It was on June 28, 1969, when the Stonewall uprising broke out in New York City. This series of encounters between the police and LGBTQ+ activists outside of the gay bar Stonewall Inn kindled the transformation of the conversations concerning LGBTQ+ activism – and shortly led to the first-ever Pride march only a year later.
In Hong Kong, the first Pride march happened on Oct. 15, 2004, where around a hundred members and allies of the community paraded around Lan Kwai Fong donning vibrant outfits. For all its food, music, and entertainment cred, this hip and bustling area is also a historically significant spot for being the cradle where the region's Pride Parade debuted.
Today, celebrating Pride in Hong Kong has only gotten bigger and better. From just a hundred in its inaugural run in 2004, the Pride Parade in 2018 has since garnered an estimated 12,000 marchers. This 2023, we mark Pride Month through a series of celebrations big and small, collectively and individually, but always in the spirit of what those who came before us fought for: the right to love.
Dine and Drink
Mr Wolf's Andremily Wine Dinner (June 1)
Dine for a cause you hold dear? Yes, please. This eight-course dinner with Andremily Wines at European bistro Mr Wolf spotlights dishes by Chef Fred Sistelo and blends by the winemaker for the benefit of The Best Gift Foundation. This Hong Kong charity is committed to raising funds for the construction of public-school classrooms in underprivileged areas in the Philippines. The dinner is priced at HK$1,180 per person and is held between 7 pm and 11 pm, book your seating now by clicking here.
Mr Wolf
5/F, Crawford House, 70 Queen's Road Central, Central
Restaurant Promos (June 16-30)
Restaurant promotions from LKF establishments are also abound this Pride Month, including Italian restaurants Aria and BACI Trattoria & Bar, Porterhouse Seafood & Steak, Kyoto Joe, FUMI, and Tokio Joe.
All located in the California Tower at 30-32 D’Aguilar Street in Central, these restaurants, along with charity Resolve Foundation, will be offering a colourful menu this June in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. In solidarity with the values the community stands for – inclusivity, diversity, and love – these establishments will also donate HK$10 to Resolve Foundation for every drink and dish.
We recommend you sample the jazzy Rainbow Pizza (HK$198) reminiscent of the Pride flag at Baci, which includes ingredients like purple potato cream, heirloom tomato, pancetta, zucchini, and more! Baci and Aria will offer fun, special Italian cocktails, such as the Sicilian Journey (HK$128) and the Passionfruit Martini (HK$148). A fruity Lily Lychee & Fizz (HK$138) also awaits at Porterhouse.
For flavourful and aromatic sake, Kyoto Joe, Tokio Joe, and FUMI have Junmai Genshu Ine Mankai on offer, a sake made from a certain type of ancient rice that gives it a beautiful red hue. Taste the rainbow this Pride Month at all your favourite restaurants in LKF.
Book your Pride Month dining and drinks experiences here.
Party
Acraze (June 2)
This Friday, join DJ-producer Acraze as he makes his Hong Kong debut at world-famous nightclub Dragon-i, one of the many international artists coming through for Pride. Acraze is the mind behind the house edit of R&B banger "Do It To It," originally by Cherish. The song became wildly viral, garnering more than 12 billion streams and saw Acraze win the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Award for Dance Song of the Year in the United States. If you're up for a good night, be apprised that the cover charge costs HK$500.
Dragon-i
UG/F The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central; 3110 1222
W&W (June 2)
Dutch DJs Willem van Hanegem and Ward van der Harst, popularly known as W&W, will be taking over Space Club on Wyndham Street this Friday night if you're in search for more shindigs to let loose and celebrate love. Get ready as W&W are set to bring their best trance and high-energy sounds that will surely have you grooving on the dance floor all night long. Tickets are priced at HK$380, which you can get here.
Space Club
G/F The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central
https://www.instagram.com/space.hkg/
Fedde Le Grand (June 9)
Dutch DJ Fedde Le Grand, known for hits like "Rhythm Of The Night" and "Put Your Hands Up for Detroit," among others, will be making his way to Asia this Pride Month with a four-date tour that will see him perform in Phuket, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Tokyo. Regarded as the "King of Electro Music" and the “savior of house,” Le Grand will be parachuting at nightclub Boomerang next Friday night to show Hong Kongers what a proper party is all about. Grab your tickets by clicking here.
Boomerang
LG/F, LKF Tower, 55 D'Aguilar Street, Central