Even for someone as laughably ignorant as this article’s author about the world of professional sport, it quickly became apparent just how much rugby sevens means to the city of Hong Kong.
Earlier this April, I was back at +852 for the tournament’s 30th edition, and after almost five years of tourism disruption and COVID chaos, it was truly spine-chilling to see supporters from France, England and Australia turn out in droves.
Related: An Insider’s Travel Guide for 96 Hours in Hong Kong
Figures released by the Hong Kong China Rugby Union (HCKR) showed that of the 40,000 tickets sold this year, over 40% were to international visitors, a fact that may have something to do with the news that this will be the last year that the landmark event will be held at the Hong Kong Stadium.
For Hong Kong natives and expats, the stadium is an iconic venue, known for its proximity to Wan Chai nightlife, Causeway Bay shopping and in-game antics that, in the words of HCKR boss Robbie McRobbie, “put a Glasgow bachelor party to shame.” And in 2025, the multi-billion-dollar Kai Tak Sports Park will become the new home of international rugby.
(Image credit: @iamesleung // Instagram)
Related: FortyFive Hong Kong’s hippest rooftop bar in Asia is just the tip of the iceberg
Fortunately, from the (relative) safety of my Cathay Pacific corporate box, I was able to view the lager-fueled atmosphere of madness, emanating mainly from the stadium’s notorious South Stand, as an abstract concept rather than a direct threat.
So I started thinking: how do you make the most of the 72 hours of the Hong Kong Sevens, other than playing dozens of thrilling football matches?
We hope BH readers will find some useful tips below…
(Image credit: @iamesleung // Instagram)
Cathay Pacific operates four flights daily between Sydney and Hong Kong, plus three flights per day from Melbourne. For up-to-date flight schedules from major Australian cities, visit the Cathay Pacific website.
#1 — Get a costume at Pottinger Street (Central)
Known for its infamously uneven cobbled staircase, Pottinger Street is a must-see for international visitors. This wide, steep street is lined with around a dozen shops selling fancy dress supplies, but it’s worth a visit even if you don’t plan on going in.
Built in the mid-19th century as a vertical walkway connecting Hollywood Road and Queen’s Road Central, this iconic thoroughfare is now renowned for its wide range of stalls selling costumes, accessories and budget knick-knacks, making it a convenient one-stop shop for all your fancy dress needs come New Year’s Eve, Halloween and, of course, the Hong Kong Sevens.
Located in the heart of Central, this vertical street doubles as a shortcut to many of Downtown’s most popular attractions. A Grade I listed landmark, this modest cobblestone street is also a living conduit between the city’s colonial past and cyberpunk future.
Nearby attractions: Yat Lok, The Pottinger Hotel, Central Market, McNoodle, Luk Yu Tea House
#2 — Stay in Lanson Place (Causeway Bay)
Even if you’re not a rugby fanatic planning on spending every waking moment inside the Hong Kong Stadium watching the HK7s adventure, the nearby Lanson Place Hotel has plenty to recommend it.
Part of the SLH family (“Small Luxury Hotels of the World”), this French-inspired hideaway was specifically designed with lovers of quiet luxury in mind: from the building’s discreet side entrance to the Pierre-Yves Rochon décor, the adjectives that strike most deeply are “understated” and “cozy.”
While many of Hong Kong’s luxury hotels tend to take a very flashy approach to luxury hospitality, Lanson Place is intended to appeal to well-heeled urbanites who, frankly, just want to be left alone. Sure, it doesn’t have Michelin-starred restaurants or a spa with a six-week wait, but what it lacks in flashy amenities it makes up for in ambiance and proximity.
Our signature all-day dining spot, Salon Lanson, is a beautiful space to spend the afternoon with a book or your laptop, and our location on Leighton Road means that all the dining, sightseeing and shopping in Causeway Bay is just a stone’s throw away.
Nearby attractions: Times Square, Jardine Bazaar, Fashion Walk, Eslite Bookstore
#3 — Kick On to Lan Kwai Fong (Central)
Lan Kwai Fong (commonly known as “LKF”) is so notorious that it has its own Instagram-based meme account, and is Hong Kong’s answer to Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Soi 11 or Seoul’s Itaewon/Gangnam quagmire.
Traditionally bustling most days of the week, this club and entertainment district is a popular stop-off over Hong Kong Sevens weekend, with a total of over 90 bars and restaurants to choose from for your after-party.
Like many of +852’s public arenas, the height at which you play often dictates the price range, with sports bars and shisha lounges located on the ground floor and club-like establishments located 10 to 20 floors above.
Luckily for out-of-towners who aren’t planning on getting too drunk, LKF is also home to a host of world-famous eateries – you’ll find the only Asian branch of Mario Carbone’s eponymous Italian-American party restaurant here – and plenty of raucous brunch options, like Tokio Joe, which is partly located underground.
Nearby attractions: Carbon, Casio, Sam Fancy, Dragon-I, Fringe Club
#4 — Drinking on rooftops (various locations)
Hong Kong Island’s famously vertical, Blade Runner-esque skyline calls for sunset rooftop drinks, and the mild weather (around 21°C to 26°C) that typically accompanies Sevens weekend proves perfect for such activities.
If you arrive on Friday afternoon when HK7 matches begin and miss the start of the tournament celebrations, you might be better off giving in to your out-of-town impulses and heading straight for the nearest (and most fashionable) rooftop.
If you’re staying near the Hong Kong Stadium, Sky at Causeway Bay is a very good option, boasting unobstructed views of Victoria Harbour and Tsim Sha Tsui beyond.
Meanwhile, luxury seekers (the so-called J-Class and corporate box brigade) are advised to head straight for Central’s Cardinal Point, which sits on the 45th floor of the Landmark Shopping & Office Complex and is the exclamation point of a rooftop bar that adorns a fine-dining complex.
A multi-concept venue that combines Shell House and 80 Collins Street, it’s a must-visit for tourists visiting Hong Kong when they want to indulge.
#5 — Find Bargains at Temple Street Night Market (Jordan)
It goes without saying, but we’ll say it again: you can have a lot of fun in Hong Kong without spending a lot of money – or really, very little.
For those wanting to experience +852 as authentically as possible, a trip to the “dark side” (the somewhat derogatory name given by locals to the Kowloon side of Hong Kong) is well worth your time.
Naturally, you might not know where to start, which is why we suggest your first stop be Temple Street Night Market, known for its fluorescent signs, numerous food stalls, and the constantly photographed red arches.
If you’re a fan of high-end TV shows and happen to have seen Amazon Prime’s The Expats (starring Nicole Kidman), then you’ve almost certainly seen Temple Street on your big screen.
Nearby attractions: Eaton Hong Kong, Kubrick, Australian Dairy Company
#6 — Eating your way through Asia’s most amazing food cities (various locations)
Pictured (L-R): Kam Centre Roast Goose’s iconic “First Cut” Char Siu and one of Shanghai hideaway’s elegantly decorated dining rooms.
It’s a fact that’s probably been pointed out time and time again by your overly enthusiastic (i.e. annoying) foodie friends, but if the defining holiday experience is eating and drinking, few foodie cities in Asia can rival Hong Kong.
Simply put, you can enjoy very tasty meals here at a range of budgets, and although we’ve already recommended a number of eateries in this article, there are a few we haven’t mentioned yet that are worthy of their own dedicated page space.
The first, and perhaps most Hong Kong-esque, is a modest dining room in a recreation centre near Hong Kong Stadium, next door to (drum roll) a bowling alley. Contrary to appearances, the chef here is an alumnus of the Michelin-starred Kam’s Roast Goose franchise, and his credentials are clear from the moment you put into your mouth the restaurant’s specialities of whole roasted goose and sweet char siu (barbecued pork).
At the other end of the spectrum, The Merchants is a sleek dining room specialising in Shanghainese cuisine, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Central. Conveniently located one floor below Cardinal Point, the restaurant is the perfect elegant (and tasteful) introduction for large parties to one of the most influential Chinese cuisines outside of Cantonese, particularly for business travellers looking to drum up new business during Sevens.
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