Bridges Street beats quietly in the heart of Hong Kong’s Soho district. Once a sleepy residential side street, it goes unnoticed by most—it’s concealed somewhat by the larger, more well known Aberdeen Street. But, if you venture down the street that bridges Soho and Sheung Wan, delights follow fast. It has transformed, quite organically, into quite the hotspot for the hip crowd.

Select 18 Vintage, is the street's self-declared flagship store; an Aladdin’s cave of eclectic antiques, retro fashion and more sunglasses than anyone could imagine. Once night falls, expect to see Select 18’s employees perched on mismatched kitsch chairs on the doorstep drinking—their nightly alfresco hangout.

Opposite Select 18 looms powerhouse Oola, the breakfast-brunch-lunch-tea-supper-late-night drinks establishment. It seems to cater to all walks of Soho life, at whatever point of the day they find their bellies rumbling. They boast a salad bar that tempts even the most carnivorous and a sweet potato mash that’s worth the visit alone. 

Continuing past the older inhabitants of the street—the launderette, the iconic red-brick YMCA, and the friendly lady that runs a small drinks stand from the nook of a dilapidated building—you’ll find a string of hip eateries. Seafood fan? There's the oyster bar. Japanese vibes more your thing? Then hip and happening Yardbird is for you. With its avant-garde spin on Japanese food, it’s more Yakitori and saki than sushi and ramen. Prepare to eat a little, drink a lot and while away the evening in this popular haunt. 

What sets this little street apart from the many others in Sheung Wan are the stark contradictions that bombard you at every step. Fanciful, stylish eateries sit shoulder-to-shoulder with warn out corner shops and shiny new apartments are partitioned by stinking lap-sap (rubbish) alleys. Nonetheless, Bridges Street really does bridge Soho and Sheung Wan. It links Sheung Wan’s art galleries and old-school markets with the swanky bars and businesses south of Hollywood Road. There's an exciting juxtaposed of new and fashionable with the old ramshackle alleyways and dried seafood shops. So next time you happen upon Staunton Street and feel a little rumble in the tummy, saunter down to Bridges street, past its unassuming threshold, where more restaurants and bars are set to open this summer. The aromatic concoction of lap-sap and delicious food will linger, I promise.