Hasn’t time flown? Yes, it’s that time of year again… the Rugby Sevens are set to descend on Hong Kong for another wild weekend from 22-24 March 2013! Regardless of whether you’ve actually bagged tickets to the stadium itself, Sevens fever will be spreading throughout all of HK – and we’ve rounded up the best Sevens events, parties and promotions around town for you to join in the fun!
P.S. Don’t forget to check out our guide to surviving the Sevens (including where to buy costumes and what essentials to bring to the South Stands) here!
Bubba Gump on the Peak
To get into the spirit of the Sevens, why not get the party started at Bubba Gump with their first ever Beer Fiesta? The restaurant will be decked out in true Sevens style with bunting galore, live games on the TV and beer from around the world to sip on, including Leffe, Boddington’s, James Boag’s and Beck’s. Make the most of the special beer promotions and packages running left right and centre (including a 3 litre beer tower served with Bubba Gump’s signature appetiser sampler) and grab some delish beer snacks to make sure your lunch isn’t a purely liquid one!
When: 15-31 March
Where: Shop 304&305, The Peak Tower, 128 Peak Road, The Peak, Hong Kong, 2849 2867
How much: 3 pints of 20oz beer for $168 ($300 with appetiser), 4 bottles or cans of beer $158, 3 litre beer tower with appetiser sampler $380
Rugby at Hysan Place
Prep for Sevens fever in style with the 10 day rugby-themed carnival at Hysan Place mall! There will be a Jack Wills pop-up store selling exclusive Varsity Rugby products that are certain to become part of your Sevens wardrobe over the weekend (and beyond!), plus an interactive Rugby Kinect game to test your ball skills, Cathay Pacific souvenirs and fun photo opps with the handsome Jack Wills royal guards too!
When: 15-24 March
Where: Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Hong Kong Beach 5s
Get in the mood for some scrum action with Asia’s biggest beach sports tournament… We’re talking the Hong Kong Beach 5s – two days, three sports and one massive party! Expect a great day out in the sun with beach rugby, dodge ball and netball games, live music, fun entertainment, cool giveaways and a huge beach party to make sure the 5s go out with a bang!
When: 16-17 March
Where: Repulse Bay Beach, Repulse Bay Road, Hong Kong
How much: Free to watch!
Rula Bula
Is the only Jamaican sports team you can think of the bobsled one from Cool Runnings?! Well, come rectify that and meet the Jamaican Reggae Warriors Rugby Team! They’ll be at Rula Bula for Welcome & Farewell Parties, where you can meet the boys, enjoy special Jamaican cocktails and food, and party down to reggae and dancehall music all night long!
When: Welcome Party 18 March & Farewell Party 24 March, from 6pm onwards
Where: Rula Bula, 58-62 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong, 2179 5225
How much: Welcome Party $250 (including welcome drink and canapés), Farewell Party $150 (including welcome drink)
Eclipse Group Venues
Still looking for tickets? Then run to McSorley’s, The Jockey or Coyote – if you buy 2 pints of Carlsberg or the 1 litre Carlsberg Charge Down Cup, you will be in with a chance of winning a 3-day pass to the Sevens! The lucky draw for tix will be held on 20 March at the Soho branch of McSorley’s, so get over there and start drinking!
P.S. Want to double your chances of winning tickets? Jones Lang LaSalle are also holding a competition on their Facebook Page here to win a Rugby Sevens tickets plus $8,500 worth of hospitality (including food, drinks and all the action). Their giveaway closes 19 March.
When: Lucky draw 20 March, 9pm
Where to enter: McSorley’s in Central and Discovery Bay, Coyote in Wan Chai, The Jockey in Happy Valley
Boqueria
We all know that other than the rugby itself, us girls also love watching the hunks on the field! If you’re looking to get up close and personal with some of the eye-candy, don’t miss out on meeting the Spanish Rugby Sevens team at Boqueria! Who knows? You might just find a winner!
When: 19 March, 6-9pm
Where: 7/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2321 8681
How much: $200 (advance tickets) or $250 (at the door), $150 for Spanish Chamber of Commerce Members; available here
Shanghai Tang
Does your guy want some rugby-inspired garb a little more stylish than your bog-standard rugby shirt? Check out Shanghai Tang’s limited edition Vintage Rugby Shirt Collection inspired by the design of 1930s’ Shanghai and Hong Kong rugby teams. If you pick up a shirt before 19 March, you’ll also be entered into a draw to win Hong Kong Sevens tickets!
Where: See all Shanghai Tang locations in Hong Kong here
VELVET Bar + Restaurant
Eat, drink and play at VELVET! Check out their special seven nation shooters based on the jersey colours of different teams participating in this year’s Sevens. Order up a colourful round of shots to start the night – or stick to one as the loyal supporter of your team. Bottoms up!
When: 18-24 March
Where: 3/F, The Phoenix, 23 Luard Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: $50 per shooter
Cafe Deco Group
If you’re a Carlsberg girl, then plop yourself down at some of the Cafe Deco Group outlets in town to enjoy their special Sevens’ Carlsberg promotions! Whether you love the wild crowds at Stormies or would rather be chilling out at the Peak Cafe Bar, there’s some sweet promotions to be had (starting at $34 per pint!), which also bag you an entry to their lucky draw to win two pairs of Sevens tickets and lots of rugby themed merchandise! Typhoon will also be showing the games live on a big screen from Friday onwards.
When: Lucky draw 18 March, promotions throughout the month
Where: Stormies, The Keg, Marlin, Typhoon, Peak Cafe Bar, Pickled Pelican and Wildfire; check full addresses here
Boujis
Boujis is seeing sevens for Sevens weekend! From Wednesday 20 March, there’s special offers every night including $700 for two bottles of MudHouse Sauvignon Blanc, an antipasti table from 7-8pm, 77 Crack baby shots sent out from the kitchen every night and much more. They’ll also be opening Sunday night for post-game analysis and the chance to say farewell to Sevens weekend in style with DJ Miles Slater.
When: 20-24 March; Saturday from 10pm, all other nights from 6pm
Where: 37 Pottinger Street, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Email [email protected] or call 2547 2055 for more info
Renaissance Harbour View Hotel
Burger lovers, this is for you! The Renaissance Harbour View’s Burger Fair features five different delish burgers (including the Portabella Mushroom, Teriyaki Organic Chicken and giant Devil’s Beef Burger) to try – and Sevens fever provides us with the perfect excuse to guzzle down the lot. Talk about the ultimate game-day food!
When: Until 29 March (or 28 April in-room)
Where: Renaissance Harbour View Hotel, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2802 8888
How much: Prices starting from $150
FLY
Who says the weekend fun has to start on Friday? Party it up at the Kukri Opening Party at FLY on Wednesday with free-flow cocktails for ladies until 2am and special offers on cocktails and shots throughout the night! There’ll be awesome music, rugby merchandise giveaways and free entry for all – so be sure to go and pre-game for the big weekend ahead!
When: 20 March, 11pm onwards (8-11pm by invitation only)
Where: G/F, 24-30 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2810 9902
How much: Free entry! Table bookings to [email protected]
Hong Kong Tens
What’s better than the Sevens? The Tens!!! It’ll be a great way to get yourself in the spirit for the big weekend and come on, who can forget the eye candy running around the field? Bring your girlfriends and who knows? You might score a date or two!
When: 20-21 March, 10am onwards
Where: Hong Kong Football Club, 3 Sports Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry; Cup Final at 8:05pm on 21 March costs $100
PLAY
Looks like it won’t just be the teams getting competitive out on the fields on the weekend – you’ve got a chance to prove yourself at PLAY during their Carlsberg Rugby 7’s Flip Cup Championship too! Come battle to represent your country at Flip Cup, with 16 teams of 7 players required – it’s first come, first served, so make sure you get there on time to try and earn your spot!
When: 21 March, 9.30pm onwards
Where: 1/F, On Hing Building, 1 On Hing Terrace, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry, table bookings to [email protected]
ToTT’s and Roof Terrace
Cool down after a crazy day at the South Stand with a delicious barbeque at ToTT’s. Stuff yourself with steak, king prawns and much much more while taking in the fab views over the harbour – a great option if you have guests to impress staying for the Sevens.
When: 21-24 March, 6.30pm onwards
Where: 34/F, The Excelsior, 281 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 2837 6786
Levels & Prive
Worried about spending too much dough at the South Stand? Don’t worry – just bring along your Sevens’ ticket stubs to Levels or Prive for a free signature HK 7’s shot! You can also drop them your business card for the chance to win a signature Kukri rugby jersey. Free booze? We’re there!
When: 22-23 March
Where: Levels, 2/F, On Hing Building, 1 On Hing Terrace, Central, Hong Kong, 2811 1568; Prive, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2810 8199
Louis Roederer Champagne Tent After Party
It’s the hottest Sevens after party – just 100 yards from the Hong Kong Stadium, come sip on Louis Roederer’s luxury bubbly, chow down on delish food, rub shoulders with some rugby boys and enjoy music from great DJs and live bands. There’ll also be a fabulous outdoor terrace area for you to get some fresh air, complete with a cocktail bar!
When: 22-23 March, 8pm, and after final whistle on 24 March
Where: The IRC, So Kon Po, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
How much: $300 per guest (for all three nights, not including drinks), call 2530 2773 to book
The Globe
There’s something for everyone at The Globe – with happy hour running from 9am-8pm throughout the weekend and the best Bloody Marys in town, where else would you want to be? Come find a comfy spot on the sofas and watch the games live with a cold beer in one hand and a yummy pie in the other!
When: 23-24 March, 9am-8pm
Where: 45-53 Graham Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2543 1941
San Miguel LKF Rugby Fest
For the biggest and baddest post-rugby party in town – head to the LKF Rugby Fest! Enjoy some San Miguel out on the streets, with over 20 beer booths lining the streets of LKF. There’ll also be entertainment, music, food and LOADS of people, so get ready to party it up!
When: 22-24 March
Where: Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free!
Pure Bar + Restaurant
Just can’t leave Soho? No worries… head over to Pure for a hearty pie and a wicked yardstick to keep you happy while watching the game! The Rwanda Silverbacks will also be dropping by for Pure’s Sevens After Party on 22 February to kick off the weekend’s festivities with their own yardstick competition to see who can chug their beer the fastest – good luck if you’re planning on going head to head with them!
When: 22-24 March
Where: 2/F, Kinwick Centre, 32 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, 8199 8189
How much: Free entry; $45 Stella Artois on draught, pie and a pint $138
Dickens Bar
Head to this laidback gastropub for good food and a lively crowd over the Sevens weekend! They’ll be showing all the weekend matches live, which you can enjoy alongside their best of British pub menu (including pulled pork burgers and shepherd’s pie). Keyboard player Mark Williams will be keeping the party going until 11pm on Friday and Saturday with some live music and after partying all night, you can come refuel with Dickens’ weekend brunch! Don’t forget to snap up some Sevens souvenirs, including the Dickens signature rugby jersey in both adult and littlie sizes, plus commemorative teddy bears and other keepsakes.
When: 22-25 March, 10.30am onwards
Where: Lower G/F, The Excelsior, 281 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 2837 6782
How much: Brunch costs $198 (10:30am-noon) or $258 (10:30am-3pm)
The Ultimate Sevens After Party at Armani/Prive
No need to go home and change out of your Sevens costume if you’re heading to the Armani/Prive – just show up and you might even win their Best-Dressed Competition! There will also be delish mini burgers and hot dogs to snack on, plenty of Peroni beer and other drinks to sip and live music – all enjoyed al fresco style on Armani Prive’s fabulous rooftop terrace. So get your friends together and cross your fingers you win that bottle of bubbly!
When: 23 March, 8.30pm onwards
Where: 2/F, Chater House, 8 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $200 per ticket (includes 1 drink) or $350 for a weekend pass (includes 2 drinks and access to Armani Prive all weekend); tickets available here
Gentlemen’s Tonic
Know any rugby boys that need a bit of refreshment after the wild weekend? Book them in for Gentlemen’s Tonic special Rugby Sevens Package, The Spartan, which includes a neck, shoulder and head massage, a rejuvenation eye treatment and finishes with a traditional wet shave – just the combination every weary warrior needs! If they book in before 31 March, they’ll also get a free Kukri official 2013 Hong Kong Rugby Sevens shirt. While you’re waiting for your guy, you can also browse the special Kukri pop-up shop in Gentleman’s Tonic, which will be selling Sevens souvenirs and memorabilia.
When: Until 31 March
Where: Gentlemen’s Tonic, The Landmark Men, Central, Hong Kong, 2525 2455
How much: 90-minute treatment costs $1300
Adelaide Cellar Door
Need a break from the South Stand madness? Got visiting friends over for Sevens weekend to entertain? Well, why not sign yourself up to a Jungle Jane cruise for a relaxing day out at sea with a delicious BBQ lunch and selection of boutique Adelaide Cellardoor wines to enjoy on the water! All aboard!
When: 23 & 24 March, 11am-5.30pm
Where: Pier 10, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $880 per person; bookings essential, call 2526 0151 or email [email protected] for tickets
Live screenings at The Pawn
Get your head in the game at The Pawn, where there will be live screenings of the Sevens games along with beers, cocktails and new bar snacks. With its classy but quintessentially British atmosphere, this is a great spot to hang out with friends and enjoy the ultimate Rugby Weekend!
When: 22-24 March
Where: The Pawn, 62 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong