Catharina Cheung

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

There are so many great Hong Kong landmarks that it can be hard to know where to start when you’re playing host to out-of-town guests or just want to play tourist yourself. Use this compact guide to the top attractions to get you started with the greatest hits of Hong Kong. We’ve shortlisted our favourite sights and spots in the city, including a variety of culture spots, historical venues and more modern favourites. Landmarks like the Bank of China Tower and the Peak Tram are obvious choices, but we’ve also highlighted newcomers and lesser-known gems, such as a Zaha Hadid modernist masterpiece.RECOMMENDED: If visiting all the sites makes you hungry and tired, refuel at one of the city’s best restaurants.

Ever since it gained popularity in the 90s, Hongkongers have been obsessed with karaoke (or KTV, as is more commonly used by locals). From the rotten to the resplendent, we embrace anyone willing to grab the mic and have a crack. And while the city’s largest purveyors of karaoke, Neway and Red Mr, certainly dominate the scene, there are definitely a few other choices out there worth checking out if you’re looking for a break from the norm. RECOMMENDED: If you prefer watching others performing instead, visit these live music venues in Hong Kong.

Hello, folks! We’re officially in January of 2026 – you know, the month when we all pretend we’re going to stick to our New Year’s resolutions. We’re certainly not here to judge, and besides, a new year means a whole new social calendar for new experiences. So, whip out your calendar and pencil in those dates, we guarantee you’ll recover from the post-holiday blues in no time. RECOMMENDED: Plan for your next break with our guide on how to maximise your public holidays in 2026!

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

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

Tired of dining at your usual haunts? Thankfully, Hong Kong is never short of new restaurants – that’s why we’ve scoured the city to find you the hottest dining spots to try. This month, grab a table at the first overseas outpost of Kumamoto's famous tsukemen ramen, chef Vicky Lau's casual Yunnanese eatery, and more. Bookmark this page to discover Hong Kong’s best new restaurants!Think we missed a new great dining place in Hong Kong? Shoot us an email at [email protected] so we can check it out!RECOMMENDED:  🍴 Hong Kong’s oldest restaurants you need to visit⭐️ The 50 best restaurants in Hong Kong

The end of a year is always a pretty weird time for everyone. You have the people who are looking forward to the year ahead and busy manifesting their dream lives, the people who spend that ambiguous week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve in a haze of nights out, the people who still feel like the 2000s was like, 10 years ago, and the go-getters who are already compiling their to-do list for 2026. Everyone should have something scheduled for New Year’s Eve, but if drunkenly stumbling around the bar districts or getting roped into rowdy house parties isn’t your ideal way to start the new year, then here are some alternative ways to end 2025 with a bang. RECOMMENDED: Looking for more off-the-beaten path experiences? Check out some of Hong Kong’s secret islands, or add these unexpected activities to your Hong Kong bucket list.  

Hong Kong is packed with superb eateries, but for a truly local vibe, you definitely need to dive into our street food culture. Head to bustling spots like Causeway Bay, Mong Kok, Kwai Fong, or Sham Shui Po, and you’ll encounter an amazing array of snacks sizzling away right on the sidewalks. We’re talking spicy fishballs, crispy egg waffles, chewy cheung fun, and even some seriously stinky tofu. These tasty treats are not only delicious but also super budget-friendly, so you can fill up without emptying your wallet.RECOMMENDED: Head to the best dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong for more authentic local bites.

Hong Kong has long been known as a city of constant change. That frenetic, rejuvenating energy has captured the hearts of many. But with that comes the inevitable loss of culturally significant trades and practices, buildings, and even traditional cuisines. That’s why it’s always important to catch your breath and remember how Hong Kong’s past has shaped its present. Want to get a fuller sense of Hong Kong’s history? You’ve come to the right place. RECOMMENDED: If historic Hong Kong is your thing, check out some of our city’s oldest restaurants.

Christmas is just around the corner, which means it’s time to get all your gift shopping done! Luckily, there’s still a bit of time left to hunt down the perfect treat for the women in your life. If you’re running short on ideas, let our Christmas gift guide for her help you find a thoughtful and meaningful present that the ladies will love. RECOMMENDED: Start planning for the holiday season with our ultimate guide to celebrating Christmas in Hong Kong.

This is it – the final month of the year, and what better way to wrap up the year than making the most of what’s on the city’s social calendar? Whether you’re in the mood for holiday festivities or a family day out, there’s something happening for everyone. From dazzling Christmas displays to foodie pop-ups and art exhibitions, this month has plenty to offer – so make the most of it!

Mainland Chinese karaoke chain Mei KTV has opened its first Hong Kong flagship location in Central, in the nightlife district of Lan Kwai Fong. Mei KTV is known for integrating technology such as AI and virtual reality into traditional karaoke. Instead of just plain old belting into a mic, they offer features like AI-powered sound alterations and metaverse-inspired music video production for a more immersive experience catered to a younger crowd. The Hong Kong flagship promises luxurious rooms fitted with full-screen displays and performance stages, along with interactive facilities such as a virtual DJ mixing station.   

The Rescued Feast, billed as Asia’s first-ever sustainable dining experience where all dishes are made using food surplus, is hosting their last dinner of 2025 and donating the proceeds to help the affected residents of Tai Po. This special edition of The Rescued Feast will transform surplus ingredients, food scraps, and unwanted produce into a gourmet meal. Aside from raising awareness about Hong Kong’s food waste, the event will also turn over all the net proceeds to Bethune House, a charity organisation that provides emergency shelter, food, and essential care for migrant domestic workers and others in need, and who are currently supporting those affected by the fire at Wang Fu Court. Tickets are available for $550 per person, which includes the dinner buffet, one drink, a goodie bag with gifts from the event sponsors, and a discount code for Fenxiang since the evening will turn into a late-night disco. You can also purchase raffle tickets to try your luck at winning a range of sustainable prizes during the dinner. These cost $50 for two entries and $100 for five entries – there’s no limit to how many you can buy to increase your winning chances

As the name suggests, this is a little boutique tucked away in Lee Garden, but don’t let its dimunitive size fool you into ignoring it. The Little Shop stocks a carefully curated range of bags, jewellery, scarves, accessories, fragrances, and more – all thoughtfully and deliberately stocked from niche brands around the world. If you’re into one-of-a-kind items, whether as gifts or for yourself, then check out this store.

In response to one of Hong Kong’s most devastating tragedies in several years, JIA Group’s chef will unite at Louise for a one-night-only charitable dinner that goes towards aiding the Hong Kong Red Cross. Culinary talents from Louise, Estro, Mono, Andō, Leela, and 22 Ships will be participating in a cross-cultural menu that includes dishes such as red tuna  with Baikal caviar and Kyoho grapes, langoustines with Ecuadorian cacao expressions, Konkani cod fish curry, and yellow chicken with morel mushrooms and alba white truffles. Priced at $3,888 per diner, including food and wine, all proceeds from this dinner will be donated to the Hong Kong Red Cross, who have been on the frontlines of Tai Po providing emergency relief, shelter support, and psychosocial services to victims affected by the deadly fire.

Chubb Life is running a mini film festival to highlight the lives of dementia patients and their caregivers – the December schedule includes a screening of A Good Child. This Golden Horse Awards nominee is a Singaporean film based on the true story of well-known drag queen Sammi Zhen. Without giving too much away, the plot follows drag queen Jia Hao who returns home after years of estrangement when his mother is diagnosed with dementia. Seeing an opportunity to heal and mend bridges, he leverages her failing memory to make his mother believe that he is a daughter instead of a son.  Catch this excellent queer story and brutally honest depiction of dementia on December 13 at Emperor Cinema in Central. 

Cj Hendry, the hyperrealistic artist behind the flower pool installation in IFC this summer, is back in town for an immersive pop-up exhibition centred around her first-ever collectible toy series. The endearing Juju character has a flower over one eye and long floppy ears, and will be featured in exclusive merchandise only available from this pop-up. From bag charms in 24 variations, handcrafted sculptures limited to eight editions of 100 worldwide, and large-scale drawings to clothing and accessories, this is bound to be a hit with collectors of a pop-infused aesthetic. Catch Juju at the Phillips’ Asia headquarters at WestK, only from November 29 to December 2.

We’ve always said that Hong Kong is always willing to rally as a community when called on, and this is another touching example. Bar veteran Luca Andrei of Lockdown recently sustained serious injuries during the World’s 50 Best Bars festivities, and since he cannot be behind the bar during his long road to recovery, his ‘family’ of Hong Kong bar personalities are stepping up to do it for him. Eight names that any regular bar punter will recognise – including Bar Leone’s Lorenzo Antinori, Beckaly Franks, Amir Javaid of Socio and Gossip, Gagan Gurung, and more – are gathering for one night in a show of solidarity, where all of the proceeds will go directly to Andrei’s medical and living expenses. Rock up to Barcode from 7pm onwards on December 1 to pitch in how you can. 

In a landmark collaboration between the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) and the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) of Egypt, 250 treasures and relics from the land of the Pharaohs will be on display in Hong Kong for nine and a half months. Named ‘Ancient Egypt Unveiled’, this exhibition is the largest, most comprehensive, and longest-running display of ancient Egyptian artefacts Hong Kong has ever seen, displaying archaeological finds loaned straight from Egypt, many of which are being shown outside of their home country for the very first time. Some of our favourite highlights include a set of canopic jars used to store internal organs in the mummification and burial process; statues of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut and Rameses II; painted coffins of wood and stone; a Book of the Dead papyrus scroll; and even an ancient Egyptian toilet seat. Swing by the gift shop to find a wide range of Egypt-related merch, including an adorable series of blind box plushies created by HKPM which depict pharaohs, canopic jars, mummies, and more.

Roughly meaning ‘cheap and amazing’ in Cantonese slang, Peng Leng Jeng is a temporary restaurant concept by Black Sheep which pays homage to Hong Kong’s dai pai dong open-air eateries and their unbeatable, nostalgic flavours.

Founded by jewellery designer Kelly Rolim, Luah focuses on accessories geared towards sporty, outdoors-y types. Each piece of jewellery is waterproof and sweatproof, hypoallergenic, and makeu-friendly. It’s rare to find pretty accessories well-suited to the pool, the gym, and then to a night out, but Luah manages it.

Hong Kong’s newest Parisian bistro Jean-Pierre unveils Mardi Rouge – during the first Tuesday of every month, the lights are dimmed and the vibes turned up for an evening of live music, French classics, and good company. Linger over a cornichon martini or a glass of red, accompanied perhaps by a steak au poivre and other bistro fare, as Jean-Pierre’s resident pianist and raconteur spins magic through music.  Reservations are required to secure a place at the monthly Mardi Rouge nights, with a minimum spend of $1,200 per guest. Doors open from 6pm.

Despite their tongue-in-cheek name, there’s nothing bad to be found in this retro joint that’s a cosy café by day and moonlights as a cocktail bar when night falls. Duck into the industrial Alhambra Building between the Eaton HK and the Kowloon Central Post Office to find this minimalist, dark wood-panelled space with 80s Hong Kong-inspired decor that’s somehow reminiscent of an old-school office (albeit without an air of depression). We love that the entrance is marked by large Chinese characters proclaiming a now-defunct fruit store – the proprietors of Bad Coffee & Liquor Club have deliberately not covered up the outline of this old signage as a show of respect to its history.

Much has been made about Wong Kar-wai’s seminal and arguably most famous film In the Mood for Love, from its cinematography, costume designs, careful use of light and shadows, and phenomenal casting of Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung – and rightly so! But while you’re drowning in the aesthetic beauty and yearning of it all, it’s easy to let slip the fact that Wong’s music choices are also remarkable. The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) now places the spotlight on the film soundtrack with an extremely limited screening of In the Mood for Love, accompanied by the music being played live. A special programme launched to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Hong Kong International Film Festival, ‘In the Mood for Love in Concert’ will run for only three performances. The entire film will be screened with HK Phil providing the music under the baton of award-winning conductor Joshua Tan, who is the principal conductor of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra.  Photograph: Courtesy Jet Tone Production / Paradis Films For those who may not be familiar with the film, this cinematic masterpiece follows a pair of neighbours in 60s Hong Kong who struggle against their feelings for each other after discovering that their respective spouses are cheating. Yearning, repression, and regrets live painfully and beautifully in the lingering glances, stolen moments, and curls of cigarette smoke of Christopher Doyle’s stylish shots. All of this is enhanced by the wonderfully diverse mus

Tai Kwun is honestly one of Hong Kong’s most successfully revitalised heritage venues, and one thing they nail is making the most out of the beauty of the old police station compound’s neoclassical buildings. And what better way to show off the masonry, arches, and Doric columns of Tai Kwun than with the immersive light art show InnerGlow?  This year sees the Parade Ground and historic Barrack Block façade as the backdrop for a dive into funky disco. Design and technology studio The Collective has been brought in to create Discotheque Dreams, a production which recalls the revolutionary arrival of disco in Asia. Watch a neon dreamscape unfold across the walls, displaying culturally relevant crafts from both East and West such as lion dance and martial arts films, to Hollywood classics from the 70s – a reflection of Hong Kong’s own mixed identity. Photograph: Courtesy Tai Kwun For the first time in the five years since InnerGlow has been held, this edition uses technology that allows for real-time audience interaction, inviting visitors to step into the show themselves alongside the projections and live performances. We can already just see everyone boogie-ing in the main courtyard, surrounded by multi-coloured swirling lights and the pulsing rhythm. Aside from the InnerGlow activities, the Searchlight mentorship also returns to Tai Kwun for its third year, presenting a showcase of alumni artists that will run in parallel to InnerGlow. A 30-minute show of new presentations b

Call it PTSD, but our stomachs swoop a little whenever we see a text-heavy image from our favourite brands on social media – which usually implies some sort of scandal and apology, or a closure announcement. Historic tea house Lin Heung Lau almost sent us spiralling recently when they posted a similar notice on Instagram, announcing that their Central branch will not be around for much longer. Thankfully, in the same breath, the brand also reassured Hong Kong foodies that they will be reopening elsewhere. Lin Heung Lau has been a staple in our city for over 100 years, though they have been plagued with a handful of financing and closure scares during their long history. It shuttered during the summer of 2022 after struggling during the pandemic, but eventually reopened in April 2024. The traditional tea house on the corner of Wellington Street and Aberdeen Street is widely known for being one of the last remaining eateries in Hong Kong that still serve dim sum out of old-school trolleys. Photograph: Joshua Lin This time, there will be no close save, as their premises are slated for redevelopment by this April. “We are honoured to have become a landmark in Central and a part of your daily lives. This remains our greatest pride,” Lin Heung Lau said in its statement. Keeping things positive, they also declared they will continue the dim sum culinary tradition of ‘one teapot two dishes’ with Hong Kong diners and persist in their century-old bond with the city. Photograph: Josh

If you’re someone who is willing to go to great lengths to get your hands on a well-made matcha latte – perhaps even the kind of person who would make travel plans to Uji just to experience the freshest green tea leaves – this one’s for you: a new premium tea shop has opened in Hong Kong and it’s dedicated to all things matcha!  Founded by Joey Yu, Aokomi at Island Crest in Sai Ying Pun promotes authentic Japanese tea culture through a ‘tencha-to-matcha’ philosophy. Instead of using pre-milled matcha in powder form, Aokomi specialises in brewing matcha beverages directly from tencha (whole tea leaves) that’s been freshly ground. How this deep commitment to freshness is achieved is through the shop’s own stone mill, making Aokomi the first and only matcha brand in Hong Kong with an in-store matcha mill.  Photograph: Courtesy Aokomi Aokomi imports its tencha leaves from farms in Uji, Japan – long considered one of the leading global producers of premium, ceremonial-grade matcha – concentrating on farmers who follow the principles of shizen-shitate cultivation, a labour-intensive traditional growing method that gives free rein to tea bushes to grow without being trimmed. Eventually, the leaves are harvested completely by hand.  Aokomi exclusively uses and grinds first-harvest tencha, so the aroma and flavour remain superior. Its temperature- and humidity-controlled milling room is imperative to preserving the tencha’s high quality, as is the slow speed of the stone mill as it

ARMYs, are you ready? BTS’ long-awaited comeback is finally here! Real ones already knew major news was on the way when the band’s official Instagram account was reset on New Year’s Day, but now we have official confirmation. After a hiatus that lasted more than three years due to mandatory military service in South Korea, the seven-member music act has announced a 2026-2027 world tour which kicks off in April and runs through till March 2027. Almost 80 dates have been confirmed across Asia, North and South America, Europe, and Australia, with the promise that other dates for Japan, the Middle East, and more territories are still to come. This comeback tour will also feature a 360-degree, in-the-round stage design, for maximum admiration from all angles – a first for a K-pop stadium tour. As for Hong Kong, we’ll be seeing RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook on March 4, 6, and 7, 2027. Given the scale of the concert and the stage setup requirements, it’s safe to assume that they will be playing in the Kai Tak Stadium. Photograph: Facebook / BTS (방탄소년단) We’re not going to sugarcoat it: it looks like ticket sales are going to be brutal. The last time BTS went on tour was their 2021-2022 ‘Permission to Dance on Stage’ era, so even though the members have been keeping fans fed with a steady stream of content since they staggered their individual returns to the limelight – J-Hope went on his solo ‘Hope on the Stage’ tour; Jin did his ‘RunSeokjin Ep.’ tour; Jimin and Jun

Hong Kong is seeing a rise of mega events that blends a jovial festival atmosphere with a diverse range of offerings, whether it be edge-of-your-seat matches, live performances, indulgent food and drinks, or locally produced goods. One such event that we’ve got on our social radar this season is Liv Golf Hong Kong. What makes this year’s edition of the international golf tournament-turned-well-rounded festival even better is that Liv Golf is bringing Australian DJ Dom Dolla to Hong Kong this March!  Returning for another year to the landscaped fields of Hong Kong Golf Club, the annual Liv Golf Hong Kong is bringing a wave of excitement to the city over four days. Visitors can expect a festival of live music performances from top local and international DJs, delicious street eats, and family-friendly activities, all centred around a global golf tournament. A highlight of each year’s event is the Saturday night concert, where Liv Golf invites world-class musicians to set the stage for the tournament from the first swing through the final putt. In 2026, fans can look forward to a high-energy Hong Kong debut performance by Dom Dolla.  Photograph: Facebook / Dom Dolla After an electrifying year in his career that included sold-out shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden and London’s Alexandra Palace, as well as a headline gig at Lollapalooza, Dom Dolla has risen to fame as one of the hottest names in music. Riding on this high, the artist has recently released smash hits such

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

We have unfortunate news: quiet bookish types who just want a pleasant place to curl up with a good read will soon have one less hang out. Popular local bookstore Eslite has announced the closure of its Tsim Sha Tsui store after a decade of operation on the harbourfront. While this is sad tidings for fellow book lovers in Hong Kong, the silver lining is that this should only be a temporary hiatus, as the brand has hinted at relocating to another spot in the same neighbourhood.  Eslite opened its two-storey shop at Star House in 2015, offering local bibliophiles a tranquil and spacious spot to shop, browse, and dive deep into a newfound read. A highlight of this waterfront location is, of course, the cosy reading nook that comes with sweeping harbour views. In true Eslite fashion, the space also features local lifestyle brands alongside quaint cafés, transforming the bookish venue with a touch of inspiring creativity. Complete with minimalist wooden interiors, Eslite TST has been praised as one of the most diverse and aesthetically pleasing bookstores in Hong Kong, and one of the most beloved hang out spots for local youths and bookworms on the Kowloon side.  The Eslite Spectrum Tsim Sha Tsui store will close in the second quarter of 2026, hopefully with the relocation and opening of the new shop to follow in the same quarter. Before it packs things up for good, fellow bibliophiles should snatch up deals on books and lifestyle goods at their closing sale! From now until Februa

The act of incense burning is steeped in Chinese tradition, bringing to mind religion, ancestor worship, smoky temples, and prayer. But times are a-changin’, and fading cultural practices mean that the curl of incense smoke is becoming more commonly associated with a fragrancing of indoor environments instead of any offering to higher beings. As sticks of incense – also referred to as joss sticks – see a decline in cultural importance and demand, traditional businesses like the 148-year-old Chan Luen Hing Incense Shop in Sai Wan joins the list of venerable establishments that will soon be closing its doors. Chan Luen Hing has recently announced that they will bow out gracefully of the business once their remaining stock has been sold this month. Located in Shek Tong Tsui’s Kwan Yick Building Phase 1, right across from the tram terminus, this small storefront within the local mall has seen a resurgence in customers as visitors both new and old flock to capture memories and a slice of Hong Kong history. Photograph: Jenny Chan A past titan of the Macau incense industry Though camera-shy, the third-generation owner of Chan Luen Hing, Chan Chi-kin, is more than happy to share the story of his family business. “That’s my grandfather’s grandfather,” he says of the portrait on the retro incense labels, referring to Chan Yin-tong, who founded the business in 1877. The original Chan Luen Hing shop was located on Rua de Cinco de Outubro in Macau, with a factory on Rua do Entre-Campos

Various rituals and traditions following the dawn of a new year. In France, the Epiphany brings forth a time-honoured tradition that puts an iconic pastry at its fore. Every January, families and friends gather to share a galette des roi, or the King’s Cake, an indulgent, flaky pastry cake with a special filling. In case you haven’t heard of this tradition, nestled in a layer of custard within the galette des roi is a fève – literally translating to a bean, because traditionally a fava bean would be used – and the person who discovers it first in the lucky slice will be crowned royalty for the day. Bringing this tradition to life in Hong Kong, La Vache! is now offering its interpretation of this classic French pastry across its branches for dine-in and takeaway plus an enticing lucky draw.  From now until January 31, La Vache! is offering galette des roi for dine-in and takeaway, with a special ‘golden ticket’ — in the form of an almond — hidden within as a fève. Guests enjoying a meal of steak frites at the restaurant can round things off with a King’s Cake (you don’t need to stick the youngest child under the table, unless you want to), and the diner that finds the fève in their slice will be crowned royalty. The coronation will even be toasted with a complimentary round of bubbles for all. To cash in your lucky treat, simply share your discovery on Instagram. Don’t forget to tag the restaurant and use the hashtag #LaVacheRoyals for a chance to win two round-trip tickets to

“AI is coming for our jobs!” Or is it that we are coming for AI, and AI is coming into our jobs? Google Hong Kong has released the results of its annual Year in Search report, and the city’s trending keyword searches of 2025 included no fewer than four instances of AI in the top 10 alone, indicating pronounced interest in exploring AI technologies. Photograph: Courtesy Google Hong Kong The robots are here: Hong Kong’s AI obsession Generative AI chatbot DeepSeek ranked first, followed by AI assistant Grok at sixth, ByteDance’s multimodal AI Doubao at seventh, and Google Gemini at eighth, giving us a glimpse at the kind of AI tools that Hongkongers could be looking at incorporating into their personal and professional lives – or are already using as part of their day-to-day. Google populates its data-driven Year in Search report with the highest search-volume increases of the year, meaning that these topics had significant search surges in 2025. Photograph: Courtesy Google Hong Kong The stories that moved and shook us Other than AI, local news and celebrity passings also featured prominently in the top trending searches for keywords. November’s heartbreaking tragedy, the five-alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court, ranked second, while Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu and Hong Kong singer-songwriter Khalil Fong were close behind, prompted by their untimely deaths at 48 and 41, respectively. As expected, Wang Fuk Court also topped the list for top trending searches for local news, followe

The golden age of Hong Kong cinema saw the production of blockbuster titles like A Better Tomorrow (1986), The Conman (1998), and Infernal Affairs (2002). Packed with action, suspense, and good ol’ “nonsense” humour that’s representative of local comedies, these iconic crime films not only offer gripping stories but also capture the essence of life in our city in the 70s and 80s. Now, cinephiles and cultural enthusiasts can relive their favourite scenes from these classics at the Old Yau Ma Tei Police Station. Opened on January 2, the ‘Yau Ma Tei Police Station: A Cinematic Journey’ delves into local cop film classics through reconstructed sets, collectibles, original scripts, and much more.  Organisers couldn’t have picked a more apt setting for an exhibition spotlighting Hong Kong cop vs triad films. Not only did the façade of the Old Police Station appear as a backdrop for a good number of iconic titles, but the restored building also retains its original Edwardian architecture that’s representative of colonial buildings in the 20s, while the majority of the two-storey structure is opened for the public to explore. This nostalgic location definitely sets the stage for an immersive affair.  Photograph: Courtesy Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency Visitors enter through a retro-style cinema entrance before moving onto five immersive spaces: CID Office, Identification Parade Room, the Armoury, Surveillance Room, and Detention Cells. Designed by local filmmak