A 3-day guide to Singapore’s nightlife

Rock out to local music

Start your evening by rubbing shoulders with local music aficionados at Timbre @ The Arts House. The Timbre Group has long been a stalwart supporter of Singaporean musicians, and its live music venue has played host to a range of local rock and pop acts.

Timbre @ The Arts House is nestled in what was once Singapore’s Parliament House, along the Singapore River. Visitors will be able to enjoy the charming heritage of the district while enjoying an ice-cold beer and a range of finger foods. Expect to be serenaded by a range of Top 40s, rock and pop covers while you’re at it!

Timbre @ The Arts House. 1 Old Parliament Lane #01-04, Singapore 179429. +65 6336 3386.
Mon-Thu 6pm-1am; Fri & Sat 6pm-2am; Sun 6pm-midnight.

Riverside thrills and retro adventures

If retro video games, nostalgic décor and old-school atmosphere sound like your sort of jams, you should definitely drop by Level Up, Singapore’s first-ever arcade-bar. Besides boasting a ton of vintage arcade machines, this retro-themed bar is designed as an homage to gaming enthusiasts who grew up during the golden age of arcades.

Visitors will be able to indulge their inner teenagers, and bond with new friends over a range of vintage arcade titles. Live music lovers will be pleased to find that the bar boasts a stellar line-up of bands, from veteran rockers to up-and-coming acoustic acts.

Alternatively, those looking to amp up the thrills with their friends should take a quick stroll along the river, and strap themselves onto the GX 5 Extreme Swing & Trampoline Bungy for an unforgettable adrenaline rush. The ride brings its riders up to 50 metres in the air, before dropping them at speeds that reach over 120 kilometres per hour.

Level Up. 3A River Valley Road #02-04, Singapore 179020. +65 6266 2276.
Mon-Thu 5pm-2am; Fri & Sat 5pm-3am; Sun 4pm-1am.

GX5 Extreme Swing & Trampoline Bungy. 3 River Valley Road, Singapore 179024. +65 6338 1766.
Daily 1pm-midnight.

Indulge in comedic spectacle

Keep the party vibes going with a visit to The Merry Lion. This semi-hidden bar in Clarke Quay doubles up as a comedy venue, and regularly showcases some of Singapore’s quickest wits and hottest talents.

The establishment plays host to local comedians and global headliners alike—previous acts include Rishi Budhrani, Yuriko Kotani and Nicola Wikinson. If you're keen to watch budding local comedy acts, be sure to visit their Raw'r Comedy sessions on Thursday, or their open mic sessions on Sunday.

The Merry Lion. 8b Circular Road Level 3, Singapore 049364. +65 9066 1655.
Mon, Thu-Sun 6pm-midnight.

Dance, dance, dance

Time to pump up the party vibes and hit the dance floor. Clarke Quay is home to a treasure trove of buzzing nightclubs that open well past midnight, with DJs spinning every genre from mainstream EDM to indie house and electro.

For starters, you might want to pop by Zouk. This mega dance club has been around for close to three decades, and played host to a legion of internationally acclaimed DJs. The second floor of Zouk houses Capital, which incorporates an island bar, a whisky bar, a cigar room and a lavishly designed sitting area. Party-goers can expect to groove out to a range of genres, including Top 40s, hip hop and R&B.

If your taste in music tends towards underground dance music, Headquarters by The Council is one night spot you will not want to miss. This underground party venue is famous for its signature parties and eclectic line-up of DJs.

Socialisers looking for a heady mix of music and merriment should drop by Canvas. Formerly known as Home Club, this party venue plays a mix of disco, EDM and hip hop on most nights, and also boasts weekly comedy nights on Tuesdays. The latter features the sassy performances of local comedy veteran, Kumar.

Zouk at The Cannery. 3C River Valley Road, Singapore 179022. +65 6738 2988.
Wed 10pm-3am; Thu 10pm-2am; Fri 10pm-3am; Sat 10pm-4am.

Headquarters. 66 Boat Quay, Singapore 049854. +65 8125 8880.
Wed-Fri 10pm-3am; Sat 10pm-4am.

Canvas at The Riverwalk. 20 Upper Circular Road #B1-01/06, Singapore 058416. +65 8125 0166.
Tue 7pm-2am; Wed-Fri 7pm-3am; Sat 7pm-4am.

Discover Vinyl and Vintage Music

Start the night early by hunting for vintage vinyl and exploring a range of music at White Label Records. The venue also prides itself as being a communal space, making it a great place to meet fellow music lovers. Events include live gigs, workshops, an in-store radio show, and music showcases from the founders’ personal collections.

Besides being a great space to hunt for vinyl, White Label Records also doubles up as a bar that serves drinks and finger food to nibble on. Signature cocktails include a riff on the classic Long Island Ice Tea and a chrysanthemum vodka martini.

White Label Records. 28 Ann Siang Road #01-01, Singapore 069708. +65 9742 4819.
Tue-Sun 11am-8pm.

Be inspired by local concoctions

End the night off with a gustatory history lesson at Nutmeg & Clove which offers a range of cocktails inspired by Singapore’s rich history. The bar’s avant-garde interpretations of classic concoctions will expand your appreciation for the region’s herbs, flowers and spices, and make for great conversation openers with fellow history buffs.

We recommend trying the Lion in A Sling (a playful take on the classic Singapore Sling) and the King & Queen, which fuses the flavours of durian, mangosteen and toasted Malaccan coffee.

Nutmeg & Clove. 10A Ann Siang Hill, Singapore 069789. +65 9389 9301.
Mon-Thu & Sat 6pm-1am; Fri 6pm-2am.

Fall in love with indie films

Get social with fellow film lovers, and extend your knowledge of undiscovered film classics at The Projector. A hip alternative to regular cineplexes, this secret cinema is an ode to cult classic movies, film buffs, arthouse lovers and the DIY aesthetic of Singapore’s indie culture. Tucked away in Golden Mile Tower along Beach Road, this cinema space has revived one of Singapore’s oldest movie theatres, and screens a mix of Oscar-worthy dramas and indie films from around the globe.

Be sure to grab a movie-themed drink at The Projector’s Intermission Bar before your film begins; the cocktails here are whimsically named after cult classics like Mad Max and The Great Gatsby. This space also hosts a revolving door of comedy performances, photo exhibitions and live music, making it a lively venue to interact with fellow movie-goers.

The Projector. 6001 Beach Road #05-00 Golden Mile Tower, Singapore 199589.
Tue-Fri 6.30-9pm; Sat & Sun 1-9pm.

Get a bird’s eye view at Mr Stork

Perched on the 39^th floor of Andaz Singapore, Mr Stork is a charming oasis nestled away in the heart of the city, with great views of Singapore’s dazzling nightscape. The bar was inspired by the nesting habits of storks, which make their nests atop trees, a theme that’s reflected in the teepee huts and lush greenery that dot this space.

The establishment plays a range of low-key electro and mood music, making it ideal for extended conversations with new friends, and the cocktails served here are inspired by the bar’s garden theme. Be sure to sample The Rhubarb, made with rhubarb puree, strawberry, vodka and sparkling wine.

Andaz Singapore. 5 Fraser Street Level 39, Singapore 189354. +65 6408 1288.
Mon-Thu & Sun 5pm-midnight; Fri & Sat 5pm-1am.