PMQ, Hong Kong Overview

PMQ, or Police Married Quarters, is a creative design hub at Aberdeen Street, Hong Kong’s Central district. This Grade III Historical building is now a hip location for boutiques, art galleries, flea markets, designer studios, and jewelry stores. It is famous for its award-winning experimental restaurants as well.

PMQ has two towers – Hollywood and Staunton – named after the respective roads that they face. Frequented by travellers of all ages – especially those seeking a unique, hipster experience - PMQ was once a college and then the official residence of Hong Kong’s police personnel. Today, the complex is home to unconventional art installations, a young clientele, and futuristic studios. The wide range of stores and products make PMQ the perfect stop for both Hong Kong’s elite and savvy tourists alike.

Shopping at PMQ

PMQ, Hong Kong — The PMQ Mall at Hollywood Road (Source)

Fashion: Stores like Alps, Blind by JW, YC Yeung Chin, Vanessa Tao, The Refinery, Sau Lee, Mondovi, Sugiki Swim, Lucy Shih – Oecoeco, HAK, Classics Anew, and Chailie Ho cater to a wide array of fashion needs, ranging from couture, swimwear, Chinese fabric, and international brands.

Accessories, jewelry, watches: Three Artisans, The Little Finger, STARS & TART, Smith & Norbu, POMCH, Obellery, Lucy Shih, Heting Artelier, FABcessories, Eone Timepieces, Coney & Co., a o g p, and 794729 metalwork are the perfect spots for stunning necklaces, watches, rings, earrings, clocks, and artisan jewelry.

Gifts: Take home some awesome souvenirs for loved ones from gorgeous gift stores like YOPE, Waka Artisans, HK Room, STOCKHOLM, SOIL, Sake Central, MATTERS MATTERS Gallery, Art Gallery of Qin, B’IN SELECT, Loupe, kapok, Heting Artelier, Fave by Kenny Li, C’monde Studios, and Bonaventura. Popular gifting options here include phone accessories, bags, pottery, stationery, watches, perfumes, potpourri, teas, books, and table pieces.

Arts: Waka Artisans, Photo Now, Phenotypesetter, Oscary Art, Korean Culture Centre, Art Gallery of Qin, and Art Futures Group are the galleries and art centres at PMQ. From traditional Chinese pottery and painting to abstract modernist sculpture, these galleries also give patrons the opportunity to buy artwork.

Leather goods, shoes, bags: If leather sounds appealing, PMQ has more than a few stores that cater to all things leather – Andrew Keyla, BlkSheep Empire, Alternative Country, Clutch Bag, ro, CILOCALA, SAPH+, and Shoe Artistry sell handmade leather shoes, bags, and wallets.

Home and lifestyle: Indulge in a home revamp with unique, custom furniture and home accessories from 513 Paint Shop, Bamboa Home, Bathe to Basic, Dyelicious, Eravolution, Goods of Desire, and Found MUJI.

Pop-up stores: YOPE, TACS, Yau Me Tei, Classics Anew, and 00852 are premium pop-up stores at PMQ that offer vanity items and jewelry by local artists.

Cafes and Restaurants at PMQ

In Hollywood:

ABC Cooking Studio: Take a Wagashi cooking lesson or stop by for a quick lunch at this workshop and restaurant that serves pan Asian cuisine.
Dear Harley Cake Studio: Indulge sweet cravings at the Dear Harley Cake Studio with an assortment of cakes, pastries, cupcakes, and macarons.
Garden Meow: This Taiwanese café also contains a book and gift store, where one can browse china and homeware with a brew in hand.
Levain Bakery: This artisanal bakery uses the levain method of baking to produce rich, decadent, and healthy bread.
LOUISE: This French restaurant combines fine dining with nostalgia to offer French classics with an organic twist.
Loupe Teahouse: Enjoy a range of desserts, pastries, organic tea, and coffee here. We recommend the jewel cakes.
Taste Kitchen: Taste Kitchen is a unique concept where a new restaurant featuring a different cuisine is opened every month at the same premises, leaving patrons with a new dining experience every time.

In Staunton:

Café Life: Get a caffeine fix at Café Life, where freshly roasted beans are brewed right in front of patrons.
Gong Fu Teahouse: With Pu’er and oolong tea culture techniques, Gong Fu Teahouse offers an authentic Chinese tea experience. Workshops are also offered.
SOHOFAMA: This Chinese comfort food restaurant sources ingredients from its in-home organic farm, located just outside the café.
Sake Central: This Otsumami bar presents the best of Japanese culture, and has homebrewed Sake.

Best Time to Visit PMQ

PMQ is open from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM every day. Studio units and shops are open between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM, so we recommend reaching PMQ by 9:30 AM. In the evening, 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM is the ideal time slot.

Architecture

The two towers of PMQ, Hollywood and Staunton, are connected by the Plateau – 4/F – for easy access. The Plateau and the ground floor are landscaped open spaces that are perfect for getting some sun and air. PMG retains some historical elements in its architecture. Glimpse PMQ houses original foundation relics dating back to the 1860s. QUBE, located below the Plateau, is a venue for performances. Courtyard & Marketplace is another venue for events.

Historical Significance

The PMQ building has a fascinating history dating back to 1862 when Hong Kong’s first western government school – Central School – was established in the vicinity. In 1889 it was renamed as Victoria College, and in 1896 the building became home to the newly renamed Queen’s College.

After World War II, the building was rebuilt as the Police Married Quarters (PMQ), providing homes to local Chinese officers and their families. Abandoned in 2000, the PMQ building became listed in the ‘Conserving Central’ initiative of the Development Bureau, and was redesigned as a centre of the arts, learning, culture, and heritage. Today, it is home to suave restaurants, art studios, and cultural hubs.

How to Reach PMQ

PMQ is located at 5 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong.

Central-Mid-Levels Escalator: This escalator walkway connects PMQ to different areas of Hong Kong. Take the Escalator and exit at Staunton Street to reach PMQ. Downhill connections are available from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM, while uphill connections are available from 10:00 AM till midnight.

MTR:

From Sheung Wan Station, take Exit E2 and walk through Grand Millennium Plaza to Bonham Strand. Turn left to Wellington Street up to Lin Heung Tea House, and turn right to Aberdeen Street. The walk takes 5 minutes.
From Central Station, take Exit C and walk along Des Voeux Road. Turn left at Queen Victoria Street, take the Central-Mid-Levels escalator at the former Central Market, and turn right at Staunton Street. The walk takes 10 minutes.
From Hong Kong Station, take Exit E1 and walk through the Central Elevated Walkway to Hang Seng Bank Headquarters. From the former Central Market, take the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator and turn right at Staunton Street. This is a 15-minute walk.

Bus: The following buses ply to PMQ. Follow the signs from the bus stop; the building is a 3-minute walk away. Bus fares start from HKD 5.

Peel Street, Hollywood Road: 26
Wellington Street, Queen’s Road: 5, 10, 101, 104
The Centre, Queen’s Road: 7, 37A, 90B, 3A, 4, 4X, 91, 94
Aberdeen Street, Caine Road: 40M, 93C, 103, 103P, 22, 10, 31, 56
Ladder Street, Caine Road: 3B, 40, 103, 23, 23B
Old Central Police Station, Hollywood Road: 12, 12M, 13, 40M, H1

Tram: From Gilman Street Station, take a right at Queen’s Road and turn to Wing Kut Street, and walk along Aberdeen Street. PMQ is a 10-minute walk away.
From Jubilee Street Station, take the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator from the former Central Market, turn right at Staunton Street and walk ahead. PMQ is 10 minutes away.

Taxi: Taxi fares start at HKD 20. Drop-off areas are at Staunton Street outside the building and at Hollywood Road outside S. K. H. Kei Yan Primary School. Parking is available at Centre Stage, Hollywood Terrace, or Loku Road. Loading areas are at Staunton Street, Hollywood Road, and Outside Bridges Street Market.

Tips

The boutiques and studios have social media competitions every week, so watch out for the notices at the stores
There are free demonstrations and tastings at most food venues in the evening, so we recommend an evening visit to PMQ.