Weekend: Yau Ma Tei (through Wooferten's Mobile Bar Battle)

Yau Ma Tei was originally a village, though the exact meaning of the name 'Yau Ma Tei', and the industry the name harkens from, is unknown. (Funnily enough, the MTR tried to name the station there as 'Waterloo', after Waterloo Road, when it first opened in the 1970s.) Urbanization made it almost unrecognisable from its historical image; it once had its own bay and beach, and now it is a part of a densely populated hub quite a ways from the water. You can tell how the coastline has shifted thanks to the aptly named Reclamation Street to the west. Following Wooferten during one of their weekend events was a good way to catch a glimpse of just how fascinating the area is. 

Wooferten (浩化廳) is one of my favourite places, calling itself as a community art space, something that is rather lacking in this city. And they do take 'community' seriously, welcoming neighbours to gather and sit in their space on Shanghai Street, and initiating outreach events to bring people together. 


Last weekend, Wooferten (alongside 素人之亂 from Japan, and with the help of Mr. J) hosted the Mobile Bar Battle , with the slogan of 'Hong Kong Never Drunk'. The purpose was to hand out free alcohol to the locals in the area, but instead of making them come to the art space to get it, the alcohol was brought to them. The event featured the locally-brewed Yau Ma Tei beer (see previous post), also providing a fair share of store-bought canned-beer, and miscellany alcohol that Mobile Bar Battle participants brought. As the visiting Japanese activist at Wooferten said, alcohol is a social lubricant, bringing people together. And true to his word, the turnout was awesome. 


Some photos to share: 

Wooferten at 404 Shanghai Street, just before setting out for the neighbourhood. It was hot, it was very sunny, it was sweat-inducing. But it was well worth going

Waving banners, pushing trolleys and carts of beer around. The planned route took us through a couple of blocks in the area

So adorable! But never fear, no minors were given alcohol. This little girl contented herself with Vita brand lemon tea and some roast pork from the cart

Walking past the corner houses (more details about these in a previous post) that are so common in the area. The great thing is that you can still see how 'lived-in' these buildings are

Couldn't resist photographing this wonderfully illustrated bag (reads 'this city is dying'), especially since it echoes the current sentiments of many young people in HK. 

Sharing the roast pork around. Couldn't grab a piece, since the young'uns and the elderly were given first dibs

Heading down the wet foods market on Nelson Street

Pouring alcohol to anyone (over 18!) who wanted it 

Cheers, matey! 

Ending the Mobile Bar Battle route at this local park. Live music, casual chats, a jovial atmosphere all around

Credit goes to Wooferten for their effort in providing the goods used in the Mobile Bar Battle

Overall, the event was well-received by people in the locality. There was the occasional person who overtly comments on how the Mobile Bar Battle group was 'being pointless' and 'doing something rubbish', but who cares? Local stall owners waved and sampled the alcohol, people in windows waved, and a lot of people were smiling as the group walked by. Patrolling policemen jokingly said they might try some when their shift ends. And the fun wasn't only experienced by the people we encountered, but the Mobile Bar Battle was also fun for those of us who tagged along.