Weekday Warriors

Skipping work for the day? There’s plenty of fun to be had in the middle of the week.

Reading Time:6 minutes

Published: 4:00pm, 16 Apr 2009Updated: 1:23pm, 19 Oct 2016

Everybody’s been there. You’re cooped up in your office, staring out of the window at another beautiful day that you have to spend indoors. It’s high time you faked the flu and blew off work. But a sick day is a rare pleasure to be had and shouldn’t be wasted slopping around the house, working your way through that insipid Gossip Girl DVD you borrowed off your niece. Here are our suggestions for how to make the most of a weekday off work.

Shopping Spree

Everyone loves bargain hunting for designer brands and furniture in Horizon Plaza in Ap Lei Chau (right), but it’s hell on the weekend, when the place is packed with fierce fashionistas and it’s a 15-minute wait for the lift. So why not go midweek? Highlights include the Joyce Warehouse (21/F), the Lane Crawford Outlet (25/F), Indigo (8/F), and eco-friendly furniture shop Tree (17/F). After shopping, pay a visit to downtown Ap Lei Chau and have dinner at El Greco (5 Wai Fung St., 2328-2138), a lovely Greek restaurant with a quiet alfresco dining area. Alternatively, Top Deck (2552-3331) at the Jumbo Floating Restaurant is a safe bet for international cuisine on their breezy terrace.

If furniture is not your thing, pay a visit to Citygate, located at Tung Chung MTR station. The mall is dedicated to outlet fashion stores, and it’s manic as well on the weekends. But go during the week and you’ll be able to pick from the best of the rails, getting massive discounts on brands such as Seven for All Mankind, I.T, Diane Von Fustenberg, and Bauhaus. Accessory brands include Kate Spade, Pedder Warehouse and Samsonite. For a full list of shops, visit www.citygateoutlets.com.hk. Afterwards, stroll on over to Novotel Citygate (51 Man Tung Rd., Tung Chung, 3602-8888), where you can fill up on their spectacular buffet lunch for just $128.

Get Sporty

Trek out to Hong Kong’s very own go-kart track: Diamond Coast International Kart Circuit (22 Sheung Tan Village, Lung Kwu Tan, Tuen Mun, 2613-8822). With a 900-meter circuit, it’s open daily for practice and competitions. To get there, take bus K52 from Tuen Mun MTR to Lung Kwu Wan Beach, then call the circuit to come pick you up from there. The beach also has several barbecue places, starting at $70 per head for a cook-it-yourself buffet.

For more Tuen Mun fun, play a round of golf at River Trade Golf (Mong Hau Shek, junction of Mong Fat St. and Lung Mun Rd., Tuen Mun, 2992-0399, www.rivertradegolf.com). It costs $50 an hour at the driving range. Or, visit Tuen Mun Recreation and Sports Centre (Lung Mun Rd., Tuen Mun, 2466-2600, www.lcsd.gov.hk/tmrsc). It features four facilities, including a golf center, a public riding school, an adventure park (with a rope course and rock climbing facilities) and an archery range. Visit the website for reservations and fees.

Truant for Art

If you think your nine-to-five job is killing your creativity, head to Artjamming (123 Wellington St., Central, 2541-8816, www.artjamming.com). There’s a 10 percent discount from Tuesday to Thursday, 2pm to 6pm. Everything is provided for you, including canvas, brushes, free-flowing acrylic paints and primer. If you’re a talented, quick painter and can finish your masterpiece in two hours, you’ll be rewarded a further 10 percent discount. Check out their Facebook group and get a $100 coupon for your weekday visit.

Big Breakfast

There’s nothing better to prepare you for a full day’s slacking off than a hearty breakfast, so why not forgo your usual bowl of cereal and tuck into a proper morning meal? Brunch Club (G/F, 70 Peel St., Central, 2526-8861) opens at 8am every day for Central’s hungry diners. Grab a spot on the little terrace out back (which is packed out on the weekends), order a coffee and then choose from a selection of fresh bread, eggs any style, pancakes, French toast and waffles. For lighter bites, try their homemade yogurt or muesli, with a fresh fruit juice, lemonade or a smoothie. Or, try the Real Bread Café (14 Shelley St., Central, 2810-9326). Located in a prime spot beside the Mid-Levels escalator, the café opens at 7:30am for breakfast. The menu is similar to Brunch Club, but with the addition of American and English breakfasts, Welsh rarebit and fruit salad, as well as freshly baked breads, croissants and muffins. Breakfast runs until noon, although the friendly staff are more than happy to whip up a specially requested breakfast item if you roll in late.

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