From a 19th Century pawn to a 21st Century modern dining room, The Pawn is merging the flourishing past into new glory today. The memories of the time and space shall be released into this hundred years old building, with more to be transformed into history with time.

Text: Carmen Lee | Translation: dilettante | Photo: Anthony Chan

The Pawn is housed in an ancient mansion composed of four three-storey buildings. Built in 1888, the shophouses were typical architecture at the turn of the 20th century and each balcony is supported by stone rods rising from the pedestrian. This is the most common form of buildings at that time, almost 120 years ago. The original trade name ‘Woo Cheong Pawn Shop’ has been kept and The Pawn’s ‘The Living Room’, ‘The Dining Room’ and ‘Roof Garden’ are located on the first, second floor and roof top respectively.

Following the hidden door, the narrow stone staircases lead you to the spacious ‘The Living Room’. Composed of the ‘Whisky Bar’, ‘Pawn Bar’ and ‘Cocktail Bar’, the space retained the authentic residence flavour.

Pawn Bar is pawn-themed, chefs serve the food from the counter like returning precious objects; the furniture, lighting, sofa and deco in Whisky Bar and Cocktail Bar were scouted and hand-picked from all over the world.

With ‘Home & Playground’ as the theme, the team researched on over 50 gastro pub in England for the essence to make The Living Room a genuine relaxing ‘public house’. Sitting in the Living Room on a bright sunny day，a whisky in one hand and playing table football with the other is becoming the habit for white collar workers alike to steal a moment away from the office during lunch hour.

Through the dim hallway are some ancient cinema seats in a palette that perfectly matches the multi-coloured wooden wall, lined up in front of the elevator. ‘The Dining Room’ is on the second floor, separated by the archway placed by the government’s conservation department. Its crystal chandelier is tranquil and subtle, contrasting with the bustle of the Dining Hall next door. The concept of The Pawn sprang from preserving the ancient mansion. With the delicate local flavour intact, every single element of its interior is a result of careful consideration. Apart from the inherited ‘The Pawn’ signage, visitors will find a gate meticulously modeled from the original of the Woo Cheong Pawn Shop, as well as a wallpaper pattern derived from local dialogues.

For the sake of preserving the authentic architecture, The Pawn is subject to numerous restrictions and verifications. Its walls are not to be demolished or altered. Party deco is not allowed to be suspended on the Roof Garden. For noises, the restaurant is under regular inspection to ensure it closes on time.

Furthermore, the Pawn’s emphasis on not being booked solely for private parties over a period of time have keep the restaurant open for the general public to enjoy.

To appreciate and preserve is the first step to respect a history, but to transform it is to take a further step. Living a modern day life in an old space, distant memories are marked in the physical objects and remind us what lives used to be like. One of the spaces in The Pawn was a bird shop, may be the sound of the song birds will travel the space and time, and occur to one of the diners?

‘Modern British’ is the menu of The Pawn. The chef hand-picks different ingredient everyday and therefore the menu changes accordingly. Light meals are served in The Living Room. The most interesting item is ‘Scotch egg’, often served as traditional British homemade lunch for working class male. Generous variations of beers and cocktails are served in Whisky Bar, Pawn Bar and Cocktail Bar. There are over 60 types of whisky in the Whisky Bar. Formal lunches and dinners are served in The Dining Room. Their signature dishes include beer-infused fish and chips. Serving with homemade cream, their orange marmalade bakewell tart is simply a must among the other delights.

THE PAWN
62 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
+852 2866 3444
thepawn.com.hk