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48 / Varsity's Choice

More Than a Hostel

The hostel is not just for travellers, but also locals

in the neighbourhood.
By Lambert Siu

ong Kong is a wondrous city antiques found from flea markets extend the line-up further to local in-
with all sorts of fascination stacking up on the shelf, vintage mov- die artists.
Htaking you by surprise. One is ie theater seats from the 1960s in the Jazz music is often perceived a bit
hidden in a corner of Sham Shui Po, a common area and an eye-catching high-end or out of reach to residents
secret garden where hostel and music neon sign remind us of Hong Kong’s living in the neighbourhood, the poor-
live house come together in a tene- dazzling nightlife in the past. est district in Hong Kong. Yet, Leung
ment building as a creative residence The appealing retro aesthetic has has been offering gigs for free, hop-
named Wontonmeen. shaped the tiny common area into an ing to promote jazz and indie music
“Wontonmeen” means “wonton intimate venue perfect for chic mu- regardless of their economic back-
noodle” in Cantonese, which is an sic. Kent Leung For-wah, Choi’s hus- ground.
iconic food of Hong Kong. Patricia band and co-manager, first thought of “The agenda behind free entry is to
Choi Pui-yee, founder of this crea- turning the common area into a mini encourage more people to give them-
tive residence chose this name as she live house accommodating approxi- selves a try even though they may not
thinks it is a vivid representation of mately 40 audience members when he have heard of jazz music before. After
the local trait of this district and an observed that the common area was they learn about what we are trying
embodiment of her love for the city. often left idle. As a professional musi- to achieve here and appreciate [our
Wandering inside Wontonmeen cian and fond jazz music lover, Leung effort], they will then support us,” he
brings you back to the old Hong Kong. intuitively came up with the plan to says.
The interior design is filled with a fully utilize the space by inviting his Above the music area, the first and
sense of nostalgia. Collectables and friends to play jazz music at first and second floors belong to the hostel area,