Beef, beats and a brand new space
Team Sassy is filled to the brim with foodies, so when heard about the Beef & Liberty pop-up at PMQ, a mere ten minute walk from our office, we quickly dropped all prior lunch plans and paid them a visit. Most of us had been to Beef & Liberty at some point in the past and were already big fans of their delicious burgers and that mouthwatering cookie skillet, but this new pop-up offered something a bit different. As soon as we walked in to PMQ, we knew that the experience would be entirely new, and we certainly weren’t disappointed!
The first thing we spotted as we neared the entrance of the space was a spray painted Beef & Liberty sign on the wall right outside, and it was the perfect way to set the tone and vibe of the pop up: funky, urban and very, very cool. This was reflected in every corner of the space, from the exposed walls featuring more street art from well known graffiti artists around HK, to the sleek bar and stage for live music. The pop-up is entirely self-service, so you can go up, grab your food and pick wherever you want to sit. It’s not difficult to imagine this turning into a lively nighttime spot (which regularly features live music and hip hop dance battles!) at all.
Oh man, the food. We could go on for hours about the food. Never has a carrot delighted our palates more, we promise you. We sampled the Crispy Carrots ($38), the Beef Brisket Croquettes ($32) and the Creamed Corn Off the Cob ($42). Each appetiser was seasoned to perfection and quickly polished off at the Sassy table (we can’t help how hungry we get around lunch, ok?).
Now on to the mains, which were Beef & Liberty’s famous burgers of course! Between the whole team, we covered all the B&L options; the classic burger lovers went for the indulgent Bacon Cheese ($122), I opted for my personal favourite – the melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork slider ‘The Notorious P.I.G‘ ($98), and those looking for a light bite chose the surprisingly flavourful Pump Up The Beet ($90) veggie option with goat’s cheese and beetroot. We absolutely loved the range of options, which meant that was something for everyone on the team, no matter their preference. Of course, both the Liberty and the Sweet Potato fries went with our burgers wonderfully, and they didn’t stay on the table long after we got our hands on them!
Finally, if you’re a dessert person (like I 100% am), you will love the Vanilla & Cookie ($38) that we ended our lunch with. A perfect mix of soft, crunchy and sweet, this dessert had us all rolling back to the office after our meal was over.
Although we didn’t get to sample the craft beers or cocktails – as much as I tried, no one was convinced that 1pm was the new 5pm – there is a great selection for you to pick from, and they’d go beautifully with a slider or two during happy hour. A special shout-out for the adorable mason jars of lemonade we got to quench our thirst with throughout the meal, not only were they delicious but they made for some Insta-worthy photos!
PMQ is the perfect spot for Beef & Liberty to do such a – dare I say it – hipster pop-up concept. It’s easy to imagine how the space would transform from a casual lunch time spot to a night time lounge. You’re surrounded by modern street art throughout the space, so this is truly an Instagrammer’s paradise. But whether or not you are a social media fiend, you will love the experience of relaxing with your friends, eating some delicious food and listening to great music while you’re at it. The pop-up has all your favourites from Beef & Liberty (and more!) but the experience is unique in its own way, blending dining, music and art. Whether this becomes your new lunch spot or your go-to happy hour hangout, you’re going to leave with a satisfied belly and a huge smile on your face – we certainly did!
Beef & Liberty PMQ Pop Up is open Sun – Thurs, noon – 9pm; Fri-Sat, noon – 11pm. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates on happy hour deals and weekend happenings!