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Singapore - Nightlife

Singapore has a vibrant and exciting nightlife with a plethora of upmarket, trendy bars and clubs accompanied by one of the world's most diverse dining scenes. Despite its ultra-modern, futuristic facade, the influences of pan-Asian cultures and religions remain entwined in Singapore, and the city's art scene reflects the flavours of the region, with Malay, Chinese and Indian performances, art and music.

The area with the liveliest nightlife in Singapore is around Mohammed Sultan Road, with nearby Robertson Quay offering several classy waterfront venues. Popular spots with expats and tourists alike include Boat Quay and Clarke Quay with their renovated shop-houses and warehouses converted into noisy bars and restaurants overlooking the river. For more refined dining and drinking in a leafy hilltop setting (actually in an old British Army barracks), the Dempsey Road area is becoming increasingly popular.

Local newspapers (such as the Straits Times) carry lists of daily events. Time Out Singapore is the leading monthly magazine for city listings and information and is sold in all bookstores. I-S Magazine is a free monthly magazine with local listings and information, and is available at many food and drinks outlets island-wide.

Bars in Singapore

Alley Bar

The pretty Emerald Hill, with 19th-century Peranakan shop-houses, contains several bars, the best of which is Alley Bar. With its excellent cocktails, tasty dim sum and cool lounge music, it’s the classiest bar on Emerald Hill.

180 Orchard Road, Peranakan Place, Singapore
Tel: 6738 8818.
Website: www.peranakanplace.com

Bar Opiume

For a civilised drink on a sophisticated riverside terrace with a chic crowd, Bar Opiume is a winner. Massive chandeliers, glowing blue tables and Buddha statues - no surprise considering its location beside the Asian Civilizations Museum – add to the upmarket but relaxed atmosphere.

1 Empress Place Waterfront, Singapore
Tel: 6339 2876.
Website: www.indochine.com.sg

Helipad

For an alfresco martini, Helipad draws a hip clientele for drinks overlooking Clarke Quay. Located on the fifth floor of The Central on Eu Tong Sen Street and with a rooftop helipad, this two-storey bar boasts breathtaking views of Clarke Quay’s bustling nightlife and the Singapore River.

05-22 The Central, 6 Eu Tong Sen Road, Singapore
Tel: 6327 8118.
Website: www.helipad.com.sg

Long Bar

Within the colonial grandeur of Raffles Hotel is the Long Bar for that famous Singapore Sling. The earthy décor was inspired by the Malayan plantations of the 1920s. In addition to almost every alcoholic and non-alcoholic concoctions imaginable, the bar also serves traditional pub favourites.

1 Beach Road, Singapore
Tel: 6412 1816.
Website: www.raffles.com

Screening Room

Classy cocktails and fine wines accompanied by film screenings and a quiet, romantic setting are provided by Screening Room.

12 Ann Siang Road, Singapore
Tel: 6221 1694.
Website: www.screeningroom.com.sg

Clubs in Singapore

The Butter Factory

The Butter Factory is a ground-breaking Singapore club which moved downtown from the St James Power Station in late 2008 and prioritises urban hip-hop, rap and R&B grooves. Easily one of Singapore’s most popular and fun clubs, it is also known for its decorative interiors which feature the work of prominent pop culture designers and artists.

One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Road, Singapore
Tel: 6333 8243.
Website: www.thebutterfactory.com

ZIRCA

ZIRCA is a hot club in Singapore offering an alluring combination of the best of Cirque, Cabaret and a dance club.

The Cannery, 1-2 River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, Singapore
Tel: 6333 4168.
Website: www.zirca.sg

Zouk

The iconic Zouk, going strong for over a decade, is considered Singapore's pioneer clubbing institution. In the past, it has hosted notable DJs such as Sasha, Paul Oakenfold and John Digweed, plus international bands. Within its walls are three venues: the mellow Velvet Underground, to which the cool, mature clubbers flock, the pre-club WineBar with refreshing terrace, and Phuture, a small club with break beats and hip-hop.

17 Jiak Kim Street, Singapore
Tel: 6738 2988.
Website: www.zoukclub.com.sg

Live Music in Singapore

Crazy Elephant

A friendly bar in Singapore with live R&B and classic rock, Crazy Elephant is an informal venue which has attracted some music greats. Its wooden décor and graffiti give it a rock authenticity that’s unique in Singapore.

Clark Quay Trader's Market, 3E River Valley Road, Singapore
Tel: 6337 7859.
Website: www.crazyelephant.com

Harry's @ Boat Quay

Harry's @ Boat Quay, housed in a renovated shop-house facing the river, is famous for its great live jazz, and is popular with Singapore's power brokers and bankers.

28 Boat Quay, Singapore
Tel: 6337 0657.
Website: www.harrys.com.sg

JJ Mahoney

As in the rest of Asia, karaoke remains an inordinately popular evening's entertainment in Singapore. The fun bar JJ Mahoney has karaoke sessions in between the live music.

58 Duxton Road, Singapore
Tel: 6225 6225.

Timbre @ Old School

For outdoor drinking combined with live acoustic music, Timbre @ Old School has an easy-going, casual vibe in a leafy setting.

11A Mount Sophia Road, Singapore
Tel: 6338 0800.
Website: www.timbre.com.sg

Dance in Singapore

Singapore Dance Theatre

The Singapore Dance Theatre performs classical dance and ballet and is based at Fort Canning Centre. One of the city's most popular events is their outdoor Ballet Under the Stars, held at Fort Canning Hill in July.

Cox Terrace, Canning Park, Singapore
Tel: 6338 0611.
Website: www.singaporedancetheatre.com

Telok Ayer Performing Arts Centre

Telok Ayer Performing Arts Centre is home to the Ecnad Project, a young, professional performing arts group going strong for over a decade and renowned for its cutting-edge, dynamic dance performances.

182 Cecil Street, Singapore
Tel: 6221 4726.

Opera and Theatre in Singapore

Esplanade

Esplanade is the largest multi-purpose venue for performing arts in Singapore. This waterfront complex contains a concert hall, recital studio, two theatres, an art gallery and a bay-side outdoor stage. Plays are often performed in Mandarin, with English subtitles. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is based here and gives regular performances including every Friday, Saturday and some Sundays. Founded in 1979, the SSO bridges Asian and Western music and has a growing, if still fragile, reputation helped by the occasional international tour.

1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore
Tel: 6828 8377.
Website: www.esplanade.com

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