Catharina Cheung

RECOMMENDED: See our complete list of Time Out Hong Kong’s recommended venues for 2026! Anglo Chinese Florist Bathe to Basics BeCandle Bunkaya Zakkaten Galet Antique Glocal Mahjong G.O.D. Good Bad Creative Goosebump Grace & Favour Hak Dei Island Workbench Jiksap Kapok Lamma Brand Lee Kung Man Knitting Factory Ltd. Luah OCO Onka Pabepabe Pimary Select 18 Shiu Shing Hong Sing Jai Kee Slowood Still House Take5 Hong Kong Tartan by Yuen’s Tailor The Common Ground Yuet Tung China Works

RECOMMENDED: See our complete list of Time Out Hong Kong’s recommended venues for 2026! Amber Ankôma Ăn Chơi' Andō Arbor Associazione Chianti Belon Big JJ Seafood Hotpot Restaurant Bistrot du Vin Bowrington Bridge Hotpot Caprice Carbone Carna by Dario Cecchini Cuit Dieci Don Pedro Duddell’s Embla Estro Fiata by Salvatore Fiata Fireside Fish & Chick Flat Iron Steak Fugazzi Pizzeria Napoletana Godenya Grand Hyatt Steakhouse Grand Majestic Sichuan Grissini Gyoza AnD Hansik Goo Heimat House of Culture Ho Lee Fook Jee Kyanbasu by Mt. Yotei La Rambla By Catalunya Lai Ching Heen Lala Lau Sum Kee Noodle L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Le Le Leela L’Envol Louise Little Napoli LPM Restaurant & Bar Magistracy Dining Room and Botanical Garden Mak Man Kee Noodle Shop Mama Tiger Man Ho Chinese Restaurant Ming Court Ming Pavilion Mirror Burger Mono Mosu Hong Kong Moo-Lah Nagamoto Nikutoieba Matsuda New Punjab Club One Harbour Road One Night Camp Prince and the Peacock Roganic Roucou Rùn Ryota Kappou Modern Salisterra SOL Samsen Sheung Wan Samsen Wan Chai Ser Wong Fun Siaw Sick! Burger Sushi Fujimoto Sushi Saito Somm Spring Moon Teppanyaki．Tempura Shun T’ang Court Ta Vie Terrace Boulud Thonglor ThongSmith The Chairman The Chinese Library The Spoon Focaccia The Spoon Pasta Bar The Steak House The Verandah Top Blade Steak Lab Trattoria Felino Twist Pasta Bar Udatsu Sushi Whey Wing Yakiniku Great Yakiniku Luigi Yardbird Yue Yurt

RECOMMENDED: See our complete list of Time Out Hong Kong’s recommended venues for 2026! Banh Mi Nem Banh Mi Chung Banh Mi Nho Day Day Eat Snackshop Hang Fat Egg Waffles Islam Food Kadorar Bakery Kee Tsui Cake Shop Keung Kee Kung Wo Tofu Kwan Hong Bakery LY Bakery Mak Kee Min Fong Hong Master Low-key Phoowong Tei Mou Koon Dessert Tim Kee French Sandwiches Mrs. Fong Chinese Dessert Grindie

RECOMMENDED: See our complete list of Time Out Hong Kong’s recommended venues for 2026! Africa Coffee & Tea Again Bakehouse Blend and Grind Blossom Café Sausalito Coffee Analog Cookie Vission Elephant Grounds Fineprint Good Day Coffee Halfway Coffee Hara Kako Heima Heima Indigo Coffee Kactus Koffee Oneday Coffee On The Hill Coffee Bar Sang Roastery Social Goods Modern Bakery Silk. Soul Fresh Studio Caffeine Winstons Coffee Cofflow Specialty Coffee Loop Kulture Coffeelin Urban Coffee Roaster Yoi Coffee & Bakery Zombie Specialty Coffee

RECOMMENDED: See our complete list of Time Out Hong Kong’s recommended venues for 2026! Asaya Spa by Guerlain Bliss Spa, W Hong Kong  Too Far East Barber & Co. Sense of Touch Southside  Skin Need Chuan Spa The Spa, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong INUF Breakfast Club The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Hong Kong The Peninsula Spa

RECOMMENDED: See our complete list of Time Out Hong Kong’s recommended venues for 2026! 001 25:00 8055 Aer Apothecary Aqua Argo Avoca Artifact Bar Bad Coffee & Liquor Club Bar Leone Blotto Blue Supreme Butler C108 Call Me Al Cardinal Point  Coa DarkSide Dead Poets Dio Gokan Gossip Hand Shaken Honky Tonks Tavern House Welley Bar  James Suckling Wine Central Kinsman Mius Mizunara: The Library Montana Not 2 Sweet Out of the Brew Ozone Paragon Penicillin Peridot Ping Pong 129 Gintoneria Popinjays Quinary Qura Bar RightSideUp Skye Socio Sugar Sugar King Tell Camellia Terrible Baby The Aubrey The Diplomat The Doctor’s Residence The Green Door The Old Man Hong Kong The Opposites The Pontiac The Savory Project  The St. Regis Bar The Wanch TopTown Whisky & Words

RECOMMENDED: See our complete list of Time Out Hong Kong’s recommended venues for 2026! 20s Bay 247 Bun’s 2020 Chalk Party Cheung Chau Cinema Childlike Chillax Place Crafts on Peel Crossfire Arena Cube O Discovery Park Curiosity Corner by Studio MM Dialogue in the Dark Jockey Club Dialogue Experience Place  Ditto Snap  Fox in a Box Hong Kong Glazden Go Park Aqua Gold by Serakai Studio Hong Kong Film Archive Jello & Mellow JPS Gallery Juen Juen Gung Just Climb Keep Climbing Gym Kiang Malingue Leading Archery LOST Hong Kong Lux Theatre  Mofo Tattoo One Affinity Tennis Padel+ Para Site PHD Group PowerPlay Arena Print Art Contemporary Resa Laser Ryze Hong Kong Salon 10 Sandbox VR Snow & Surf Sooper Yoo Tennin Tattoo The Hideout The Stories by Greg Kuang The Shophouse  The Wonderful World of Whimsy  Thy Lab Tides War Zone White Puppy Workshop XVenture

Looking to make your weekend worthwhile? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you want to catch some live music, check out a new art exhibit, or just find a casual spot to relax with friends, Hong Kong knows how to keep you busy. Come rain or shine, day or night, here’s everything you need to plan the perfect weekend.  RECOMMENDED:  📆 Hong Kong events in July🎡 Top attractions in Hong Kong🛍️ Your ultimate Hong Kong checklist 2026

Not sure how to spend your free time this week? We’ve rounded up some of the best happenings across the city – from art exhibitions and food pop-ups to music nights and kid-friendly activities – so you don’t have to go searching. But if all else fails, you can always turn to one of Hong Kong’s best restaurants, or cross things off our ultimate Hong Kong checklist. Whatever you decide, we’ve got you covered for the next seven days. RECOMMENDED:  🎨 Art exhibitions to check out right now🥹 Free things to do in Hong Kong

From menu takeovers by renowned chefs to creative baked goodies and exclusive pop-ups, Hong Kong’s food and drink scene is always hard at work to keep us happy, well-fed, and forever curious. If you’re a bona fide foodie who's always on the lookout for the latest eats, turn your attention to these delicious happenings in the city right now. RECOMMENDED:  😋 New restaurants to check out in Hong Kong🍽️ 50 best restaurants in Hong Kong🍜 Unique Hong Kong dishes you need to try

June is a great month in Hong Kong. The temperature is just about cool enough to keep us from melting into the ground, which makes it the perfect time to challenge yourself with the best hiking trails in Hong Kong, and even if the weather is a bummer, there are still plenty of fun indoor activities to keep you entertained while staying dry. Read on to see what the city has in store for us this month. RECOMMENDED:  🎡 Hong Kong’s top attractions😍 Free things to do in Hong Kong✅ 63 most incredible things to do in Hong Kong

Hongkongers love hotpot. Whether it’s a festive celebration, family gathering, dinner with friends, or you just need something to keep you warm – there's always an excuse for it. Perhaps that’s why the city is filled with all kinds of unique hotpot venues – from retro-themed restaurants inspired by old Hong Kong to ones known for their mind-numbingly spicy broths. Keep reading to see our pick of the best hotpot restaurants in town. RECOMMENDED: Stay warm by scarfing down the best claypot rice dishes in Hong Kong.

Gold is a contemporary salon that produces, exhibits, presents, and interacts with visual arts, fashion, performance art, music, and product design. Serakai Studio’s philosophy is that meaningful cultural progress needs dialogue, experimentation, and being open to the unexpected, so Gold is a cultural test lab – part exhibition space, part concept incubator, and part creative gathering point.

This intimate, 13-seater bar on the lower part of Peel Street isn’t a place you go to smash drinks before legging it to the next gin joint. The point is to visit and stay, and soak in the vibes for at least an hour. Sink into one of the retro-futuristic armchairs (if you’re lucky enough to snag one) and enjoy a blend of jazz, lounge, and hip-hop amidst the walls stacked with the founder’s own vinyl records. A great spot to catch up with friends in style over drinks.

Cassio Social Club has been rewriting the script for mid-week shenanigans since launching the Silver Tray Society in May. Every Wednesday, their ‘Adult Happy Meals’ offer live-grilled burgers, truffle fries, and chilled classic and espresso martinis via a roving trolley. On the final Wednesday of each month, they create a special edition with high-octane bar takeovers and culinary pop-ups. Head to the Cassio Terrace on July 22 for a one-night-only guest shift by The Pontiac, who will be shaking up exclusive cocktails only available at this event. Cheese House will also be around for a cheese tasting pop-up, while Crème by Sonia Lau will be serving gelato. The Pontiac team will also be making a special custom cocktail topped with a scoop of Crème’s gelato. Of course, the Silver Tray Society signatures of the burger grill, fries, chicken bites, and martini trolley will also be available. And if you’re worried about how volatile the weather has been recently, the entire event will be moved inside if it starts chucking it down, so there’s no reason not to turn up! Entry is free, but do RSVP beforehand.

Following the success of their May debut, the No Curfew Club is back at Aer for another round of pure Y2K energy! Get ready for another four hours of absolute bangers from the 2000s, cycling through R&B, hip-hop, pop singalongs, and big throwback anthems. If you’re in the mood to whip out your Motorola Razr and throw it back to Usher, Backstreet Boys, and Britney, then join us on August 1. As with the first event, millennial bedtimes are being kept in mind, so the clubbing will run from 5-9pm, giving you more than enough time to tire yourself out and get home at a decent hour. Entry includes a burger, a drink, and a scoop of gelato from Crème Club Hong Kong, with more available to purchase at the bar. Tickets ($380) are selling out fast, so get a move on!

Cj Hendry will be taking over Pacific Place with Juju world, an immersive experience centred around the signature character with the floppy ears and a flower over one eye. First up, a huge sculptural centrepiece will display Juju characters amidst a surreal universe; then, there’s also an infinity mirror zone where visitors can step into a dream-like reflection of Juju’s world. The star of the show, though, has got to be a room where you can be cocooned by over 400 Juju plushies. This exhibition event will also come with Jujus to be collected. The limited series features nine distinctive colourways that have slightly iridescent bodies, inspired by Hong Kong’s ever-changing energy and metropolitan spirit. These nine Juju types will be solely exclusive to our city, so get ready to grab your blind boxes!

If you’re up for some fun partying, you can’t go wrong with Fa Gai. They’ve always got a packed schedule, from themed drag nights to comedy shows and costume contests. One time, we stumbled in to find a Lady Gaga-themed night and spent hours having the best time with some fabulously dressed gays.

As part of Cordis, Hong Kong’s Alibi Mixer Series, Musical Trio transforms the hotel bar into a live theatrical stage. The troupe has always been trying to shape the landscape of musical theatre in Hong Kong, and are also known for placing audience engagement at the forefront of their shows for emotionally resonant experiences – so expect the opportunity to interact closely with the performers through their blend of music and storytelling. Tickets are available at $150 with reserved seating, but a bundle price of $650 is also available for those who want to attend all four of The Alibi Mixer Series shows, including live comedy, jazz night, and Brit-pop.

Jazz collective Fountain de Chopin have been embedding jazz into Hong Kong’s urban calendar through immersive performances, interactive workshops, jam sessions, and more. If you enjoy a jazzy moment, then swing by Cordis, Hong Kong on July 18 for a night of smooth grooves with cocktails. Tickets are available at $150 per person, though a bundle price for all four of the Alibi Mixer Series shows (including comedy, Brit-pop, and immersive theatre) is also available for $650.

Eaton HK’s Pride activities culminate in Queertopia: Evolution, bringing together a diverse lineup of drag performers both experienced and emerging, for a fabulous night of transformation and queer celebration. Performing drag queens and artists include Balatro, Bauhinia Black, Boy Bawang, Falanja, Gin Pan, Holok, Kameleon, Quasiturtle, and Sailor Ying. Guests who have joined the drag workshop held on June 15 and learned choreography will also get the opportunity to join the drag queens onstage for the final performance number. Tickets are priced at $250, inclusive of one drink. 

Hotel and creative hub Eaton HK is hosting a range of Pride month events, including an exhibition that draws from the Hong Kong LGBTQ+ Archive of Printed Matter. The city’s queer community is revisited through relics from the pre-internet era, such as newsletter, indie zines, handwritten letters, promotion brochures, AIDS leaflets, and more rare materials from the 80s to the early 2000s. More than a record of the past, this show aims to open dialogue for new visions of future queer memory.

Head to The Pontiac for a karaoke night of high-energy Pride anthems, where guests will be invited to take the mic and belt out both nostalgic throwbacks and rock classics. If you’re a diva who can hold a tune (or even just a partygoer unafraid to have some fun), we’ll see you there from 7pm!

June 19 sees everyone’s favourite queer-friendly dive bar The Pontiac partnering with five other venues around Central for a fun shot run. Complete six custom-made Moonshine mini cocktails at Dead Poets, Aer, Friday After Class, Honky Tonks Tavern, Not 2 Sweet, and The Pontiac, before rocking up to the finish line featuring a Midnight Special afterparty from 10pm onwards, where a bartender from each of the participating locations will take their turn behind the stick amidst the Pontiac chaos. Tickets to the Rainbow Run are priced at $288 per person, which includes six mini cocktails, an exclusive Rainbow Run race kit, and guaranteed access to the afterparty.

The Henley Passport Index has recently released its annual ranking of the world’s most powerful passports, examining how many global destinations a passport holder can access without applying for a visa. Hong Kong ranks at No. 14 in the 2026 list, which is a really good place to be among 199 passports. Hong Kong passport holders can enter 174 territories visa-free, which is five more destinations than when the ranking came out last year. As a result, we have also risen slightly in the list, moving up three places from 2025’s No. 17 position. The top three most powerful passports remain unchanged, with Singapore claiming the top spot, able to enter 192 territories without a visa; followed by Japan and South Korea at 188 territories. Interestingly, the UAE has made a leap from last year’s eighth place to tie with Japan and Korea at second place on the list. The rest of Henley’s passport index until the 10th rank are mainly Europe-dominant, with Asia coming back into the picture where Malaysia ties for rank No. 7, followed by Hong Kong at No. 14, and Macau at No. 31.  See below for the top 10 most powerful passports this year, and visit the Henley & Partners website for the full list. The 10 most powerful passports in the world: Singapore (192 visa-free destinations) Japan; South Korea; United Arab Emirates (188) Sweden (187) Belgium; Denmark; Finland; France; Germany; Ireland; Italy; Luxembourg; Netherlands; Norway; Spain (186) Austria; Greece; Malta; Portugal; Switzerland (18

In a hyper-digital world of Taobao junk that falls apart after five uses and viral dropships that you’ll forget about in a heartbeat, consumers have been shifting back to a more analogue lifestyle, prioritising purchases with more resonance and value that are built to last. Frankenchang, a brand founded by two creatives, has just launched their first batch of products that will strike a chord with Hongkongers everywhere. Ernest Chang, the artist and gallerist behind The Stallery, and co-founder Jacqueline Frank, have drawn inspiration from what binds all Hongkongers together – a shared love for good food. “We move food memories out of the kitchen, onto the coffee table, so the objects you live with everyday hold the same warmth as a meal made for you,” Frank expands. Photograph: Courtesy FrankenchangFrankenchang pastel de nata ashtray And what a lovely coffee table that will be! Frankenchang’s Collection 01 includes an ashtray shaped like a pastel de nata, a chopsticks rest that’s a dumpling, a coaster set that looks like slices of lotus root, a set of cups inspired by bamboo that can be stacked, and a bottle stopper in the shape of a chicken foot. These are all immediately recognisable to those who have grown up around a Hong Kong dining table; practical, functional products that carry a strong cultural heart and more than a touch of whimsy. Photograph: Courtesy FrankenchangFrankenchang stacking bamboo cups (L) and lotus root coasters (R) If you’re anything like us and l

According to the 24 solar terms in the ancient Chinese calendar system, July 23 marks the start of the Great Heat period, which signifies the hottest time of the year across China. However, when the type of oppressive heat that we’ve been experiencing sets into the city, Hongkongers know that a typhoon is probably on its way – and that’s exactly what we might be in for this weekend. There’s a tropical cyclone currently to the east of the Philippines which is predicted to enter the northeastern part of the South China Sea late this week, intensifying progressively over today and tomorrow. According to the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), its classification will be raised from a tropical storm to a typhoon over July 25 and 26.  Photograph: Courtesy Hong Kong ObservatoryTropical cyclone near Hong Kong There is also a high chance of the typhoon moving towards the coast of eastern Guangdong over the weekend. This means that Hong Kong’s weekend plans might well be affected by typhoon signals being raised, though the cyclone’s landfall position and distance from the city are still uncertain at this time. Either way the official classification goes, we can expect it to be windy with heavy squally showers and thunderstorms from Saturday to Sunday. Keep an eye on the weather forecast on HKO’s 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: The Mahou Dokoro Harry Potter pop-up is returning

After a fantastic debut run in May, Comic Con has just announced that they’re officially returning for 2027. It’s obviously very early days still, but mark your calendars for May 28 to 30 and maybe start planning your costume early. At this point, not much else is known apart from the dates, but their social media post does tease “three days of content, cosplay, games, and everything pop culture”. Going by their first edition this year – which featured world-famous guest stars such as Mads Mikkelsen, Jamie Campbell Bower, Giancarlo Esposito, Norman Reedus, and Christopher Lloyd – we’re likely to be in for an even bigger treat next year. Photograph: Courtesy Bucket ManHong Kong Comic Con Bucket Man The 2027 Comic Con will also be held in Hall 1 instead of this year’s Hall 3, which means more space for activities and creativity. Stay tuned for details as we hear about them! 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: Chiikawa Ramen Buta will close its Hong Kong location in September Designer Yuko Yamaguchi brings long-haired Hello Kitty Dress Up series to Hong Kong on her final visit Taobao’s PapaHome relocates to Causeway Bay with an expanded lifestyle concept

In the midst of all the Chiikawa-related activities that have been washing over our shores, one of the popular spots is about to bid goodbye. Chiikawa Ramen Buta has just announced on social media that it will be completing its Hong Kong run early this September. Japan’s popular Chiikawa-themed ramen restaurant made its way to us last August, and has been well-liked by fans of Nagano’s cute critters since the eatery features life-size sculptures of Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi, alongside illustrations and decorative elements echoing the Chiikawa manga. Photograph: YuenChiikawa Ramen Buta The ramen itself comes in three different sizes with a piece of fish cake shaped like a Chiikawa character and a free sticker. Apart from being pretty Instagram-worthy, there’s also plenty of merchandise to satisfy fans, ranging from ramen bowls, glassware, and face towels to apparel, stickers, and more. Bottled drinks can be taken home as souvenirs, and beverages also come with a randomised collectible transparent character card. Unfortunately, Hong Kong’s Chiikawa Ramen Buta – the brand’s first-ever overseas location – was only a one-year pop-up. Its limited run in the city will wrap up on Sunday, September 6. The restaurant thanked Hong Kong fans and customers for their part in making the restaurant concept a success here, reminding everyone that there’s still some time left to enjoy a bowl of Chiikawa ramen before the shutters go down for good. Stay in the loop: Sign up for our free

Yes, it is that time of the year again, when all the best bars and bartenders in the region are whipped into an excited frenzy of guest shifts and parties, culminating in the live awards ceremony of the season. After the success of the 2025 edition, Asia’s 50 Best Bars returns this year to Wynn in Macau. From July 24 to 29, Wynn Resorts Macau will be hosting up to 50 global visionaries from the mixology and culinary worlds. If you’re not on the invite list, you won’t be able to attend the actual awards ceremony, but feel no FOMO, because there are plenty of other activities to keep you happily tipsy over the five days. Here’s the rundown and everything you need to know about the bar guest shifts, exclusive takeovers, and more. Friday, July 24 Photograph: Courtesy Wing Lei BarHand of God at Wing Lei Bar Wing Lei Bar showcase As Wynn Palace’s flagship bar, you can expect most of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars drinks-related events to be centred around Wing Lei Bar. Mark Lloyd, the director of bars at Wynn Resorts, will host an introduction to the bar’s new menu named Unity 2.0. These 12 cocktails are all inspired by Lloyd’s personal anecdotes during a year on the road with Wing Lei Bar, so they’re bound to be surprising. Where: Wing Lei BarWhen: 4pm-6pm Chef Tam’s Seasons x Michter’s Bourbon Pairing Dinner Chef Tam’s Seasons, which has been ranked No. 7 on Asia’s Best Restaurants 2026, is presenting a six-course menu where dishes will be paired with special expressions from Michter’

For decades, Hello Kitty has been a global phenomenon and it’s all thanks to her designer, Yuko Yamaguchi, who has been creating different looks for everyone’s favourite mouthless cat since 1980, alongside the Dear Daniel and Charmmy Kitty characters. Yamaguchi will soon be stepping down from the Sanrio universe, but not before visiting Hong Kong to meet Hello Kitty fans in person one last time.  As a tribute to her 46 years of service, Sanrio is launching a new series named Hello Kitty Dress Up, inspired by Yamaguchi’s personal style. These Kitty dolls will have long-haired wigs with blunt bangs, wearing different outfits such as a dark denim dress, a cream and white sweater and skirt combo, and a shirt with pleated skirt accented with a striped cardigan. The colour scheme features neutral shades with pops of blue, perfect as summer accessories. Photograph: Courtesy SanrioYuko Yamaguchi Yamaguchi will be holding autograph sessions at the Sanrioworld+ Hong Kong flagship store as well as at Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong on July 25, followed by a tea gathering on July 26. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet the maker of one of the world’s most recognisable fictional characters – and perhaps get some of your Hello Kitty merch autographed by Yamaguchi herself! As for the Hello Kitty Dress Up Series, they will be available to purchase at Sanrioworld+ for $289 per piece. Which is your favourite out of the three designs? Stay in the loop: Sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong n

For the second year in a row, Macau has been chosen to host the Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony, and you know what this means: scores of bartenders from the region’s best bars descending into our city before and after their sojourn into our sister SAR. Bars all over Hong Kong will be hosting their industry friends on guest shifts, which is a great way to taste drinks from Asian destinations that aren’t on your to-visit list. Get swept up in the A50BB wave – here are the guest shifts we’ll most likely be at! Saturday, July 25 Photograph: Courtesy Eaton HKSago House Terrible Baby Singapore’s Sago House will be guesting in Eaton HK, bringing a taste of the vibrant Duxton Hill enclave to Hong Kong. They’re known for their weekly rotating cocktail menu inspired by seasonal ingredients and local market finds. When: 7pm   Sunday, July 26 Photograph: Courtesy The St. Regis Hong KongMinguk Pine & Co. The St. Regis Bar Minguk, the co-founder of Seoul’s highly acclaimed Pine & Co., will be whipping up drinks at The St. Regis Hong Kong. His mixology approach leans towards culinary tastes, using various equipment and techniques to extract pure, unexpected flavours.  When: 5pm Photograph: Courtesy The Old Man Hong KongAABBCC The Old Man Soho’s best-known hidden bar is hosting AABBCC from New Delhi, a concept laboratory that serves up drinks with experimental mixology. Have you ever tasted a cocktail made with honey-bred black ants, for instance? When: 6pm Photograph: Courtesy Ea

★★★★ I was afraid every performance of Jesus Christ Superstar since 2025 might be held up against Cynthia Erivo and Adam Lambert’s high-profile three-day run at the Hollywood Bowl last year. I certainly had Erivo’s white-clad Jesus clambering up the stairs to her crucifixion looping in my mind when I skipped into the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, ready to rock some emotional damage. By the time I stepped out of the grand theatre, it was Javon King’s vocals that were firmly wormed into my eardrums. For first-timers, Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, originally conceived as a concept album in 1970 which swiftly made its Broadway stage debut the following year. The musical is based on the Passion, or the period of time leading up to Jesus Christ’s death – but the twist is that it’s told through the eyes of Judas Iscariot, the disciple who infamously betrays Jesus to his persecutors. Photograph: Courtesy Jesus Christ SuperstarJesus Christ Superstar Certainly, Christians will find following the plot a much easier task than audiences who are not familiar with gospel stories, but the cast and crew are adamant that the show is a blank canvas that everyone can be touched by. There are always going to be viewers coming in with the preconception that Judas is the villain, but for Luke Street, who stars in this touring production as Jesus, the musical carries way more nuance than a pedagogical tale with clear-cut good and bad

Ahead of the awards ceremony on July 28, Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026 has just released its 51-100 rankings, and there are three Hong Kong bars that have made it onto this extended list. While we may not have as many bars on this list as other cities, they are all firm favourites among Hong Kong’s bar-hopping crowd. The Opposites has happily climbed 26 spots from last year’s ranking to reach No. 54 – we’ve always enjoyed Antonio Lai and Samuel Kwok’s interesting juxtapositions of the same cocktails. Jay Khan and Ajit Gurung’s umami-focused bar The Savory Project is now on No. 60, while Gagan Gurung’s Tell Camellia has reentered the extended list at No. 81 after dropping off last year.  Photograph: Courtesy The Savory ProjectThe Savory Project Another bar somewhat related to Hong Kong representation on the 51-100 list this year is Coa Shanghai at No. 95 – this, of course, is the mainland China offshoot of our city’s multi award-winning agave-based bar Coa by Jay Khan. Singapore was represented the most on this year’s A50BB extended list, with seven bars ranked. The capital cities of Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Bangkok, and Seoul each have four bars on the list, while Hong Kong sits just behind at three. Thankfully, less rankings here means there are more chances of our bars being on the main Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, so keep your eyes peeled for announcements during the 1-50 awarding list on July 28! Photographer: Alvin LukTell Camellia Asia’s 50 Best Bars 51-100 extended list: Bar

Some food pairings are simply legendary – think tomatoes and mozzarella, or prosciutto and melon. It looks like another mouthwatering food combination is hitting our palates in Hong Kong, as dim sum establishment Tim Ho Wan has joined hands with roast goose specialist Yung Kee for a time-limited new creation. For over eight decades, Yung Kee has been roasting their premium Guangdong black-maned geese over a live charcoal fire and marinating them in a secret family sauce infused with aged tangerine peel. Its succulent roast goose has been among the best in Hong Kong for years, while Tim Ho Wan has long been well-loved as one of the most affordable Michelin-recognised restaurants, serving freshly made dim sum that is easy on the wallet. These twin titans of the Hong Kong food scene have now come together to present the baked roasted goose bun. If you’ve been to Tim Ho Wan, you’ll almost certainly have ordered their signature baked barbecue pork buns – it is this same flaky, layered bread crust that is wrapped around Yung Kee’s roast goose. The buttery pastry gives way to the rich flavours of the goose meat, which has been thoughtfully deboned and combined with a secret sauce developed by both restaurants. Photograph: Courtesy Tim Ho WanTim Ho Wan x Yung Kee This succulent amalgamation of dim sum and siu mei roasted meats is a love letter to the time-honoured techniques behind some of Hong Kong’s most beloved flavours. The Tim Ho Wan x Yung Kee baked roasted goose buns ($68 fo

We all love Aesop’s gorgeous-smelling products and will never pass up an opportunity to enjoy a pump of hand cream when passing by their stores. Now, Hong Kong’s pets have the opportunity to get some pampering of their own as well, with a handful of Aesop branches turning into ‘paw parlours’ for a day. You may not know this, but Aesop has carried a mild skin-and-fur wash for pets, aptly named Animal, since 1999. A blend of conditioning ingredients and essential oils like lemon rind, tea tree leaf, and spearmint make up the base of this wash, and while it’s definitely got citrus and herby notes, Animal has been formulated so it doesn’t overwhelm sensitive snouts. Pet owners will appreciate that it also looks after the hands that are bathing the animals. Photograph: Courtesy AesopAesop Animal wash To celebrate this legacy product, three Aesop branches across Hong Kong will be transforming into Paw Parlours on different days. The Animal wash will be available to try on both human hands and pet paws, which is sure to provide a cooling and nose-pleasing respite from our sweaty summer heat. Treats will be dished out to good furry companions, while Polaroid pet portraits and customised bandanas will also be available.  Space is likely to be limited, so it’s best to book a session in advance. Head to Aesop New Town Plaza on July 25 to 26; Aesop Fashion Walk on August 1 to 2; and Aesop Hollywood Road on August 8 to 9 for the Paw Parlour events. Sessions run in each store at 2pm and