The Sevens are coming! Sassy’s Hong Kong Rugby Sevens events round-up

Around this time every year, a strange affliction overcomes many HKers; symptoms start around March time and sufferers are incapacitated for exactly one weekend… yes, it’s none other than Sevens Fever!

We’ve found the best way to treat Sevens Fever is to simply give up, give in and let it run riot! This year, the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens will be on from 23-25 March at Hong Kong Stadium, but there are plenty of pre and post Sevens events to get you in the mood and keep the party going long after the last tackle… so here’s our round-up of the best Sevens events around town, plus a chance to win tickets to the exclusive Louis Roederer Champagne Tent after-party!

Hong Kong Beach 5s
Get in the mood for some scrum action with a weekend of beach rugby action! There’ll be rugby, netball, inflatable games, prizes to be won, silent auctions, music, entertainment and an epic beach party to finish.

When: 17-18 March, 9am-7pm
Where: Repulse Bay Beach, Repulse Bay Road, Hong Kong
How much: $100 registration per player; free to watch
More info: www.hkbeach5s.com

Sevens at FLY
FLY has got two great events to see in the Sevens – on 15 March, there’s a Charity Auction where you can win a date with some buff rugby boys (with all proceeds going to Foodlink); then on 22 March, it’s Kukuri’s Opening Party, with drinks, party favours, Anil Ahuja spinning the decks and the chance to win a pair of Sevens tickets too.

Where: FLY, G/F, 24-30 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong
When: 15 March, 7pm; 22 March, 11pm (8pm for VIPs)
How much: Free
RSVP: [email protected]

Meet the Australian Team at Bisous
Get a sneak peek at some of the buff boys at Bisous, where they will be hosting an evening with the Australian Rugby Sevens Team. There will be canapés, a very well-stocked open bar and even an auction to try and get your mitts on a pair of last-minute Sevens tickets for the big weekend itself!

When: 21 March, 6.30-9.30pm
Where: Bisous, 9/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2501 0002
How much: Member $375, non-members $425
RSVP: Email [email protected] to buy tickets before 15 March

Hong Kong Tens
Seven hot rugby boys not enough for you? How about trying teams of ten instead! Two days of great competition will ensure this is a treat for fans of sport… and of men running around in shorts. Catch it on NowTV if you can’t make it in person.

When: 21-22 March, 10am
Where: Hong Kong Football Club, 3 Sports Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry Wednesday, $100 Thursday
More info: www.hongkongtens.com

Louis Roederer Champagne Tent
The hottest, most exclusive after-party means you get to rub shoulder with the stars, sip on some champers (courtesy of Louis Roederer of course) and party the night away in Sevens Village! There will also be delicious food, live music from Black Widow and DJ Doze on decks, whilst buying a ticket means you get an access-all-areas pass to the Village, including the Village Pub, for the whole weekend.

It’s the place to see and be seen, and tickets are already sold out (although there are a limited number of Friday-only tickets available)… but we’ve managed to snag two pairs of give away! Simply fill out the form below.

When: 23-25 March
Where: Sevens Village, opposite Hong Kong Stadium
How much: $300 (three nights entry only, drinks not included)
RSVP: Book tickets at www.ironmongerevents.com or by phoning 2530 2773

San Miguel LKF Rugby Fest
The biggest post-rugby party… well it had to be in Lan Kwai Fong, didn’t it? The San Miguel x LKF Rugby Fest will have over 20 beer booths, a performance stage, rugby-themed decoration (perfect for photo opps!), fun beer games and limited-edition commemorative rugby balls for all comers, whilst stocks last.

When: 24 March, 6pm til late
Where: Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free

Mini Pulled Burgers at Café Causette
To celebrate the Hong Kong Sevens, Café Causette at the Mandarin Oriental is launching a special platter of five mini burgers, the ultimate rugby snack and served only until Sevens Weekend itself. You then get to vote your fave burger through to becoming a permanent fixture on the menu by heading to their Facebook Page – check out our full review of the scrummy mini treats here!

When: Until 25 March, 7-9.30pm
Where: Café Causette, Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2825 4005
How much: $88
More info: www.facebook.com/MandarinOrientalHongKong

Bar Bites Of Champions at The News Room
In addition to screening all the games, The News Room will be doing happy hour prices on standard drinks on 23 March and buy one, get one free on all standard drinks over the weekend. They’ve also put together a scrummy sounding Bar Bites Of Champions menu celebrating some of the big team’s nations – including fish and chips for the UK, lamb skewers for New Zealand and chicken wings for the USA. Tuck in!

When: 23-25 March
Where: The News Room, 33 Tong Chong Street, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong, 2562 3444
How much: Bar Bites menu $52 per person, $180 for four people to share (plus 10% service charge)

Bar pass at Linguini Fini
Watch the action from the comfort of Linguini Fini’s new ground-floor bar – where for just $150 per person, you can get a bar pass that bags you a pitcher of Peroni or Blood Mary, plus a set of six signature Linguini Fini chicken wings or pizza. Two-for-one drinks will be served all weekend from 11am-7pm, whilst the kitchen is on standby to dish up delicious bar snacks throughout to help it all go down!

Where: Linguini Fini, The Bar, G/F, The L Place, 139 Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2857 1333
How much: Bar pass $150

Pie & A Pint at The Pawn
The Living Room at The Pawn will be broadcasting live screenings, to watch whilst downing your pitcher of San Miguel or a pint plus a pie too! The regular a la carte menu will also be available at The Living Room from 6am so you can enjoy a ‘Breakfast of Champions’ and ensure you’re well nourished for the festivities ahead.

When: 23-25 March
Where: The Pawn, The Living Room, 1/F, 62 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2866 3444
How much: Pitcher $250; pie and pint $180

Watch the action at The Globe
When it comes to places to watch the Sevens if you haven’t bagged tickets, you’ll be hard pressed to find a screen in any bar or pub that ISN’T showing the action! But one of our favourites has to be The Globe, where you can enjoy the games on the comfy sofas and dig into one of their much-loved pies! There’s also a great selection of beers, the best Bloody Marys and all-day Happy Hour prices. The only downside, says manager Tony? He can’t guarantee a streaker!

Where: 45 Graham Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2543 1941

Café Deco venues in LKF and Wan Chai
Enjoy the action at one of the Café Deco Group’s bars and pubs in LKW or Wan Chai, with beers served in a yard glass (from $55). Pre Sevens weekend, head to Pickled Pelican in Central or Bourbon in Soho and get a chance to win some Sevens tickets with every purchase of Carlsberg, plus stock up on some special Sevens merchandise.

Where: Stormies LKF, Marlin, La Bodega, The Keg, Typhoon, Swindler’s, Blue Goose, Pickled Pelican, Bourbon; Lan Kwai Fong and Wan Chai (see full addresses here)

Keep your eyes peeled for our guide to surviving the Sevens Sassy-style on Friday!