Your Go-To Guide To PMQ, Hong Kong’s Most Creative Address

Once the city’s old Police Married Quarters, PMQ is now one of HK’s most thriving artsy hubs. Our guide to PMQ showcases its highlights from au courant shopping spots to hipster cafés and emerging local designers, only a 10 minute walk from the Hive Central x CCG Commons, Hong Kong.

Once Hong Kong’s first Queen’s College back in the 1890s before being repurposed as the city’s Hollywood Road Police Married Headquarters, in 2014, PMQ reopened its doors again – this time as a one-stop shop dedicated to bringing together Hong Kong’s creatives. A huge, multi-storey space housing up-and-coming designers, hip boutiques, cool exhibitions and an array of cafés and restaurants, it’s the perfect place to while away a day shopping and eating – and one well worth exploring. Channel your inner boho and keep up to date with Hive Life’s guide to PMQ.

Best Cafés & Restaurants at PMQ

Levain Bakery

Bringing a piece of Europe to Hong Kong, Levain Bakery definitely lives up to its nourishing name. With its array of freshly made artisan breads, baguettes and brioche, this authentic French spot specialises in sourdough – and is a great place to start your PMQ journey. Looking for a healthy option? They also carry vegan and gluten-free options, so get bread-y for some European goodness.

Insider Tip: Freshly-made granita alongside Ethiopia coffee topped with vanilla cream? Treat yourself.

Address: Block B, Unit H105 & H107, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central
Open From: Mon – Sun: 10 am – 7 pm

Sohofama

Sohofama, a collaboration between local shopping Mecca Goods of Desire (G.O.D.) and healthy food expert Locofama, is where urban farming meets local Hong Kong cooking. Using locally sourced, organic ingredients wherever possible (some sourced from their own mini-farm growing on the restaurant’s terrace,) this relaxed, good-for-you eatery serves up the healthy take on classic Chinese dishes – think Black Truffle Xiao Long Bao, Drunken Local Prawns and Detox Potion Broth – with some great cocktails and a breezy vibe.

Insider Tip: The herbal soup collections are a definite must!

Address: G/F, Block A, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen St, Central
Open From: Mon – Sun: 12 pm – 11 pm

IG: @levainbakeryhk
IG: @sohofama

Bar Sake Central

Built by a multicultural team of individuals hailing from Japan, Europe, and North America, Sake Central is a moody, minimalist bar dedicated to Japan’s national drink. Promoting Japanese traditions along with a modern take on sake culture, head to their tasting bar to check out the very best of their extremely extensive collection. With a scrumptious food menu and elegant decor served up on the side, here’s a great spot to kickstart a good night out – so, oh for goodness sake, what else are you waiting for?

Insider Tip: If you’re a sake newbie, the very friendly founders are on hand to help you choose the bottle of sake that suits you best.

Address: S109-S113, Block A, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong
Open From: Tue – Sun: 6 pm – 11 pm

Garden Meow

With books, Taiwanese gourmet and some fresh beer, you’d better start planning your next hangout at Garden Meow! Located straight off PMQ’s entrance, this vibrant café stands out with its bright, vintage exterior. If discovering fresh authors and munching on some Taiwanese drunken chicken sounds right up your street, then Garden Meow is your place.

Insider Tip: Make sure your camera is fully charged – there are Insta options aplenty here.

Address: HG01-HG05, G/F, Block B, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central
Open From: Mon – Sun: 11:30 am – 10:30 pm

IG: @sakecentral
IG: @gardenmeow

Café Life

After channelling your inner hipster at PMQ’s shopping outlets all day, you’ll surely need a cup of coffee to regain all that energy. Located in block A, Café Life is your one-stop shop for some delicious, high-quality and – most importantly – freshly-made coffee made from some of the highest-quality beans.

Insider Tip: The pastries are a hit too! Can’t stop, won’t stop.

Address: S106, Block A Staunton, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central
Open From: Mon – Sun: 10:30 am – 7 pm

Taste Kitchen

You’re in for an exciting ride at Taste Kitchen, a cool dining concept that plays host to a different up-and-coming chef each month. Conceived to encourage and promote promising food creatives all around Hong Kong, here’s where to head to taste the dishes of the city’s next cadre of master chefs. Built on the belief that every chef should have a chance to dream and a restaurant to shine, this is a culinary adventure worth getting on board with.

Insider Tip: Keep an eye on the website each month to learn about the restaurant’s newest talents!

Address: H113-H114, 1/F, Hollywood, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Hong Kong
Open From: 13/04/2019 – 12/05/2019 – Tue – Fri: 12 pm – 8 pm, Sat – Sun & Public Holiday: 11 am – 9 pm

FB: @pmqcafelife
IG: @pmqtastekitchen

Best Boutiques at PMQ

Isatisse

From stupefying phone cases to patches on denim, Isabel Tong is all set to take you for a creative ride with her quirky label Isatisse. What can you expect? Lots of distinctive patterns and designs on jackets, T-shirts, dresses and more that are inspired by a big-headed redhead with a peppy personality who goes by the name Abel, bringing out the perfect mixture of retro and vintage.

Insider Tip: A must-have? Isatisse’s classic phone cases!

Address: YC, Shop 406, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Hong Kong
Open From: Keep an eye out on their website for store opening hours!

Andrew Kayla

Step aside! We have a sneaker specialist in town. Offering modish footwear for both men and women, Andrew Kayla first launched in 2016 and today carries two stylish collections, Able and Ready (AAR) and Andrew Kayla Classic today. Right from the start, the brand set out to sell sophisticated sneaker designs available in a range of colours perfect for every outfit colour. Check out his store for some sleek and stylish kicks.

Insider Tip: Stop by the brand’s second Hong Kong branch at Kwun Tong ’cause let’s be real: can we really own too many shoes?

Address: S406, 4/F, Block A, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Hong Kong
Open From: 11:30 am – 8 pm

IG: @isatisse
IG: @andrewkayla

Kapok

Quality and originality are what cool concept store Kapok is all about. With its carefully curated array of brands across fashion and lifestyle, expect to find an appealing mix of modern, classic clothing and accessories, interesting books, unique homeware and excellent tech accessories. After a long, successful journey, The Kapok Tree today carries six locations all around Hong Kong with the primary aim of bringing around future classics (new and enduring items) to Asia.

Insider Tip: Join Kapok’s Instagram competition for a chance to win something every week this May!

Address: HG10-12, G/F, Hollywood, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Hong Kong
Open From: Mon – Sun: 11 am – 8 pm

Waka Artisans

Waka Artisans brings the best of Japanese handcrafted ceramics to Hong Kong. Exhibiting products from the heartland of Japan’s ceramic tradition, the Kasama region, head to Waka for handmade sake cups, plates, bowls, tableware and much more that have all been elegantly created and then individually selected by founder, Takako Kosciuszko. Find out more in our interview with her here.

Insider Tip: From sake to craft workshops, be sure to keep an eye out on Waka Artisans’s Facebook page to learn more about their upcoming workshops.

Address: S303, Block A, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Hong Kong
Open From: Mon – Sun: 12 pm – 7:30 pm

IG: @kapok
IG: @wakaartisans

Chailie Ho

Ladies, this one’s for you. Chailie Ho, a woman full of imagination and creativity, has used her skills to build an elegant and empowering womenswear label. Known for her hand-printed scarves, this Central St Martins-trained designer specialises in feminine shapes and patterns and is inspired by her hometown of Hong Kong. Head to her boutique to see one of the city’s homegrown fashion talents at work.

Insider Tip: Join Chailie Ho’s Create Your Own Dream Dress workshop which takes place the first Sunday of every month!

Address: S409, 4/F, Block A, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Hong Kong
Open From: Mon – Sun: 1 pm – 8 pm

Coney & Co.

Founded by Coney R. Ko, Coney & Co. is a hand-made, sustainable jewellery brand that delivers an accessory for every occasion. Check it out for artisanal pieces crafted with semi-precious stones that will give you a point of difference. Targeting individuals who are always ready to indulge in a piece of happiness, Coney does not disappoint.

Insider Tip: With summer around the corner, the vibrant Solar Collection is an ideal investment!

Address: H203, 2/F, Block B, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Hong Kong
Open From: Mon – Sun: 1 pm – 7 pm