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| 1-Altitude attitude/photo: Altitude |
WHEN the lights go out in Singapore, it’s all schmoozing at power stations and sipping cocktails in chapels. This may sound a tad whimsical or overly extravagant coming from a city where chewing gum is a crime and acronyms are sternly applied to cut the chat. Note to travellers – PIE and AYE are highways. The government has added another item to its do-not list: smoking is banned from all indoor joints. Be prepared to step outside whenever you crave a puff. But, if you take that all in your stride, you’ll find yourself having a ball in the most unusual places.
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Hotels are sometimes the most convenient for an evening’s wander. And if you’re putting up at the hotel in question and suffering from a major hangover, better still. There’s Hai Tien Lou at Pan Pacific, Jade (wasabi prawns are a must) at The Fullerton Hotel, mezze9 at Grand Hyatt, and Basilico with its scrumptious antipasto buffet at The Regent. Popular hotel bars like Bar None at Marriott Hotel, Brix at Grand Hyatt and Long Bar at Raffles Hotel also are widely patronised. But if you dare to venture out, there’s much to see and do. It could be dinner in a chemistry lab, dessert in army barracks, drinks at a post office or tearing up the dance floor 71-storeys high…in that order.
Singapore nightlife is experiencing something of a renaissance with clusters of dining outlets and watering holes popping up in every corner of the island. Not to mention the steadily increasing clubbing and fun pub options. Yes you can have a roaring good time at the Night Safari but when the moon is up you’ll need a stiff martini and a thumping disco floor. Dip into our Singapore bar guide and pick from informal nosheries, starched-linen establishments, boozy beer halls, hilltop belvederes and beach venues.
When the lights go out on Orchard Road
Orchard Road may be more known for attracting shopaholics than party animals, but there are plenty of choices for after-work meets. Just off Orchard Road is the Tanglin Village cluster. The former British army barracks has been injected with new life over the last few years – a laid-back, cool crowd throngs the restaurants, cafes and bars. It’s more like a pre-party stopover. To get there, hop into a cab or take buses 7, 75, 77, 106, 123,174 and 502 from Orchard Road.
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| Helipad, near Clark Quay/ photo: Helipad |
Turn into Dempsey Road and you’ll see Oosh (tel: [65] 6475-0002, www.oosh.com.sg) on your right. The sprawling alfresco bar cum restaurant sits amidst greenery and Zen water features. It is separated into various sections – the main bar, restaurant, terrace, garden, trellis and lookout. A quiet hangout with lots of muted laughter and hushed conversations.
Just across the road from Oosh is an assortment of local fare. Pop by the famous Samy’s Curry (an institution at Dempsey), or seafood restaurants, Long Beach and Jumbo. Also on the same stretch is Reddot Brewhouse, where you can swig home-brewed hops. Grin and beer it.
Dempsey Hill (www.dempseyhill.com) houses the majority of the bars and restaurants. House (tel: 6475-7787, 8D Dempsey Road), occupying a duplex and comprising a spa, café and bar, is one of the main tenants. The café and bar – aptly named Barracks and Camp – are suitable for informal gatherings. Start at Barracks for dinner and dessert (some of the dishes come served in metal containers to evoke those old military memories) and head to Camp for some cocktails and thumping rhythms after. A DJ is on hand to spin trance music. If you’re fortunate, you might be able to snare one of the outdoor sofas facing the forest. It’s a nice tranquil touch.
Hacienda (tel: 6476-2922, 13A Dempsey Road) is one of those places to spend a lazy evening indulging in slowly-sipped drinks and lengthy chit-chats. The garden-themed bar (complete with swings and lounge chairs that double up as sitting areas) specialises in fresh fruit martinis and if those don’t get you high, try the swings.
Trot down Dempsey Hill and you’ll arrive at PS. Café (tel: 6479-3343, 28B Harding Road) a favourite with the well-heeled in search of some casual downtime. If you’re planning on having dinner, make a reservation to avoid disappointment. Or drop by slightly later in the night to dig into their desserts – the lime pie is a must-try.
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| Pump up the volume/ photo: Pump |
Farther down the road is chapel-turned-restaurant, The White Rabbit (tel: 6473-9965, 39C Harding Road). It offers fine dining without the usual stuffiness, thanks to its high ceilings coupled with a bright and airy atmosphere. Get your fix at the open-air bar – The Rabbit Hole – once you’re done sampling the classic European fare.
Orchard Road used to be home to some of the most happening nightspots in town in the ’90s– namely Sparks disco at Ngee Ann City and Venom at Pacific Plaza. Sparks has since vanished into the mists of time while Venom (later re-branded as Chinablack) was sold off in 2000. But the owners of Venom are back with Club Silk (opened June 2010) at Orchard Hotel. Down the road is Orchard Towers (notoriously nicknamed “four floors of whores”) where nightlife borders on the risqué. Keep your hands firmly tucked in your pockets and stride by quick. Some of the pretty young things sport bobbing Adam’s apples and deep bass voices. Not something you’d bring home to mother.
Indochine Wisma Atria (tel: 6238-3473) is great for chilling out and live music, with the chilli-red leather sofa seats contributing to the heady vibe created by the acoustic rock band. Go past Orchard, get onto Somerset and you’ll spot KPO (tel: 6733-3648, 1 Killiney Road), short for Killiney Post Office. Yes, even Singapore bars get reduced to acronyms here. Part of this two-storey building still runs as a post office by day, while a larger section of it has been converted into a watering hole smack in the middle of a busy downtown intersection. It is near impossible to find seats on weekends, but patrons are undeterred. It is common to find starch-shirt yuppies posing outdoors, chugging beer and ogling all the long-legged eye-candy.
Despite its location, you don’t suffer coughing fits and stinging eyes from the cars whizzing by. And it can get surprisingly breezy on some nights. This is one establishment that does not permit smoking even in outdoor areas: you have to be content with lighting up around an ash-tray topped rubbish bin standing unceremoniously outside the main entrance. Acid Bar and Alley Bar at Peranakan Place (www.peranakanplace.com) on Emerald Hill are also favourites for those in search of a more watered down alternative to the usual bustling, noisy nightlife. Bar Stop (tel: 6735-6614) on Devonshire Road is also cool for chilling out with its open concept and club-like vibe.
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| Chijmes for convent fun/ photo: Chijmes |
After Somerset comes Dhoby Ghaut and this is where numerous changes have taken place. What used to be the former Methodist Girls’ School at Mount Sophia is now Old School, an art hive that is increasingly becoming an integral player in the local cultural scene. The school’s former chemistry lab is now Chalk (tel: 6883-2120), a cosy eatery serving French-European food. A worthy Singapore dining choice if you want to impress with high romance on a low budget.
Singapore bars, eats, around the City Hall area
This district is a blend of old world charm and city slick when it comes to nightlife, bars and entertainment. Chijmes (tel: 6336-1818, 30 Victoria Street, www.chijmes.com.sg) – a convent school in the past – is all colonial grandeur on the outside. But behind its cloistered walls, lining a pretty courtyard and fountain, are a host of restaurants and bars. Party revellers, take heart. Singapore nightlife lives. There are quite a number of clubs and bars in Singapore that entertain patrons till the wee hours of the morning. Insomnia (tel: 6334-4693, #01-21) on the first level of Chijmes, is one of them. Open from 11am to 4am Sundays to Tuesdays, and 11am to 5am on the rest of the days, the place serves Western and Asian fare. Or simply enjoy a seriously good chinwag in the outdoor courtyard until dawn breaks. Head one floor down and you’ll find Le Baroque (tel: 6339-6696, #B1-07) where you can work the dance floor to heart-thumping live music or catch your favourite soccer team on the small screen.
Popular Cantonese restaurant, Lei Garden (tel: 6339-3822, #01-24) holds court in a lovely position overlooking a courtyard. Here it’s dim sum with a garden view. A useful Singapore dining choice with local flavour. For Japanese grills, there is Gyu-Kaku (tel: 6333-4001, #01-01), which dishes out delectable barbeques. A short distance away is Odeon Towers (331 North Bridge Road) where Loof (tel: 6338-8035) and Supperclub (tel: 6334-4080) reside. The former is a rooftop bar with a cool, lazy vibe. While you can afford to dress down a little, it is one of the to-go hang-outs of the trendy crowd. Supperclub is where you can enjoy a five-course dinner while lounging on oversized beds. Warning: it can get a little too comfy after a while, so take a few moments to flaunt your groovy moves on the dance floor to shake off any lethargy.
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| Orgo rooftop cocktails/ photo: Orgo |
If you want to size up the landscape of Singapore at a glance, take the elevator up Swissotel The Stamford. On the 71st storey is New Asia Bar (tel: 6837-3322), which gives you sweeping views of the city skyline. The view is especially enthralling at night when the buildings and street lamps are lit. But New Asia Bar is not all about admiring the view; choose to chill out over wine or bump and grind to the beat. Music played here is a fusion of the old, the new and the kooky. You might find yourself having to shake and shimmy to Bollywood-inspired rhythms. There are also firmly- grounded alternatives for those with a fear of heights: Introbar (tel: 6431-3176) and INK Club Bar (tel: 6431-6156) on the first levels of Swissotel The Stamford and the neighbouring The Fairmont respectively.
Cruising up and down Marina Bay
Amidst looming office towers and shopping malls, you can still suss out worthy watering holes within the short radius of Suntec City, Millenia Walk and Marina Square. Good Singapore bars are never more than a ten-minute stroll away. Paulaner Brauhaus (tel: 6883-2572, #01-01, 9 Raffles Boulevard) at Millenia Walk is the place to slosh down some icy beer and catch up with your mates. The German pub is decked out with long wooden tables and benches, shiny copper pipelines and brew kettles. The result is a no-frills, down-to-earth atmosphere that is homely and inviting. If you’re searching for a swanky yet not too intimidating bar to wind down in, Balaclava (tel: 6339-1600) at Suntec City is it. A popular haunt with white-collar professionals after hours, it is buzzing with life almost every day of the week.
Stereolab (tel: 6336-8111, 6, Raffles Boulevard, www.stereolounge.sg) at Pan Pacific Hotel, is also one to note on your to-do list. Attracting a more mature, sophisticated following, the club is split into two. Stereolounge is the more chill one of the two: it features live bands and gives off a more laidback vibe. On the other hand, the main room is darker, sexier and is where top international deejays are invited to spin (mostly house) tunes to keep those feet tapping and moving. It has been a venue for the official F1 Singapore Grand Prix party in the past.
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| Butter Factory hip-hop/ photo: Factory |
Across the road from Fullerton Hotel and by the bay is One Fullerton. The Butter Factory (tel: 6423-9804, www.thebutterfactory.com) is the resident club and plays one of the best hip-hop and R&B sets in town. If you don’t get turned off by mile-long queues, and dancing shoulder to shoulder with various unknowns, you’re in for a fun time. Clubbing isn’t your cup of tea? Well, pop next door to Overeasy (tel: 6423-0701). The waterfront bar is hip with a hint of slouch – patrons, usually dressed to the nines, lounge languidly on long sofas facing the bay, sharing bottles of wine and downing cocktails.
The Esplanade can also hold its own when it comes to late-night activities. Check out Orgo (tel: 6336-9366, #04-01, 8 Raffles Avenue) located at the rooftop terrace. You not only get to take in the glittering sights of the bay, but also get to sip custom-blend cocktails by a Japanese mixologist. For foodies, there is Makansutra Glutton’s Bay where local hawker fare is peddled until late.
Raising the bar on Singapore nightlife entertainment options in this bay area are two new clubs, Avalon and Pangaea, opening at the Marina Bay Sands Resort (Another acronym tip: it is “MBS” to most cab drivers). Housed in one of the two Crystal Pavilions, this is where you may want to see and be seen.
Fun in Clarke Quay, Robertson Quay bars, Zouk
Boat Quay used to be one of the leading nightlife entertainment districts in town but that has changed. It has faded over the years and while a handful of bars and coffee shops still line the waterfront, it is no longer a top choice for after-dark fun in Singapore. There is, however, one place that you can consider making a stop – Timbre@ The Arts House (tel: 6336-3386, 1 Old Parliament Lane). Situated along the river at Boat Quay in what used to be the former Parliament House, it is elegant without being too chichi. This is where you can get to listen to popular local bands if music is what you crave.
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| Hip Clark Quay/ photo: Vijay Verghese |
Clarke Quay (www.clarkequay.com.sg) is the place to be if you want to be in the heart of the action. A myriad cool bars, fun pubs, restaurants and clubs are assembled here creating an electric atmosphere that sizzles with energy and anticipation. Queues to the more popular clubs often spill onto the walkway and pounding rhythms blast out from almost every other pub or bar. This buzzing nightspot also serves up a platter of international cuisine: Japanese, Indian, Chinese, Spanish, Moroccan, Turkish…you think it, you most probably will get to eat it. There is the Clarke Quay MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) station, so you won’t have problems finding your way to this party hub.
The place can be a little disorienting, especially on a busy night. There are five main blocks (A to E) to explore and cutting a clear path with people milling around everywhere is no easy task. A useful method to re-calibrate your bearings is to head to the fountain in the middle from where you can then navigate through blocks A to D. Getting to block E is a little tricky as it connected to the main car park building. But there are signboards with maps and directories so do look out for those.
Attica (tel: 6333-9973, #01-03, Block A, www.attica.com.sg) is one of the longest-standing clubs in Clarke Quay. Heavily patronised by the expat crowd, the venue is split into two sections. Attica spins groovy R&B beats on most nights, while Attica Two (linked via a courtyard) favours house music. Another stalwart is The Arena (tel: 6338-3158, #01-08, Block B, www.thearenalive.com.sg), which provides a good blend of various musical genres.
Pop into Lunar (tel: 6305-6767, #01-03, Block C) if you’re into Mandarin and Cantonese acts. It is also where you can catch an eyeful of some fancy tabletop-cum-pole-dance moves. Crowd-pullers include Zirca Mega Club (tel: 6333-4168, #01-02, Block C, www.zirca.sg) and The Pump Room (tel: 6334-2628, #01-09, Block B). The latter is a microbrewery, bistro and a bar rolled into one smart package. And it is packed to the rafters on weekends, thanks to good live band performances and an ambiance of playful informality. Shanghai Dolly (tel: 6336-7676) and Rebel Boutique Club (tel: 6235-2292) are stirring interest too with their unusual themes and stylish décor.
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| Attica club and bar/ photo: Attica |
Dust off your bell-bottoms and re-live the ’80s and ’90s at the Yello Jello Retrobar. Or experience some outpatient treatment at The Clinic, where you get comfy on wheelchairs and hospital beds, and slurp lethal concoctions from syringes hooked up to I.V bags. You can also wriggle your hips and shake those bonbons at Azzucar, a Latin bar that churns out anything from Latin funk to contemporary salsa music.
For more intimacy away from the crowd, head to Helipad (tel: 6327-8118, #05-05, 6 Eu Tong Sen Street) at The Central, a quick stroll from the main Clarke Quay area. Whether you are seated indoors on the lower level or alfresco on the rooftop, you are bound to get a lovely view of the downtown district.
Down the road from Clarke Quay is Robertson Quay. You won’t find any booming clubs here; just a pleasant variety of restaurants, cafes and bars by the river. Those with a sweet tooth would love Canele, a French patisserie and Laurent’s Café & Chocolate bar. Down by the waterfront you have Brussels Sprouts, where you can sample Belgian beer and dig into fluffy Belgian waffles. For a good steak, try Le Buchon.
And just a short hop away is Zouk (tel: 6738-2988, 17 Jiak Kim Street, www.zoukclub.com), a name synonymous with the local nightlife scene. There is never a quiet night or moment at this Singapore disco and clubbing institution – its wine bar and three main rooms (Zouk, Phuture and Velvet Underground) are thronged with party revellers from dusk to dawn on Wednesdays and weekends.
Sentosa by night, Harbourfront and Mount Faber
Sentosa was already a hotbed for nocturnal escapes even before the Resorts World hotel combine came along. Beach bars dot the coastline ranging from pseudo-huts to faux resorts. If you refuse to change out of your shorts and flip-flops, there’s Coastes (tel: 6274-9668) on Siloso Beach with its rustic wooden tables and chairs. For the well-heeled, Café Del Mar (tel: 6235-1296) will better suit will its cabana theme, funky furniture and fashionable crowd.
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| Bob's Bar, breezy/ photo: Capella |
Don’t rule out hotel bars just because they don’t sit atop the sand. Bob’s Bar by the pool at Capella is not only understated and classy; it also boasts one of the island’s prettiest sea views and is a great spot to catch the sunset. Indoor alternatives include The Hard Rock Hotel bar, which stands out with its uncluttered, monochromatic décor. And if frolicking on the beach isn’t enough, the Wave House (tel: 6377-3113, 30 Siloso Beach Walk, www.wavehousesentosa.com) will certainly crank up the adventure factor. Surf 10-foot manmade waves, get inebriated and prowl the dance floor all in one night, in one place.
There is more to the Harbourfront area than Vivocity…like yachts. These million-dollar boats are usually docked in remote corners of the city, but not anymore. At Keppel Bay – Singapore’s only private island – you can unwind with a glass of chilled wine with sleek yachts within sight. Privé (tel: 6776-0777, No.2 Keppel Bay Vista), which comprises a bakery, a bar and restaurant, occupies a fair stretch of waterfront at the clubhouse. Cajole and beg to snag a sofa that faces the dock. There is something strangely comforting about gazing at laundered white yachts bobbing on the waters. Take the MRT and alight at Harbourfront. From there, grab a cab for the five-minute drive to Keppel Bay.
You can’t miss St James Power Station (tel: 6270-7676, 3 Sentosa Gateway, www.powerhouse.sg) – the imposing, red-brick building is right beside the causeway leading to Sentosa. And you wouldn’t want to miss it anyway as the former power station has been transformed into, well, an entertainment powerhouse – all 70,000 square feet of it. Water your beak alfresco at Peppermint Park edged with towering plants, wooden blinds and sofas. For a more sophisticated feel, The Lobby will work well with its dark-hued furniture, dim lighting and quirky framed art. And for karaoke fanatics, there’s Mono.
If you’re looking for some serious partying, you will be spoilt for choice. Besides the main club, Powerhouse, check out The Boiler Room. It plays the hottest pop, rock and R&B. Bellini Room’s talented quartet will get you in the mood with all that cool jazz or amp it up Mandarin and Cantonese-style at Dragonfly. Feel the need to go global? Head to Movida where music crosses borders and living la vida loca is all part of the game.
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| Breezy views at Breeze/ photo: Breeze |
Round the corner of Harbourfront is Mount Faber, the third-highest point in Singapore at 106 metres. There are quite a number of rooftop bars in Singapore, but hilltop bars? Altivo (109 Mount Faber Road) at the peak of Mount Faber is probably the only hilltop bar in Singapore at the moment. And it doesn’t disappoint with its starry views, crisp air and cool breeze.
Holland Village restaurants, Rochester Park, Portsdown Road
Nowhere will you find a more bohemian, hippy vibe than in Holland Village, a name synonymous with Singapore nightlife, though more for its upscale yet informal restaurants. This is a posh residential district. The clustered shop houses have much to offer with a wide variety of bars, restaurants and cafes. Even a wet market and hawker centre situated right smack in the middle of it all doesn’t dilute its unique charm. Wala Wala (tel: 6733-9400, 31 Lorong Mambong) is one of the first bars in the area and funnily enough, quite family-friendly. It is common to see kids munching pizzas and parents swilling beer. Its unpretentious, no-frills approach ensures just about everyone feels comfortable hanging out here. Next to Wala Wala is the slightly more swish Tango bar. An assortment of cuisine, from Mexican to Lebanese to Korean, can be found here. Across the road from Holland Village is Chip Bee Gardens where a row of quality dining outlets are to be found. Try well-regarded Original Sin that serves vegetarian fare Mediterranean style.
Rochester Park, off Holland Village, is also worth a visit. Colonial bungalows set amidst lush greenery have been refurbished as fashionable watering holes and eateries. One Rochester (tel: 6773-0070, www.onerochester.com) is suitable for knocking back a few shots and gulping down potent mixers. The hungry hordes can gather at Graze (tel: 6775-9000) that serves modern Australian dishes or go French at Cassis (tel: 6872-9366), which has a sunken alfresco dining area that can be pretty romantic at night. Ask for more candles if you’re having difficulty popping the question.
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| Colonial One Rochester/ photo: Rochester |
Travel a little farther up and you’ll get to Portsdown Road, yet another eat-and-chill enclave housed in restored, colonial buildings. And while there, make a stop at Klee (tel: 6479-6911, #01-04 Wessex Estate). Here you’ll discover something a tad unusual. This bar doesn’t serve wine or beer, only “bespoke cocktails”, which refers to house-blended cocktails in layman’s terms. The easiest way to get here is to take a cab from the Buona Vista MRT station.
Chilling out here and there local style
And then there are those places that don’t fall into any neatly defined districts, but should still be jotted down in your diary. If rooftop bars make you tick, you’ll find a couple along Ann Siang Hill and Club Street. Breeze (tel: 6511-3333, 33 Erskine Road) at Scarlet Hotel and The Terrace Bar on the third level of Screening Room (tel: 6221-1694, 12 Ann Siang Road) should put a smile on your face and get you started for an evening trawl. At the newly opened 1-Altitude (1-altitude.com) – the world’s highest alfresco bar – at the top of the 282m OUB Centre (1, Raffles Place), drop by to catch a glimpse of the city lights or try your hand at concocting your own drinks.
Sunset Way, off Clementi Road, is nestled within a quiet residential estate and comes alive when night falls. There is Sunset Tavern, a good old-fashioned pub complete with darts, and Rocky’s Pizza, one of the best-kept secrets when it comes to local pizza.
Canopy (tel: 6556-1533, 1382 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1), an Australian-style café, sits at the entrance of Bishan Park II and provides you with the relaxing option of cooling off with a glass of wine after a bout of cycling or jogging. If you’re not into cocktails with fancy names and unpronounceable bar snacks, there’s a solution. Do it the Korean way at 2 Days 1 Night, a soju-bang (loosely translated as “a place for drinking alcohol”) on Tanjong Pagar Road. Dive into generous hotpots of hearty, spicy Korean stew and wash it down with soju, the Korean version of sake.
So here’s the rundown of some of the to-go places when the moon comes up in Lion City. That’s all the Singapore nightlife that can be crammed into a snifter. Cheers!
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