GBA Lifestyle News
Summer might the time for some fun in the sun — but in Hong Kong, this also means typhoon season with plenty of crazy rainfalls. Don’t want to just Netflix and chill when it’s pouring outside? Here are some ideas for a rainy day in the SAR:
Given the great number of book lovers in Hong Kong, Taiwanese lifestyle and book chain Eslite Bookstore is definitely a good place to linger on a rainy day. Even if you are not a bookworm, Eslite offers more than tomes, including a restaurant and café, and mini shops that stock everything from stationery to fashion accessories.
Eslite Bookstore, 8/F-10/F, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay | 2/F-3/F, Harbour City Star Annex, 3 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | G/F-1/F, Taikoo Shing, 18 Tai Koo Shing Road, 3419-6761.
There are quite a few board game cafés in Hong Kong, especially in Wan Chai, Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok. Painkiller Boardgame Cafe and Jolly Thinkers are a few of our faves, with reasonable pricing, food and drinks, and hundreds of board games to choose from. Just make sure you call to book a table beforehand.
Painkiller Boardgame Café, Shop 5C, 2 Carnarvon Road, Tsim Sha Tsui , 3568-3227
Jolly Thinkers, 11/F, 99 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, 2527-2882 | 14/F, Capricorn Centre, 155 Sai Yeung Choi Street North, Mong Kok, 3107-1160.
Verm City is the closest alternative to adrenaline-pumping outdoor sports when the skies are gray. This spacious indoor rock climbing gym is the first in Hong Kong to have an augmented climbing wall: one that incorporates projected graphics and body movement tracking to create interactive games while you climb. Besides the conventional walls for climbing and bouldering, the gym also features 19 obstacles of different difficulty levels for all ages. If you are an adrenaline junkie, try the vertical slide that slowly elevates a player to 6-meter height and allows them to free fall down.
Verm City, 4/F Kodak House 1, 321 Java Street, Quarry Bay, 2560-8128
Got a lot of energy? Located just one floor below Verm City is Ryze Ultimate Trampoline Park, where you can burn some calories by jumping on its various trampolines and challenging yourself in its obstacle stations. For those who live closer to the Kowloon side, Bounce Inc. in Kowloon Bay might be a more convenient option for you.
Ryze Ultimate Trampoline Park, 3/F Kodak House 1, 321 Java Road, Quarry Bay, 2337-8191.
Bounce Inc., G/F E-Max, Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay, 2556-9555.
Good news for the sleep-deprived who still want to go out on a rainy day: socializing with friends and sleeping are no longer mutually exclusive. Chillazy is a comfortable hammock lounge that kills two birds with one stone. With free Wi-Fi, coffee and tea, simple kitchen appliances including a toaster and microwave, and no extra charge for bringing outside food and drinks, you are welcome to chitchat with friends, have a unique indoor hammock picnic experience, or simply take a nap in the cozy and spacious environment at Chillazy.
Chillazy, Flat P, 10/F, Kwun Tong Industrial Centre Phase 3, 448-458 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong, 6533-3984.
For the cultured, there are some art spaces in Hong Kong that are perfect for a rainy day of browsing. Para Site is an independent contemporary art center that actively produces exhibitions and educational projects on a regular basis.
Meanwhile, the Asia Society brings Asian arts to the local community via exhibitions, movie screenings, performances and educational talks.
Para Site, 22/F, Wing Wah Industrial Building, 677 King’s Road, Quarry Bay, 25174620.
Asia Society, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Former Explosives Magazine, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty, Hong Kong.
If shopping at department stores is too mainstream for you, or you simply love DIY and vintage items, D2 Place is the perfect place to go. Its daily and weekend markets are both held indoors, with no entrance fee. If you go on a weekend, make sure you also pop over to the weekend market at D2 Place TWO, where you can hunt for knick knacks at up to 70 stalls.
D2 Place ONE, 9 Cheung Yee Street, Lai Chi Kok | D2 Place TWO, 15 Cheung Shun Street, Lai Chi Kok, 3620-3098.
If the unpredictable weather in Hong Kong has once again messed up your plans, feel free to unleash your anger at Ikari Area, Hong Kong’s first anger room — where you can legally smash everything and vandalize to your heart’s content. To make sure it’s done safely, protective gear including coveralls, a helmet, face shield, goggles, gloves, vests and shoe covers are provided with your weapon of choice.
Ikari Area, Flat A, 12/F, 16-18 Hing Yip Street, Mai Hing Industrial Building, Kwun Tong, 9085-5921.
