Whether your preference is dancing the night away to pop hits overlooking a city skyline or enjoying a craft beer riverside, Singapore has nightlife options for all tastes:
For the spectacular view
With generally hot summer weather year-round, Singapore does not lack in rooftop bars. Ku Dé Ta is a lounge on top of the Marina Bay Sands Casino and Hotel. Ku De Ta — a similarly named club with a different owner exists in Bali — overlooks the bay and provides a killer view of the city’s famous Central Business District (CBD) skyline. Depending on the time of day or night, the crowd can morph into a mix of hotel guests with cameras, expat residents and business travelers. There’s a small dance floor with resident DJs spinning top 40 hits after 11 p.m. with surrounding tables reserved for guests spending more than SGD2,000 (about $1,600 US dollars). For the more economical, a modest entrance fee can be paid at the door for non-hotel residents — the view is well worth it.
For live lyrical stylings
Singapore has several options to hear live music — from jazz and acoustic to covers done by local and Filipino transplant bands. For those looking for an intimate live jazz experience with an impressive scotch whiskey or bourbon offering, B28 provides just that. No larger than many suburban living areas, B28 looks like a classic sitting room with a mix of high-top and wide-cushioned leather chairs.
If you’re looking for an outdoor acoustic experience, Timbré is the place to be. Timbré @ the Substation, located in a hip neighborhood surrounded by shisha bars and a variety of Muslim food offerings, is the original establishment while Timbré @ the Arts House, which also features live music regularly, sits alongside the Singapore River.
For those longing for a communal vibe and can’t decide between watching the game on TV or listening to live local tunes, Wala Wala Café Bar is your best option. Located in Holland Village, a popular area for expat residents, Wala is a two-floor watering hole featuring live music and comedy acts in its upstairs bars.
On occasion, TAB will draw in local and foreign jazz and singer-songwriter talent. Situated on Orchard Road, the famed shopping district of Singapore, TAB offers music and Asian fusion fare for those weary of shopping. Late into the night, the music venue transforms into an Asian disco, so be sure to check the calendar for weekly events.
For those looking to break the bank
Touted as “The worlds most luxurious nightspot,” Pangaea is a lounge located on the basement level of the aforementioned Marina Bay Sands and popularized by A-listers who’ve stopped by its sister locations (London, Miami and New York). The scene to be seen, Pangaea typically has a line with a tight door crew and VIP tables with a minimum fee of SGD2,000-15,000 (about $1,600-$12,000 US dollars). Hostesses decked out in tight red dresses are at your beck and call and each table has a custom-built granite finish, encouraging guests to create their own dance floor atop their big-ticket table.
For the beer admirer:
Opened in 1997, Brewerkz is located on Clarke Quay — a popular tourist destination known for its bars, clubs, lounges and themed restaurants — and features hundreds of draft and craft beers. It’s a relaxing, well-lit environment with indoor and outdoor seating that brings in those who might be thirsty after consuming the famous chilli crab at JUMBO’s Seafood next door. Days and nights are quite busy on the Quay, often drawing in the sports fanatics on the weekends, so be prepared to share a few pints with new friends.
Photo Courtesy of Marina Bay Sands
