25 Feb 2026 By Cathy Lau
Ahead of Its Second Anniversary, Aubrey After Dark Signals a New Era of Hotel Nightlife at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
Hong Kong — In a city where hotel nightlife has often leaned toward ambience rather than energy, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong is taking a different approach. As Aubrey After Dark approaches its third year, the heritage hotel strengthens its commitment to credible, music-led Friday nights with expanded creative leadership and a new slate of international guest DJs this spring.
Set on the 25th floor overlooking Victoria Harbour, The Aubrey’s Japanese izakaya and cocktail bar transforms each Friday from a refined dining room into a packed dance floor anchored by a loyal crowd that keeps the night alive.
At the centre of the series is Marina Bullivant, who continues to lead Aubrey After Dark as Nightlife Curator. A long standing figure in Hong Kong’s late night scene, she has spent decades shaping some of the city’s most memorable social spaces. Her philosophy at The Aubrey is straightforward: build trust in the room, let the music unfold gradually, and create a space where a cosmopolitan crowd across different generations feel equally at home.
Building on that foundation, Aubrey After Dark expands its creative direction with the appointment of Hallex M as Director of Music and Entertainment at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. A French DJ and producer with more than three decades immersed in the global house circuit, Hallex brings international depth to the series, curating each season with intention and pairing resident energy with carefully selected regional and international guests. Alongside Resident DJ Julia Marcs, whose refined selection and instinctive feel for the room keeps the floor moving late into the night, the programme remains rooted in house music that moves between classic, deep and soulful sounds, often with Afro and Latin influences.
The anniversary season begins on Friday, 6 March, with the arrival of Q Narongwate, longtime resident of Café Del Mar Phuket and a DJ known for warm, groove driven sets that build steadily through the night. With more than two decades behind the decks and appearances alongside names such as Black Coffee and Louie Vega, Q moves effortlessly between soulful house and deeper late night rhythms, setting the tone for a season centred on dancing first.
The momentum builds toward Friday, 15 May, when Aubrey After Dark marks its second anniversary with a headline appearance from DJ Fudge. A respected figure within the French house movement, Fudge is known for rich, percussive house that balances depth with drive. His extended anniversary set is expected to draw one of the most energetic crowds of the season, closing out two years of Aubrey After Dark with a night built for the dance floor.
“Luxury, however curated, should never feel predictable and must always leave room for a little wonder,” says Paul Jackson, General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong and Area Vice President, Operations. “With Aubrey After Dark, we are elevating the notion of a night out, redefining how our guests experience the city after dark and channeling that energy into moments they are drawn back to. It reflects our belief that culture, rather than setting alone, is what sets an exceptional space apart, and it is crafted to consistently surprise and delight, in line with our commitment to exceeding guest expectations.”
Two years in, Aubrey After Dark has moved from being a hotel party series to becoming a Friday night institution that commands a loyal crowd built on music, energy and trust. As it enters its next chapter, the message is simple: come ready to dance.
With limited capacity each Friday at The Aubrey, advance tickets and table reservations are strongly recommended.
About The Aubrey
The Aubrey is an elevated Japanese izakaya, located on the 25th floor of the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. A collaboration between Maximal Concepts and Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, The Aubrey offers three distinctive bar experiences and accompanying Japanese food with uninterrupted views of Victoria Harbour. Recognised as the highest-ranked Japanese bar in Hong Kong at No. 10 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list, The Aubrey combines authenticity and innovation to present a remarkable culinary journey. Since its opening in Hong Kong and London, it has consistently appeared on top Japanese Restaurant Awards and lists, elevating the Japanese Izakaya experience with sophisticated offerings and its award-winning Omakase cocktail experience.
About Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
The iconic Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong is the epitome of contemporary luxury combined with Oriental heritage. Having delighted guests with award-winning services and impressive facilities for over 60 years, it is a much-loved address for those seeking an exclusive sanctuary in the heart of the city. The hotel’s spacious rooms and suites offer magnificent views of the renowned Victoria Harbour and the city’s skyline. A collection of nine outstanding restaurants and bars, including One-Michelin-Star restaurant, a luxurious club lounge, a Shanghainese-inspired holistic spa, an indoor pool and a state-of-the-art fitness centre, make Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong the quintessential “home away from home” for discerning leisure and business travellers alike.
About Maximal Concepts
For over a decade, Maximal Concepts Restaurant Group, led by Malcolm Wood, Xuan Mu and Matt Reid, has built a reputation for creating some of the most acclaimed, exciting restaurants coming out of Asia. The group is best known for Mott 32, arguably the leading luxury Chinese Restaurant brand globally, with nine locations spanning from Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Vancouver, Bangkok, Singapore, Seoul, Cebu, Dubai, Toronto with Los Angeles, London, Scottsdale, Budapest, Riyadh, Manila, Bali and Melbourne in development. Behind every concept is deep passion for sustainability with all three founders being thought leaders and pioneering solutions for the industry.
