Hong Kong: Josie & the Uni Boys

HONG KONG NIGHTLIFE GUIDE WITH JOSIE & THE UNI BOYS

Of course, by our 6th and last night in Hong Kong, my vicious jetlag had almost dissipated and it was time to go home. To close out the show, I meet Josie & the Uni Boys at Man Sing Restaurant in Tai Han, an up and coming neighborhood at its very start of gentrification, similar to the early days of buzzy East London in the UK and Williamsburg in Brooklyn. Fronted by Josie Ho, who’s also a film actor and producer, Josie & the Uni Boys knocks out angsty rock for the dancefloor. Their single “Watch You Going Down” is an English track off their latest EP and was also featured in the satirical Hong Kong horror film that Josie also produced and acted in called Dream House. In the film, Josie kills her victims with a variety of "creative" tools such as a bong and a vacuum-packed bag. If you want to catch Josie in a North American release, she’s in the Hong Kong storyline in Contagion as well as in the upcoming The Courier with Mickey Rourke.

Although many people in Hong Kong know Josie as the rebel daughter of Macau casino tycoon Stanley Ho (last checked, he had an estimated worth of $7 billion US), she’s also a huge force in the indie film scene when she’s not yelping and jumping all over the stage. 852 Films is a production company that she formed with her manager Andrew Ooi, and husband Conroy Chan (who also co-created Alive Not Dead with some of the Rotten Tomatoes guys) and is completely dedicated to pushing the boundaries in HK with youthful and edgier films.

PHOTO OP WITH THE MAN SING RESTAURANT FAMILY

After chatting about the band’s DIY approach and opting for an indie vs major label deal, we full-on indulged in Man Sing’s signature Chinese home comfort food, like its meat tower, sweet 'n sticky pork chops, and spicy tofu & crab dishes.

THE MAN SING MEAT TOWER

For dessert, we hit Josie’s fellow actor-friend’s shop, Siu Tan Ku. Here, classic desserts are given a delicious modern twist like my favorite of the night, the lychee panna cotta. Listen, I’m lactose intolerant and didn’t have my Lactaid on me but I finished the whole damn thing. Worth it.

LYCHEE PANNA COTTA AT SIU TAN KU

To cap off our night, we headed to the epicenter of HK nightlife, the Lan Kwai Fong district, and dodged past all the bright lights and pumping fists through to an abandoned square where we walked up and over to get to this really rad bar, a Josie & the Uni Boys’ fave, called Yumla (which has since been shut down, and nothing to do with us, I swear). 

Much love to Josie & the Uni Boys for closing out the show with me and showing off the HK night guide you would no doubt NOT find in any other travel show. xx