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Header image courtesy of Tikitiki Bowling Bar (via Facebook)
Originally published by Sophie Pettit. Last updated by Jen Paolini.
People say that “when it rains, it pours”, and that sure seems to be the case in Hong Kong. But luckily for us, we have loads of fun indoor entertainment to keep us occupied on those dark and drizzly days. So let’s find the silver lining in those grumpy, grey clouds and try out one of these exciting activities instead of moping on the sofa!
Invite some friends, pull up bath bomb tutorials on YouTube, take out the jade roller, and get cosy for a DIY spa day at home. On rainy days like these, the best thing to do is treat yourself. Head over to Lush to pick up one (or two, or three) of its many skincare products, from handmade bath bombs to face masks and bar soaps of all kinds.
You don’t need sunshine to feel high when you can fly through the air and bounce off the walls at Ryze Hong Kong. Add a spring in your step and dare to conquer the Ultimate Ninja Course or become a “circus extraordinaire” on the trapeze. If not, you can simply fling yourself through the air into the giant foam pit—you know you’ll always have a soft landing!
Ryze Hong Kong, 3/F, 321 Java Road, Quarry Bay | (+852) 2337 8191
Are you a budding artist just dying to get creative and show off your artistic side? If so, why not spend a rainy day at one of Hong Kong’s quirky art studios? Head to charming and cosy boutique painting studio KA Atelier and enjoy a 2.5-hour workshop in teapot painting. Alternatively, head to Oscary Art in PMQ for a more traditional art jamming sesh.
Choose a canvas of your preferred size, grab all the acrylic paints you need, and enjoy complimentary soft drinks to keep your creative juices flowing. If you fancy something a little stronger (champagne, darling?), some venues will allow you to bring your own alcoholic drinks, and even let you play your own music. Find more art jamming studios here.
KA Atelier, St Francis Yard, Wan Chai | (+852) 3484 2919 (by appointment only)
Oscary Art, S511, Block A, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central | (+852) 9588 1514
Unleash your domestic goddess or god at one of the city’s top bakery schools. Whip up some gorgeous cupcakes, master the skill of creating beautiful floral decorations with icing, or create your very own couture handbag cake (yes, you read that right) with the sweet treat maestros at Complete Deelite. Choose from several workshops, which cater to both adults and kids, so you can bring your little ones, too. Alternatively, head to The Mixing Bowl and bring out the baker in you with enjoyable classes in bread making and traditional Hong Kong goodies. Find more baking studios here.
Complete Deelite, 3/F, On Lan Centre, 11–15 On Lan Street, Central | (+852) 3167 7022
The Mixing Bowl, 23/F, The Pemberton, 22–26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan
Escape the reality of grey skies and wet socks completely at Sandbox VR, a multiplayer virtual reality gaming centre. It uses state-of-the-art wireless technology and motion tracking to take players to the next level of social gaming. Equipped with VR headsets as well as motion capture and haptics technology, players get to battle pirates and zombies, jet off into space, fight as a futuristic gladiator, and defend against aliens.
Harry Houdini broke out of a suspended straitjacket, David Copperfield escaped from an exploding building, but do you have what it takes to mastermind a perfect escape? Find out at Freeing HK, one of the premier escape rooms in Hong Kong. Hurl yourself into a mysterious world of intrigue, puzzles, and codes as you engineer an escape in a tight race against the clock. Can you escape from a horror hotel or get through a haunted hospital, all in under 45 minutes? Gather your wits about you—there’s only one way to find out!
Freeing HK, 4/F, Pakpolee Commercial Centre, 1A–1K Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mong Kok
With plenty of museums to explore in Hong Kong, you are certainly not short of educational activities to enjoy when the heavens have opened. Aside from favourites such as the Hong Kong Museum of History, Hong Kong Heritage Museum, and Hong Kong Science Museum, there are some excellent niche museums which cater to all sorts of interests.
Perhaps you fancy travelling back to 1910 to see the Tai Po train station as it once stood at the Hong Kong Railway Museum, or having a totally mind-opening experience at Dialogue in the Dark, where you will discover first-hand what it’s like to live as a blind person with the help of a guide and a walking cane. If it happens to be raining on a Wednesday then even better, as many of Hong Kong’s museums open their doors for free.
Hong Kong Railway Museum, 13 Shung Tak Street, Tai Po Market, Tai Po | (+852) 2653 3455
Dialogue in the Dark, Unit B, 7/F, D2 Place One, 9 Cheung Yee Street, Cheung Sha Wan
When the rain is falling, the alley is calling! Get competitive on the lanes at one of Hong Kong’s coolest bowling alleys, Tikitiki Bowling Bar, a surprisingly spacious Sai Kung venue that is like a world of its own and absolutely perfect for a rainy day. Slip on your bowling shoes and roll your way to victory under the flashing lights of the impressive video wall. Hitting all those strikes is hungry work, but luckily, there are small bites to tuck into.
Tikitiki Bowling Bar, 4/F, Centro, 1A Chui Tong Road, Sai Kung | (+852) 2657 8488
You’ll soon forget the rain when you’re climbing inside a giant, inflatable bubble and wreaking havoc in a 4,000-square-foot arena. Bubble up and let the madness begin as you and your buddies bump and crash your way to victory in the quirky Crossfire Arena.
Bubbles come in three different sizes so everyone can find the perfect fit, and there’s also the option to dim the lights for a neon adventure. With party bookings available (where you can bring your own food and drink) and a large lounge area to relax in between games, this is the perfect rainy day activity. If you’re feeling particularly brave, why not combine bubble football with a game of archery tag to really get the heart rate going?
Crossfire Arena, Shop 306–308, 3/F, D2 Place Two, 15 Cheung Shun Street, Lai Chi Kok
While away the afternoon with your friends over a lovely cup of tea in the cosy indoors! Afternoon tea will never go out of style in Hong Kong, and it’s hardly surprising with so many delicious offers around the city. For the quintessentially English experience, head to the iconic lobby of The Peninsula and delve into a tower of savoury, sweet, and creamy delights (not to mention a glass of bubbly if you are feeling cheeky).
Alternatively, relax in the elegant Lobby Lounge of the Island Shangri-La and enjoy the view of tropical gardens and an ancient banyan tree as you sip from your teacup. You could also take your cuppa to dazzling new heights and enjoy stunning views of Victoria Harbour at Rosewood Hong Kong. Check out more choices for amazing afternoon tea spots.
The Peninsula, 22 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 2696 6772
Island Shangri-La, 6/F, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Admiralty | (+852) 2877 3838
Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Sophie is always on the lookout for a great story and her next big adventure and loves nothing more than discovering the city’s hidden gems—and most delicious cocktails. When she’s not exploring new places, she’s off travelling and ticking countries off her bucket list.
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