When my grandma brought over a box of matchbooks from her travels last month, I found one from a Hong Kong restaurant called the Golden Crown.
I’d never heard of it.
With a Nathan Road address in Tsim Sha Tsui, it must have closed by the time I got to Hong Kong in the 90s. My grandma didn’t remember anything about the restaurant. The matchbox cover didn’t shed any light either; it was pretty nondescript.
But then my friend Vanessa sent me this photo of the Golden Crown.
What a beauty! I love the hanging lanterns and wonder how they ever survived the typhoons and severe rain storms that swept into the territory every year. The window detailing is beautiful, too.
It’s said that Bruce Lee hung out at the Golden Crown and even used it in one of his movies.
I have an original menu from 17th October 1966 and I am flying back to HK on 4th September 2024 after nearly 50 years and I will see if I can find anyone who remembers the Golden Crown
Wow! That’s a collector’s item for sure! The building is still there, I think, and I imagine someone in the area will remember. The last time I was in Hong Kong five years ago there were still old time tailors in TST who’ve been around for decades. It will be so interesting to see what’s still there from 50 years ago.
I have a menu from the Golden Crown dated 17th October 1900
I meant 1966
Wow, that is fabulous! What a gem that must be!
Oh! Still, that’s wonderful!
I well remember going there a couple of times in 1985 as the guest of my Tailor, Ah Chuck from Lock road.
there was a pecking order for that restaurant. We used to eat on Level 7.
The higher the floor the higher the status (according to Ah chuck) I think there were 1 or 2 levels above us, but in any case wonderful food consumed and always wanted to return, but after finding this page, a tear will be shed when I next visit.
I found some chop sticks from the Golden Crown Restaurant & Nightclub, still in the package, in my mother’s house after she passed. I was trying to find out some history about the restaurant such as when it closed. I don’t remember the year my parents travelled to Hong Kong. I am not finding out much about it on the internet, except that it is now a Hostel. Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks so much for your comment! The Golden Crown was supposedly the place to go out at night, both with locals and tourists. People say Bruce Lee liked to go there for dim sum. Sadly, it’s no longer there. That part of Kowloon has lost some classy establishments like the Golden Crown. Also the posh Lane Crawford Department Store. You can check http://www.gwulo.com for more about Hong Kong in the 60s!
I am sorry to hear the restaurant is no longer there and the neighborhood’s not the same! I spent a week in August 1967 on my R&R from Viet Nam in Hong Kong with my uncle and he was a drummer and had a band that played at the Golden Crown (Ollie Delfino). I had so much fun that after I extended my tour, I took my 30-days leave in Hong Kong rather than come back to The World!
Wil try to scan the brochure and post.
Thank you!!!!
I’ll try to scan the brochure and link to it for you to view and enjoy.
Thank you so much! That would be wonderful!!
I have the full brochure from the Golden Crown from my visit there in 1971. Fantastic place. Sad to learn it’s no longer there.
Thank you so much for your comment, Gary! I love how you still have the full brochure from the Golden Crown. I wish I had been able to go there. My grandparents visited Hong Kong in 1971, too!
the swindon’s in mirador mans was a very upmarket stationery shop and was still there in 1980. there was also a branch in what was then called the ocean terminal with a mix of stationery and books
Thanks!! I always enjoyed going to the Swindon on Lock Road in TST.
A sign for Swindon Books… which building was this?
It looks like Swindon was where Mirador Mansions is standing now. The Golden Crown’s address (as listed on the matchbox I have) is 66-70 Nathan Road.
These old buildings have real character about them unlike the cold shopping centres that are fast replacing them. Just imagine the stories they have witnessed through the ages. =D
Thanks so much, Helen! Yes, I totally agree. It’s so sad these old charmers are gone. Even the store on the ground floor is gone, probably replaced by a chain gold shop. All in the name of progress. Sigh.