stagger their releases instead of launching all the iPhones? As the 2026 autumn launch marks Apple’s first-ever foldable iPhone, they likely want all the attention to be on the iPhone Fold, as well as the other premium models. Releasing their products this way allows the Pro series to dominate headlines this season, while another wave of momentum and interest will generate again for the spring release next year. iPhone 18 Pro series: Specs, cameras, and colourways As shown in industry leaks, there seem to be four colours for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Dark Grey, and Silver. The hero colour for this launch is expected to be Dark Cherry – which is actually more of a purple-based deep fuschia than a vampy red. This shade may replace the Cosmic Orange from the iPhone 17 Pro range.  Photograph: Courtesy Apple蘋果發佈會2026 Here are the most discussed spec highlights that could be coming our way:  Variable aperture in the main camera The Pro Max is rumoured to boast Apple’s first-ever use of mechanical variable aperture, which means users can manually adjust the depth of field on the new iPhone’s 48-megapixel triple-lens camera system. Optical zoom is also rumoured to be increased to 6x, boosting long-range shooting capabilities.  Smaller Dynamic Island  The Face ID components of the iPhone will be partially moved lower along the display, which means the Dynamic Island notch can be shrunken by approximately 35 percent, maximising screen space. A20 Pro chip AI computing and overall performance are expected to see a significant jump. The iPhone 18 Pro series will be powered by the A20 Pro chip, built on TSMC’s next-generation 2nm process. Increased battery life The battery capacity of the Pro Max is said to be jacked up by 10 percent. When paired with the power-efficient 2nm chip and C2 modem, this new iPhone series might just have the best battery life in Apple history. iPhone Fold: Spec, cameras, and colourways Needless to say, the major highlight of this year’s launch is Apple’s first foldable phone, which could be named iPhone Fold, or iPhone Ultra to showcase its groundbreaking status. Samsung first launched their Galaxy Fold back in 2019, so Apple is years late to the game, but hopefully they can now skip much of the trial and error that Samsung had to go through. Leaks and industry expectations point towards a book-style horizontal folding design, featuring an outer screen measuring around 5.5 inches when folded, and an inner screen of around 7.8 inches when unfolded. The iPhone’s body will be made very thin and light, measuring approximately 4.5mm and 9.5mm when fully opened and flipped shut, respectively. As for the cameras, the iPhone Fold is expected to come with a 48-megapixel main camera and an ultra-wide camera. It is possible that Face ID will be taken out as a result of how a foldable phone needs to be constructed – if this is the case, then we’ll probably revert back to having Touch ID in the side button. In order to maintain Apple’s luxury positioning of their pioneer foldable device, the first wave of releases will probably offer the Fold in two classic, limited-edition colours: likely Indigo and Light Silver. Photograph: Courtesy Apple蘋果發佈會2026 How much will the iPhone Pro series and iPhone Fold cost? With global shortages and soaring costs for memory chips, we cannot expect the iPhone 18 Pro series to be very wallet-friendly. According to analyst predictions, the iPhone 18 Pro is estimated to start from $10,199 for the 256GB model, reaching up to $15,299 if the 2TB model is indeed going to be introduced. Meanwhile, the iPhone 18 Pro Max should start at an estimated $11,799 for the 256GB model, with a 2TB model reaching up to $16,899. Since it will boast a brand-new liquid metal hinge and dual screens, the iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra has been forecast to start from US$2,000, and potentially exceeding US$2,500 for higher storage – which converts to approximately HK$15,700 to $19,500. Other products at Apple’s 2026 launch In addition to these top-tier iPhones, there could also be a new generation of Apple Watch and two versions of AirPods 5 to look out for. 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 Pokémon Run 30 is heading to Hong Kong Science Park early next year Post Malone’s Hong Kong concert in September has been postponed Casa Cucina is serving up a limited-edition French onion soup pizza for three weeks only

To celebrate three full decades since Pokémon Red and Green debuted back in 1996, the ‘Pokémon Run 30’ Asia tour is heading to Hong Kong Science Park on January 23 to 24, 2027. Far from a typical fun run, the event turns the course into an interactive journey where you can choose your first partner Pokémon, tackle gym battles, build out your Pokédex, and watch your partner Pokémon evolve right along with you. Photograph: Courtesy Sun LifePokémon Run Hong Kong 2024 The course covers around 3km, making it perfect for families, kids, or casual fans. After picking your starter companion at the starting line, you’ll encounter Pokémon Gym obstacles on the track as well as Pokémon Centre hydration stations to catch your breath. Runners will also be able to collect bespoke stickers along the way to complete their Pokédex, and see their partner Pokémon evolve as they cross the finish line! Registration officially opens on September 1 at 3pm, and every registered participant will receive a special Pokémon Run 30 Runner’s Kit. Inside, you’ll find a 30th-anniversary tee, drawstring bag, Poké Ball armband, a Pokédex Search Sheet, and a Pokémon TCG booster pack. You’ll also get to pick your element-themed bib (grass, fire, or water) along with a matching lenticular card. Select ticket packages will also come with an adorable Pikachu shoulder plushie. Photograph: Courtesy Sun LifePokémon Run Hong Kong 2024 Even if you’re not up for jogging around, there’ll be a Pokémon Festival Zone featuring a special pop-up store offering anniversary merch; a ‘Pokémon Time Tunnel’ exploring the history of Pokémon games, TCG, and anime; plus gaming zones for Nintendo Switch, the TCG, and mobile apps. Be sure to also keep an eye out for the Pikachu Parade and Meet & Greet, and don’t forget to take snaps with your favourite Pokémon at various photo spots. Furthermore, Pokémon GO players visiting the Science Park site during the event will also get access to exclusive in-game perks such as higher wild encounter rates for various creatures, increased shiny odds, location-exclusive tasks, and more. For full ticketing details, runner package tiers, and registration updates, head over to the official Pokémon Run 30 website. 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: Post Malone’s Hong Kong concert in September has been postponed Casa Cucina is serving up a limited-edition French onion soup pizza for three weeks only Bruno Mars will perform four nights in Hong Kong on The Romantic Tour in May 2027

It’s no secret that we love this city and all it has to offer, and we’re always proud to call ourselves Hongkongers. But if there’s one gripe we have – a bone to pick, if you will – it is that Hong Kong is not exactly the most pet-friendly place in the world. We have the bustling city, the teeming nightlife, the lush greenery, and so much amazing food, but when we look at other cities all around the world, Hong Kong pet owners can’t help but think about how we can’t simply stroll into malls or places of entertainment with our furry companions, or even ride on the subway with them. Luckily, things are taking a turn for the better, with the Hong Kong government recently announcing the introduction of a special permit that will allow selected restaurants to welcome dogs indoors. Targeted for approval by mid-2026, between 500 and 1,000 permits will be issued to restaurants which apply for them. This means that we could see a sudden influx of restaurants that actively embrace patrons dining alongside their pets within this year – an absolute dream for dog owners who are tired of being relegated to outdoor seating with no air conditioning. View this post on Instagram A post shared by April & Artie (@aprilandartie) To address some of these queries: restaurants granted the pet permit will be allowed to determine the extent of their participation, and the policy does indeed cover air-conditioned areas in restaurants. Pet owners will be required to keep their dogs under control at all times with a leash no longer than 1.5 metres or secured to a fixed object. Dogs will also not be allowed on dining tables or to come in contact with food and tableware. It remains to be seen whether there’s a limit on how many dogs each pet owner can bring into eateries, and secretary for environment and ecology Tse Chin-wan also said on February 10 that dog diapers will most likely not be made mandatory as it may cause discomfort to dogs who don’t need them. High-risk venues like hotpot or barbecue restaurants will not be granted pet permits.  When asked which restaurants they would want to see welcome their pets in the near future, Hong Kong’s pet owners are not picky – they’re just happy that the option to do so is happening in the first place. Stephanie Lown, who works at the SPCA Hong Kong and is the founder of the outdoor adventure group Exploring Dogs, is just “thrilled to have any options open up to dogs at all!” Her rescue dog Lola is an energetic, active adventurer of the great outdoors, so Lown can think of “nothing better than ending a hike with your dog and being able to stop at a café or restaurant for a nice refreshing drink or meal”. Cho would love to see Korean restaurants and dim sum places adopt a pet-friendly attitude, while Dorathy wants to see their dining options expand to include cha chaan tengs or fast-food joints. We don’t know if Maxim’s Palace in City Hall or your local Café de Coral will soon embrace hungry pups, but it sure is a nice thought! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Life in Hong Kong with Lola (@livin_da_vida_lola) Promoting pet-friendly eateries is a great step in making Hong Kong a more inclusive city for animals. Considering that the local pet economy is a multi-billion dollar market driven by mostly younger citizens with the financial means and the inclination to provide the best for their animals, there is plenty more that can be done to make people happy while tapping into this sizable income pocket. Hong Kong is already trying out having pets on public transport, with select bus routes accommodating animals on certain days of the week and the Light Rail in the New Territories allowing pets on the weekends. Pet owners are now eagerly waiting for expanded transportation options, as well as regulations that don’t require their pets being placed in carriers – it’s easy to put a Pomeranian in a bag, but try doing the same with a Bernese Mountain Dog.  “Right now, I am always on foot or taking cabs everywhere whenever I travel with my dogs,” Cho muses. “I hope one day dogs will be allowed on either the MTR or on buses.” Dorathy concurs, saying that as a medium-sized dog owner, “it would be fantastic to bring my dogs on the MTR and buses”, adding that she wouldn’t mind putting her Samoyeds in diapers to ensure hygiene if needed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Exploring Dogs (@exploringdogs) Cho also adds that there are not enough dog-friendly parks and beaches in Hong Kong – dogs are currently banned from most parks and public beaches, with only a handful open to dog owners and their pups. “We usually end up on unregulated beaches that are filled with plastic, broken glass, and trash, which is so dangerous for dogs. Hopefully we’ll see more dog-friendly places so our fur babies can enjoy nature too.” Lown looks even further ahead, hoping to see more housing options open up to pet owners as well. “The last couple of years have definitely shown promise with ferries, KMB buses, and the MTR welcoming dogs for SPCA’s Dogathon, but we still have some ways to go. Other countries have had these pet-inclusive policies for years, if not decades!” Lastly, she hopes that with this recent wave of pet-friendly sentiment, the Hong Kong government might review the city’s animal cruelty laws, which she laments have not been updated in 90 years. “It would be good to see the government finally implementing a ‘Duty of Care’ policy which would help improve animal rights and welfare in Hong Kong.” Hear, hear! 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’s recent food poisoning outbreak linked to raw oysters Calbee opens a limited-time Chinese New Year pop-up at Citygate Outlets for snack fans Macau is the most active region in Asia when it comes to love and sex, according to Time Out

Ever wanted to go back in time and shop at a supermarket from the 1950s? It might come off as a rather specific fancy, but for those who harbour such a dream, you’re in luck: Hong Kong’s homegrown supermarket giant, Wellcome, is hopping aboard the nostalgia train with the launch of a retro-inspired concept store in Yau Ma Tei. Designed as a tribute to Hong Kong’s extensive retail history, Wellcome has repurposed its Prosperous Garden branch in Yau Ma Tei as an exhibition destination to celebrate the supermarket’s 80-year-plus legacy. Founded in 1945, Wellcome has been a constant in the lives of local families, serving the needs of generations of Hongkongers. As the city evolved, Wellcome evolved with it, but this branded concept shop preserves a slice of the supermarket as shoppers might have seen it back in the 1950s to the 1970s, complete with vintage character, photogenic interiors, and time-limited collectibles. Each aisle, stocked with a curated selection of products, doubles as a fetching backdrop oozing charm and colour, so no doubt this location will quickly become a popular attraction! Photograph: Courtesy Wellcome Snap photos of the LED-emblazoned shopfront, which takes its cues from Hong Kong’s famous urban landscape of neon lights; discover classic interior design elements such as the vintage silver-and-green turnstile, a sea of red plastic lamps popularised in wet markets, and patterned floor tiles; and admire nostalgic grocery setups and heritage exhibits that showcase the allure and shared memories of Hong Kong’s past.  As part of the concept store activation, Wellcome is also launching special deals and brand collaborations to commemorate the occasion, including a reusable Wellcome Retro Eco Bag for $28 with a single transaction of $100 – it’s reminiscent of Wellcome’s old-school red-and-yellow carrier, making for a keepsake that’s both practical and sentimental. Additionally, Wellcome will team up with tech equipment manufacturer Smeg to offer a limited-edition Lifebox ($88 with any purchase of $100 or more) from February 6 to 19, and Hong Kong’s own lifestyle brand G.O.D. for a Lunar New Year-themed game set ($68). Photograph: Courtesy Wellcome Wait, there’s more! While the weather’s still below 20 degrees Celsius, pop over to Prosperous Garden to sip warmed Vitasoy soy milk from glass bottles – a Hong Kong childhood memory that many will dwell on fondly. You can also take your chance at a Lee Kum Kee capsule machine from now until March 31, which will dispense a surprise miniature magnet depicting one of the condiment maker’s signature products. 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: Harbourside Swing Fest returns for its 2026 edition in late April Shiro brings its signature ‘crystal sushi’ to its second location in Tai Kwun Everything you need to know about Japan’s official cherry blossom forecast 2026

Love dim sum and surreal imagery? You’re in good company. Hong Kong street artist Lousy, best known for his bold graphics resembling glyphs and pictorial shapes, is collaborating with viral food photographer-artist David Leung – also known as Davidgoodtime, who specialises in capturing reflected food images highlighting pareidolia – for a dynamic exhibition about dim sum and the ritual of yum cha.  Hosted at JPS Gallery, ‘Double Umami’ is an artistic ode to Hong Kong cuisine, reimagined through the unique lenses of two distinctly different creators, who shaped their love of dumplings and morning teas into a visual celebration of Hong Kong’s DNA.  Photograph: Courtesy JPS Gallery In the exhibition space, visitors will encounter a customised dim sum cart installation, decorated by David and Lousy, in addition to photographs depicting beloved dim sum dishes in Leung’s signature mirrored style, mounted inside bamboo steamers crafted by master artisan Lui Ming of Ming Sang Steel Bamboo Receptacle. ‘Crab’s Kid Burn & Sell’ shows siu mai in a different light, appearing almost like the face of a crustacean, while ‘Char Siu Cat No. 2’ draws parallels between char siu bao and felines. We also particularly liked the birdcage installation which houses real emu eggs and plastic cards from dim sum carts inscribed with the Chinese onomatopoeia for bird chirps. Photograph: Courtesy JPS Gallery Branching out from photography onto canvas and installation work for the first time, Leung is also presenting the ‘Sauce’ series, applying the same mirrored techniques to create patterns reminiscent of Rorschach inkblot tests. Inspired by traditional Fu Lu Shou statues representing fortune, prosperity, and longevity, Leung uses foldable boards loaded with pigment to ‘find’ faces hidden in the paint. In contrast, Lousy – rather than focusing on the food aspect of dim sum – aims to capture the feeling of community and chaos experienced during a yum cha get-together. He paints and draws on top of old dim sum order sheets to give graphic form to the hustle and bustle of a Cantonese restaurant, depicting figures sat at a table, abstract interpretations of food, hands pouring tea, and more. Photograph: Courtesy JPS Gallery David and Lousy’s collaborations don’t end there. Lousy has teamed up with Wendy’s Wok World for a ‘Special Collab Soy Sauce’. 22 bottles of Tiu Yuen small-batch soy sauce are covered in custom packaging artwork created by Lousy. Meanwhile, Leung worked with chef May Chow of Little Bao to wrap 50 bottles of her handcrafted Fook Jiang chilli sauce in original ‘chilli sauce’ Rorschach artworks, bringing the food-focused project one degree closer to the art of Chinese cooking. ‘Double Umami’ is on exhibition at JPS Gallery from January 30 to March 7. 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: Art book publisher Taschen is having a huge sale in early February Starbucks opens at the Hong Kong Palace Museum with Hong Kong’s first Chinese calligraphy shop sign and exclusive products Fujifilm releases a camcorder-instant camera hybrid in the instax mini Evo Cinema

Listen, we love a good beat drop or screaming chart-toppers like any other nighttime reveller in the city, but in this era of EDM and throwback pop-heavy party scene, it would be nice to enjoy something authentic that sounds different for once. Well, it looks like we got our wish, because a vinyl record-based bar has just announced they’ll be opening in Lan Kwai Fong. The brainchild of longtime friends Brian and Ah Hei, the 8055 vinyl bar has had previous iterations based in Causeway Bay and Wan Chai, which grew in popularity to welcome even local celebrities and creatives like Eason Chan and Tyson Yoshi as patrons. The pandemic eventually saw the shuttering of the bar – but not for good. Photograph: Courtesy 8055 Building on their seven-year brand identity as a hotspot for authentic vinyl DJ-ing, graffiti art, and Japanese chill drinking culture, 8055 is now back in the game with a new home in the heart of Hong Kong’s nightlife district, Lan Kwai Fong. Expect the warmth and pops of analogue sound being played all night, with a focus on Japanese hip-hop, jazz, funk, and city pop – a sound that’s pretty unique within our nightlife scene and, frankly, a breath of fresh air from all the other clubs around. To pair with the music, 8055’s drinks turn the focus on premium Japanese whiskies and umeshu plum wine. Their signature tipple is an elegant, simple umeshu soda, but you can also truly do things the Japanese way by leaving the choice up to the bartender, omakase-style. Staying true to the brand’s history, 8055’s new venue will also allow guests to freely draw, scribble, and unleash creativity all over the walls with graffiti markers, so if you’ve ever left your mark in bars like Not2Sweet, you’ll want to do the same here as well. Photograph: Courtesy 8055 Check things out at 8055’s grand opening party on January 24, when they’ll be hosting a 10-hour DJ relay from 8pm onwards. The lineup will include Andrew Bull, better known as DJ El Toro or the ‘Father of Hong Kong DJs’, who is famous for initiating the city’s first disco in The Peninsula hotel as well as the iconic Canton Disco. Sounds like a party and a half! 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: Kodak Apparel opens a time-limited concept store in Hong Kong New brasserie Chouchou brings French comfort food to an elevated setting in Wan Chai Sai Ying Pun’s historic steakhouse Sammy’s Kitchen announces closure this month

The popular Japanese mascot series Namagaki is taking over Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong with a themed installation! Since Namagaki characters began popping up inside claw machines and arcades across town, so many hearts have been captured by their simple yet lovable designs and adorably blank expressions. The Namagaki Festival features a series of installations and exhibits for fans to take pictures with, as well as a charming merch pop-up with exclusive items for sale. Photograph: Courtesy Yell / Festival Walk At the centre of the installation is a four-metre-tall giant oyster can, where Namagaki characters spill out alongside rainbow-coloured sweets. Right next door is the pastel-coloured Namagaki Washoku House, where cute oyster characters act as chef and waiter at this makeshift traditional Japanese eatery. See if you can spot the pink pumpkins dotted around the space – it’s the installation’s discreet nod to the upcoming spooky season.  Beyond photo ops, fans will definitely delight in browsing through the themed pop-up store housing over 100 exclusive Namagaki products, including 80 first launches in Hong Kong that span everything from stationery to t-shirts and tote bags. Don’t forget to stop by the Namagaki claw machine and the collectible trading card capsule machine for an adorable surprise!  Photograph: Courtesy Festival Walk In the spirit of Halloween, Festival Walk is inviting visitors to trick or treat around designated stores in the mall. Exclusive to My Festival members, take part in this seasonal activity by purchasing a $1,000 gift card to receive a limited-edition Baby Namagaki birthstone bag charm and candy can clutch – where you can store your hard-earned sweets.  Namagaki Festival will be at Festival Walk from October 24 to November 13. See footage of the Namagaki Festival pop-up here: 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: 18 hotels in Hong Kong and Macau have been awarded 2025 Michelin Keys OneRepublic is coming back to Hong Kong in February 2026 The best Halloween parties in Hong Kong this year

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. See some footage of the Water Parade here: 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 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!