Sarah Moran

While the role and rights of women have changed immensely over the past couple of decades, one thing that has stayed constant is the countless number of inspiring women who regularly overcome barriers to accomplish their goals and give back to their community. To celebrate International Women’s Day 2020, we want to introduce you to seven inspiring women in Hong Kong we think you should know about. RECOMMENDED: Looking for ways to celebrate Women's Day? Check out these Women's Day events as well as food and drink promotions.

Hong Kong has always been a stressful city to live in, and recent events have, sadly, not made it any easier. Whether you're a long-term sufferer of mental illness or you have just been struggling with stress and anxious thoughts lately, we've put together a list of affordable mental health care services you can seek help from. RECOMMENDED: Looking for ways to relax? Create a living space that supports your wellbeing, or pamper yourself at the best spas in town. 

Earlier this year, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage. This monumental moment led many to reflect on whether or not Hong Kong would follow in its footsteps. But now that the celebrations have died down, for some, the ongoing fight for greater LGBTI rights in Hong Kong feels out of sight and out of mind. For local Youtuber Asha Cuthbert, being an outspoken advocate for LGBTI rights in the entertainment and media industry made her realise that while many Hongkongers may accept queer people for who they are, few are willing to fight for them. “[When] a brand came out with a soap that supported gay rights, I reached out to some of my influencer friends to support me by filming a little clip saying the words, ‘gay is okay’. They all said no because it was a sensitive topic and wouldn’t work well with their platform,’ Cuthbert recalls. ‘That was such a blow to me because it suddenly became very personal.” Her partner was born female but identities as male. For him, the debate about whether Hong Kong will ever allow same-sex marriage should start by having open discussions with members of the LGBTI community, an active measure to better understand their views and experiences. “Even within the LGBTI community, we’re still trying to understand each other. I, for one, don’t understand non-binary people, but there was once a time when people didn’t understand transgenderism. It took years of research to finally realise this exists and is science-prove

Think pouting lips and hands stretched up high, fluttering rhythmically to a dynamic beat. Think sharp, angular arm movements that come to rest to form modelesque poses. Think sashaying hips and flamboyant outfits. This is dance, but not as you know it. View this post on Instagram A post shared by KenKen Milan🇭🇰🇹🇼 (@kenliu607) on Mar 12, 2020 at 2:06pm PDT The Vogue dance style was created in the ballrooms of 1960s Harlem by New York’s marginalised queer black and Latino youth. While starting as an underground counterculture, it has since been thrust into the spotlight, first in the 90s with the landmark documentary Paris is Burning, and Madonna's song Vogue, and more recently with a series of hit shows including RuPaul’s Drag Race and Pose. Voguing is now truly in vogue in countries all over the world, and Hong Kong is no exception, with LGBT Hongkongers – much like the New York originators – using the dance style as a means to express themselves in a society that often stigmatises them. Ken Ken Milan is a full-time dancer and Vogue culture promoter who has been teaching Vogue in Hong Kong for three years. He first discovered the dance style in Taiwan six years ago. After attending the country’s first-ever Vogue ball, Ken fell in love with the distinct glamour and unapologetic confidence that is a hallmark of the Vogue movement. "I really like fashion, and ballroom culture is often very fashionable with a lot of creative twists to various styles. It’s r

FIRST IMPRESSIONGen: “He welcomed me with a nice smile, which was a good start. I noticed how tall he was. I don't know many people a head taller than me so that caught my attention.”Alexander: “My first impression of her was that she’s nice and quite innocent. There wasn’t an instantaneous romantic attraction, which I was nervously hoping for.” CHEMISTRYGen: “I'm terrified of having awkward moments so I tried to fill the dead air as much as I could, but I think that may have made it more awkward.”Alexander: “The conversation flowed, but there wasn’t much chemistry. At one point, she even said that she was the polar opposite of what I described my ideal date to be.” AWKWARD MOMENTGen: “After dinner, we went for an awkward hug and he said goodbye before quickly going to the toilet by the restaurant’s exit, leaving me there dumbfounded. I wasn't sure how to react, so I just left the restaurant by myself.”Alexander: “When she started singing a nursery rhyme on the lines of 'wag, wag, wag your tail...,' before we were about to be served some wagyu beef strips.” AFTERWARDSGen: “After the date, I opted to just go home and he didn't seem to mind so we went our separate ways.”Alexander: “We politely said our goodbyes and went our separate ways.”THE VERDICTGen: ♥♥♥ “I think it was a pleasant evening. I enjoyed talking to him, hearing about his adventures. The food was amazing so the date wasn’t bad at all.”Alexander: ♥♥♥ “I think we both gathered that there wasn’t much romantic chemis

FIRST IMPRESSIONJodi: "Not someone I would approach on an intimate level. He seemed nervous but was nice nonetheless."Keir: "My first impression was that she seemed very nervous. Which kind of helped my nerves a little bit."  CHEMISTRYJodi: "Negative. The conversation had a good flow but that was about it. He mentioned he was a homebody and I am constantly out and about. There were many facets mentioned throughout the evening that would not make us compatible."Keir: "I don’t think there was anything chemistry from a romantic standpoint. We had a few things in common but other than friendly chat there wasn’t much to go off of in terms of feelings." AWKWARD MOMENTJodi: "He called me drunk when I was not even close to it and then proceeded to mention it often afterwards."Keir: "Awkward moment would have to be when she got very drunk and started complimenting how good looking the waiters were, she spent 30 minutes talking to one waiter even exchanging numbers and cards." AFTERWARDSJodi: "The evening ended hastily as he needed to catch his last ferry. We said goodbye and went our separate ways."Keir: "I went home as I had a boat to catch. It was already past 11.30pm, if I had been any later I would’ve been home at 4am!"  THE VERDICTJodi: ♥♥♥ "The evening was pleasant. Conversation good and as well as the food. Did not really feel like a date, more like a dinner filled with questions. Keir: ♥♥ "The date went ok overall, but it could've been better. I’d love to do it again, mayb

Whether you're running around town all day for meetings or relaxing on a laid-back afternoon, having a pick-me-up drink in hand always helps us get through the day in a good mood. Switch up your usual cup of joe and get energised with a delightful cup of matcha latte. Made with matcha (green tea) powder, these tasty, bright-green drinks are full of antioxidants and other elements that promote wellbeing. Hong Kong is blessed with plenty of coffee shops that offer these gems, but here are some of our favourites. RECOMMENDED: Crazy for matcha? Make your way through our list of Hong Kong’s best matcha desserts. If coffee’s more up your alley, check out ten cafés that serve locally roasted coffee in Hong Kong.

While nothing beats watching an intimate gig at your favourite pub or hyping it up with thousands of other like-minded fans at a concert, with the rapid spread of COVID-19, the government has been urging everyone to stay home as much as possible. And, sure, we can listen to Spotify to our hearts’ content, but sometimes you just need to watch the music happen, you know? So if you can't make it out to watch your favourite artist, then perhaps pressing play to listen to one of these live-music channels is the next best thing. RECOMMENDED: Discover more local acts with our list of HK artists to watch out for in 2020, or Hong Kong underground music to listen to.

Half-an-hour away from Central lies Peng Chau, one of Hong Kong’s most adorable outer islands and somewhere well off the beaten tourist track. With scenic treks, ancient relics, traditional temples, strong community vibes and no cars in sight, stepping ashore on this tranquil island feels like travelling back in time to old Hong Kong. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel as if you can breathe easier. There’s an undeniable energy to this island that exudes serenity and forces you to slow down. Follow our guide for all the best things to do and eat on Peng Chau!

As the fight against the Wuhan coronavirus rages on, Hongkongers rush to don their best battle armour (facemasks) while making sure their weapons (rubbing alcohol and disinfectant wipes) never leave their side. And despite having to wear a mask that covers half our faces, most women – and some guys – in Hong Kong would still insist on wearing makeup. So to help y'all look gorgeous 24/7, we give you our best tips and tricks on how to master the art of dolling yourself up with a mask on. RECOMMENDED: Get yourself back in shape for a healthy virus-fighting body while wearing the cutest athleisure outfits or get away from crowds altogether in these peaceful slices of heaven around town.   

The biggest awards show of the year, the Oscars, honoured the best of 2019’s filmmaking last night in Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre. Unfolding for over three hours, the annual ceremony offered up plenty of hilarious and special moments. And we couldn’t let the event go by without singling out some of our favourite happenings of the night, as well as a list of all the winners – most notably, Parasite made history for Asians by being the first non-English language film for best picture. Hongkongers, in case you missed it, you can catch the Oscars on TVB’s Pearl tonight at 9pm! RECOMMENDED: Check out the best films and shows to watch online right now

So, things got a little crazy last night and now you’re curled up in your bed with a pounding head, a dry throat and a growling stomach. Yep, it’s certainly a hangover, but don't worry too much, we've all been there. The morning after the night before comes with what are surely among the worst feelings in the world, so we've put together a list of the best things to eat and drink to perk yourself up after a heavy night, and where to find them in Hong Kong. RECOMMENDED: Take it easy next time and opt for these best Hong Kong bars for mocktails and low alcohol drinks instead.

Our brand-new Spring 2020 magazine is here, and in this issue we take a moment to appreciate the continuing legacies of three iconic Hong Kong industries. After going to a traditional Shanghai-style barbershop and an old-school bing sutt, we now pay Central's W.W. Chan & Sons Tailors Ltd. a visit to talk about all things bespoke. Hong Kong became synonymous with the sartorial arts in the mid 20th century, as China’s Communist Revolution led to the relocation of skilled Shanghainese tailors to our city. Since then, suit making has become interwoven into the very fabric of Hong Kong culture, changing with the times whilst retaining many of its traditional roots. In this video, we sit down with W.W. Chan & Sons' Patrick Chu and Arnold Wong, and the young entrepreneur behind Cuffs, Ian Fong, to chat about style and tailoring.  To read more about this story, grab a copy of our latest magazine issue at these spots around town, or download the digital version here.

Our brand-new Spring 2020 magazine is finally here! In this issue, we take a moment to appreciate the continuing legacies of three of Hong Kong’s iconic industries. First up, we head to a traditional Shanghai-style barbershop to examine how the barber's industry has transformed over the decades. These old school barbershops have long held a special place in the hearts of Hongkongers. But in recent years, a new generation of barbers have clipped out a new path for this industry while paying homage to the masters of the past. In this video, two barbers of different generations – Kelvin Yu, the co-founder of modern vintage barbershop Too Far East Barber & Co., and industry veteran Lam Bo – sit down and discuss what has changed, and what remains. To read more about this story, grab a copy of our latest magazine issue at these spots around town, or download the digital version here.

Our brand-new Spring 2020 magazine is finally here! While spring is just around the corner, wearing a face mask makes it a little harder to smell the roses. The COVID-19 virus outbreak has led to springtime events being axed left and right, but there remain many positives to living in this city. In this issue, we take a moment to appreciate the continuing legacies of three of Hong Kong’s iconic industries and celebrate art season by looking at five of Hong Kong’s burgeoning artists.  Read about this year’s most fashionable colour and laugh away our blues with a local improv comedy troupe. Also in the issue — the art of voguing and its relationship with Hong Kong’s LGBTQ+ community, round up the city’s most delicious croissants for you, chat with Hong Kong’s famous ‘Plumber King’, and more. Time Out Hong Kong wrapped up the print issue one month ahead of print date. In light of the evolving situation on COVID-19 outbreak, numerous Hong Kong events are being cancelled one by one, and some updates may not have made it to our print issue. To help keep you up to date, click on this link for the major city events cancellations. You will also find some travel recommendations in our spring issue; please be reminded that COVID-19 cases have escalated in some countries and travel restrictions have been issued. Check the government website of your country of origin and your intended destination to see what policies have been put in place and monitor the situation should you plan to trav

If you've been bar-hopping around town recently, chances are, you may have spotted a curious, new calendar hanging around. The cover shows a photo of a plastic-filled ocean, but when you open the calendar, you'll find pages filled with our local favourite bartenders wearing well, very little.  This year, 12 Hong Kong bars have come together to make a sexy 'HK Celebrity Bartender Charity Calendar 2020' in order to raise money to save our oceans. Organised by Honi Honi Tiki Cocktail Lounge's Max Traverse, each month on the calendar shows off a different Hong Kong bartender – Jay Khan from COA, Sandeep Hathiramani and Gagan Gurung from Tell Camelia, and more – daringly wearing nothing but an apron.  There are about 800 copies of the calendars up for grabs right now, selling for about $200 each. All profits go directly to local charity organisation A Plastic Ocean Foundation, which is dedicated to being part of the plastic waste solution through science, education and policy advocacy. The bars are also partnering with Zeroplastic Hong Kong to hold regular beach cleanup events. Get a copy of the calendar to support your favourite bartenders and help Mother Nature too. Partnering Bars: The Wise king StocktonShadyAcresCOAHoni Honi Tiki Cocktail LoungeTerrible BabyFineprintBrickhouseTell CamelliaLe Boudoir FABThe Diplomat HK

Put it in your calendars now, kids! Until very recently, Studio Ghibli has always refused to offer digital versions of its content in any format, but Netflix recently announced that from February 1 onwards, 21 films from the legendary Japanese art house Studio Ghibli will find a home on the streaming platform. The expansive Studio Ghibli filmography will be subtitled in 28 languages, which is no small task. This partnership will enable fans to enjoy beloved classics such as Academy Award®-winner Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Kiki’s Delivery Service, My Neighbor Totoro, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya and more, in their native languages. Check out the release schedule below: February 1, 2020: Castle in the Sky (1986), My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), Only Yesterday (1991), Porco Rosso (1992), Ocean Waves (1993), Tales from Earthsea (2006) March 1, 2020: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), Princess Mononoke (1997), My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999), Spirited Away (2001), The Cat Returns (2002), Arrietty (2010), The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013) April 1, 2020: Pom Poko (1994), Whisper of the Heart (1995), Howl's Moving Castle (2004), Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008), From Up on Poppy Hill (2011), The Wind Rises (2013), When Marnie Was There (2014)

Our brand-new Winter 2019 magazine is finally here! As we get ready to turn the page on 2019, we put on our 2020 vision specs to predict what trends will be hot in the coming year – think tea cocktails, spit dating (yes, we said spit, not speed), the rise of virtual restaurant brands and more. We also dig into our past and present in our annual Bar Awards feature where we celebrate those who have made an impact on the city's bar scene over the past year. To add on the excitement, we’ll meet a claypot rice master, purveyors of plus-size fashion, a man who defies gender stereotypes through pole dancing and uncover more of the latest happenings around town. You can also find our new Bar Guide for 2020 in hotels, restaurants and bars around the city. Inside the guide, you'll find the low-down on a family of spirits that's taking the city by storm, where to go and what to drink, as well as everything you need to know about some of Hong Kong's bar scene's biggest players. Distribution is being staggered throughout the coming two weeks, so don’t fret if you’re out of town this week. Our free magazine will be available throughout Hong Kong at MTR stations, cafés and restaurants, hotels, residential clubs and airport lounges. Click here for a detailed list of locations so you don’t miss out. We hope you enjoy the read!

Stormzy – the undisputed king of grime, Time magazine cover star, book publisher and educational philanthropist – will be playing at the Hong Kong edition of Spanish electronic music festival Sónar on March 28, 2020. The show will mark the artist's second time performing in our city since his Hong Kong debut at Clockenflap 2017, and is just a small part of his whopping 55-date world tour taking place across Asia, Europe, Australia, North America and Africa, to promote his much-anticipated album, Heavy Is The Head (scheduled to drop on December 13). And after his kick-ass set at the Glastonbury festival, we're excited to see what he's got in store for this tour. Tickets will go on sale at 9am on Dec 6, starting at $680. The full festival lineup will be announced in the coming weeks (watch this space), but fans who want to catch Stormzy outside of Hong Kong can get early access to tickets by pre-ordering Heavy Is The Head from Stormzy's official store by 9am UK Time, Dec 3. 

Good news, folks! After a four-year, million-dollar revamp, the Hong Kong Museum of Art is finally reopening its doors to the public this Saturday, November 30. The swanky new institution has expanded its exhibition space to nearly double its original size, hired more curatorial staff, and promises to work closely with local collectors to showcase more regional artists. To start, the museum has organised eleven exhibitions for the upcoming season – including a major loan exhibition from the Tate in London, as well as an exhibition by Hong Kong's quirkiest performance artist, Frog King. With Banksy and Mr Doodle's exhibitions coming to town, and now the reopening of our beloved Museum of Art, December is already shaping up to be an exciting month for Hong Kong's art lovers.

2020 is shaping up to be a good year for Hong Kong rockers! First up, we have Green Day coming in March, but if that's a little bit too PG for you, we just got the news that Marilyn Manson – rock icon, King of Darkness – will also be making his way to Hong Kong next year, for the first time ever! More than two decades into his career, Manson still draws controversy for his anti-religious sentiment and frequent references to debauchery in his work – just look at his creepy new music video 'God's Gonna Cut You Down' with its crucifixes, shotgun waving and being buried alive. The artist will be performing on March 18, 2020 at AsiaWorld-Expo, with tickets sales available starting December 13, 2019 from $898 upwards via hkticketing.com. Don't sleep on this.

Remember when we told you guys a couple of weeks ago that Clockenflap 2019 is determined to go ahead despite events in Hong Kong being cancelled left and right? Well, unfortunately, that's not happening anymore.  Despite the organisers' best attempts to deliver the festival, they ultimately decided to pull out the festival due to "the escalation of the crisis this week, and therefore the uncertainty this creates for the coming weeks". The organisers still hope to unite Hongkongers through the power of music and arts in the future, as for now, full refunds will be given within the next four weeks to everyone who bought a ticket.

Hong Kong 7-11s are upping their flavoured milk game with a new peanut butter flavoured milk! Our childhood favourite peanut butter brand Skippy caused those with a sweet tooth to go slightly nutty last year, when its peanut butter ice cream bar was released in Circle-Ks around town. Now, peanut lovers can try its liquid version – the new Skippy peanut buttermilk. We tried the drink ourselves, and this carton of peanut-buttery perfection is a hundred percent worth your money for $9 a pop. Look out for it in 7-11s around town! Thirsty yet?  

With everything that's been going on in Hong Kong, some days it seems as if all we see on the headlines are "cancelled, cancelled, cancelled", and when even Rolling Loud's first-ever Asia show in Hong Kong was cancelled, we were beginning to think Clockenflap may suffer the same fate. Yet despite our city's current challenging circumstances, the folks at Clockenfap are determined to push through and have even announced the festival's final and full lineup! “It has always been our aim to bring Hongkongers together in positive ways, and this mission has never been more relevant,” said Mike Hill (co-founder and CEO of the company organising Clockenflap). “With the ongoing situation in the city, and with many other events choosing to cancel, we felt that it was particularly important that people have a fun and inspiring homegrown event to look forward to.” Check out the full lineup below! Friday Leo Wang Club Kowloon Matt Force Joan Bombay Bicycle Club Halsey Science Noodles The Kooks Yeti Out Gus Dapperton Yao Arun R Fleetmac Wood Miko Van Chong DJ Steve Bruce Sam Boot Living Discoheads Ghostly Park Podo Magic Ramen   Saturday J-hoon Live Olivier Cong  Charming Way Lil Pump Nick Murphy (formerly known as Chet Faker) Colde Regurgitator Clave DJ Freckles What So Not 盧廣仲 (Crowd Lu) Superorganism (DJ Set) These New Puritans Chai Swamy Boy Azooga 南洋派對 NYPD Fill The Silence Cosmo's Midnight Glass Animals Aurora DJ Yuen Chi Chung Crimes Against Pop Sean F