Sick of clubbing? I-S rounds up other happening after dark activities that you can indulge in—from alternative sporting activities to cooler-than-thou KTV-ing to partaking in a little night game or two. By Andrea Lin, Zaki Jufri, Shahirah Mohamed Ansari and Walter Sim
Break Out a Sweat
Night exercising is not for everyone, but we can’t resist sweating it out amid soaking in the moonlight and the balmy evening breeze. Here are some sweat-inducing activities for all you night creatures who are simply rearing to go.
All Caged Up
Aspire to be the next Ronaldo but have two left feet? Hone your inner soccer superstar atThe Cage (38 Jln. Benaan Kapal, 6344-9345), a complex of six indoor street soccer courts that stays open at all hours of the day, before you graduate to a full-sized field. Practice your signature moves under the shroud of night, away from the condescending eyes of more experienced players. Better yet, tackle embarrassment by taking comfort in numbers: Round up a group of like-minded greenhorns and flounder along as a team. For $90 per hour, not only will you get a heart-pumping cardio workout running after stray balls; the amateurish antics of your mates on the FIFA- and UEFA-endorsed artificial turf are sure to keep you in stitches all night.
Go Full Circle
Imagine the cool wind on your face as you zoom down the road, the sights passing you by and relatively no one else in sight. Night cycling is fast becoming one of Singapore’s favourite new pastimes for insomniacs looking for a dose of nocturnal adventure. For those without a bike, Terra Outdoors (#01-3509, 57 Geylang Bahru, 9773-9539) organizes group night cycling trips to various parts of Singapore. The distances of the routes can be as short as 20km and as long as 120km, and they’re able to plan routes according to your needs. Rates are $20 per person exclusive of $12 bike rental.
The Night Cyclist
We talk to Chow Suet Ling of Terra Outdoors and regular night cyclist about the thrill of peddling in the dark.
Why night-cycling?
Because most people have no time to do so in the day. Cooler weather and lesser traffic are plus points too. It’s not dangerous as long as you take the necessary precautions such as being visible (like wearing bright/reflective jerseys and using back blinkers) and of course, following traffic rules.
What’s the thrill?
Singapore roads are generally well-lit at night. It’s a great opportunity to see a different side of Singapore when most people are in bed. It’s like exploring the secret nightlife of Singapore. And since your sense of sight is reduced, other senses come into play and you become more aware of the sounds and smell—even the air is different, and you even get to experience the mist sometimes.
Where are some of the best places to cycle to at night?
Changi Coastal Road for good food, Yishun dam for the good scenery and Lim Chu Kang for the good company of the undead kind (laughs).
Walker in the Dark
If your idea of hiking is ambling around Orchard Road togging shopping bags during the Great Singapore Sale, then hiking at night should be a breeze, literally. Those with a sense of adventure and mystery—eager to pound the mud-caked trails in blackness and shadows—should check out the many hiking trails and nature walks like the picturesque 9km long Southern Ridges trail which starts at Mt. Faber Park and will take you through Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park, before ending at West Coast Park. Here, you can catch a glimpse of natural Singapore by night when the island transforms into a sea of twinkling white lights and swirling red tail lights. Night-hikers also shouldn’t miss the amazing Henderson Waves with its striking undulating wave feature which lights up daily from 7pm-2am.
Leisurely Pursuits
Creatures of the night are no longer hard–pressed for choice when it comes to late night entertainment. From fishing, snooker, reverse bungy rides to wholesome board games and singing your hearts out, there’s never a dull moment after the clock strikes 12.
Fishy Business
There is a certain lure to prawning. It’s not simply patience that is cultivated, but also the endless monosyllabic chit-chat with strangers (who become your friends) that keep us sleepless and coming back. Punggol Prawning (Marina Country Club, 600 Punggol 17th Ave., 6310-1012, open 24 hours) provides free BBQ pit services as well as bait and rod so you can barbeque your catch on the spot. It is almost like chillin’ at your nearby coffee shop over a late night Tiger, except with hand-caught food in your stomachs. Rates start at $14 per hour. Those who live up north, check out Bottle Tree Park (81 Lor. Chencharu Yishun, 6759-5771). Other than prawns, the park carries a wide array of fishes for you to fish all night long. Rods and baits are provided. Open Sun-Thu, 9-2am, Fri-Sat, 9-3am. Rates start at $14.50 per hour.
Hitting the Right Notes
If you’ve been living under a rock all this while, Singapore is abound with karaoke lounges and pubs. So sing your heart out at cool, upmarket KTVs like Yue (#01-03 Blk. C Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6305-6767) and Mono (3/F, St. James Power Station, 3 Sentosa Gateway, 6270-7676), which are a hit with the trendier set. Seductively clad in red velvety hues, Yue, located within Lunar—Asian Fusion Bar in Clarke Quay, is a welcome respite from the cacophony of bars around the area and those looking for a change of tune. Its resplendent rooms are decked out in snug armchairs and intimate lighting, and the biggest of these rooms—CJ8 which can pack in 40 people—even boasts a piano and a pool table. Room charges are $300-500 for the smallest ones to $1,500-2,000 for CJ8, St. James’ Mono, on the other hand is all monochromatic chic and exudes a rather Rocky Horror Picture Show kind of vibe—just perfect to whip out those skinny jeans to do your Gene Simmons impersonation. You have to spend a minimum of $200 (for four persons)-400 (for 10 persons) on weekends if you want to channel your inner Madonna.
Up to Speed
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s thrill-seekers chasing a late-night adrenaline fix at the G-MAX Ultimate Bungy and GX-5 Xtreme Swing rides (3E River Valley Rd., 6338-1146. Open Sun-Thu, till 1am, Fri-Sat, till 2am). Those of you who’ve had your bar-hopping nights at Clarke Quay punctuated by piercing screams would have seen the pods filled with people hurtling into the air at mind-blowing speeds of up to 200km per hour. For a full five minutes ($45 each ride; $60 for both rides), the gravity-defying G-MAX will catapult you skyward, while the GX-5 slices through the sultry Singapore night like a giant pendulum, affording you an aerial view of the neon-lit Clarke Quay area—that is, if you can keep your eyes open.
Gamer’s Paradise
Unleash your latent competitive spirit at Settler’s Cafe (39 North Canal Rd., 6535-0435. Open Fri-Sat, till 1:30am), which offers a veritable smorgasbord of games, from classics like Scrabble and Monopoly, to newer and quirkier games like Elixir and Cranium.Whether you’re a group of two ($9 per table per hour) or more ($15 per table per hour for three to six guests; $2.50 per hour per additional guest), bond over Taboo andPictionary, or inject a healthy dose of rivalry into your friendship by challenging your pals to an intense game of Jenga or Cluedo. Settler’s Cafe also offers a good array of finger food like chicken wings, calamari and sandwiches if you aren’t up for full meals but need an extra spurt of energy to be crowned the definitive Twister champion.
Night Games
Need a late-night dosage of Counterstrike, Dota or Left 4 Dead? Duke it out with your friends (or even a couple of strangers) in an epic battle to rule supreme at the following outlets that open till late. I.R.C (#B1-02 Peninsula Plaza, 111 North Bridge Rd., 6339-9202. Open daily 24 hours) stands out, making it suitable for night owls aching for a quick RPG fix. With 73 terminals and from $2 an hour, you’re in for a cheap thrill. Or book a chamber at Cathay E2Max (9/F, Cathay Cineleisure Orchard, 8 Grange Rd., 6235-9249. Open Sun-Thu noon-midnight; Fri-Sat and eve of public holidays, noon-3am) for a little more privacy.
Hook, Line and Snooker
Flex your wits and prowess in a titanic clash between solids and stripes in a game that has grown exponentially popular among youths. SuperCue Marina Square (#03-200 Marina Square, 6 Raffles Blvd., 6334-1000. Open Sun-Thu 10am-1am; Fri-Sat and eve of public holidays, 10am-3am) has 27 pool tables and six billiard tables for those who prefer the more traditional snooker. Or head down to the cheaper 24-table Park Lane outlet (B1, Park Lane Shopping Mall, 35 Selegie Rd., 6339-6286. Open daily 10am-2am). Enjoy some good, clean fun while relishing the sounds of the sharp crack of resin balls against each other.
Far Out
A little out of the norm, sexy and sometimes spooky, try these far-out activities for a change to `spice up your nightlife.
Get Spooked
Are you a film buff who thinks horror movie characters are plain dumb? Or are you curious about the afterlife or what exists in the parallel dimensions beyond the fringes of this world? Then these ”ghost-busting” tours—led by Asia Paranormal Investigators(www.api.sg) and Singapore Paranormal Investigators (www.spi.com.sg)—are just what you need. Get real, down and dirty beyond the comfort of popcorn and experience the visceral thrills and horrors of the unknown. Who knows, you might even run into Casper or a Pontianak!
The Ghost Buster
I-S chats up a paranormal investigator Charles Goh, who’s been in the thick of the ghost-busting action.
What do you perceive as paranormal?
Anything that exists as a subject of fringe science (UFOs, ghosts, even Chinese mediums). The paranormal will sooner or later become normal as people become more accepting of it.
Should horror movie buffs hop on these tours, or are scares better at the cinemas?
In real life, the scares are mental. The fear is not of ghosts but more of dark places. Be careful what you wish for.
Why should people leave their spanking clubbing attire at home and join an API tour?
API tours are also led by a licensed Singapore Tourism Board tour guide, and are featured on Uniquely Singapore. Come on board and get the chance to learn more about the mysteries behind Singapore. These are aspects that people may pass by many times yet remain oblivious about them. Something always lies to be discovered.
Boys and (Some) Girls Nights
OK, so we mentioned that there wouldn’t be any clubbing in this story, but this one is something that’s definitely not in your books when it comes to nightlife. Zirca’s (Blk. C, Clarke Quay, 3 River Valley Rd., 6333-4168) Superstar Sunday (Every Sun, from 10pm. $18 includes one drink) parties are certainly sizzling at the moment for its flamboyant and testosterone laced acts and sexy music provided by the “King of Sundays” himself, DJ George Leong. Of course, the party is not only for the boys, everyone wanting to have some fun on a Sunday night are welcomed here. Another hot favourite is the celebrated Taboo (65/67 Neil Rd., 6225-6256). Our favourite theme party here is the infamous Handbag Nite (every second Sat of month) where there will be campy drag queen performances and DJ Alan on the decks dishing out Top 40s and house anthems.
The Tower
This mall certainly needs no introduction. By day, it’s just an unassuming shopping centre with stores hawking electronic gadgets, suits and massages. But after 9pm,Orchard Towers (400 Orchard Rd.) is a hive of activity. With bars sporting names likeNaughty Girl (#02-46, 6732-5925), Bongo Bar (#03-04/45, 6738-8545) and our personal favourite Top 5 (#04-35/36, 6733-4666), all touting interesting forms of entertainment like go-go dancers and cabaret type acts—this is a must for adventure seekers of a different kind (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). Most places here are open till 6am with some till 8am on weekends.
Village People
A little off the beaten track on the eastern tip of Singapore lies the sleepy Changi Village. This is a perennial favourite with Pulau Ubin day trippers, fishermen, sun-bathers and foodies coming for its nasi lemak, grilled seafood and nasi ayam penyet but when the witching hour beckons, the enclave attracts a different kind of crowd—night owls and “thrill seekers” would throng its infamous carpark (Lor. Bekukong) to catch glimpses of its “ladies of the night” who ply their trade here, usually after midnight—turning the car park into a veritable drive-through of sorts. Hey, no harm just having a little look-see.
After Dark Bites
Singapore’s favourite pastime—eating—does not end at dinner. For night owls who want the munchies at two in the morning, there are a good number of restaurants, kopitiams and food courts that will ease those late night hunger pangs, thankfully.
Food Junction
The cornucopia of food available at Simpang Bedok can be credited for much of its appeal—the conglomeration of Malay, Indian, Chinese, Western and even Middle Eastern fare on the menus whets every appetite. Staying open till late (usually till 5am) or all night, Simpang, as it is affectionately known, is popular with ravenous clubbers seeking to recharge after burning up serious calories on the dance floor and soccer fans, with eyes transfixed to the flat-screen TVs, hoping to raucously cheer on their beloved teams in the wee hours of the morning without waking the neighbours. Among the popular joints here are Spize The Supperclub/Mediterranean Grill (336 Bedok Rd., 6445-3211. Open 2pm-4:30am), New Hawa Restaurant (340 Bedok Rd., 6446-2724. Open 24 hours), Tang Tea House (357 Bedok Rd., 6445- 9100. Open 6am-4am) and Mahamoodiya Restaurant ( 335 Bedok Rd., 6446-5176, Open 24 hours)
The Supper Clubber
Alam Mark Chan, a Simpang regular, visits the food enclave weekly to catch up and watch matches with teammates from his amateur soccer team, FMFC. They can often be found seated at the distinctive orange and yellow tables of Spize The Supperclub/Mediterranean Grill which serves roti prata, mee goreng pattaya, roti john, satay and even barbeque ribs till 4:30am on weekends.
Why do you come to Simpang Bedok?
For the range of food that’s available and the places here open till late. It’s also convenient because my friends and I live nearby.
How late do you usually stay?
We usually hang around here till about 1 or 2am; later when there are football matches and that’s when it gets really exciting here. It can get quite raucous on match days.
What do you do here besides eat?
Catch up with friends, people-watch and watch TV. There’s a saying that if you’re not out clubbing, Simpang (Bedok) is the place to be. I think most people here are mostly clubbers taking a break from clubbing.
What is special about Simpang?
I think it encompasses Singaporean culture. I would bring my overseas friends to eat here.
Late Night Posh Nosh
If you’re tired of the usual supper options, there are a number of restaurants here that open their kitchens till the wee hours, serving up very much what’s on the menu if you prefer something swankier than the usual local fare. Indulge in some hearty dishes like rack of lamb and chilli crab linguini at Insomnia (#01-23/23 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St., 6338-6883. Last order 4:30am on weekends). Chow down on beef tenderloin grilled with blue cheese and cashew nut toppings or pan fried dory fish with sauteed spinach and tomato fondue topping at the expansive Oosh (22 Dempsey Rd., 6475-0002) till 1am on weekdays and 2am on weekends. Just perfect for a late night rendezvous.OverEasy Bar & Diner (#01-06 One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Rd., 64230-701. Open till 3:30am on weekends), with its alfresco area overlooking Marina Bay, serves up yummy breakfast/brunch-inspired fare and yummy burgers. It also doubles up as a mini club with DJs KFC or Has on the decks if you’re in the mood for some dancing.
Night Owl
Wide-eyed at 2am? Slumberland eluding you? Lucky for you, Singapore doesn’t discriminate against the nocturnal. Here are some ways to wait out the effect of your 10th coffee of the day without leaving your neighborhood:
Rent a DVD
Found in numerous neighborhoods across Singapore, Play! entertainment kiosks dispense a wide variety of DVDs and Blu-ray discs 24-hours a day, for as low as $3.50 for a rental period of five days. Membership is free, so register online atwww.play.com.sg before heading out to make your film selection at the kiosk. If counting sheep doesn’t summon the Sandman, a yawn-inducing romantic comedy or box-office flop should do the trick.
Toa Payoh Hub, 460 Lor. 6 Toa Payoh; Tampines Mall, 4 Tampines Central 5; Sengkang MRT, 5 Sengkang Sq.
Stock up on Snacks
To transform a sleepless night into an authentic movie night, we can always count on the reliability of our neighborhood 7-11 to stock up on essentials like popcorn, chips and ice-cream. If you’re feeling particularly energetic and in the mood to whip up a meal, you can get supplies from supermarkets like Shop N Save, which stay open through the night. Admittedly, late-night binging and sugar-loading doesn’t do our bodies any favor, but a movie without snacks is like sleeping without pillows—not nearly half as enjoyable. #01-01 Bedok Market Place, 348 Bedok Rd., 6243-5748; #01-167/169/171, Blk. 491 Jurong West Ave. 1, 6564-5171.
Order In
Keep midnight hunger pangs at bay by ordering in a meal. With 24-hour islandwide delivery services, McDonalds serves up its signature french fries, burgers and even sundaes right to your doorstep. If your tastebuds are better suited to roti prata, nasi goreng, or even fish and chips, Spize delivers an impressive array of local and western fare to the central and eastern areas of Singapore till 4am and 3am respectively on Fridays and Saturdays.
McDelivery, 6777-3777; $3 delivery charge; no minimum order. Spize The Supperclub/Mediterranean Grill, 6445-3211; $5 delivery charge, waived for orders above $50; $20 minimum order.