Nightclubs in Singapore

The nightclub scene has exploded in Singapore over the last 20 years. From Zouk opening its doors in 1991 to the floating palace of Avalon opening in 2011, Singapore has become a clubbers paradise. With so many clubs out there, we’ve chosen to focus on four of the most popular. For full listing of going-ons in Singapore make sure you pick up a free copy of Juice or Ziggy. Both magazines are found in various shops around Singapore.

Avalon

The newest venue on the Singapore nightclub scene, Avalon was built as part of the famous Marina Bay Sands complex.  Founded by the same team behind Avalon in Los Angeles, Singapore’s Avalon brings world-class state of the art clubbing to south-east Asia. Housed in the floating South Crystal Pavilion, the nightclub impresses before you’ve even crossed the threshold. Once inside you’ll be confronted with 17,000 square feet of clubbing heaven. Set over two floors with interior design by New York firm Roman and Williams, party in ultimate style to world renowned artists and DJs. With a constant rotation of international artists performing at Avalon, there’s a good chance you’ll catch one of your favourites while in Singapore. Also make sure you try their original energy-cocktail ‘POP!’ Cover charge varies depending on who’s performing so make sure you double check before heading out. For nights with local DJs only, don’t expect to pay less than $25 for entry.

Zouk

One of the oldest clubs in Singapore, Zouk’s popularity has only grown and grown in the 21 years since it was established. Constantly appearing in the top ten of DJ Magazine’s list of best clubs in the world, Zouk is the place to choose if your time in Singapore is limited. Zouk is part of a nightlife complex that includes the hip hop orientated Phuture, the less-mainstream Velvet Underground and the chilled Zouk Wine Bar. Zouk is also responsible for the most international artists performing in Singapore, with 153 bookings in 2012 alone. This is also due to the side-events they put on outside of the nightclub. If you’re in Singapore in December you may have a chance to experience ZoukOut. One of the biggest electronic music festivals in south-east Asia, ZoukOut takes place on the picturesque island of Sentosa. With a massive line-up consisting of the world’s top DJs and electronic music producers, it has become the highlight of the year for Singaporean clubbers. As Wednesday night in Singapore is ‘ladies night’, make sure you check out TGIW at Zouk. Happening every Wednesday it’s the perfect place for people on holiday as you don’t have to work the next day! Entry is $25, but being on a Wednesday, entry for ladies is free. Entry costs for other nights at Zouk and its neighbouring clubs depends on who’s playing. Make sure you check the price when deciding who to go and see.

Zirca

Located in Singapore’s party district, Clarke Quay, Zirca is relatively new face on the Singapore club scene, but it has very much made its mark. If you’re looking for more of a party than just dancing to music, Zirca is the place for you. Expect champagne to be flowing as performers take to the stage to entertain the 2,000 excited revellers. Another club that regularly hosts international artists, Zirca is also famous for its Wednesday night party Lollipop, another popular free night for ladies. If you’re feeling brave you can check out one of Zirca’s many costume parties. Be aware that people put a lot of effort in so don’t phone it in or you’ll definitely stand out, and not in the way you’re supposed to. Prices at Zirca are steep but if you’re into a spectacle beyond the normal clubbing experience then it’s well worth the price of admission. 

Home Club

Billed as Singapore’s home of the underground, Home Club is a back-to-basics clubbing experience focusing on music over everything else. The place to regularly hear music styles not often represented in the bigger clubs like techno, dubstep and drum n bass, Home Club also hosts indie nights for those that like to dance to something other than electronic music. It’s also a popular venue for local bands, with the club often doubling as a live music venue earlier in the night. Furthering the venue’s diversity, Home Club hosts regular comedy nights.  Although often hosting international artists, usually Home Club is home to young upcoming Singaporean DJs, which keeps door prices down, making it a popular club for many young Singaporeans. Its location next to the Singapore River, outside tables and great service also make it a great hangout spot. Cover charge at Home Club is always decent, even for international artists, so if you’re into music and don’t care about the bells and whistles of the nearby superclubs, then Home Club is the perfect place for you.   

As mentioned this is only the tip of the iceberg. Whether you like pop, house, trance, techno, drum n bass, dubstep, hip hop or R&B, there’s a DJ in a club somewhere waiting for you. Keep an eye on local listings before you arrive as you might get a chance to see a popular international DJ, if not the local DJs are well equipped to fuel your night of dancefloor hijinks.

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In The Neighbourhood

Singapore’s multiculturalism has created a diverse country made up of many unique neighbourhoods, each offering something different, from the adventurous to the familiar. Whether you want to browse trendy stores in historic Chinese shophouses, smoke a shisha, explore spice markets or feel like a taste of home, there’s a neighbourhood in Singapore for you. 

Ann Siang Hill

Catch the MRT to Chinatown and wander south-east through the historic alleys and you will discover Ann Siang Hill. This small hill is named after the last person that owned it when it was still private land. The area has important historical significance as it was the place that early Chinese immigrants used to come to send letters home to their families. Many professional letter-writers and calligraphers set up shop here to service the illiterate immigrates that wanted to send letters home. Later, Ann Siang Hill became the home of many clans and secret societies, which is a tradition in Chinese culture, especially amongst Chinese not living in China. The shophouses they once inhabited have since been restored and now hosts bars, cafés and a wide variety of shops. If you’re looking for chain stores or boutiques selling well-known brands then you’ve come to the wrong place. Expect shops selling books, vintage toys and clothes, locally designed fashion and a boutique nursery selling upmarket and stylish cribs, cradles and toys. Ann Siang Hill is also home to many restaurants, but if you’re looking to save money, maybe head downhill to Maxwell Hawker Centre. From a reservation-only Japanese restaurant to French and Italian cuisine to a restaurant that screens movies after the meal, Ann Siang Hill is one of the best places to go for fine dining. Also make sure you try one of the many cafes serving world-class coffee, including a French patisserie and a Japanese café. With the classic architecture of the shophouses which date back to 1903, Ann Siang Hill is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon or evening.     

Kampong Glam

Known as the ‘Arab Quarter’, Kampong Glam has been a centre for Muslims in Singapore since before Sir Stamford Raffles first landed. Once home to the Malay aristocracy, Kampong Glam is now a thriving hub based around the large gold-domed Sultan Mosque. The current mosque has been there since 1928 and is one of the most well-known landmarks among Singaporeans. Explore the many streets and lanes surrounding the mosque and expect to find everything you’d expect in an Arab Quarter including textiles, carpets and perfumes. But if you find your way to Haji Lane you will find something a bit different. This long narrow stretch of beautifully restored and colourful shophouses is home to some of Singapore’s coolest shops. Browse boutiques selling clothes by local designers, furniture shops selling one-off pieces, a Tokyo Bike store, a shop selling skateboards and streetwear direct from New York City design houses and much more. At the end of Haji Lane is the best Mexican restaurant in Singapore. There are lots of other places to eat in the Arab Quarter, explore the streets and you’ll find all types of Middle Eastern food with an abundance of Egyptian restaurants. As this was a Malay village, it’s the perfect place to try some proper Malay food. Kampong Glam Café is extremely popular among locals but for something a bit more unique you need to try Zam Zam. They specialize is a dish called murtabak which is a prata stuffed with eggs, onion and meat. Having been here for over a century, they’ve really perfected their recipe. Kampong Glam is also home to French restaurants, Japanese restaurants and a Swedish restaurant at the end of Arab Street. As Haji Lane doesn’t get going until mid-afternoon, the area is best for a visit around dinner time. After dinner watch the alcoves of the old shophouses get covered in carpet and pillows ready for you to enjoy a shisha. Also known as a hookah, this is one of the main attractions of the Arab Quarter. Be aware that as this is the Muslim area many places don’t serve alcohol. However on the edge of the Quarter is Bali Lane which is lined with bars. To get here just take the MRT to Bugis. Once you’ve left the station just head towards the ‘Gotham City’ building and Kampong Glam will be on the other side. The area is an essential visit for anyone travelling to Singapore.

Little India

Prepare for an assault on the senses. Arriving by taxi in Little India on a Friday or Saturday night, watch as your driver gets angrier and angrier as the locals refuse to respect the difference between the footpath and the road. It’s quite an entertaining spectacle! But as this can take a long time and make the taxi fare higher than it should be a lot of people just take the MRT. It’s easy to forget you’re in Singapore when visiting Little India. The mark left by the majority Chinese population on the rest of Singapore is completely absent from Little India. You’ll feel like you’ve come to another country as the sights and smells transport you straight to India. Your first visit has to be Tekka Market. People from all over Singapore visit Tekka for its fresh meat, vegetables and spices. The main reason for tourists to visit Little India, apart from the atmosphere, is the shopping. With stores selling everything you can think of at very reasonable prices it’s a bargain hunter’s paradise, the epicentre of which is a 24 hour mall called the Mustafa Centre.  Go shopping at any time of night for jewellery, household appliances, books, CDs, DVDs, watches, electronics, footwear and clothing. If you can handle the chaos and the crowds, Mustafa is one of the best places in Singapore to grab a bargain. Little India is obviously the best place to go for Indian food but surprisingly it’s also home to a few popular French restaurants. So if you’re in the mood for French food, Little India is a good chance to experience in a totally different atmosphere.   

Holland Village

Holland Village sits approximately 6 kilometres (almost 4 miles) by car from Orchard Road. A centre for young Singaporeans and the expat community, Holland V, as it’s known to locals, is a great place for lunch and dinner, especially for kids. All the big restaurant chains from Singapore have a presence here, as well as the Australian restaurant chain Crust Pizza. As the roads are closed Holland V really does have a village feel to it. Come for dinner on a Sunday evening and the streets will be full of kids running around and riding scooters creating a very family friendly atmosphere. After bed time though Holland V is a great place to go for a drink with the many bars and closed off streets creating a relaxed but exciting environment. Since 2011 Holland V has had its own MRT station but as it’s on the Circle Line it’s much quicker to come by bus or taxi.

Dempsey Hill

Originally a British military barracks, Dempsey Hill holds special memories to all middle aged Singaporean men, as it was here they reported for the start of their national military service in the 1970s. All that remains of the military past are the buildings, which have all been converted into restaurants, art galleries and antique stores. Dempsey is essentially a dining destination, with the only shopping being art and furniture. This makes it popular with newly landed expats looking for western food and decorations for home.  The restaurants include Italian cuisine, Mexican, Korean BBQ and an American burger place, complete with a crazy challenge to eat a burger too large for anyone sane. Fine dining is represented by The White Rabbit, a restaurant serving European food housed in an old chapel. Reservations are essential. Dempsey is a very popular day spot, especially on Sunday as it’s a great place for breakfast as well as lunch. To get here you can take a bus but a taxi would be more convenient as you won’t have to walk up the hill. 

When staying in Singapore it’s easy to get stuck in the main centres of Orchard Rd and Marina Bay, but luckily the excellent transport system makes it easy to explore more outlying areas which will give you a much more memorable holiday experience.    

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Bars in Singapore

The nightlife scene in Singapore is constantly evolving. Every time you look up there seems to be a new bar, club or restaurant. To help you make a decision on where to go for a drink, we’ve made a few suggestions. The list doesn’t go into much detail at what is served at each bar; instead it focuses on the venue, atmosphere and what makes it a better option than just a regular old pub.

Tanjong Beach Club

Situated on Tanjong Beach away from the crowds of Siloso Beach and Palawan Beach, Tanjong Beach Club is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a busy day exploring Sentosa Island. Make sure you get a good spot by the pool take in the view of the ocean. This is particularly special at night as the dark horizon is dotted with the hundreds of lights that cover all the ships anchored a few kilometres off shore. Tanjong Beach Club is also known for its amazing food. With the chef having worked at Momofuku Ma Peche and Oceana in New York City, this is also a great place for dinner.  

Ji Biru

Specializing in Japanese craft beer, Ji Biru sits in the “outdoor” area of the mall 313 Somerset. Decked out with wooden tables and benches it feels very Japanese. Its location means you get the outdoor vibe but with a massive fan on the roof keeping the Singaporean heat at bay. This makes it a perfect place for an afternoon drink after or during a shopping spree on Orchard Rd. Ji Biru is also known for its yakitori so much sure you grab some as a snack while you’re there.

Ku De Ta

Situated 55 stories high in the SkyPark on top of Marina Bay Sands, Ku De Ta provides one of the most spectacular views of Singapore. With a restaurant inside and a bar outside, you can enjoy your drink while taking in the view of Marina Bay with the Singapore CBD skyline in the background. Look to your right to get a rare top-down view of the Singapore Flyer. As it’s the world’s highest Ferris wheel, there are not many opportunities to see it from this angle.

1-Altitude 

If you want to get even higher then go across the water to the CBD to have a drink in the world’s highest al fresco bar. On level 63 of One Raffles Place sits 1-Altitude. At 282 metres (925ft) high and with 360 degree views this might be the most spectacular bar in Singapore. And hence there is a cover charge of up to $30. This does include a drink and with the view of Marina Bay Sands and pretty much most of Singapore it’s definitely worth the price of admission at least once. 

Loof

This rooftop bar is a very popular spot on Friday and Saturday nights. The wood decking and greenery makes it feel like being on the terrace of a really nice house. The view provides a glimpse of the top of Marina Bay Sands so you’ll be able to see the nightly laser show. They’ve also provided some coin operated binoculars so you can get a closer look.

Divine

Parkview Square will be a building you’ll come very familiar with during your stay in Singapore. This landmark is known around town as the ‘Gotham City building’ due to its striking Art Deco architecture, making it look like something from Batman’s home town. The amazing design isn’t just on the outside. Next to the impressive lobby is Divine. This opulent wine bar is a must for wine lovers and architecture fans alike. The centrepiece is a 12 metre (39ft) high, gold wine chiller. It’s so tall that if you order something from one of the upper shelves, a wine fairy flies up and gets the bottle. You read that correctly. A woman dressed as a fairy and attached to a rope and pulley system floats straight up to get your wine. You just hope she’s getting paid well for that. And with the cheapest bottle of wine costing $95, you know she probably is.

Mr Punch

Mr Punch is a rooftop bar located at the MINT Museum of Toys. The walls of the bar are covered in vintage advertisements and signs creating a unique atmosphere that make for a good change from some of the more overly glamorous bars in Singapore. Located close to other museums, Mr Punch is perfect for a cool refreshment after a day of history and culture.

Broadcast HQ

Located in a large old shophouse in Little India and run by two Australians, Broadcast HQ feels like a bar you’d find in Sydney or Melbourne. Situated above the restaurant which specializes in barbequed meat, the bar is dark, with mismatched couches, exposed brick and hip hop playing on the stereo. The bar food is top notch and the cocktails are “preservative free”. There is also a record store downstairs which can be dangerous for the wallet after a few drinks.

Helipad

Although not used for an actual helipad during the day or anything, this round rooftop bar certainly does resemble one, especially with the big glowing H shape in the middle, which of course is actually a giant couch. Once the helipad novelty wears of the bar provides an awesome view of the Singapore River and Clarke Quay, one of the busiest bar and restaurant districts in Singapore.   

Clarke Quay

If you want to try a few placers but don’t want to travel around too much, then Clarke Quay is the place to go. With five blocks of old warehouses converted into a network of bars, clubs and restaurants, you’ll be spoilt for choice no matter what you feel like doing. There’s an Irish pub, a Scottish pub, a Middle Eastern bar where you can smoke a shisha, bars with live music, a massive wine bar and Hooters(!) Go on a Friday or Saturday night and be prepared for large crowds. But with the layout and Singapore’s love of organization it never feels overwhelming. To avoid the weekend traffic you should get there by water taxi. You’ll be dropped off right in the thick of it so you can get your night started as soon as you decide where to start. With so much choice that might actually be quite hard, but with everything so close to each other you should try as many places as possible.  

There are plenty of regular bars and pubs in Singapore where you can go and just enjoy a drink. But if you want a memorable venue, interesting beer choice and/or great food, make sure you try one or more of the places listed above.  

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Chinese New Year

Being in Singapore for Chinese New Year is like being in Europe or North America during Christmas. Chinese New Year is the most important time of year for the Chinese community, and with over 70% of Singaporeans being Chinese the celebrations run through the entire island.

Although Chinese New Year falls on the 10^th of February this year (it’s a different date each year), the festivities began long before that. As it’s the year of the Snake, Chinatown has installed a massive sculpture of a snake using yellow sky lanterns that slithers along four metres above South Bridge Rd. Around the corner is another snake, this one 128 metres long and made of 5000 red cube lanterns. Explore the various street of Chinatown and you can browse over 500 street-stalls set up in celebration of the New Year. These will be selling traditional Chinese New Year treats like sweets and cookies. Chinatown will be the epicentre of the celebrations on the 9^th of February. Make sure you go to New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street between 9.30pm and 12.30am for live performances and a countdown celebration.

One of the major events during Chinese New Year is the Chingay Parade held on the 22 & 23^rd of February. This street parade was first held in 1973 and has since grown into the most popular street parade of the year. Due to its overwhelming popularity it is now held at the F1 Pit Building. A closed off piece of road normally used to the Formula 1 race in September. The current location offers seating so more people can view the spectacle.

Also popular is River Hongbao. This nine day festival takes place from the 8^th of February to the 16^th of February on the floating platform on Marina Bay and will feature 1,200 lanterns and 45 food stalls selling classic Singaporean dishes like char kway teow, chicken rice, oyster omelette and delicacies from the Guangdong province in China like soup dumplings and grilled quail eggs.  

Around the corner at the Esplanade from the 15^th of February until the 24th is Huayi - Chinese Festival of the Arts. Showcasing Chinese art, music, dance and theatre, the festival is great way to get a better understanding of Chinese culture.

If you’re looking for a quick introduction to everything Chinese New Year, then the Singapore Flyer will be celebrating by turning one of Singapore’s most popular tourist sites into a lesson on everything Chinese New Year. Learn about what makes Chinese New Year such a special time, and then take a ride in the world’s tallest Ferris wheel.  

These are just some of the things going on during the Chinese New Year period. But no matter where you are in Singapore you won’t be able to stop yourself being swept along by the festivities. Note that Monday the 11^th of February and Tuesday the 12^th of February are national public holidays. This won’t affect tourist spots and major restaurants. But be aware that some supermarkets might be closed as well as most of the smaller Chinese-run businesses. Whatever you do just revel in the festivities and have a great Chinese New Year. Gong Xi Fa Cai!

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Mosaic Music Festival

The Mosaic Music Festival is an annual festival in Singapore that takes place in and around the Esplanade Theatre for ten days. Started in 2005, Mosaic began as a jazz and world music festival but has since grown to feature a wide variety of music styles. The festival is a celebration of music as art and as such is less likely to feature chart-topping pop stars. The entire Esplanade complex takes part in the festival. Not only utilising the venues within, like the concert hall and the theatre but also the surrounding area. As the Esplanade is right next to Marina Bay, it is the perfect setting for these free outdoor shows. The free shows are an important part of Mosaic. With a feeling that music should be for everyone, an outdoor stage right on the waterfront will be showcasing music that’s perfect for music lovers and passers-by alike.

Some of the 2013 Mosaic Music Festival performers include:

Acid House Kings: Bonding over a shared love of Elvis Priestly and The Smiths, Sweden’s Acid House Kings bring their unique brand of indie-pop to the Esplanade Theatre Studio.

Grimes: Hailing from Canada, the fiercely independent Grimes has grown in popularity at an astronomical pace. A true testament to DIY record making and the power of the Internet, see what all the fuss is about when Grimes brings her keyboard to the Esplanade Theatre Studio.

Wouter Hamel: Holland’s own pop sensation Wouter Hamel brings his amazing voice to Mosaic in 2013. Hamel shot to fame after winning the Dutch Jazz Vocal Competition in 2005. Since then he has released three critically acclaimed albums and has toured all over Europe. Catch him in the Esplanade Recital Studio.

mouse on the keys: Containing members from a well-known Japanese post-rock band, Tokyo’s mouse on the keys emerged playing a fusion of post-rock and jazz. Since then they have further evolved to incorporate many diverse styles of music, boiling them down to create something compelling and unique. Their highly visual live show takes place in the Esplanade Recital Studio.

Jose Stone: The 26 year old soul singer is probably the most recognised name on the Mosaic line-up. The organisers may have thrown a curveball in terms of booking a famous chart-topper, but a mere pop star, Jose Stone is not. Her incredible soulful voice has been wowing audiences since her debut album The Soul Sessions in 2003. Ten years later, she comes to Singapore to bring a lot of soul to the Esplanade Concert Hall.

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra: After meeting in a record shop and becoming friends based around the love of a Gaz Mayall cassette, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra was born. Now in their 25^th year, the band doesn’t just play straight up ska, despite the name. Instead they incorporate all their musical passions including surf rock, punk and jazz. With nine members, this is a musical spectacle not to be missed. Playing the Esplanade Concert Hall – as they’re unlikely to fit anywhere else!

Grizzly Bear:  Although releasing their debut album in 2004, it wasn’t until the release of their second album Yellow House in 2006 that the world stood up and listened. And listen they did. Released on Warp Records, a label most famous for its forward-thinking and experimental electronic music, Yellow House took the music world by storm. Loved by critics and adored by fans, Grizzly Bear quickly became one of the most respected and sought after bands in the indie scene. Now touring album number four, Grizzly Bear perform at Mosaic in the Esplanade Concert Hall.

That is just a small snippet of the artists that are performing at this year’s festival.  At ten days, there really is something for every music lover.

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One Night in Singapore

Although not necessarily known for its nightlife, Singapore is quickly becoming a sought-after destination for travellers looking to party in Asia. We decided it was time to put it the test.

Starting early for a pre-dinner beer at Ji Biru, a bar specializing in Japanese craft beer, we’re soon distracted by the yaki tori, which is a specialty at Ji Biru. We quickly understand why. All the beers at Ji Biru are from microbreweries in Japan and with a large selection including chocolate beer and coffee beer, there's something for every beer lover. Non-beer drinkers should definitely try the apple cider or the Umeshu, a Japanese plum wine that’s best enjoyed with a lot of ice.

After doing our best not to fill up on yaki tori we head to Little India. This time though it’s not for Indian food. We’re heading to a bar / restaurant / nightclub / record store called Broadcast HQ. Owned by two brothers from Australia, the menu is inspired by the main religion in Australia; barbeque. It would be silly in that situation not to order a steak, but the ribs look mighty tempting also. After the meal we head upstairs to relax on the couches to some music and enjoy a few after dinner cocktails.

By now it’s approaching 11 so we start making our way towards Clarke Quay. Once there we just stroll around the epic complex known as The Canary. It’s packed with restaurants, bars and clubs and is heaving with people. If you are in doubt about the vibrancy of Singapore’s nightlife, just come here on a Saturday night. After rightly deciding not to have a go in the “reverse bungee” contraption, a little cage that shoots you into the air via bungee rope, we head east along the river to Home Club.

We've decided not to go to one of Singapore’s well known super-clubs like the award winning Zouk or the spectacular Avalon, which sits on top of (not next to) Marina Bay. Instead we've opted for Home Club. Located close to Clarke Quay MRT station and between the two bridges of New Bridge Rd and North Bridge Rd, Home Club has long been revered for its independence in an increasingly commercialized scene. Dedicated to playing indie rock on Friday nights and then a rotating mixture of drum n bass, techno and dubstep on Saturday; Home Club has something for everyone who’s not into the R&B and Top 40 style dance music at other clubs. Its location right next to the Singapore River makes for a perfect place to relax and take a breather between dancing sessions. 

As the early hours of the morning approaches, we decide to finish the night how we started it by partaking in that greatest of Singaporean past times; eating.

We head around the corner to an all-night hawker centre and feast on some local flavours while reflecting on our night out. Travelling from location to location cheaply and easily, plus the sheer amount of people we've seen all night firmly puts to rest any notion that Singapore is a bland destination aimed purely at business travellers and shoppers. Whatever your taste, there’s something out there for every night owl. Be it food, bars or music, there’s always something happening at night in Singapore. 

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One Day at Marina Bay

No trip to Singapore is complete without a visit to Marina Bay. As the entrance to the Singapore River, it was once an all-important trade route for fishermen and traders who were the life-blood of the island. Now it’s one of Singapore’s premier tourist attractions.

Instead of taking the train to Marina Bay MRT station, get off at Raffles Place and head east towards the Fullerton Bay Hotel. From here you should head north along the water towards the Merlion.

The Merlion is the mascot and national symbol of Singapore. Its fish body represents Singapore’s origin as a fishing village and the lion head represents Singapore’s original name, Singapura, meaning Lion City. The Merlion statue sits near the mouth of the Singapore River. At 8.6 metres tall and with a jet of water rushing out of his mouth, the Merlion is a must see to make any visit to Singapore complete.

From there you can catch a bumboat straight across the bay towards Marina Bay Sands. Opened in 2010, the $8 billion Marina Bay Sands is the most expensive stand-alone hotel casino ever built. Your first stop at this epic complex should be the ArtScience museum. Shaped like a lotus flower, this unique building does not fail to impress. With an always changing roster of international exhibitions, the ArtScience museum is just as impressive on the inside.

From there it’s into the mall. Officially called The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, this mega-mall really lives up to its name. At almost 93,000 square metres, it truly is a shopper’s paradise. If you’re one of the many people that doesn’t like shopping but once again have found yourself dragged to a shopping centre, perhaps you could take a gondola ride on the canal that runs through the mall. Or maybe sit and have a coffee beside the indoor waterfall, made up of collected rainwater. Plus there’s always the ice skating rink to keep you busy. Of course if something a bit more grown up is to your liking, then just pop into the casino. As the world’s largest atrium casino, with 500 tables and 1,600 slot machines, it will be very easy to match any shopper in terms of time and money spent.

With shopping bags filled and chips cashed, it’s time to make a trip up to the SkyPark, 191 metres above ground. Make sure you bring swimwear as the SkyPark hosts the world’s longest infinity pool. Swimming to the edge and peering over to take in the view of the city from almost 200 metres high, while floating in 376,500 gallons of water is a genuinely breath-taking experience. After your swim you can have a meal in one of the world class restaurants that sit in the SkyPark. After dinner make sure you take a stroll through the hundreds of trees that make this rooftop paradise a true park. Your walk should take you to the north end of the park where the platform overhangs by 67 metres, giving unmatched views of Singapore.

It’s not over yet. To end the day why don’t you catch a show in one of the two 1,680-seat theatres located in the mall down below? And if you really want to keep the night going afterwards, party the rest of the night away at the “floating nightclub” on Marina Bay.

From national icons and traditional water transport all the way to the future of shopping and leisure, a day at Marina Bay is a must for anyone visiting Singapore. 

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