Singapore wouldn't necessarily come to someone's mind as a nightlife capital. However, the small nation has a surprising and exciting array of venues for revelers, whether you're after a couple of post-work drinks or a night out. Singapore boasts some impressive venues, including rooftop bars, live bands, basement techno, and much more.
Bars: more than a Singapore sling
The Singapore Sling was invented in the iconic Raffles Hotel. A savvy mixture of gin, brandy, Cointreau, Dom Benedictine, lime, grenadine, pineapple, and a dash of lime, the drink has become one of the most famous exports of the country. However, the bar at the Raffles Hotel is only one of the fantastic offerings of the country. Singapore is replete with a variety of trendy bars, including speakeasies.
Views and vibes in Singapore
If you'd like to enjoy an outstanding view of Singapore while sipping a whisky, sitting on top of the iconic Marina Bay Sands at Ce La Vi is the thing to do. Another very popular venue from which you'll be able to observe the hustle beneath your feet is the One Raffles Place building, which is home to some concept bars that offer excellent views of Singapore. If instead of heights, you'd like to mingle with locals and expats alike, head to Bali Lane or Haji Lane, located in the vicinity of Arab Street, which welcomes DJs at night and in the evening. Haji Lane has grown a reputation for being one of the trendiest parts of town and features a great selection of bars and cafés.
Blu Jaz Café is a good place to hang out, especially if you want to meet fellow expats amidst live jazz bands, DJs, or hip hop. Keong Saik is also home to some excellent bars and has outgrown its past reputation as a sleazy neighborhood of Singapore, as it used to be a red-light district. Keong Saik is lined with venues in a traditional architectural setting, and of the must-visits is the rooftop bar of Potato Head and the tapas of Esquina, which are exquisite pre-dinner venues. Other areas worth checking out include Everton Park, Jalan Besar, and Tiong Bahru. Of course, the waterfront is also a great spot, although it tends to be packed with tourists.
Dancing in Singapore
Singapore's nightclubs are spread in many locations throughout the island, but some of the more popular focal points are Clarke Quay, Robertson Quay, and the financial district. For a basement club, head to Mao, which features techno, broken beats, and trip-hop. It also hosts club nights from Thursday to Saturday and showcases “Basement Souk” house music every Friday night. Most of the clubs have a cover charge that includes a drink. Bear in mind that Wednesday is a strategic day to hit the clubs, as most of them will hold Ladies' Nights, during which drinks are either free, cheap, or discounted for women.
Good to know:
Some clubs also hold Ladies' Nights on other days of the week.
Outdoor partying is also an option, given the tropical climes of Singapore. If you'd like to party outside, head to Sentosa's Tanjong Beach Club, which holds famous parties, including Full Moon parties. While the atmosphere will (understandably) not be equivalent to Thailand's mythic offerings, you're sure to have a great time surrounded by an eclectic and fired-up group of revelers. Beer pong, live DJs, and a desire to relax after a hectic week of work make these outdoor parties especially exciting.
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