PMQ Hong Kong, formerly known as the Police Married Quarters, is now an interesting little shopping, arts and creative space for Hong Kong’s local brands. PMQ dates back to 1889 when Queens College was built here after the war, was turned into housing for married junior policemen, hence the name. In 2010 it was listed as a Grade III historic building and four years later it was turned into it’s current form, where studios, retail shops and and few trendy office spaces enjoy the weekend soho crowd.
I’ve lived in Hong Kong well before 2014 and had never heard of PMQ let alone been. You’re not going to go absolutely bonkers over PMQ but it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in Hong Kong and anywhere in Central. Just take the Mid-Levels escalators up to Staunton Street, turn right and walk until you see it. From Sheung Wan head up Aberdeen Street and you’ll also meet up with it on the corner of Staunton and Aberdeen Street. Doesn’t look like much from the outside and I’ve walked passed here several times over the years and not recognised it’s anything special.
Whilst there’s mens fashion here at PMQ, I’d say this is going to be enjoyed more by the ladies as there’s all kinds of little art, jewellery, houseware and knick knack shops. When you go in on the weekends, the courtyard is full of little stalls selling clothes, things you don’t need and just a variety of stuff that’s actually not bad. Note that the courtyard area at PMQ is only open weekends and public holidays.
From there you head upstairs. I’d take the lift to the top floor then walk down the floors. I went in the weekend and it wasn’t that busy. Actually what I would call a good amount of people, enough to make it seem like it wasn’t dead but not so much where you’re fighting to walk and get around people. This not really a tourist trap so you won’t get mobbed by unruly tourists. It’s a very laid back atmosphere which is not easy to to find in Hong Kong.
Check out the PMQ website for all the latest happenings at PMQ as they have regular events and exhibitions. Currently there’s the Found Muji, which is basically a collection of boxes found in North America. I know, not my thing, but you can find events and pop up exhibits like this at PMQ on a regular basis throughout the year. This is where you’re going to find the guy dressed in a trench coat and hat. The girls and boys are impeccably dressed and it’s pretty much a hipster hangout.
One thing lacking at PMQ is restaurants and cafes. There’s a few there but I think it’s a bit of shame they didn’t have a few more because there’s not much to choose from. I guess with Soho a few steps away, you can easily get something there but there was one complaint (and we’ve got to have at least one!) it’s the lack of PMQ Restaurants. Not a big deal and they’d probably be dead weekdays so I can understand why there’s not more.
Most girls would probably be able to spend at least a few hours here at PMQ, probably more. It’s not somewhere that’d you be giving 5 stars and raving about, but I quite liked it for something different and a welcome change to most of Hong Kong’s other shopping and concept venues.
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