by Mira Mare, the passionate Tokyoite who came to study in Singapore and never left
If you’re looking for things to do in Singapore at night, look no further. The night is always young here, so whether you’re waking up early to catch a flight or you feel like pulling an all nighter, you’re Crazy Rich or you’re looking for cheap things to do in Singapore, the city has got you covered. Here’s a run-down of some of the best places to hang out at night in Singapore, so you can make every minute of your week, layover or 2 days in Singapore count. With more late night activities in Singapore than there are nights to enjoy them, you’ll be back before you know it.
Timbre+: A Hawker Centre with Live Music
Who said a hawker centre and a live music bar can’t be under the same roof? Here at Timbre + they are! This new-concept hawker centre is located in a research institution where students and researchers work and study, so after a long day, this is one of the places to hang out in Singapore at night which offers the perfect break from a busy schedule! It’s a little outside of the city centre - about half an hour on the MRT’s circle line - but it’s worth the journey. If you’re looking for alternative things to do Singapore at night, this is definitely one not to miss. Live music plays here at different times from Monday to Sunday, but of course, as this is still a hawker centre, you can enjoy a wide range of cosmopolitan foods which are Singaporean favourites like wonton noodles, bak kut teh and Hainanese chicken rice. But Timbre + has it’s own twist on the dishes offered, with plates like Filipino roasted pig garnished with brown sauce, pizza with okonomiyaki flavourings and Cajun fries served out of food trucks also making an appearance. Now you can sit back ad relax in front of the band, with your hawker favourite by your side.
Take a Cable Car Ride in HarbourFront
If you are in search of romantic things to do in Singapore at night, you’ve come to the right place. Be it your anniversary or honeymoon, the HarbourFront cable car will make your visit unforgettable. Aim to get to the cable car just before sunset, when the surrounding buildings begin to be beautifully lit up for twilight - the romantic mood here definitely makes this one to put on the list of things to do in Singapore for couples. HarbourFront is a lavish area where you can find futuristic condominiums and well-furnished apartments, which looks stunning at night too. Once you’re done with the ride, you can chill, shop and dine right below the cable car, at Vivocity Mall. This is a locals’ favourite when it comes to places to hang out at night in Singapore too.
Complimentary Night Light Shows
Anyone asking the question of what is there to do in Singapore at night will surely know about the complimentary light shows at the Singapore Marina Bay Sands Skypark. First off, take note of show schedules. And make sure you are right in front of swirling fountain at the entrance looking over Marina Bay (some people nicknamed it a huge washlet toilet). You may want to “reserve” your seats too - you can simply leave your stuff (like umbrellas or any sort, something you won’t regret if you lose it) where you’d like to sit as a lot of people flock to the show for the beautiful night lights. The show is displaying beaming lights coming from on top of Marina Bay Sands, the whole building becomes a diamond in the night sky. Another one to watch if you're looking for cheap things to do in Singapore at night is the light show at Gardens by the Bay. There’s the show timing for this too, do check it out beforehand. If you feel lost, just follow the crowd going to the supertrees which the show takes place. Once you have made it to the forest of the artificial trees, I suggest that you lie down on the ground to look up all the shining trees. The lights change colours every few seconds or so; it’s simply stunning to be able to watch these beautiful moments in life. To make it more memorable, try to watch it from the skywalks.
Shop 'til you drop
Your shopping heaven in Singapore, Orchard is renowned for its own night lights too. Whether it’s Halloween, Christmas or celebrating the release of a film, Orchard Road is illuminated with the large neon lights floating over the lanes. If you can get close to ION orchard shopping mall, there’s something going on anytime in the year. Don’t miss out watching the lights on the low staircases to the ION orchard. This one alters the colours too as time goes by, it’s like you are standing right at illuminated coloured piano keys.
Pub Crawl in Boat Quay
Boat Quay is the epicentre of Singapore’s nightlife zone. Start off at Sons Bar, which is inside the Far East Square mall in Telok Ayer. With reasonably priced F&B and pastel colour interior, Sons Bar guarantees you a brilliant dining experience. Stop by if you’re looking for things to do in Singapore on Friday night, when there are live music sessions. Your next bar hopping point is the Penny Black, a pub with the decor and furniture that take you to the British pub scene without leaving Singapore.
Bq Bar is a live sports bar you can mingle with locals and watch your favourite matches with your cocktail. Harry’s has outlets across the island and one of them is in Boat Quay, where an elegant interior will transport you into a VIP state of mind. If you’re not in the mood for spirits, I’d recommend their citrus mocktail. End your pub crawl at the Hero’s Bar on 81 Circular Road, one block behind the Boat Quay promenade. Being a sponsor to a bunch of sports teams in Singapore, sportspeople come and unwind at this bar in between their hard trainings and off-seasons. Hero’s hosts a various entertainment program from comedy shows to themed nights.
Night Adventure in Tanjong Pagar
Almost the neighbouring district to Boat Quay, Tanjong Pagar is also home to high-rise office buildings and serviced apartments as well as some of the most bustling nightlife in Singapore. I would recommend you to go to this area on Friday night to get your weekend started. Chinatown street food is something that might first come to your mind. From Michelin starred chicken rice to western delights, food choices here are wallet-friendly and hearty at the same time. Or else, let your feet take you to Keong Saik Road, where iconic shophouses line up across the street. If you want to dine in a local food restaurant, Kok Sen family restaurant is a place to go (30-32 Keong Saik Rd). The restaurant specializes in Singapore-Chinese cuisine, ranging from seafood to vegetable starters if you just want a light bite before your night gets started! Or if you fancy some more international cuisine and a speak-easy vibe, Lime House prides itself on its selection of Caribbean food and live music. Once you’re full, make your way to club street, where people come for after work drinks. You’ll see a lot of the local office crowd here - you should try being part of it!
Drinks and clubs
Drinks & Co. has a list of relatively inexpensive drinks (which is rarity in Singapore, usually drinks are a lot for anyone). And if you’re lucky enough, the staff might offer you crazy cheap drinks (e.g. $5 beer) to clean out their stock! If you’d rather tune into the club street feel rather than hunting for cheap drinks, head off to Noti Restaurant & Bar for old European apartment like interiors and Italian liqueurs. You’ll feel like as if you ventured into a Grimmauld Place in Harry Potter. Finish your night off at Kilo Lounge. Tucked between shophouses on Tanjong Pagar street, the nightclub is known for its techno music on the dance floor and murals on the outside wall. Entry fee is $30/pax inclusive of one drink.
Singapore’s Rooftop Bar Scene
Singapore suffers the shortage of spaces due to its dense population. A lot of businesses end up carrying out their day to day activities in a small store space - that naturally led people to come up with the idea of making full use of their rooftops. It turns out that this is a very lucrative idea, and now there are hundreds of rooftop bars in Singapore. If you are visiting Singapore, chilling out on rooftop bars is absolutely what to do late at night in Singapore. One of the local’s favourites is 1-Altitude, 7-8 mins walk from Boat Quay. Of note is that absolutely breathtaking panorama of city on top of the 66-storey OneRafflesCity building. All I can say is you should go to this rooftop. You can Instagram the view or you can simply embrace the beauty of the bird’s eye view. 1-Altitude has a dance floor too so you can groove too!
Best views in town
There's also Lantern at Fullerton Bay hotel and Kinki bar to check out, but they’re on much lower floor than 1-Altitude. The view at both bars is a close up of Marina Bay Sands (Singapore’s iconic building known for its one of its kind architecture) so you may be look up the Marina Bay light shows - which is a postcard view you definitely want to keep. The major difference between these two is the ambience. Lantern is more classy, intended for the well-dressed up customers who want to chit chat on it's cozy chairs and coaches. This bar has a large square pond in the middle and all the seats spread around the pond, which makes an upmarket feeling. Kinki is more casual, similar to that of hipster club. You can enjoy happy hour drinks while a dj spins. It’s a Japanese sumo wrestler themed bar, so a wide selection of Japanese beer is available there.
Important Tips
For 1-Altitude and Lantern (and the other bars with strict entrance requirements - like aforementioned Kilo), please do note the dress code to avoid disappointment. For gentlemen, leave your shorts, singlets and flip flops in your accommodation. You don’t have to wear office attire but come to the nightclub with a short sleeve shirt and covered shoes. For ladies, leave your flip flops at home too. Shoes with heels go a long way. For everyone, please bring along your passport to clear the entrance check (passport copy, your driving license etc do not work here). Kinki doesn’t have so much red tape around its dress code, just show up in whatever you’ve got with you.
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