Abstract

In 1866, Hong Kong's middle-class Macanese founded Club Lusitano Ltd., the largest Portuguese gentlemen's club in southern China. Modeled after British clubs yet boasting selective Portuguese characteristics, the club carved a space for the Macanese to elevate their presence in Hong Kong. It allowed Macanese men who worked as clerks and small business owners in the daytime to transcend the glass ceilings they encountered in the workplace. While showcasing the Portuguese flag, playing the Hino da Carta anthem and commemorating the legendary Portuguese poet Camões emerged as ways to legitimize Club Lusitano's Portugueseness, inviting British government officials and prominent non-Macanese businessmen to lavish celebrations mirroring Portugal's festivals opened new doors through which to enter the social worlds of respectable Europeans, businessmen and colonial officials.

Keywords: clubbability, gentlemen's clubs, public sphere, masculinity, middle class, Britishness

In addition to the established periodical treats provided by the Amateur Dramatic Corps, the Choral Society, the Horticultural Society, the Victoria Recreation and Regatta Clubs, the Liedertafel of the Club Germania, and the Race Club, this period is distinguished by some specially successful celebrations, among which mention is due to St. Patrick's festival (March 17, 1879), the centenary of the birth of the Irish poet Tom Moore (May 28, 1879), the Masonic Ball of 15th January, 1880, the anniversary of Washington’s birthday (February 23, 1880), and the tercentenary of Camoens (June 10, 1880).