Sevens Weekend…
North is the new South this year if you’re under 18, the South stand is over 18 only this year and picture id maybe required to prove it. The stadium is also completely non-smoking! There are two smoking areas for those desperate for a fag - the northeast and northwest causeways - smoke elsewhere and it could cost you $5000. Lets hope though, that stadium security adopt a sensible attitude in keeping with the friendly spirit and atmosphere of the weekend.

Wanchai - home of the unofficial after-party - try the various Rugby Sevens promotions and score all weekend. Check out Devil’s Advocate (G/F 48-50 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, 2865 7271), they’ll be open 24 hours from Thursday night until the early hours of Monday morning of the 7’s weekend. ‘07 sees the return of the infamous Sin Bin parties and the Big 7’s Breakfast - served from 9am on Friday and 7am on Saturday and Sundays - just perfect to get you to the stadium in time for kick-off. Across the street at Xperience (33 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, 2143 6008), enjoy the alfresco seating and, for the ticketless many, the live TV coverage of the sevens. Carlsberg bottles are $35 or you can get half a dozen of them for $178. Further down the road, Thai Delight’s (Shop A 117 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, 2877 7983) sevens special runs a little longer—from now until April 5. Enjoy Thai food and and get a free bottle of beer with $150 minimum spend per person from 6-10pm every night. There’s a DJ and a balcony so smokers and non-smokers can party together. Join in their Songkran celebrations as the Thai’s celebrate new year on 12-14 April. The White Stag (54-62 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, 2866 4244) will be having happy hour until 10pm, with breakfast served the next morning at 8am for those out all night long. If you’re hungry after a long day at the stadium then check out Laguna Music Club & Bar’s (17-21 Fenwick Street, Wanchai, 2866 4736) new food menu, from bar snacks to full meals, it’s all there. Nothing like some very tasty pansit bihon ($58) pork neck salad ($50) or duck tongues ($43) to go with an ice cold beer.

You can be sure Lan Kwai Fong will be packed with party-goers during the weekend, not only will official gear brand Kukri fill the street with rugby themed decorations representing every participating country—including a 14 foot Hong Kong jersey—but Kukri will have a team of athletic cheer-leaders performing all weekend long. The bunny ears will be back, whoever wears one will get a buy 2 get 1 free offer on Guinness in the following bars: California (G/F 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, 2530 3695), C Bar (2530 3695), Lux (2868 9538), Whiskey Priest (G1/F 12 Lan Kwai Fong, 2869 0099), and the Twentyonetwentyone bar (G/F 21 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, 2804 6669). Twentyonetwentyone’s other hot promotion right now is the G.H. Mumm champagne, $88 for a glass, or $450 for a bottle. In the increasingly popular Wo On Lane is the recently opened bar Community (14 Wo On Lane, Lan Kwai Fong, 2810 7368). Their sevens promotion offers you a pint of beer for $40 or a bottle for $50. While Chili and Lemon (1/F, 8-13 Wo On Lane, LKF, 2234 9918) as well as having great Thai food have the Spice Band playing every night, except Sunday from 8pm till late.

Located on the ground floor of the Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hotel, The MO Bar (15 Queen’s Road, Central, 2132 0188) is gearing up for the Sevens by offering beers from most of the participating nations, this includes Japan (Asahi), USA (Budweiser), England (Cobra Premium Lager), Australia (Crown Lager), Korea (Hite), France (Kronenbourg Lager), New Zealand (Montheits Original), Italy (Peroni), China (Tsing Tao) and South Africa (Windhoek Lager). Available after 6pm, it’s $45 dollars for a bottle or $288 for a bucket of seven. What better way to explore the competing countries than to sample their beer?

If you don’t have a ticket to the Rugby Sevens weekend, don’t be sad, there’s still the Sevens Village, which is about as close as you can get to the Sevens without actually being in the stadium. Located opposite the stadium at the Indian Recreational Club, the games will be broadcasted live on the big screen and there’s a bar, food. Entry is free until the days final whistle and $100 afterwards.

The Real World
Although there’s a lot of focus on the Sevens this month, the world doesn’t revolve around HK stadium - even if, to some, it may seem like it...

Nothing like some juicy gossip... Sticky Fingers (G/F 66 Mody Road, TST 2369 8981) have taken over Chinatown (78-82 Jaffe Road, Wanchai 2861 3588) to launch their second outlet, and where’s the significance in that you may ask - well Sticky Fingers features some of the original players involved in the set-up of the Chasers, Dusk till Dawn, Insomnia group. And where is Chinatown? Right next door to Dusk till Dawn... Renovations will start after the Sevens and we’ve been assured, by the man who sourced the original musicians for his previous employers, there will be great live music. What with the former GM of Joe Bananas opening directly above them, there’s quite a few people with a point to prove - which can, we hope, only be good news for customers.

African-themed bar Nzingha (G/F Garley Building, 48-52, Peel St, Central, 2522 0544) has changed its name to Makumba. It’s only a name change, as they are keeping the same theme, entertainment, menu, and phone numbers. We were told the change was made because too many people were having trouble with the pronunciation of the name Nzingha. Well, Makumba should be easy enough to pronounce for every one..

Coming straight from London’s Knightsbridge district, Zuma (Level 5 and 6, The Landmark, Central, 3657 6388) has recently opened its doors. One floor is a restaurant, with the other a lounge and bar area. The drinks list has been influenced by Japanese culture and ingredients, including premium sake by the glass. There’ll still be vintage wines from a wine cellar of with 10 vintage wines, and 2,000 bottles of wine in general.

STOP PRESS - Vegetarian restaurant Khana Khazana (20 Luard Road, Wanchai, 2520 5308) is celebrating their Second Anniversary with a 15% off promotion on all food and beverages, which will run throughout the month of April. So drop in and enjoy some fine vegetarian cuisine.