Nightlife in Singapore

Singapore currently boasts of a vibrant, pulsating and exciting Nightlife. Hardworking by day and party animals by night, Singaporeans believe in the "work hard, play harder" norm by hitting the night spots or indulging in late night shopping or simply enjoying a gastronomical experience. There are a lot of activities you can do in Singapore after sundown. Singapore's night life is primarily considered a party animal's haven and a food lover's paradise. It is no surprise that Singapore ranked second in the 'Global Country Brand for Nightlife/Dining' in the Global Country Brand Index, 2006.

There are numerous pubs, bars and clubs that are centred around various themes, play different genres of music and offer diverse gastronomical fare. These entertainment spots are easy to access and are within close proximity to one another, making club/pub hopping easy and convenient. For those who prefer a quieter evening there are several wine and dine options available, with restaurants remaining open way past mid-night. Singapore has gone a step further and created night-time attractions and activities for those seeking fun, adventure and activity. Shopaholics can shop till they drop with certain shopping centres offering 'Late Night Shopping' extended hours.

Singapore's nightlife is fairly safe. Women can enjoy themselves without the fear of being harassed and you can get home safely in taxis, which are easy to find in Singapore. All entertainment outlets in Singapore have smoking restrictions. By designating separate zones for smokers, the nightlife experience is enhanced for all. Additionally, drug trafficking carries a death penalty in Singapore and there are stringent rules when it comes to drink-driving.

Popular Night Spots in Singapore

Depending on what kind of an experience you are looking for you can choose to head down to any of the below mentioned popular night-spots in Singapore.

You must take note that drinks are usually expensive in Singapore. However, most establishments offer 'Happy Hours' and provide 'One-for-One' offers. Ladies Night Out are usually on Wednesdays. The minimum age limit for drinking alcohol is 18 years, although some clubs have an over-21 policy. There is normally a cover charge, especially at weekends. Most bars/clubs are open until 1am or 2am on weekdays and until 3am or 4am on weekends.

Boat Quay

Highly popular with the expats, young professionals and tourists, Boat Quay provides one of the best night time experiences by offering you a range of high end restaurants, alfresco dining, chic cafes and lively bars and pubs, to choose from. Outdoor dining by the beautiful Singapore River that meanders through the Central Business District is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. Restaurants offer cuisines from all over the world. Come dusk and the numerous bars and pubs along Boat Quay start filling up with patrons from the nearby business district. Harry's Bar is by far the most popular, frequented by expats and bankers who enjoy its great beer and jazz. Other popular spots at Boat Quay are 'Jazz @ Southbridge' (premier jazz club), 'Molly Malone's' (Irish pub), 'The Penny Black' (Victorian London pub), 'Archipelago Brewery' (infuses Singaporean flavours into its craft brews) and many more.

Clarke Quay

Located along the Singapore River, Clarke Quay is host to a colourful kaleidoscope of restaurants, wine bars, entertainment spots and retail shops. Set amidst a backdrop of old shop-houses, you can savour the many delights of Chinese, Italian, Mediterranean and local cuisine. In the evenings, dance clubs and pubs come alive with music from the 1960s to the present. Some of the popular hangouts in Clarke Quay include 'Cafe Iguana' (Mexican restaurant/bar), 'The Clinic', 'Crazy Elephant' (blues bar), 'China One' (pool lounge and bar, decorated with antique Chinese furniture and dim lanterns), 'Fashion Bar' etc. If you are looking for a fun experience, the '1Nite Stand Bar & Comedy Club' with its stand up comedians who are sure to make you laugh is worth a visit. The 'Ministry of Sound' is the hippest club in Singapore and if you are a party animal, this is a must visit spot.

Robertson Quay

Offering a much more tranquil and laid-back experience when compared to Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, Robertson Quay houses many alfresco dining outlets, wine bars, arts houses and hotel cafes. Some of the popular hangouts include: Gallery Hotel's 'Bar 84' (a luxury bar with a Japanese magician), 'The Butter Factory' (themed nights), 'Tivioli Beer Bar' (the only Carlsberg-themed bar in the world), 'Zouk' (Singapore's hottest club) and many more.

Mohammad Sultan Road

Singapore's nightlife is incomplete without mentioning Mohammad Sultan Road - the pubbers paradise. The nightclubs and pubs here are frequented by the younger generation and comprises mostly of students and young professionals. 'The Next Page', 'Sugar', 'Madam Wong's' are some of the popular clubs amongst many others.

Orchard Road

Singapore's shopping district Orchard Road, offers some great places to unwind and enjoy the night. You can find established names like Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood among other interesting establishments like: 'Alley Bar' (a trendy L-shaped bar that opens out onto an alleyway), 'Rouge' (alfresco bar with a live band), 'Howl at the Moon' (with its highly successful dueling piano concept), 'Que Pasa' (wine bar), 'Bar None', 'The Balcony Bar', 'Lava Lounge' (with a 70's theme), 'Ice Cold Beer' (Belgian beer, dart boards, pool table), 'No 5 Emerald Hill Cocktail Bar' and many others.

Sentosa/Harbour Front

If you enjoy beach-side parties and crave the outdoors, there are numerous beach bars you can head to at Sentosa. 'Bora Bora Beach Bar' (French & Latin Jazz), Cafe del Mar (dipping pool and DJ tower), Km8 (Jacuzzi pool), 'Coastes', 'Club Islander' are the popular hang outs. 'The Jewel Box' at Mount Faber is an extraordinary hideaway with an exquisite variety of bars and restaurants. If you are in an indulgent mood, the sky dining experience is a must try. You can feast on a wide selection of sumptuous meals, 90 metres above the sea inside a cable car. If you are in the mood of clubbing, you can unwind at Singapore's largest one-stop clubbing destination - 'St. James Powerstation' (multi-club mega complex with 9 different entertainment outlets at Harbour front).

Chijmes

A national heritage site situated in the compound of an old girl’s convent school, Chijmes is now a popular dining, shopping and entertainment site. Chijmes is popular amongst expats, tourists and young professionals. You can choose from a selection of international cuisines or unwind with a fine wine or enjoy a specialty drink at the pubs and wine bars. For those who would like dance the night away there are fantastic live band performances at the bars and clubs. For a peek into what Chijmes has to offer, click here.

Tanglin Village/Dempsey Hill

Just off Holland Road and outside the Orchard Road area, the Tanglin Village/ Dempsey Hill is known as the 'wine-and-dine destination' in Singapore. Away from the noise and crowds, amidst lush greenery, the handful of cosy F&B outlets (specialising in gourmet fare) are a perfect setting for a quiet and cozy night out. If you are interested in exploring this option, click here.

Holland Village

Situated in the heart of a residential area away from the bustling city centre, representing an eclectic mix of between the old and new, Holland Village has earned its sobriquet - 'Bohemian Enclave'. Holland V (as its popularly known) features an assortment of restaurants, cafes and bars to suit all palates. 'Eski Bar' (sub-zero temperatures) and 'Wala Wala' (cafe bar with live band performances) are by far the most popular.

Other Night Attractions and Activities in Singapore

If clubbing, pubbing or fine dining is not your cup of tea, there are several other night attractions and activities you can choose from, depending on what your interests are.

Late Night Shopping in Singapore

With shopping rated as the favorite national pastime, it is no surprise that Singapore offers its shoppers 'Late Night Shopping'. While most malls and retailers pull down shutters by 10 pm in Singapore, certain participating shopping malls along Orchard Road (Paragon, Tangs Orchard, Wisma Atria, The Centrepoint) offer extended hours until 11pm every Saturday. If you are tired by the glitzy malls, a stroll through the Chinatown Night Market (located in Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street and Sago Street) will definitely offer a unique experience. There are irresistible souvenirs and various knick-knacks at cheap prices, to choose from. The Mustafa Centre in Little India is a 24 Hour shopping centre which stocks every conceivable item at some of the lowest fixed prices in Singapore.

Late night movies

For movie buffs who fancy watching movies late into the night, Singapore cineplexes offer a wide selection of movies with screening times that last up to the early hours in the morning. The popular cinemas are the Golden Village Multiplexes, Shaw Cinemas, Cathay Cineplexes, and Cinemania which is located in Sentosa. Movie tickets are not very expensive and you can refer to the local newspapers for detailed listings of movies.

Late night gaming

• Board-game Cafes - The latest rage in town are board-game cafes which attract gamers until 11pm on weekdays and until 3am on weekends. These cafes are a fun and cosy place for friends to meet and play interesting board games together and at the same time enjoy great food, desserts and coffee. Some of the popular board-game cafes in Singapore are: 'Pitstop Cafe', 'Settler's Cafe', 'The Mind Cafe' and 'De Coders Cafe'. Per hour charges apply.
• Indoor Soccer - Open 24/7, 'The Cage' is Singapore's first indoor soccer stadium where you can enjoy playing a game of soccer by simply booking a pitch and paying a per hour fee.
• e gaming - If you are an e gaming buff, e2max@cine is the ultimate haven for assorted e games.

Late evening adventure sports

• Cable Skiing - Located at East Coast Parkway and open until 10 pm, you can try the thrilling cable water skiing experience.
• G Max Reverse Bungy - Open until 2 am, this is a must try for adventurists who would enjoy the thrill of being launched skywards at 200km per hour to a dazzling height of 60 meters.
• Night Cycling - For those who like to sweat it out, groups like the 'Terra Outdoors' organise night cycling jaunts where you can ride in less traffic and cool weather with a group of like minded enthusiasts. A per head fee applies.

Viewing the city by night

• Singapore by night bus tours - Riding atop the Double Decker Open Top that will take you through the city's top attractions, you can experience Singapore by night in a relaxed manner.
• Singapore River Cruise - The river cruise gives you a magnificent view of Singapore by night, offering views of the iconic Merlion, the Esplanade, century-old godowns and shop houses, colonial-style government buildings, as well as the modern skyscrapers that now dominate the city’s skyline.
• Singapore Flyer - Open until 10:30 pm the Singapore flyer offers you breathtaking, panoramic views of the Marina Bay, the island city and beyond.

Exploring Singapore's night attractions

• Singapore Night Safari - Open until mid-night, The Night-Safari is a unique way to experience the night zoo in Singapore.
• Late Night Museums - For the historically inclined, among the late night museums in Singapore are the Asian Civilisations Museum, National Museum of Singapore, Red Dot Museum, Singapore Art Museum, and Royal Selangor Pewter Museum.