Singapore has a vibrant and exciting nightlife with a variety of elegant, chic bars and clubs as well as a diverse culinary offer. In addition to its ultra-modern, futuristic facade, the influence of Asian cultures and religions is omnipresent in Singapore, and the city’s cultural scene reflects the region’s different influences in Malay, Chinese and Indian performances, art and music.
Tourists and foreigners living in Singapore can be found primarily at Boat Quay, where there are a number of former commercial buildings that have been converted into bars, restaurants and clubs. From Boat Quay you also have a good view of the food boats that go up and down with excursionists on the Singapore River (also a worthwhile nighttime adventure). The further you move along Boat Quay towards Elgin Bridge, the more local the locals become.
Those who like to go out all night to greet the dawn can head towards Pasir Panjang Road after visiting the club. There, in a wholesale center, the sale of freshly delivered fruit and vegetables to the hotels and shops of the island is organized from 3.30 a.m. and the fruit is perhaps the best antidote to a hangover. Breakfast is available at the 24-hour Kopitiam grocery stores on Waterloo Street and Orchard Road. Another 24-hour grocery store is located across from the State Library on Stamford Road.
Most clubs are open between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. on Sundays to Thursdays, and between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The dress code is casual to elegant, and the legal age for the consumption of alcoholic beverages is 18 years. Some clubs do not allow people under the age of 23 to enter.
Detailed event information can be found in the local daily newspapers and on the Internet under ‘National Arts and Entertainment Calendar ?? (Internet: www.happening.com.sg). Tickets can be ordered via Sistic (Tel: (65) 63 48 55 55) or Ticketcharge (Tel: (65) 62 96 29 29).
Cultural event
There are so many festivals and celebrations throughout the year that reflect the different origins and different beliefs in this melting pot of cultures that it is easy to lose track. Indeed, since the population is made up of Buddhists, Taoists, Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Sikhs, barely a month goes by without a religious or cultural festival that creates crowds in the streets and temples. Feasts of Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus are public holidays, and Christmas only means a few more days off, but the shops stay open. The Chinese calendar dominates, and the Chinese New Year is the greatest of all. Unlike in the West, culture and religion are still closely related.
In January Hindus celebrate Thaipusam ?? a time of devotion, penance and thanksgiving, and Muslims meet to shop together for the Hari Raya Puasa festival and prepare for the end of Lent. All of this is surpassed by the Chinese New Year celebrations as they represent the majority of the population. The beginning of the new lunar yearJanuary / February is the high point of all Chinese festivities, then the streets of Chinatown are illuminated with traditional decorations and fairy lights, and after dark, there is an incredible, oriental spectacle: countless peddlers and fortune tellers populate the streets, colorful dragon and lion dancers make their way through the crowds and the Chinese Opera takes place on the street.
The May Day Vesak Day celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Sakyamuni Buddha. Hundreds of caged birds are then released ?? as a symbol for the release of captured souls. During the Dragon Boat Festival , which takes place annually in June , fishermen are symbolically sent to search for the Chinese poet and patriot Qu Yuan.
The Hungry Ghost Festival (August-September) is one of the largest Chinese festivals. According to the Taoist belief, the doors of hell open during the seventh month of the lunar year, because then spirits are allowed to walk on earth. To appease these homeless spirits, lavish banquets and “wayangs” (Chinese street operas) are held, candles and incense candles are lit in a row in front of the Chinese houses, and “hell banknotes” ?? burned as offerings.
During the Lantern Festival in September, the Chinese Garden becomes a wonderland of lights and colors when countless children and adults flock to the park with their paper lanterns.
The Hindu Festival of Lights, Deepavali , takes place in October / November and stands for the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. The Little India district and especially the Hindu temples Sri Veerama Kaliamman, Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman and Sri Srinivasa Perumal are then adorned with colorful lamps, garlands and colorful archways.
The most popular performing arts are also very well represented. The highlight is the Singapore Arts Festival , which takes place annually in June and attracts dance and theater groups as well as music groups from all over the world. The productions by Andrew Lloyd Webber are particularly popular. Foreign performances are booked up, so you should get tickets very early. Free music and theater performances are held regularly in parks.
The younger generation of society is engaged in a series of performances and theater activities that regularly test the limits on this strictly governed island. Every year in July the Dance Space event takes place, where contemporary dance and experimental works by various international and local artists are presented for a month. Three days in August, events take place in Fort Canning Park WOMAD and new works of various arts are shown at SEPTFEST , another contemporary event. The Theater Fest 2001, The Substation, gives young writers, actors and directors the opportunity to present themselves for a month from mid-November. The Singapore Film Festival , usually held in April, seeks to advance film culture in a strictly censored society that prefers to focus its attention on the summer sale, the annual shopping battle in July.
Every year, to celebrate Singapore’s independence, a new anthem is composed and played continuously for a month until the national holiday on August 9th. On this day, a parade takes place in front of thousands of spectators.
Bars
Harry’s bar
Harry’s Bar, 28 Boat Quay, is mostly visited by bankers.
Address: 28 Boat Quay, Singapore
Long bar at the Raffles Hotel
The colonial-style Long Bar at Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach Road, is particularly posh. There is the famous Singapore Sling here.
Address: 1 Beach Road, Singapore
Website: http://www.raffles.com/singapore/
Molly Malone’s
You can get a warm welcome at Molly Malone’s traditional Irish pub, Circular Road.
Address: Circular Road, Singapore
No. 5 Emerald Hill Cocktail Bar
On Emerald Hill, many bars in the Peranakan shops dating from the early nineteenth century invite you to stop off, such as No. 5, 5 Emerald Hill Rd. There is a large selection of excellent cocktails.
Address: 5 Emerald Hill Rd., Singapore
Ice cold beer
Belgian cold beer is offered at reasonable prices at Ice Cold Beer, 9 Emerald Hill Rd.
Address: 9 Emerald Hill Rd., Singapore
Que Pasa
Que Pasa, 7 Emerald Hill Rd., Is the city’s oldest wine bar.
Address: 7 Emerald Hill Rd., Singapore
Elephant Public House
For passionate beer drinkers we recommend the Elephant Public House, Penang Road, where you can choose from eight draft beers.
Address: Penang Road, Singapore
Newsroom bar
The Newsroom Bar, Unity Street, offers an unusual mix of terracotta soldier furnishings and 1970s disco and Motown music.
Address: Unity Street, Singapore
Clubs
Amoeba
There are many dance clubs along Mohamed Sultan Road, around 30 in number, including Amoeba, Mohamed Sultan Road.
Address: Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore
Provignage
The Provignage, Mohamed Sultan Road, is one of the many good clubs on Singapore’s hippest street.
Address: Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore
Wong San’s
Wong San’s, Mohamed Sultan Road, is one of the many good clubs on Singapore’s hippest street.
Address: Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore
orange
The Orange, Mohamed Sultan Road, is one of the many good clubs on Singapore’s hippest street.
Address: Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore
Sugar
The Sugar, Mohamed Sultan Road, presents itself in a completely new way every six months, in order to have something ahead of the competition. With its remarkably successful concept, the kitschy interior and the popular DJs, the Sugar has become a hit with the beauties of Singapore.
Address: Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore
Zouk
The Zouk, Jiak Kim Street, is known enough to attract famous foreign DJs.
Address: Jiak Kim Street, Singapore
Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground, Jiak Kim Street, attracts more mature vintages.
Address: Jiak Kim Street, Singapore
Phuture
Hip-hop and R&B are played at Phuture, Jiak Kim Street.
Address: Jiak Kim Street, Singapore
Bar Orb at The Gallery Evanson Hotel
The trendiest place at the moment is The Gallery Evanson Hotel, Orchard Road, which also houses the spacious Bar Orb, which is spread over two floors and always plays casual sounds.
Address: Orchard Road, Singapore
Club Eden
Club Eden, Mohamed Sultan Road, is one of the many good clubs on Singapore’s hippest street.
Address: Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore
Venom
At Venom, Pacific Plaza, Scotts Road, which has a sushi bar and a small relaxation room on the upper floor, should you prepare for a gay night? with muscular go-go dancers and a cabaret travesty show.
Address: Scotts Road, Singapore
Live music
Harry’s bar
From Tuesday to Sunday there is 28 boat quay in Harry’s Bar, live jazz music and jam sessions every night, and there is a variety on Monday nights.
Address: 28 Boat Quay, Singapore
Website: http://www.harrys.com.sg/
Crazy Elephant
At Crazy Elephant, Clarke Quay, 3E River Valley Road, rhythm and blues groups alternate with traditional rock and independent groups every day.
Address: Clarke Quay, 3E River Valley Road, Singapore
Website: http://www.crazyelephant.com/
JJ Mahoney
As everywhere in Asia, karaoke is an extremely popular evening entertainment in Singapore. At JJ Mahoney, 58 Duxton Road, karaoke is offered in addition to live music.
Address: 58 Duxton Road, Singapore
Classical music
Singapore Symphony Orchestra
The Singapore Symphony Orchestra performs regularly on ESPLANADE, 1 Esplanade Drive. It was founded in 1979, skilfully manages a balancing act between Asian and Western music and is increasingly gaining reputation.
Address: 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore
Phone: (65) 63 38 44 01
Website: http://www.sso.org.sg/
Dance
Dance Dimension Project
The Dance Dimension Project is one of the youngest professional performing arts troops and has earned a reputation for being one of the most dynamic and experimental. This dance troupe is based at the Telok Ayer Performing Arts Center, Cecil Street.
Address: Cecil Street, Singapore
Phone: (65) 62 26 67 72
Website: http://www.ecnad.org/
Singapore Dance Theater
The Singapore Dance Theater, based at Fort Canning Center, Canning Park, performs classical dance and ballet.
Address: Canning Park, Singapore
Phone: (65) 63 38 06 11
Theatre
Action Theater
Local theater troupes are particularly determined to stage contemporary theater with Asian influences. The usually hidden, deep tensions between the different ethnic groups in Singapore are the most common material for dramas, and the struggle for freedom of expression is often very noticeable. One of the most productive troops is the Action Theater, Waterloo Street, which performs a series of ten-minute pieces at various performance venues.
Address: Waterloo Street, Singapore
Phone: (65) 68 37 08 42
Singapore Repertory Theater
The Singapore Repertory Theater will be staged at the DBS Arts Center, 6 Shenton Way.
Address: 6 Shenton Way, Singapore
Phone: (65) 62 21 55 85
Website: http://www.singrep.com/
The Necessary Stage
The Necessary Stage, Marine Parade Road, promotes the introduction of holism in schools.
Address: Marine Parade Road, Singapore
Phone: (65) 64 40 81 15
Website: http://www.necessary.org/
TheatreWorks
One of the most productive theater groups is TheatreWorks, based at Fort Canning Center, Cox Terrace Fort, Canning Park.
Address: Canning Park, Singapore
Phone: (65) 63 38 40 77
Website: http://www.theatreworks.org.sg/
Culture
Singapore Art Museum
Singapore is a good place to see Asian art. This is especially true for works by local artists who cover a wide range of themes and styles due to Singapore’s cultural diversity. Art lovers should definitely pay a visit to the Singapore Art Museum, Bras Basah Road.
Address: Bras Basah Road, Singapore
Phone: (65) 332 32 22
Esplanade
Esplanade, 1 Esplanade Drive, is the largest multi-purpose performing arts performance venue in Singapore. The complex houses a concert hall, a broadcasting hall, two theaters, an art gallery and an outdoor stage. Performances often take place in Mandarin with English subtitles.
Address: 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore
Phone: (65) 68 28 83 77
Website: http://www.esplanade.com/index.jsp
