Clubbing in Singapore: Sip & Inhale!

When you’re on a vacation with your family touring Singapore together from 8 a.m. till 8 p.m., what’s the one item on the itinerary which can give you that much needed escape from the fuddy-duddies? What else but the nightlife!

Singapore’s night life has everything from discos, bars and pubs to pool tables. Their Happy Hours offer two drinks for the price of one.

Like in Manila, Singaporean discos require a cover charge which normally includes the first drink. The dress code? Singapore nightlife screams smart casual! Yup, stilettos are optional.

For them, the nightlife starts from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. from Sunday to Thursday. But on Fridays and Saturdays, the party scene lasts till 3 a.m.

The fabulous fact about the Singapore nightlife is that even before midnight, you’ll already find a young hip crowd ready to party. Bars are definitely not empty even on early weeknights.

Well, if we younger ones had it our way, this is how the family itinerary for Singapore would look like! (Now if only the bars were open all day!)

Day 1: When Wong Is Right

Let’s be a bit educational on the first day. A little history can be very interesting. First stop would be Madam Wong’s. Business Times journalist Peter Wong, transformed the former rice warehouse into a massive pub of 8,000 sq. ft. Madam Wong’s is actually named after Peter’s mother. But don’t worry, the music played is far from ancient. They play a mix of pop and soul-inspired dance. With its oriental theme, it features Chinese lanterns and wooden shop signs, so like a mother, it’s still quite warm and homey.

From holy to very happening, Chijmes is another place to visit. Formerly an old convent school, a number of areas here have been converted into bars. If you seek a mellow atmosphere paired with great wine, check out Bonne Sante and Father Falangan’s. Or you can enjoy the tequila and lime concoction The Jump is famous for while you recline on a dentist’s chair!

Penny Black is a quintessential English pub. History tales tell that the entire décor was dismantled, shipped, and assembled from a bona fide English pub. Popular drinks at Penny Black are standard ales, imported European brews, and other alcoholic drinks.

Of course our little educational tour wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the art museum. Bar at the Box is one of the few bars in Singapore which display contemporary art pieces. The bar’s signature martinis and art cocktails are inspired by well-known artists. So while you sip on drinks called Pablo, Vincent, Andy or Freda, you can admire the art pieces on the wall.

Day 2: For Seasoned Clubbers

The second day calls for a day dedicated to music class. Offering plush lounges and private booths lined at the interior and a hanging garden suspended above the courtyard at the back, Club Eden plays host to a variety of events and both local and foreign DJs. With mixed genres of progressive dance music, this is a popular place for the seasoned clubber. Or check out Dbl-O. It’s a modern dance club with three bar areas, a large dance floor, and a stage area plus its walls are customized with lights that change to suit the mood and occasion.

Then there’s chandelier-lit temple that claims itself as "A-list clubbing for those who want to crease their expensive togs to quality house." The place is called Giorgio’s. This drinking hole actually has two areas. First is Mad Monk’s Bar which evokes an old Belgian monastery illuminated by candlelight.

Sip European wines and Belgian brews while listening to live acid jazz. The second area is Tai. Listen to their house DJs play a mix of garage, house, and disco music in an extravagant three-level designer club with red and gold interior.

Definitely one of the most popular places in Singapore, Zouk/Zouk Wine Bar is often compared to Europe’s top clubs such as Pacha in Ibiza. With its annual all-night Zouk Out parties and repertoire of local and foreign DJs, Zouk leads Singapore to the level of global clubbing. Although it’s popular for house music, Wednesday night feature dance mixes from different eras.

In the same area, Zouk also operates two clubs. Phuture is a perfect place to enjoy cocktails before heading down to the main Zouk dance floor. They play eclectic music covering Hip Hop, Trip Hop, Drum n Bass, Down Tempo and anything experimental. For the 30-something crowd, Velvet Underground plays great contemporary music.

But if jazz is your kind of music, drop by Harry’s Bar, another one of Singapore’s popular hangouts. Be entertained by a live jazz band in this American jazz pub facing the Singapore River. And if you can play, a special jam session is organized every Sunday from 7 p.m. to midnight.

Day 3: Orange Or Pravda?

After the excitement of the first few days has worn off, everyone eventually gets homesick. Be lonely no more. Along Mohamed Sultan Road, you’ll see two familiar names: Pravda and Orange. Pravda there is furnished simply with dim lights making it a great place to chill out and talk. Sorry, not much dancing space for this Pravda! Orange on the other hand offers a spacious dance floor, an "O" shaped bar, an orange-colored pool table, and yes, orange lighting, fixtures, and accessories. Targeting clubbers in their 20s, they play contemporary hits, house and mainstream garage.

When you’re tired of Orange, go for PinkK! As the name suggests, everything is pink from the exterior and bar, to the toilet seat covers, drinks and cocktail shakers. Take a sip of your pink drink served in a slightly tilted glass which you can enjoy while seated on one of the pink velvet couches!

If you’re not fanatic about colors, then maybe you’re a fan of Manchester United Football club! Devil’s Bar is the place to be! But even if you’re not a fan, check out this bar and hang-out with the football-crazed crowd. Watch football matches on the numerous TV sets and the huge screen. On days where there are no matches, relax as the resident band plays classic tunes.

If there’s a bar for the men, fear not girls, because Ridley’s is where you want to be! This place is Singapore’s first beauty dance club! Their interiors display perfume from brands like Paul Smith and Burberry’s. Why else should you be here? Ridley’s regularly hosts the best product launches, gives free perfume samples and complimentary makeup!

The best way to cap the night off? Visit Boom Boom Boom. The regular comedy cabaret led by infamous drag queen Kumar makes this place one of the top comedy arenas on the island!

Day 4: Drink Your Milk!

The last night is always the best night to celebrate and drink all you can! (As long as you can still fly back home the next day!)

Try a new drink at Indochina-inspired Xuan Bar (pronounced as "shien"). Listen to jazz, acid-jazz, and chill-out music as you try their signature drink called Cookie Monster (kahlua, coffee, and crushed Oreos).

If you’re a beer lover, head for Ice Cold Beer. Wash down nine percent hot dogs at this bar with 30 varieties of ice-cold beer served in chilled glasses. Give your beer belly a break and try the den upstairs where there are two pool tables.

Or if you go for martinis like James Bond does, Mezza9 Martini Bar is your destination. It’s a nice quiet place to chill over a few drinks especially if you’re a martini lover. They have almost every martini concoction you can think of. Must-try here is the chocolate martini.

While everyone else is sipping a drink, inhale yours. Two Rooms is Singapore’s first oxygen bar. They offer flavored oxygen infused with your favorite scent! Aside from oxygen, they serve standard wines, champagnes, and whisky. This place is relaxed and informal. A great pre-party hangout before hitting the clubs.

Mother always says to drink your milk before bedtime. Well, we certainly will at the Milk Bar! This bar specializes in cocktails with milk in them!

The hip bar has two levels: one for chilling out and the other for dancing to house and garage music.

Aaah. Mom was right. Milk is definitely the best way to end the day!

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Singapore Airlines flies daily from Manila to Singapore. The Singapore Tourism Board offers special tours for the young. For details, call Nancy Harel & Associates at 636-02-55.