Bars near Kai Tak Stadium to benefit the most from Hong Kong Sevens: sector
Business is expected to increase by 40 to 50 per cent in Kowloon City bars, but some fans say they still prefer to get drinks on the island side after matches
Chin Chun-wing, chairman of the Hong Kong Bar and Club Association, said on Thursday that bars and pubs would enjoy a bump of HK$20 million (US$2.572 million) in business, thanks to the relocation of the city’s biggest annual sports event to Kai Tak Sports Park, with some expecting to have their sales doubled.
“During the Sevens weekend, we expect business in bars will increase by 40 to 50 per cent in Kowloon City, 30 to 40 per cent in Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui, and 20 to 30 per cent in Central, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay,” he said.
He added that 20,000 spectators would flock to those areas for after-parties and celebrations.
Over the years, rugby fans have packed bars and pubs on Hong Kong Island during the tournament, particularly in Wan Chai, which is within walking distance of the Hong Kong Stadium that had hosted the Sevens since 1982.
Some bars in the area reported a 30 to 70 per cent rise in business during the rugby extravaganza in previous years.