Ready for un-lockdown? We SO are! To properly celebrate the occasion, you’ll need this guide to the best things to do in Hong Kong after the clock strikes six.
And here we are, finally, after months of lockdown: dinners are back! As social distancing regulations begin to relax from 21 April, restaurants can resume offering dine-in services until 10pm; various premises will be re-opening, too. And since we gave you a list of the best lockdown activities before 6pm, we thought we ought to provide a guide to celebrating in the after-hours, as well, especially with all the post-lockdown deals and launches around town. Yes, the night is young – it’s time to explore the best things to do in Hong Kong after the sun sets.
Best things to do in Hong Kong to celebrate the end of lockdown
1. Dinners are back, baby!
Although restaurants are only opened until 10pm and tables can only accommodate groups up to four, honestly, we ain’t asking for much – and neither is the rest of Hong Kong, apparently! So, if you have yet to make plans for dining out this week, you better get booking. In addition to a new a la carte menu at Savvy in Tsim Sha Tsui, we have our eyes on Hansik Goo’s new eight-course dinner tasting menu, which features innovative items inspired by seasonal greens from Korea. As for those in the mood for dim sum, head to Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant Yat Tung Heen for its “Big Dim Sum Deal”, which offers over 30 choices of authentic Chinese bites at surprisingly affordable prices. $38 for a fresh and flaky Abalone Wagyu Puff Pastry, anyone?
And when we talk about dining out in Hong Kong, nothing beats dinner buffets when it comes to value and decadence. Satisfy your cravings at Congress Plus with its “Eatcation 2.0 – Classics Re-creation” dinner buffet, available every Friday to Sunday. Look out for the Salted Egg and Garlic Crusted Roasted Lamb Rack; Beef and Smoked Duck Wellington; and its selection of chilled seafood. Oh, and there are free-flow drinks, too!
In search of more dinner inspiration? Check out our round-up of new restaurants in Hong Kong.
Savvy, GW 3209A, Level 3, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 2113 6188
Hansik Goo, 1/F, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2798 8768
Yat Tung Heen, Level B2, Eaton HK, 380 Nathan Road, Jordan, Hong Kong, p. 2710 1093
Congress Plus, Level 4, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 2582 7250
2. Go museum-hopping
Calling all culture vultures! If you’ve already scouted out all the art galleries in Hong Kong that were open during lockdown, good news is that you can finally set foot in our city’s museums once again. While we simply can’t pick a favourite, we think M+ deserves to be on your radar with its new displays and exciting retail pop-ups. Make sure to visit its beautiful North Roof Garden, which is newly opened to public. Moreover, Nalini Malani’s Vision in Motion is also available for public viewing. Be prepared to find fantastical and profound artworks, inspired by the themes of war and social injustice. You’ll also find two pop-up shops at M+ until 31 July: the Mei Lok Store, a specialty gift shop inspired by old Hong Kong; and Thames & Hudson, a leading publisher of illustrated books.
On the Island side, Asia Society is also reopening on 21 April. Though this centre isn’t strictly a museum, it is a site with rich historical background and we like that it offers a good range of activities both on and offline. These include seminars, panel discussions, family-friendly workshops, the current Recovery, Resilience, Resurgence photography exhibition, and more. If you’re looking for educational things to do in Hong Kong, Asia Society’s programme is a good shout.
Read our full guide to museums in Hong Kong.
M+, West Kowloon Cultural District, 38 Museum Drive, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Asia Society Hong Kong, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty, Hong Kong, p. 2103 9511
3. Cinema dates
No popcorn? No problem. The big screen, the surround sound, the atmosphere… All of these are well worth a trip to the cinema. What’s more, MOViE MOViE Pacific Place is offering the exclusive “Movie on the House” Dining Rewards! Until 4 May, you can redeem a Ticket Exchange Coupon upon spending at least $400 at designated restaurants in Pacific Place. Yep, the movie’s on the house! Not sure which films are on? Psst – we’ve heard good things about Anita and Moonfall, and we’re definitely watching Fantastic Beasts: The Secret of Dumbledore.
Take a look at some of our other go-to cinemas in Hong Kong.
MOViE MOViE Pacific Place, One Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong, p. 2388 0002
4. Rejoice, sports junkies!
As much as we’ve got used to home workouts, we do miss the gym and group fitness classes. After all, the equipment, the presence of our classmates, and the direct guidance from our coach make all the difference, don’t they? And apart from hitting your usual gym, feel free to explore some new courses around town, too, such as the innovative Infrared Reformer Pilates class, offered by Defin8 Fitness in its new Central studio.
Whether you’re into climbing, yoga, or pilates, don’t miss out on our various guides to all things fitness in Hong Kong.
Defin8 Fitness, 17/F, Silver Fortune Plaza, 1 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 9859 8620
5. Treat yourself to a relaxing spa
Surely, we can’t be the only ones with terrible skin now, after months of not being able to drop by beauty parlours (cries). If you also can’t wait to fix up your skin, relax, and rejuvenate, here’s a reminder to book your next facial! Furthermore, one of our favourite beauty clinics, EstheClinic, is offering limited-time promotions to celebrate its re-opening. And for those who’d like a truly indulgent experience, The Oriental Spa at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong would be ideal for you. Available until 30 June, its new Fitness Reboot package includes a one-hour personal training session, followed by an hour of bespoke full-body massage. A physical reset just can’t get any better!
EstheClinic has locations in Central and Sai Ying Pun.
The Oriental Spa, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2132 0011
6. Enjoy a fun day out in Disneyland
After many, many wishes upon a star, Hong Kong Disneyland is finally reopening! Whether you’re planning a cute date or hoping to treat your kids over the weekend (going back to school is tough, right?), Disneyland will be the perfect place to celebrate. Expect extra enthusiastic character greetings, revamped food and beverage menus, new merch, and more.
In search of more child-friendly activities in town? Here are some free things to do with kids in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Disneyland, Sunny Bay, Hong Kong, p. 3550 3388
7. Down a tipple (or two)
Although bars aren’t technically allowed to open just yet, some premises (with restaurant licenses, mind) are seizing this chance to reopen – and we’re so rooting for them. PDT, for instance, is launching a new menu in celebration of its reopening. It’s also resuming its Sunday School, which are weekly cocktail masterclasses that allow you to get hands on behind the bar. We had a go at making their signature Moscow Mule ourselves and boy was it fun! (And the best part, of course, is that you get to drink everything you make.)
Another bar and restaurant that is reopening today is TMK Punk & Rolls. In addition to its renovated interiors and new menu, the team is giving out free sake shots every 30 minutes from 6.30 to 9.30pm everyday until 7 May. Cheers to that! And last but not least is Terrible Baby, who is offering each guest a free drink between 2 and 7pm everyday until 27 April. Not so terrible at all, is it?
PDT, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2132 0110
TMK Punk & Rolls, Shops G & H, G/F and M/F, 77-91 Queens’s Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, p. 2662 2269
Terrible Baby, 4/F, Eaton HK, 380 Nathan Road, Jordan, Hong Kong, p. 2710 1866
8. Beach, beach, let’s go to the beach
Raise your hand if you’ve snuck onto the beach – or at least tried to – over the past couple months. Hey, no worries, we’ve all been there… And while public beaches are to remain closed for the time being (ugh), there are still a handful of alternatives. We’ve done the hard work for you by scouring LCSD’s website and, lo and behold, here are some beaches and coastal areas (mainly islands) that are currently open to public:
- Hoi Ha Wan, Sai Kung
- Lo Kei Wan, Lantau Island
- Pebble Beach, Tap Mun
- Po Toi Beach, Po Toi Island
- Shek Pai Wan, Lamma Island
- Tung Ping Chau
That being said, remember to keep your masks on and heed the social distancing regulations by staying in groups of no more than four people. Stay safe, Honeys!
Wanna get wet ‘n’ wild? Here’s our guide to beaches in Hong Kong. We love exploring these hidden beaches as well, and we happen to know a thing or two about waterfalls…
9. Cool down at the rinks
Is the weather already getting too hot for you? Beat the heat by going ice skating! With skating rinks reopening to the public, ice skating is quickly reemerging at the top of our list of favourite things to do in Hong Kong.
Browse our list of ice skating rinks in Hong Kong.
