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Singapore nightlife

You will be able to find many expatriates and Singaporeans complaining about the nightlife here, its better in KL, Shanghai, Bangkok and just about anywhere else according to some but we are of the opinion that, though it may not be no. 1 in Asia, it ain´t that bad either.

The problem in trying to give some recommendations here is that what you will like is rather dependent on personal taste and whether you are here as a bachelor, with wife and family etc. We are sure you will find your own way soon enough but we will give you a rundown of some of the places you will see a lot of non-Singaporeans, be it tourists or expats as a start.

Some concentrations are:

• Boat Quay, along the waterfront with lots of restaurants of every sort, bars and pubs such as Harry´s and Mad Flemmings.
• Clarke Quay, also along the waterfront with lots of bars and clubs such as ‘One Night Stand’ offering comedy and even a Hooters.
• The St James Powerstation, a converted (yes) powerstation with a bunch of clubs with anything from Cantopop to Salsa, bit out of the way and crowded sometimes but convenient choice.
• Emerald Hill, aside from Orchard near Somerset MRT.
• CHIJMES, along Bras Basah Road near the Raffles Hotel with both restaurants where you can have a late drink as bars like Insomnia.
• Club Street, very aptly named you will be hard pressed to find anything else.
• Holland Village, a short bit of street in the middle of nothing much else with a heap of restaurants, from German to Lebanese, and bars such as the popular Walla Walla and Tango.

For some places to chill after work check-out the below links, without particular order or endorsement. Further below also part of ourfood and beverage ratings for those ‘after office’ hours hangouts.

• Father Flanagan's Irish Pub and Restaurant @ Chijmes
• The Penny Black, a Victorian Pub in the hart of Singapore @ Boat Quay
• Harry´s Bar, an American bar with life jazzy music @ Boat Quay, the Esplanade and Holland V among others.
• Brewerkz, a microbrewery (with decent food) @ Riverside Point
• Zouk, been hot for years.
• The 1 Nite Stand Comedy Club,bar and comedy club @ Clarke Quay
• Jazz @ SouthBridge, cannot be much clearer than that.
• Crazy Elephant @ Clarke Quay

We use a 5-point rating ranging from 1; 'I would reconsider' via 3; 'we may be back' to 5; 'I don't care how long the queue is!'

After Work
Place	Rating	Remarks
Brewerkz - Riverside Point [Western]	Feb 2004 Drinks: 4 Service: 3 Ambiance: 4 Price (value for money): 3 Child friendly: dunno Overall: 3.5	Brewed on the premises they serve different beers from light to heavy. Nice atmosphere near the river and good finger food (never had a meal there)
Brauhaus - United Square [German]	Feb. 2004 Drinks: 4 Service: 4 Ambiance: 4 Price (value for money): 3 Child friendly: dunno Overall: 3.7	Been there for at least 10 years. Nice German foods and an enormous selection of foreign (bottled) beers at (for Singapore) reasonable prices. (This is not the Paulaner!).
Harry's Bar - Boat Quay [Western]	May 2004 Drinks: 4 Service: 4 Ambiance: 4 Price (value for money): 3 Child friendly: dunno Overall: 3.7	Nice chill-out place next to the water, has some reasonable food too.
Ice Cold Beer - Emerald Hill [Western]	January 2005 Drinks: 4 Service: 4 Ambiance: 3.5 Price (value for money): 3 Child friendly: dunno Overall: 3.6	Decent selection of beers and finger-food nice 2-for and 3-for promotions, impossible to get there by car (but then you are doing there for a drink, right).
The Penny Black - Boat Quay [English]	April 2005 Food: 3 Service: 3.5 Ambiance: 4 Price (value for money): 3 Child friendly: no Overall: 3.4	It can be very busy and loud, in a positive way, after work but it is good to relax.