Dating ain’t easy. Not only do you have to be cute, funny, charming, and witty — you also have to come up with great ideas for things to do.
Sure, there’s always the staid dinner, drinks, coffee, or a movie but sometimes you want to bring a bit more to the table. Not to worry, Hong Kong has you covered with endless opportunities to try something unique with your paramour.
Try getting into the outdoors, laughing at comedy together, or listening to some cool jazz. Whatever you decide, fun is sure to follow.
Try Small Batch Whisky
Ok, we admit we’re personally fans of 001’s whisky and cocktail selection, and we loved it so much we included it in our list of best speakeasies and hidden bars.
This cosy bar is hidden away behind a black door and a door bell, behind the vegetable stalls of Wellington Street. All you have to do is press the doorbell, and you will be taken downstairs to a dimly-lit speakeasy for a bit of clandestine drinking and dining. It’s small, dark, the music is just loud enough for you and your date to have a conversation, and the food isn’t half bad either.
Address: Shop 1, L/F, Welley Building, 97 Wellington Street, Central
Hours: Monday 6pm-1am, Tuesday to Thursday 12pm-2am, Friday 6pm-3am, Saturday 7pm-3am
Phone: +852 2810 6969
Check out more via OpenRice and Facebook
Listen to Cool Jazz
For those of you who want a speakeasy date place that’s a bit livelier and sophisticated, there’s always the Foxglove, a travel-inspired bar decked out like a luxury liner disguised as an umbrella boutique store.
It also happens to be one of the best live music venues in the city town, hosting regular music nights playing everything from Bebop jazz to soul — that’s why it made it onto our list of the best jazz clubs in Hong Kong. Remember to wear your suit or best dress for this place.
Address: G/F, 18 Ice House Street, 6 Duddell Street, Central
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 12pm-3pm and 5pm-1am, Friday 12pm-3:30pm and 5pm-3am, Saturday 5pm-3am
Phone: +852 2116 8949
Check out more via their website, OpenRice, Facebook
Try a Love Tribute Restaurant
If an uber-romantic candle-lit date night is what you’re after, this romantic restaurant has contemporary European food, beautiful decor, and a breathtaking view of Victoria Harbour. It’s located in a glass-walled space on the roof of IFC mall and billed as “a tribute to love,” Dear Lilly is a floral wonderland adorned with vintage perfume bottles, heart-shaped booths, and love letters.
Address: Shop 4010, Podium Level 4, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central
Opening hours: Sunday to Monday 11am-12am, Tuesday to Wednesday 11am-1am, Thursday to Saturday 11am-2am
Phone: +852 2771 6060
Check out more via their website
Watch Unusual Cinema and Chat over Cake and Books
For those of you who want something a bit more than the conventional movie date, Broadway Cinematheque in Yau Ma Tei screens a large number of art and indie films on top of the usual mainstream releases. After you’re done with your film, head down to the neighboring Kubrick cafe and bookshop for cake and a chat about your favorite reads.
Address:Prosperous Garden, 3 Public Square Street, Yaumatei
Opening hours: 10:30am-10pm
Phone: +852 2388 0002
Check out more via their website
Hike Hong Kong’s Most Famous Trail
For those who would prefer a date outdoors, how about a hike on Dragon’s Back and end with a beach trip to Shek O? It’s a not too strenuous hike, so you don’t have to worry about looking too sweaty and gross when you reach the top, and the best part is you get to finish off the hike at one of the best beaches in the city.
Address: Starts at Shek O Road
Opening Hours: Best to finish before sunset
Check out this website to learn more
Take a Day Trip to a Small Island
This small island is a 40 minute ferry ride away, and it’s also famous for the Cheung Chau bun festival, where participants race against each other to the top of a tower of buns while collecting as many as they can along the way. But aside from that, it’s an idyllic island that’s perfect for a day trip with your date. Start off the date with an easy hike around the island where along the way you will see the small great wall and Cheung Po Tsai’s cave, maybe just a nice stroll through the quiet Cheung Chau neighborhood, and end it with a meal at one of the many seafood restaurants lining the waterfront with a view of the sunset.
Or Pass the Day on a Hippie Island
Mellow, laid-back and green are just some of the words that come to mind when people think of Lamma Island. Go on a nice leisurely hike from Sok Kwu Wan to Yung Shue Wan and end the day with a meal at one of the many seafood restaurants along the Yung Shue Wan pier, followed by a beer at the bar or the beach. Or skip the hike altogether and just have a picnic and beer at Power Station beach as the sun sets.
Get Into a Carb Coma Together
We at Coconuts HK are fans of Fratelli’s, a Repulse Bay-based pasta bar’s, lasagne. Spend an afternoon on the beach for a couple of hours, soak up the sun, and then saunter over to Fratelli’s in the early evening for some spaghetti, cocktails and a sunset. What could be more romantic than that?
Address: The Pulse, G/F, Shop 112B, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay
Opening Hours: 12-10pm daily
Phone: +852 2887 0082
Check out more via their Facebook.
Leave the Earth Behind
Nothing’s more romantic than feeling like you’re on air with your love — literally. The Peninsula Hotel has a flying option for those of you who really want to impress someone. Choose from their dining, tea, or spa services paired with a helicopter ride over Hong Kong.
Address: Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
Opening Hours: Flights can be arranged daily from 9am until sunset
Phone: +852 2696 6691
To find out more visit their website
Ride Rollercoasters like Kids Again
There’s something freeing about acting like a little kids again. Let go of your grown-up persona and frolic with an ice cream while you wait on line for ferris wheels and rollercoasters. Perhaps you can even win a giant stuffed teddy bear for your date.
Address:180 Wong Chuk Hang Rd.
Opening Hours: Mon, Wed-Fri 10am–7pm, Tue 10am–8:30pm, Sat-Sun 10am–9pm
Phone: +852 3923 2323
To find out more visit their website
Laugh Together at a Comedy Club
Laughter is the best medicine and laughing with a new person can be a real bonding experience. Take the pressure off yourself and your possibly bad jokes and let someone else be funny at The Punchline Comedy Club. And hey, if the comedians suck, you can groan together and sneak out.
Address: Tamarind. 2/F Sun Hung Kai Centre 30 Harbour Road Wanchai
Opening Hours: Shows daily at 9pm
Phone: +852 2598 1222
To find out more visit their website
Pose for Photos in the Park
Take a break from the hectic Tsim Sha Tsui and head for the quiet and spacious Kowloon Park. Pose for photos by the avenue of comic stars — which comprises 24 large statues of some of Hong Kong’s favourite cartoon characters — and take a stroll through the rose garden.
Address: 22 Austin Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
Opening Hours: 5am-midnight
To find out more visit their website
Be Overwhelmed By Hong Kong on the Waterfront
If Kowloon Park isn’t for you, take a stroll along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade away from the tourist crowd and enjoy the view of the Hong Kong island skyline. There’s lots to look at here, from other tourists, to the sometimes-rough waters, to boats, and all the wonders of Hong Kong’s famed skyscrapers.
Address: Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Opening Hours: Around the clock
To find out more visit their website
