Catharina Cheung

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 October🎡 Top attractions in Hong Kong🛍️ Your ultimate Hong Kong checklist 2025

When autumn comes to mind, most might think of the slight breeze that comes with the seasons changing, or leaves turning shades of yellow and orange. But there’s another thing that’s synonymous with Hong Kong’s autumns: hairy crabs. While some may choose to order and prepare them in the comfort of home, others prefer settling down at one of city’s finest restaurants and fully indulge. Here’s a list of the best places across Hong Kong for you to feast away on these hirsute crustaceans this autumn. RECOMMENDED: Get ready for Halloween by checking out the best Halloween parties and dinners taking place around Hong Kong!

Hidden away in a Tsim Sha Tsui commercial building, Ankôma is an exquisite French restaurant that incorporates Japanese elements and local Hong Kong touches. This is the brainchild of Frankie Wong, who has only just turned 30 and has recently been awarded Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macau’s Young Chef Award 2025. Just dig into a dish of Uroko-Yaki Tilefish, amadai on a bed of dried whitebait, clams, garlic chives, and cashew nuts – a nod to the Hong Kong dai pai dong staple ‘Stir-fry King’ – to understand why he is a culinary star to keep an eye on. Photograph: Courtesy Ankôma Some of Wong’s culinary inspiration comes from Hong Kong street food, such as in his housemade fish paste roll with French-style curry sauce. Sheung Wan is this young chef’s stomping ground for ingredients and gems, particularly along the streets selling dried seafood. “I like using dried goods like conpoy, mushrooms, conch slices to make stocks and soups. It gives a concentrated form of the ingredients’ tastes, so the sauces are exceptionally flavourful.” Photograph: Joshua Lin Wanting to move faster than everyone else At 18 years old, Wong’s life path diverged into three forks: athlete, designer, or chef. In the end, his passion for cooking and long-term consideration of the future led him onto the path of culinary arts, where he could combine design and creativity. During his two years in a culinary institute, Wong started gathering concrete experience earlier than his peers, working part-time i

Hongkongers are a superstitious bunch, but who can blame us when there are so many creepy, haunted locations in the city? From eerie abandoned villages to sites with spooky stories and murders attached to them, there’s no shortage of possible frights in the city – if you know where to look (or not look). Here are some places in the city you should probably avoid visiting this Hungry Ghost Festival. Please note that some of the places below are private properties – so no trespassing! RECOMMENDED: 👻 Hong Kong’s spookiest ghost stories & urban legends🙅‍♀️ 8 Things not to do during Hungry Ghost Festival💸 Your guide to Chinese paper offerings for spirits

Halloween is blessedly falling on the end of the work weed this year, so expect Hongkongers to tear the town up with festive F&B events and parties to celebrate the spooky occasion. If you’re ready to sip on creepy cocktails and do the Monster Mash all night long, these are the best Halloween events to check out this October.  RECOMMENDED: Grab a bite at one of the best restaurants with outdoor seating for a gorgeous meal during sunset!

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📆 September events in Hong Kong🥹 Free things to do in Hong Kong

Listen, we get it. Summer time means lounging on the beach, junk parties, and getting glorious tans. But this season can also be a struggle, especially in Hong Kong’s stifling subtropical climate. In fact, we’d even go so far as to label summer a bit of a pain in the ass. Whether it’s dealing with sweat in places we didn’t even know could perspire, or having your makeup melt off completely within five minutes of leaving your home, here are some summer struggles that every Hongkonger knows intimately. Read on to see if your hot weather pet peeve has made the cut! RECOMMENDED: Cool off at the end of a hike at these beautiful waterfalls, or check out the most aesthetically pleasing hotel pools 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

Hong Kong and Macau’s music scene has been thriving with activity. From homegrown talents performing at intimate venues to international stars taking on the big stage, there’s much to look forward to for eager concertgoers. If you want to be in the know on all the latest music performances, festivals, concerts, and gigs happening in Hong Kong and Macau, bookmark this page and come back regularly for more updates.  RECOMMENDED: In the meantime, check out our list of the best live music venues in Hong Kong. 

For the past eight years, we’ve made it our mission to scope out the coolest pockets of the world’s greatest cities in order to create our definitive annual ranking. The places where stuff like nightlife, art, culture, and affordable food and drink can be found on every corner and down every backstreet. Where diversity is championed and independent businesses thrive, from old-school boltholes to the newest avant-garde art space. Put simply, the world’s coolest neighbourhoods are places that represent the soul of our cities, while maintaining their own unique local character that draws people in to live, work and play. So, what are the neighbourhoods that fit the bill this year? To find out, we asked our network of writers and editors across a breadth of cities to nominate the vibiest district in their hometown right now. We then ranked every neighbourhood against criteria including culture, community, liveability, nightlife, food and drink, street life and that hard-to-define sense of ‘nowness’.  On our list this year, you’ll find everything from homely, village-like enclaves with tight-knit communities to revitalised city-centre hubs and formerly dormant, industrial areas transformed into creative districts. Many are underrated spots that sit in the shadow of their commercialised counterparts; others have become unexpected culinary hotspots or magnets for the city’s artists, writers and activists. What they all have in common is a DIY spirit – and an unshakeable proclivity f

The Mid-Autumn Festival is upon us and aside from gazing at the moon, messing around with lanterns and candles, and scoffing down a frankly unnecessary amount of mooncakes, one of the traditional things to do during this festival is to guess at lantern riddles. Historically, Chinese people would write these riddles on lanterns – hence their name – and players must guess the answer from a word, a poem, or a phrase, but we’ve simplified things a little to keep things fun. So grab your lanterns and loved ones, and go see how brainy you are this year! RECOMMENDED: Find out more about the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance that happens during this time out year

September 2025: Autumn has finally arrived in Hong Kong and, to no one’s surprise, the weather remains just as unpredictable. With that in mind, grab a table at these restaurants and enjoy a top-notch dining experience, whether you’re seeking shelter from a sudden torrential downpour or looking to avoid the blazing sun. With countless new restaurants joining Hong Kong’s dining scene, it’s no surprise that foodies in the city can easily get overwhelmed with options. Here at Time Out, we’ve taken the city’s gargantuan list of eateries and whittled them down to the 50 best venues that you need to try. Know of a restaurant that should be included? Tag us on Instagram and use the hashtag #TimeOutEatList, and don't forget to subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in Hong Kong’s city news, culture, and dining. RECOMMENDED:😋  The best new restaurants in Hong Kong🍸 The 50 best bars in Hong Kong

We all know Disney villains are just as iconic as the heroes, and this Halloween, these bad-ass characters finally take the spotlight at Hong Kong Disneyland, as antagonists crash the party to turn the celebrations into the baddest in town. Maleficent sweeps down Main Street, U.S.A. with other villains in a wicked dance party, while iconic hero-villain duos such as The Queen and Snow White, or Loki and Thor, will be roaming the park waiting to be encountered. Jack Skellington himself takes over River View Cafe for a Halloween feast, the Jungle River Cruise offers a new after-dark voyage with spooky twists, and fans can grab their candy bags to join the return of the Trick-or-Treat Trail. The much-lauded musical Let’s Get Wicked also makes a comeback this season, spotlighting Disney’s most notorious baddies. The Halloween celebrations run until November 2, but Hong Kong residents can enjoy two visits for the price of one at just $879 until December 16.  

The open-air lounge bar within the courtyard of The Mira Hong Kong will play host to the neon-lit music scene of yesterday this Halloween. Local DJ duo Beat Friday will spin a mix of nostalgic Cantopop and Canton Disco hits from the 80s and 90s, so get ready for a hauntingly good time over five hours of revelry, accompanied by dance performers mingling on the dance floor and a face-painting artist who can spice up your look with some creepiness. The dress code is noir black, and the best three costumes of the evening can win a pair of tickets to the Canton Disco Vibes party in November, each worth $900. Tickets are available at $450, which includes two glasses of Hoegaarden beer and a welcome glass of house champagne.

This one’s for the provocateurs among us! Head to Pier 1929 as Spin Sum celebrates Halloween by bringing back one of their most-requested themes: kinky! It’s going to be a wild night of mischievous self-expression, playful discovery, and open vibes as everyone on the dancefloor comes together to celebrate inclusivity. And don’t let the kink theme intimidate you into thinking it’s all going to be leather and whips – everyone is welcome to range between playful and mischievous, hard and soft, or niche BDSM and accessible kink, and to dress the part.  Swedish producer Axel Boman will headline the music for the party, joined by hypnotic disco vinyl purist Ouissam. Hotel Revelateur runs from 9pm on October 31 until sunrise at 6am on November 1. Only 850 tickets are available, and general tickets cost $780 while VIP backstage access costs $1,500 (inclusive of $1,500 of credit to use on F&B), for access to the dedicated dance floor, VIP backstage bar, and outdoor balcony. There will be a number of tickets available at the door for $888.

Get ready to slay this Halloween with this party by DragJam, as drag queens, kings, and phantom performers rise from the crypt to serve chilling lip-syncs, killer choreography, and fierce looks all night. Expect to see Balatro, Bauhinia Black, Boy Bawang, Cindy Sheman, Falanja, Gin Pan, Gordon Bleu, Holok, Kameleon, Quasiturtle, and Sailor Ying in the lineup. Beware: Drag Manor’s doors are open, but they may never let you leave… Tickets are on sale for $250, which includes one complimentary drink.

Head up to Terrible Baby on Friday evening to enjoy as Wes, Minor, and Tir spin R&B bangers behind the decks. As the theme name suggests, you’re supposed to go dressed as your favourite anime or cartoon character – from hero to villain, or even fan-favourite sidekicks, there’s plenty of options to choose from! Tickets cost $350 per person, inclusive of one free drink, and if you purchase a one-night stay in Eaton HK’s standard room, it includes two tickets to the party, with two free drinks. No more worrying about how you’re going to stumble home.

Flower Years takes a wicked turn this year as October 31 brings an evening of spooky brews and Cantopop tunes. Apart from the music and costumes, guests can celebrate our city’s best breweries with three hours of free-flow beer, including Deadman Brewery, Gweilo, HK Lovecraft, and Hong Kong Beer Co. Prepare to also be entertained with live busking performances, DJs spinning nostalgic Cantopop hits, and a range of classic drinking games such as darts, cornhole, and the legendary beer can tower challenge. Early-bird tickets cost $228 until the end of October 29, then the price gets raised to $268. 

It’ll definitely be a Halloween to remember if you choose to set sail on the Aqualuna, Hong Kong’s iconic red-sailed junk boat, for a spooky party. Manned by a crew of tricksters, the junk will take passengers on an adventure along the harbour with sparkling views of the cityscape. Selected sailings will include a complimentary glass of Halloween-themed cocktail or mocktail. We suppose the only thing worth worrying about is chancing upon vengeful water spirits! The Aqualuna Halloween cruise is priced at $320 for the 5.30pm, 6.30pm, 8.30pm, and 9.30pm sailings, while the 7.30pm session costs $398. 

Escape room fans will likely enjoy what The Dispensary has in store this year. Join the fun as the bar is transformed into a wondrously wicked prison, and weave your way through barred cells with spooky surprises lying in wait. There will also be live entertainment, electrifying tunes, and two hours of free-flow Veuve Clicquot Champagne, as well as two complimentary Halloween cocktails upon entry. Tickets are priced at $398 per person, or $458 at the door.

Dance the night away in a fiery realm at Aqua’s signature Halloween party this year. Taking place only on October 31, dress up in your choice of character or pop-culture reference, and enjoy two hours of free-flow Veuve Clicquot Champagne and two Halloween-themed cocktails. Tickets are priced at $498 per person, or $600 at the door. If you’re not available on Halloween night itself, pop by on October 30 for the special ‘Soware Halloween Edition’, which promises spooky-chic vibes and themed cocktails.

Everyone’s favourite spooky amusement park event returns! Themed ‘Unboxed the Cursed Collection’ this year, Ocean Park presents six haunted attractions that will test your mettle and have you screeching till you’re sore. Draw a blind box figurine before venturing into a realm where abandoned blind box toys seek revenge (do you feel bad for all the Labubus and Crybabys that were thrown away now?); uncover Hong Kong’s seemingly ‘solved’ gory mysteries; and race against time in mad scientist experiments. Elsewhere in the park, pick a tarot card and join a cultish blood sacrifice; survive an expedition through cannibal territory; and celebrate the Mexican Day of the Dead without being captured by vengeful ghosts. Take a breather at performances throughout the celebrations, such as paper effigies and Taoist rituals transformed into riveting shows. There will also be nods to the ever-popular KPop Demon Hunters in performances of demon hunters slaying ghouls, and even a devilish boy group named Namja6.  As always, Ocean Park will be full of spirits and creatures waiting in the dark to scare the pants off unwitting travellers. If you’re a bit of a daredevil, pick up a Little Brother ‘De De’ badge – I Dare You for more ghostly encounters; if you frighten too easy, it’s probably best to pin the Elder Sister ‘Jia Jia’ badge – Don’t Scare Me in a prominent place to ward off those pesky tricksters. Halloween Fest admissions are available as add-ons to Ocean Park entry tickets. The Dark Sp

Culinary Class Wars fans, heads up! ‘Cooking Maniac’ chef Yoon Nam-no from the hit Netflix series is doing an exclusive four-hands collaboration with chef Kyle Lee of Honjo. Specialising in Japanese-style French cuisine – highlighted with a dash of chaotic cheekiness – chef Yoon will present a series of dishes such as ankimo hosomaki with silky monkfish liver purée, abalone herb butter, yellow chicken misoyaki, lobster tail hot stone with garlic butter rice, curry butter gindara grilled black cod, and more. This collaborative menu can be enjoyed as a set experience at $580 per person, or ordered as à la carte dishes. After the launch dinner on October 17, both chefs will be around for a meet-and-greet during brunch and dinner on October 18 and 19. These dishes will then be available to enjoy at Honjo until November 23. Book your spot here.

It’s been a while since Quality Goods Club closed its doors, and we’ve been wondering ever since what will happen to that space tucked down an alley in between kebab houses. Well, a new Japanese-inspired cocktail lounge and nightlife venue Yume now proudly calls it home. Gone are QGC’s grimy charms – the basement space is now unrecognisable with pink, yellow, and purple mood lightning and comfortable booth seating. Peru-born bartender Raiza Carrera has created a Japanese-inflected menu of cocktails that is very palatable, even for light drinkers. The cheeky F.YU combines gin, soju, shiso, and cantaloupe melon, while Kiss of a Geisha pairs bourbon fat-washed with shiitake mushrooms with coffee liqueur. Our favourite is probably Above the Clouds, a creamy smooth concoction of sake, pistachio aperitivo, matcha liquor, and soy milk with shaved ice.

Following the success of their first pop-up, Stanley 1913 has launched an actual store in Hong Kong! The dedicated retailer is now open at Lane Crawford in Harbour City, where anyone who needs an emotional support bottle can browse through the most comprehensive collection of Stanley products in town.  This new location reflects the brand’s dedication to simplicity and utility, with a vibrantly coloured space that catches the eye as you walk past the men’s section, where iconic Stanley cups line the walls in aesthetically-pleasing colour gradients.  Photograph: Courtesy Lane Crawford While you’re stocking up on tumblers, mugs, and cups for the coming winter, take the time to also experience the personalisation services at Stanley’s new store. Once you’ve acquired your new favourite liquid container, make it your own by decorating with a wide range of accessories from the personalisation station in the middle of the store. For $50 to $100, you can customise your Stanley cup with everything from knitted bottle caps and beaded straps to engravings.  Prices for Stanley products start from $238. Stanley 1913’s new store is located on the third floor in Lane Crawford at 3 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, and is open from 10am to 9pm daily.  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: Baby Namagaki oysters take over Festival Walk, with exclusive merchandise for sale Where to eat seasonal hai

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 F

Michelin Guide has unveiled its global Keys selection for 2025 earlier this month. This year’s inaugural edition honours over 2,000 properties worldwide while recommending over 5,000 commendable destinations for their excellent hospitality. In Hong Kong and Macau, 18 properties were awarded this esteemed accolade, split across three categories like their Michelin stars for restaurants: One Key, Two Keys, and Three Keys.  Among these 18 top-notch hotels in our territories, The Peninsula Hong Kong was awarded two keys for its world-class service and old-world glamour, while the harmonious marriage of modern luxury and urban quirkiness earned The Upper House two keys for this year as well. Rosewood Hong Kong was awarded the highest accolade – Three Keys – for its understated interiors, comprehensive wellness facility, and spectacular sweeping harbour views offered in its rooms.  Photograph: Courtesy Morpheus, City of Dreams While Macau’s properties have yet to receive a three-key distinction, four hotels were awarded two keys for offering exceptional stays to their guests. City of Dreams – Morpheus stands out with its Hadidian architecture and culinary destinations, while three properties in the Cotai Lisboa integrated resort – The Karl Lagerfeld, Palazzo Versace Macau, and Grand Lisboa Palace Macau – received two keys each for their distinctive Sino-Portuguese design and unapologetic glamour.  The Michelin Key for Hotels recognises the most outstanding properties around the w

After gracing the city with their electric presence back in 2023, pop-rock legends OneRepublic is making a much-anticipated return to Hong Kong next year! As part of their ‘From Asia, With Love’ Tour, the band will greet fans at the AsiaWorld-Arena on Saturday, February 21, 2026.  Since OneRepublic’s last performance in the city, the six-piece band has continued to amass a global following with hit tracks such as I Ain’t Worried, Run, and Fire. Fans can likely expect a comprehensive setlist featuring all the hits from the band’s robust repertoire, including classics like Counting Stars and Apologize as well as recent releases.  Tickets are priced from $599 to $899. The Gold VIP package will secure you early entry, a commemorative laminate and lanyard with exclusive OneRepublic content, a VIP gift, and priority merch shopping, while the On-Stage Photo VIP package contains all the above and also a group photo opportunity by a professional photographer on OneRepublic’s stage itself. If you’re a Live Nation member, secure tickets during the Live Nation pre-sale between 2pm and 11.59pm on October 23. General tickets will then be available at Cityline from 2pm on October 24.  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: Speaking with Time Out’s Best Young Chefs 2025 winner, Frankie Wong from Ankôma Asia’s 3 most valuable art pieces this year were all sold in Hong Kong Pet-friendly outdoor

Just as you thought the curtains were falling on typhoon season and we’d finally get to enjoy some nice, mild weather, Mother Nature has come to whack us on the nose with her metaphorical rolled-up newspaper for being impertinent. Hong Kong could be faced with a T3-level bout of bad weather today. As of 10am on Monday, October 20, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) notes that the tropical cyclone Fengshen is centred about 300km south of Pratas Island. The Strong Monsoon Signal is currently in force, but the weather watchdog will consider upgrading the warning to a Strong Wind Signal No. 3 between 5pm and 7pm today. While Fengshen approaches the coast of Guangdong, there is also a northeast monsoon affecting the southern Chinese coast. This combined effect means it will be persistently windy and the skies will be cloudy with rain over the next couple of days. We can expect rain to be more frequent over Tuesday and early Wednesday, and the water level over Victoria Harbour will rise to approximately three metres above Chart Datum at night from Tuesday to Thursday. The HKO warns that flooding may occur over some low-lying coastal areas during high tide for a few consecutive nights this week.  The only good thing out of this impending tropical cyclone is that temperatures will fall to around 19 degrees Celsius this Tuesday to Thursday in Hong Kong’s urban areas, with the mercury being a couple of degrees lower in the New Territories. As Fengshen begins to weaken and depart, the weat

While Hong Kong definitely has no shortage of restaurants serving pasta, so many of them stick to the tried-and-tested formulas instead of playing around with this versatile staple food. Perhaps they’re afraid of offending the Italians or they don’t know how to innovate with such a well-established dish, but either way, the newest pasta joint in town, Twist Pasta Bar, has no such qualms. From the minds behind other fantastic F&B establishments like Bourke’s, Honky Tonks Tavern, Terracotta Lamma, and Mendel’s, Twist is a love letter to pasta, using the noodles as a canvas for flavours, textures, and ideas. Aside from classics like baked rigatoni ($180) with ‘nduja, spicy vodka, and ricotta, their main draw for us is how they’re incorporating Hong Kong flavours into undeniably western dishes. Photograph: Courtesy David Thomas Holmberg / Twist Pasta Bar Head chef Ben Sears brings his 20-strong years of experience in both western and East Asian kitchens to the table, reinterpreting local tastes into his pasta offerings, such as the bone marrow macaroni ($180) which is his take on the curry brisket noodles often sold in cha chaan tengs. The squid ink spaghetti ($170) is topped with dried shrimp roe from Yau Kee, and the Hong Kong twists carry into desserts as well, such as with the white chocolate and soy milk panna cotta ($80), a nod to Kung Wo Beancurd Factory’s tofu pudding. Don’t ignore the drinks menu, as their cocktails are also culinary-driven with interesting flavour pro

After a seven-year wait, the MAMA Awards is finally returning to Hong Kong this November! This year’s venue host, Kai Tak Stadium, has just announced that priority tickets will go live this Friday, with general tickets going on sale shortly after.  Mnet announced the nominees for each category of the awards at yesterday on Thursday, October 16, and K-pop fans worldwide were excited to see some of the biggest names in the genre appear on voting forms, including Seventeen, Stray Kids, Le Sserafim, IU, aespa, Blackpink, and BTS. You know what this means – there’s a chance we’ll get to see all of them in person right in Hong Kong! Tickets to the 2025 MAMA Awards are priced at $1,299, $1,699, or $2,599 for partially restricted views, and from $899 to $2,599 for seated entry. All $2,599 ticket holders can also access an exclusive entrance to the venue.  The Visa Infinite Presale runs from 10am to 2pm on Friday, October 17, and the Visa Presale from 6pm on the same day to 2pm on Saturday, October 18, exclusively on Cityline. General sales for the public is then available from 10am on Monday, October 20 at Cityline, Damai, Trip.com, and Qoo10. Tickets are predicted to sell out as soon as possible, so snatch yours before they’re gone!  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 latest Hong Kong food news and events 2025 Autumnal weather to arrive in Hong Kong next week, with temperatur

This hot and typhoon-heavy summer is finally, blessedly, coming to an end. The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) forecasts a significant drop in temperatures from next Monday, October 20, that will likely persist until Friday. Northeastern winds are due to strengthen gradually over the weekend, bringing with it welcome autumnal weather.  It will still be relatively hot for the rest of this week, with the mercury likely reaching a high of 28 degrees Celsius on Saturday, October 18, but starting to dip into the low 20s come next Monday and Tuesday. This welcomed cool spell is the combined effect of an intense northeast monsoon and a low pressure system developing over the east Philippines Sea. Set to reach their peak intensity at the northeastern part of the South China Sea over the weekend, expect moderate wind speeds and a few showers to arrive alongside a fall in temperature starting next Wednesday, October 22. At the time of publication, the HKO predicts temperatures will fall to 21 degrees Celsius next Wednesday and Thursday. In the meantime, expect continuous fine and hot weather until this Friday as an anticyclone makes its way across Guangdong. So, don’t abandon your sunscreens and portable fans just yet and 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: Kowloon Shangri-La’s highly popular Japanese bread breakfast buffet is back Th

As most people who are interested in drinks, nightlife, and bar culture will know by now, Hong Kong’s very own Bar Leone has just been awarded first place in the World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 ceremony on Wednesday, October 8. This friendly neighbourhood watering hole in Sheung Wan has only been around for two years, but it has already broken so much ground, debuting as the Best Bar in Asia and winning second place in World’s 50 Best Bars in 2024, and finally being awarded this highest accolade this year. We’ve already reported last month that Bar Leone is set to open a new location in Shanghai, and we took the chance at the World’s 50 Best Bars ceremony to grill the co-founders about their plans, so here’s what we know about Bar Leone 2.0. Photograph: Courtesy Bar Leone It will be a larger space than Hong Kong’s original bar Bar Leone is not really small by any means, but anyone who’s been there for a filthy martini will know that the queues can go down the block and once you’ve made it through the doors, you’re often still rubbing shoulders with your neighbours. Their new space in Shanghai is going to be spread out over two floors, so fingers crossed that it’ll be easier to get in! They’ll be serving low-alcohol options alongside regular cocktails Bar Leone’s ethos has always been ‘cocktail popolari’ – cocktails for the people – and that means drinks that are accessible and approachable. The team will therefore be catering to all bar-goers by offering lighter sips and low-ABV

Black Sheep Restaurant’s latest venture takes inspiration from the buzzy bodegas and dive bars of New York’s Lower East Side. Determined to introduce the distinctive grit and chaos of this NYC neighbourhood to Hong Kong, chef Josh Stumbaugh and writer Nate Erickson channelled their lived experiences in the city to create Looseys.  While the vibe of this new bar certainly captures Lower East Side’s grimy charm, Looseys diverges from its inspiration in quality of food and drink offerings. You’ll find a rounded line-up of cocktails expertly curated by one of America’s best bartenders, Jeff Bell – expect a mean Bloody Mary, unbeatable Micheladas, as well as a dirty pickleback.  Photograph: Courtesy Black Sheep Restaurants Meanwhile, chef Matthew Kirkley also lends his distinctive flair to Looseys’ menu, creating a range of mouthwatering iconic street food such as roller dogs and half-sour pickles. If there’s a drinking hole in Hong Kong that’ll transport you straight to the eclectic streets of the LES, it’s this one right here. Looseys is now open from 12 noon till late between Wednesdays and Sundays at 25-26 Staunton Street. Whether you find yourself in Soho at midday or after a long night of partying, hit up Looseys for a rejuvenating hot dog, Italian hero, or chopped cheese, and wash it all down with one of its perfectly shaken cocktails. 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

2025 marks the year that Hong Kong hosted the prestigious awards ceremony for The World’s 50 Best Bars for the very first time – an honour especially prominent since this is only the second time that the ceremony has ever been held in Asia. Well, the confetti is still floating in the air, the party is going strong, and the 17th edition of the winning list has just been announced. Hong Kong is once again ranking high on the list, with the city’s favourite Bar Leone being crowned first place as the World’s Best Bar this year. Hong Kong’s own Bar Leone, which was recently ranked as Asia’s Best Bar, has risen from its number two rank at last year’s World’s 50 Best Bars in the short two years that it’s been open to be proudly crowned the top bar worldwide. This also marks the first time that a bar based in Asia has been given the top slot. Last year’s crowned winner Handshake from Mexico City has now dipped slightly into number two position, while Sips from Barcelona rounds off the top three. (Incidentally, Sips’ founder Simone Caporale has also collaborated with Bar Leone’s Lorenzo Antinori earlier this year to launch their Cuban-inspired bar in Hong Kong called Montana.) Photograph: Courtesy Horacio Rodriguez Valdes / Handshake Speakeasy The top 50 list was mostly European- and South American-dominated this year, with the only other Asian bar within the top 10 being Singapore’s Jigger & Pony coming in at rank nine. As for our other neighbouring cities, Bangkok’s Bar Us ranks a

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  F