RIP Paul “Penguin” Baynham

bc was saddened to learn overnight that Paul Baynham, better known to friends and clubbers everywhere as ‘Penguin’, passed away. Our condolences and best wishes go to his family, children, grandchildren and friends.

A life well lived! Chapeau, my friend, you brought happiness, joy and lasting memories to friends and strangers alike, enriching the lives of those around you. Thanks for the memories, Penguin!

Penguin was much loved by many:

Mike Leeder shares his memories of Penguin here https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18CmFEed9G/

As Marvin Bernad eloquently puts it:
“Paul Baynham, also known as DJ Penguin, had a vibrant life filled with music, adventure, and love. According to the post, he was a DJ and a force of nature, known for turning any night into an adventure and making every moment unforgettable. He had a long career, playing at various iconic venues in Hong Kong and Tokyo, including Hot Gossip, Julianna’s, Rick’s Cafe, and Hard Rock.

Beyond his professional life, Paul was a devoted family man. He was a loving father to his son Ben, a steadfast husband to his wife Cress, and a cool grandad to his grandkids. He brought the same passion and energy to his personal life, filling his home with warmth and mischief.
Throughout his life, Paul created countless memories with friends and family, marked by laughter, adventure, and a love for music. His legacy lives on through the memories he left behind, and he’s remembered as someone who knew how to live loud, love deep, and never take a single moment too seriously.”

Chinese New Year Night Parade 2026

The annual Chinese New Year Night Parade lit up the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui on 17 February to celebrate the first day of the Year of the Horse.

This year’s parade, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and themed “Best Fortune. World Party”, featured over 50 floats and performing groups from around the world welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse.

2026 Chinese New Year Night Parade February 17

Hong Kong, China - February 17:  2026 Chinese New Year Night Parade at Tsim Sha Tsui on February 17, 2026 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by  / HKTB)

Find out more events to celebrate the start of the Year of the Snake at the HKTB Guide to Chinese New Year in Hong Kong website.

2026 Chinese New Year Night Parade February 17

2026 Chinese New Year Night Parade February 17

International Chinese New Year Night Parade 2026
Date: 8pm, 17 February 2026
Venue: Tsim Sha Tsui
Tickets: Free

images: HKTB

Year of the Horse Night Parade

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) annual Chinese New Year Night Parade will light up the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui to celebrate the first day of the Year of the Horse.

The Year of the Horse symbolises strength, success and positive momentum in Chinese culture.

The first float and parade group will arrive at Canton Road at around 8:30pm and at Nathan Road at around 9pm. The last float will arrive at the endpoint at around 10:30pm.

2026 CNYNP-Parade-Route-Map

Year of the Horse Night Parade
Date: 8pm, 17 February, 2026
Venue: Tsim Sha Tsui
Tickets: Free

Hong Kong New Year Countdown

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) hosted the New Year Countdown at the Chater Road Pedestrian Precinct in Central for the first time. The event featured a mix of live music and a light show, bringing locals, visitors and global audiences together to welcome 2026.

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Air Supply and local artists Jay Fung and Cloud Wang performed to entertain the large crowds.

NYCD - Immersive Light Show

A themed “New Hopes, New Beginnings” three-minute light show was staged on the façades of eight buildings featuring giant countdown clocks and dazzling light patterns to welcome the New Year.

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If we’re being honest, the event was kinda pathetic compared to New Year’s Eve countdowns across the world. An oppourtunity to promote Hong Kong to the world, while entertaining HongKongers, sadly wasted.

Hong Kong New Year Countdown
Date: Midnight, 31 December, 2025
Venue: Chater Street, Hong Kong
Tickets: Free

photos: HKTB

Merry Christmas

All of us at bc magazine would like to wish all our readers, advertisers and suppliers a Merry Christmas and hope you have a happy and healthy festive season.

Please, if you can, spare a moment of your day to remember all those around the world who are separated from their families by conflict.

USMEF Great American BBQ 2025

A feast for the taste buds! The Great American BBQ, hosted and sponsored by the Texas Beef Council, USMEF and the USDA, took place at the KCC on 4 November 2025.

A cornucopia of US beef-themed dishes complemented by US wines, US spirits and US cheese ensured members of the food industry a tasty and fun night off as restaurateurs, food producers, and food distributors relaxed together… Simply the Best!

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Click on any photo for the full gallery of images

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Bar Leone Named World’s Best Bar…

At an event in Hong Kong, sponsored by the Hong Kong Tourist Board, “The World’s 50 Best Bars” this week announced Hong Kong’s Bar Leone as the World’s Best Bar in 2025.

Bar Leone is certainly a good bar – sadly now to be drowned in people wanting to say they’ve ‘drunk in the World’s Best Bar’! – but is it the World’s Best? Sadly, The World’s 50 Best Bars website doesn’t list any criteria to support the award.

What constitutes ‘best’ is apparently left to the judgment of 800 “drinks experts”. Each voter casts eight votes based on their best bar experiences of the previous 18 months, with a maximum of five bars in their own country. The list is the result of a simple vote count – no totals are released. No breakdown of where the ‘experts’ are from or how many are based in each country/region.

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So congratulations to Bar Leone and the other bars on the list, but take the list with a large pinch of salt and get out and explore different bars to find those you enjoy.

Bar Leone
11-15 Bridges Street
Central
Hong Kong
Open: Tuesday-Sunday 17:00-late
No Reservations

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images: The World’s 50 Best Bars