What’s happening in Singapore
The best things to do this week
One of Atlanta’s coolest music export Russ is fronting the Zouk stage for the first time in Singapore. Expect an energetic night as the versatile rapper, singer, songwriter and producer shifts between modern hip-hop anthems to R&B-fused ballads.
Follow Death Cab for Cutie into the dark as the indie stalwarts return to reignite those teenage kicks. Let hits like I Will Possess Your Heart, Soul Meets Body and Transatlanticism take you back to your side-fringed, MSN-flirting, and flannel-wearing days, while staying on for fresh tracks off their latest album Thank You For Today.
Calling all feline fans, here's the purr-fect opportunity to celebrate all things cat. The Singapore Cat Festival returns with another well-curated list of exciting programmes that bring all cat lovers together – even those without a fur-kid. Plus, all pet cats are welcome, too. Come with your own bag of tricks and tips on being a cat-parent, and learn more about the lovable, furry creatures through educational talks and sharing sessions. Snap up some pet snacks from local and international brands. Want to adopt? Say no more. There are cats looking for forever homes, too!
Time to break open those piggy banks and round up your spare change. With the spotlight on Hokkien heritage, this year’s 50 Cents Fest offers traditional fare, hard-to-find dishes, and tasty snacks like orh pia (oyster cake) and ngoh hiang (fried five spice pork roll). What’s more, there are old-school arcade games, a Mixed Goods Store shopping lane, and Hokkien getai performances to get excited about.
Sweat it out for a good cause at this run, now in its 11th edition. Organised by the Singapore Cancer Society, this race aims to raise funds for cancer treatment subsidies, welfare assistance, cancer rehabilitation, hospice care, screenings, research and public education initiatives. Sign up for a 5.5-kilometre fun run, or 10- and 15-kilometre competitive runs.
Mix, mingle and run alongside persons with special needs (PWSN). Pair up and take turns running while being blindfolded in 5km and 10km routes. Otherwise, get involved in the event's first non-competitive 20km cycling segment where participants cycle alongside PWSN on single bicycles and together with them on tandem bicycles. If running and cycling aren't your speed, doing both for a good cause should be reasonable enough to lace up your track shoes.
In celebration of the Singapore Bicentennial, this year's Istana Art Event welcomes all onto the front lawn of the Presidential residence for a day of hands-on activities. Put together a giant jigsaw puzzle in the form of artwork from Singapore Art Museum's Touch collection, create your own collage with stamps from STPI, and enjoy a wayang kulit show before customising your own puppet to take home with you.
Embark on a gastronomy adventure at Design Orchard. Soundtracked with acoustic performances by emerging artists Jill-Marie Thomas, Steph Yeap and Joy Alexis, Foodie Nation invites all to bite into a delectable array of food and beverage options from local favourites like bake&bake, SUCRE, Burp Kitchen & Bar and City Satay. It's not all food either – have a dig at interactive poetry and organic temporary hand-drawn tattoos as well.
Pop icon Sheena Easton makes her way to Singapore for the first time in over 30 years. This Grammy award-winner has a hit list of 15 Top 40 chartbusters with legendary producers like David Foster, Babyface, Prince and Nile Rodgers. Watch her light up the stage with her unique charisma as she belts out crowd-favourite songs like Morning Train, Almost Over You, Strut, and Sugar Walls, as well as her duet with Prince – U Got The Look – and her signature Oscar-nominated James Bond theme For Your Eyes Only.
Vincent Mason, aka Maseo, of iconic hip-hop group De La Soul, makes his way to our shores this July. With his music group being one of the first major acts to work with late hip-hop icon J-Dilla, as well as having worked with big names like Snoop Dogg and 2 Chainz, and toured worldwide with British band Gorillaz, he's no doubt a key figure in the hip-hop history. Look forward to a smashin' time as this American DJ churns out crowd-favourite hits at Kilo Lounge.
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It's birthday time and you want a cake that's not over the top, and perhaps some cream horns as well. Keep it simple and old school at these bakeries and cake shops that have been in Singapore longer than you. Old is gold, after all – bring on the buttercream roses and walnut cakes. RECOMMENDED: Best cafés in Singapore for dessert and best cake shops in Singapore
When it comes to bespoke things, we've got them suits and cocktails so it makes sense to get a little more personalised when it comes to perfumes and scents. Swap that departmental store bottle for something more bespoke, and local, with these homegrown brands mixing up a storm. RECOMMENDED: The best local aromatherapy brands in Singapore and the best home-based services in Singapore
This July 25 and 26, catch a localised take on one of Shakespeare’s lightest and sunniest comedies, As You Like It. In a twist of the original play, the production (tickets at $27, with bundle discounts) is set in Singapore and Malaysia in 1965, just as the nation is about to be exiled from the Malayan Union and set adrift to become a wholly independent state. The jungles of Malaysia transforms into the forest of Arden, where an exiled politician returns to assume power, characters get married to form alliances and new unions are celebrated. Performed by students from the LASALLE College of the Arts BA (Hons) Acting programme, the spirited play takes on new resonances that makes for an apt commemoration of Singapore's Bicentennial. The production is part of Gateway Arts Festival, which takes place from July 6 to July 28. Head on down to Gateway Theatre in Bukit Merah for a series of performances and programmes like this one that are fun for the whole family. Time Out Singapore in partnership with Gateway Theatre
It's hard to say when the bubble tea craze in Singapore started. Some chains have been around since our school days (hello, Each-A-Cup), but the fervour seems to only have intensified in the past year, which has seen a mad dash by international chains to open up bubble tea outlets in Singapore. Here is what's worth a try. RECOMMENDED: The best local tea brands to stock up on and the best coffee roasters in Singapore
Public holidays are precious days, so when you’re presented with a four-day weekend (like the one this National Day) go for it. Last-minute trip planning can be a bitch – especially when the whole nation's trying to get out of the country too. Prices can go up to $1,000 for regional destinations like Phuket and Bali. Trust us, we’ve abused the search button on Skyscanner many times. If you don’t want to be stuck on Sentosa or yet another shopping mall this National Day weekend, we’ve taken the liberty to suss out alternative destinations you can go to at (relatively) decent prices this August 9 to 12. RECOMMENDED: The ultimate 1-day guide to Luang Prabang, Laos and The best short day trips from Singapore
There’s a reason why we’re called the Garden City. Besides impressive skyscrapers and air-conditioned shopping malls, we’ve also got hiking trails, farms and beautiful parks at every corner. With pockets of green everywhere, there’s always a reminder to take a breather. Time to get exploring!RECOMMENDED: The ultimate guide to Singapore's offshore islands and the best public parks for kids
Say the word Funan and the phrase "the IT mall" immediately comes to mind. But after three years of development and a $560 million revamp, the latest shopping centre by Capitaland is back to show us that it can be so much more. With a retail section that spans six storeys housing 192 tenants, Funan has something for everyone, whether you're looking for tech, food, fashion, fitness or culture. The futuristic mall houses flagship stores of international brands such as Brompton Junction and Taobao, as well as local labels like Carrie K. and Another Sole. It also has an ABC Cooking Studio, Golden Village, a futsal court, and tech-enabled handsfree shopping plus a food court where you can pay for food with your cryptocurrencies. If all that sounds a little too overwhelming, here's a guide to some of the things you can do, eat and shop, only at the new Funan. RECOMMENDED: Guide to Meidi-Ya supermarket in Great World City and plastic-free grocery shopping in Singapore
Birthday cakes. Wedding cakes. Cheesecake. Chocolate cake. Cake for one, just one. We sift through the best bakeries to present you with the best cake shops on the island. Don't worry – the perfect cake is not a lie. But if you want to lie to yourself about the calories you're consuming, go right ahead. RECOMMENDED: The best traditional bakeries and cake shops in Singapore and the best cafés in Singapore for dessert
Rice is the source and symbol of sustenance – and also the main part of nasi padang (besides rendang of course). It's also a popular lunch option because you get everything in a single serving on a plate. Lucky for us, there's plenty of shops and restaurants to get our fix around town. Don't forget to add on the sambal for a good kick. RECOMMENDED: Best halal restaurants and cafés in Singapore and the best communal dining restaurants for big groups
Singapore's big day might only be happening on August 9, but that doesn't mean we can't get the party started in July. On July 6, Smoke & Mirrors at the National Gallery Singapore is throwing A Rooftop Soiree where you can watch the fireworks, indulge in a spread of local delights and have plenty of cocktails. From 6pm, look forward to a live station carving roast meats and Peking duck, as well as an array of Singaporean favourites like satay, bak kut teh, laksa and chicken rice before the fireworks go off at around 9pm. We're giving away a pair of tickets (worth $320) to this exclusive event to one lucky reader. All you have to do is answer the question below and sign up for our newsletter. Closing date: July 4, noon. The winner will be notified by July 4, 6pm. ENTER HERE By participating in this giveaway, you agree that you have read and accepted the prize draw terms and conditions, terms of use and privacy policy of Time Out.
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Every month, we set up two readers on a blind date at one of our favourite restaurants or bars – and it's on us!
The best of Singapore
Neighbourhood guides
Once a prominent red-light district, you’d think it would take loads to eradicate the impression of Keong Saik Road being littered with brothels in the 1960s. Well, you’re right – and it has. Now, this bustling neighborhood has somehow seamlessly fused the traditional with modern to offer some of the most unique (and delicious) places to visit whether you’re a tourist or a local lifestyle enthusiast. From gourmet restaurants to trendy bars and even bespoke tailors, you’ll be filled with an endless array of activities as you traverse along the streets of shophouses. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Singapore and the best bars to try out in Singapore
Busy, noisy, filled with people, that’s the general consensus of the Chinatowns of the world. Singapore’s is no different, but ours (perhaps we’re biased) has a charming air about it that appeals to both tourists and locals. A good mix of hawker fare and swish eateries, history and architecture, here are a few good reasons to head down to Chinatown. RECOMMENDED: 101 best things to do in Singapore and guide to getting around Singapore
Joo Chiat and Katong have gained popularity over the years for their blend of Instagram-worthy Peranakan shophouses, delectable cuisine, and indie retail stores. Named after philanthropist, Chew Joo Chiat, this charming corner in the east of Singapore was once a small village of seaside retreats for the wealthy. It's since been revamped into a residential suburb surrounded by shops and eateries. Declared as Singapore’s first Heritage Town in 2011, this East Coast enclave still holds timeless treasures and insight into the rich Peranakan cultural heritage of the 1950s. Today, most of Joo Chiat’s multi-ethnic influences are most evident in its architecture, dining options, and activities. RECOMMENDED Creative spaces in Katong and Joo Chiat and the best restaurants and cafés in Katong
Singapore's glamorous shopping belt dazzles with luxury stores, local boutiques and plenty to eat, see and do.
It’s a given that Little India is colourful, vibrant and a hive of activity – but it’s also changing and gentrifying. There’s never a dull moment on this stretch, here are some of our favourite spots. RECOMMENDED: Where to eat in Little India
What was once Singapore’s sleaze central has smartened up big time thanks to classy new developments like Andaz. While the area is evolving into a mini CBD, it hasn’t gone all business-like just yet. With its mix old-and-new, here are some of our new (and old) favourite haunts. Still can't get enough of what this colourful neighbourhood has to offer? Check out the best cafes in Bugis or go on a bar crawl guide in Bugis when it gets dark out.
Singapore's infamous redlight district is the place to go your craving for the king of fruits and good food at any hour of the night.
Take a one-way (MRT) trip to the far east – you’ll find more than chalets and droves of army boys. Hit up Pasir Ris and Changi for a walk through nature as you explore the mangroves or chug down refreshing brews by the seaside. We round up where to hang out and what to do while you're in these two quaint neighbourhoods.
More than just the neighbourhood with Singapore's first IKEA, Queenstown is also home to plenty of cheap and good eats, outlet malls for a good bargain and more.
Get acquainted: Tampines – named for the large number of ‘tampinis’, or ironwood, trees that used to be in the neighbourhood – is the largest residential area in Singapore. The colourful HDB blocks and smart design of the district earned Tampines the United Nations World Habitat Award for Excellence in Housing Design in 1992. Make a deal: Just outside the MRT exit, bargains abound in 513 Tampines Central 1. Get cheap clothes at CK Discount, then wander around the building clockwise until you hear the carnival soundtrack and come to stall No 152 – Three Stars Buy 1 Free 1. Just like the name says, when you buy one of the household goods on sale, you get one free. Along the way, keep your eyes open for discount underwear and a jewellery pawn shop. Eat: On the third floor of the Tampines Mall (4 Tampines Central 5, and ground zero for mainstream shopping in this area), peek in the window of Din Tai Fung and watch dim sum masters rolling out dough and turning it into divine dumplings… okay, enough watching. Time to grab a seat and eat! For what could possibly be Singapore’s best dining bargain (a major claim), head to block 823A on Tampines Street 81 and find stall No 820 in the Food Park for a plate of $1.30 chicken rice. Get fit: After all that chicken rice (at those prices, you know you’ll get seconds), you’ll need a workout. The Tampines Sports Hall (495 Tampines Ave 5 S) offers 19 badminton and table tennis courts where you can play with your birdies and balls. If that doesn
