WEEKENDER: Jimmy Choo Afternoon Tea at the MO Bar, Earth Hour at Grassroots Pantry, weekend bazaar and more

It’s the Rugby Sevens this weekend and we know most of you will be out (possibly in questionable costumes!) at the South Stands! But if you’re looking to stay away from the chaos this weekend, don’t worry… Just fill your calendar with our weekend line-up of non-rugby fun! 

And don’t forget… Our Velvet, Rachel Pally & Graham and Spencer sample sale is happening TODAY! Remember to pop by between 11am – 8pm to get up to 90% off these gorgeous Californian brands – get all the deets here.

The rhythm of the night!
Craving something exotic and different for Ladies’ Night? Well, gather your girlfriends, put on your dancing shoes and head down to Salon de Ning for their Fiesta Latina, which happens every last Thursday of the month. They’ve got a great live band as well as a DJ spinning the decks, bringing you to the sultry shores of Latin America with their infectious salsa, merengue, samba, Afro-Caribbean and Latin beats. Once you’ve danced up a storm, recharge with their delish cocktails inspired by “el mundo latino” and bite-sized tapas snacks. It’s gonna be a hot night for sure!

When: 28 March, 9pm-2am (doors open at 6pm)
Where: Basement Arcade, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry, call 2696 6705 or email salondeningphk@peninsula.com to book

When the lights go out
Come celebrate Earth Hour at Grassroots Pantry with a special candle-lit dinner at this beautiful little haven tucked away in Sai Ying Pun (check out our full review here). They’ve whipped up a special 100% raw and vegan 3-course menu for the night, including a lovely organic local heirloom tomato salad and pot-au-chocolat with organic strawberries (nom!). And wherever you are, don’t forget to turn out your lights at 8.30pm on Saturday and do your bit for Earth Hour too!

When: 23 March
Where: Grassroots Pantry, 12 Fuk Sau Lane, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, 2873 3553
How much: $380 per person for 3-course dinner

Choo away!
Not into kiddie Easter egg hunts or too-cute bunnies and chicks? Then why not try something far more stylish with the Jimmy Choo afternoon tea at the MO Bar in the Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong instead! With bite-sized teatime treats inspired by Jimmy Choo’s colourful Spring/Summer 2013 collection (we spy handbag-shaped sandwiches, stiletto-shaped desserts and a macaron lollipop!), this is a must for any foodie fashionista – don’t forget your camera, girls! In addition to three tiers of scrummy savouries and pastries, you can also feast on the MO Bar’s famous unlimited cake buffet… plus all guests receive a special Jimmy Choo gift with the tea set too. Want to really live the high life? Make a weekend of it and book in for the Jimmy Choo L900 package for a luxurious one-stay staycation at the hotel, including the afternoon tea for two AND a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes of your choicefrom their 24:7 collection worth up to $5,000! We’ve heard places are filling up fast, so get your bookings in now!

When: 2 April-5 May, Monday-Friday 3-5:30pm, Saturday-Sunday 2:30-6pm
Where: MO Bar, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
How much: Monday-Friday $260 per person, Saturday-Sunday $280 per person, L900 package $11,800; call 2132 0077 or email [email protected] to book

Outdoor bazaar!
Missing out on the Sevens, but still want a taste of that festive atmosphere? Why not join the Ebenezer School’s Easter Charity Bazaar & Open Day with more than 20 vendors, fun performances by students and loads of good food! Come show your support for Hong Kong’s only school and home for the visually impaired by grabbing delish food at the Yardbird stall, snacking on fresh baked goods from Bistronomique Boulangerie and drinks from BeJuiced, joining in arts and crafts with Ebenezer School students, shopping vintage gear and cool brands like Happy Socks and Portevelo shoes – and make sure you finish the day with one (or a few…) Sift cupcakes!

When: 24 March, 10am-5pm
Where: Ebenezer School & Home for Visually Impaired, 131 Pokfulam Road, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry

SASSY SPECIAL OFFER: If your idea of a swanky dinner isn’t complete without a glass of bubbly, you’re in luck! Mention SASSY when you book and you’ll receive a complimentary glass of Veuve Clicquot on the night.

When: 23-25 March
Where: Armani/Aqua, Shop 204-205, 2/F, Chater House, 8 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $888 for six-course dinner or $1,288 plus wine pairing per person (plus 10% service charge), call 3583 2828 to book and don’t forget to mention Sassy to get your complimentary champers!

Sweet charity
Find out if you’re an angel or a devil (or a little bit of both!) at PLAY’s Angels & Devils party tonight! To mark the end of the AIDS Concern Red Ribbon Angel Campaign, there’ll be holding a glam underwear fashion show (yes… there are male models too!) for a party you won’t forget. Carry on celebrating more great nights for a good cause throughout the week and Paint The Town Purple to support Englighten Action for Epilepsy. Enjoy a night of cocktails and canapés at Happy Hour at Cicada in Central or Enoteca in Quarry Bay on Tuesday, or try your luck at McSorley’s Quiz Night in Soho on Wednesday – with ALL proceeds going to the charity. You can also eat, drink and shop purple all month long with loads of fab Paint The Town Purple initiatives going on throughout March – click here to see all the fun ways you can help support the cause (we’re talking purple cocktails and purple cupcakes!).

When: Angels & Devils Party 22 March, 8.30pm til late; Happy Hour 26 March, 4-7pm; Quiz Night 27 March, 8.30pm
Where: PLAY, 1/F, On Hing Building, 1 On Hing Terrace, Central; Enoteca, G/F, 35-41 Tong Chong Street, Quarry Bay; Cicada, 4 Shelley Street, Central; McSorley’s, 55 Elgin Street, Central
How much: Angels & Devils Party $220 (including one free Belvedere drink and a gift pack valued at over $500!); Paint The Town Purple events $100 entry fee (all donated to Enlighten Action for Epilepsy)

P.S. If you ARE braving the Rugby Sevens this weekend, don’t forget to check out our guide for where to pick up last-minute costumes and what emergency essentials you need to pack, plus our round-up of all the hottest Sevens after-parties, events and promotions around town!

P.P.S The Weekender will be taking a break due to the Easter and Ching Ming holidays – we’ll be back on Friday 12 April! Happy Easter!

Got an event you’d like us to feature in The Weekender, or have a top tip for us? Email us the deets at [email protected].