Think of nightlife in Singapore and famous spots in Central Singapore like Clarke Quay and Tanjong Pagar immediately come to mind. But for Easties, the prospect of an hour’s journey for a night out might be less than ideal.
If you could do without the worry of missing the last train home, head down to the lifestyle and entertainment hub, Downtown East instead. Since their revamp, it’s now filled with a slew of food and activities to keep you entertained till late. Here are some of the things you can do on your next night out with the gang:
It’s no secret that karaoke is a favourite past time for many Singaporeans. After all, going zao-sia with your buds is the best way to break any ice and take any friendship to the next level.
Each room has a different theme
If you’re tired of fighting for k-room slots in the middle of town, head to the newly-opened HaveFun Karaoke at Downtown East instead. Featuring large theatre projections on the wall, spacious themed rooms, disco lights and microphone stands, this karaoke is bound to draw out your inner Adele.
They have projections on the walls to set the mood
You can even download their app (Android, iOS) to adjust the lighting and mood of the room to suit your playlist for the night.
Feel like a superstar for a night with their golden microphone.
The bar area has a free-to-use LED beer pong table and open mic stage. Board games are also available here.
Head to their open bar area to refuel with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages if all that singing has you parched. Free flow non-alcoholic drinks are also complimentary for all customers at the self-service kiosk.
P.S. From now till 30th September 2019, HaveFun Karaoke is having a soft launch promo: get 50% off karaoke sessions and Carlsberg beer towers!
HaveFun Karaoke
Rates: Weekdays from $22++ per person for 3 hours | Weekends from $26 per person for 3 hours
Location: #01-311/312
Opening hours: 12PM-1AM, Daily
Telephone: 6243 6508
Website
Video games may train your hand-eye coordination, but nothing really puts your skills to the test as much as playing darts. At Forest4 Darts Cafe, there are 18 Dartslive2 electronic dartboards ($1/ game), so there are plenty of boards to go around.
Between rounds of darts and some pints of beer that go from $8/mug, you can relax and appreciate the mystical decor of this cafe where hanging plants illuminated by blue lights give this place Avatar vibes.
Other than darts, Forest4 Darts Cafe also has card games such as Cards Against Humanity and the classic Uno. Karaoke microphones are also available for those who’d like to serenade bae midway through the evening.
Forest4 Darts Café
Rates: $1/game
Location: #01-313
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1PM-1AM | Sat 12PM-2AM | Sun 12PM-12AM
Telephone: 6612 2469 / 8484 2606
Website
Finding a bar with live music in the heartlands is rare, but it certainly is a welcome sight. As an Eastie myself, I was more than ecstatic to discover this new and easily accessible watering hole in the neighbourhood.
Resident singers and live bands jam to English and Canto songs
It’s impossible to miss the lively OBAR, which is located near the entrance of the hub. The bar features both indoor and outdoor seating, an assorted bar menu, and daily live music that brings the nightlife atmosphere of Clarke Quay to the ‘hood.
Here, you can look forward to affordable drinks like beer pints from $12. Pair this with Hyogo Oysters ($21.80) and Torched Salmon Mentai Don ($15.80), which are among their best-sellers. Their tapas menu is also bound to get you salivating, with flavourful bites such as Rossini Style Foie Gras ($15.80) and French Escargot ($13.80).
Front to back: Roast Pork ($11.80), French Escargot ($13.80), Crispy Baby Sotong ($13.80), Rossini Style Foie Gras ($15.80)
OBAR Live House
Location: #01-301
Opening hours: 12PM-12AM, Daily
Telephone: 9639 1339
Website
Pool: some say it’s a sport while others say it’s just a game. But whatever the case is, there’s nothing quite as shiok as potting that last 8 ball to win the game. At Cue Guru, there are 6 Brunswick pool tables that are bound to call out to even the most serious of players, as all of them are Brunswick tournament edition.
Take a break at their spacious cafe area, where you can grab a bucket of beer with your pals (from $35 for 5 bottles).
Cue Guru
Location: #02-338
Opening hours: 10AM-1AM, Daily
Telephone: 6386 7258
Website
Finding a dining option for a big group can be tough – after all, everyone has different preferences when it comes to food. But there’s no need to tear your hair out trying to find the perfect spot as Flaming Spice has got it all. And they really do have everything.
Spacious and green interior of the restaurant.
This restaurant specialises in Indian food but also serves a variety of other cuisines like Western, Thai and Indonesian. On top of that, they are also Halal-certified and have more than 13 vegetarian dishes including Vegetarian Biryani ($9.90) and Paneer Butter Masala ($8).
Malay, Indian and Western dishes, coming right up!
Should the abundance of choices leave you wondering what to eat, go for their popular dishes like Satay ($7.90 for 6 sticks), with a choice of chicken, mutton or beef, and their Grilled Cajun Chicken ($10.90), a classic western dish of barbequed chicken doused in black pepper or mushroom sauce.
Flaming Spice
Location: #01-309
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 8AM-11PM | Fri & PH eve 8AM-1AM | Sat 7AM-1AM | Sun 7AM-11PM
Telephone: 6816 6081
Website
Finally expanding to the East, Siam Square Mookata just opened an outlet in Downtown East so you won’t need to head too far out just to get some of their famous BBQ-hotpot combo.
There are bbq smoke exhaust tubes at each table to prevent you from smelling like Eau de Mookata afterwards!
Each plate here is priced from $1.80++, but for those with a black hole for a stomach, go for their $29++ buffet instead. Here, you’ll be able to find a variety of seafood options to choose from like oysters, scallops, salmons and prawns on top of the usual BBQ and hotpot staples of marinated meat vegetables and the likes of hotdog and fishball.
Bonus – nacho cheese dip is available as part of the buffet too!
The outlet also opens all the way to the wee hours of the morning, so now you know where to quell your midnight cravings!
Siam Square Mookata
Location: #02-126
Opening hours: 3PM-3AM, Daily
Telephone: 8119 6664
Website
To top off a slew of hangout spots at Downtown East, here are some perks to zhng up the nightlife in Pasir Ris even more.
Kissa Kalms is a vending machine cafe that’s open 24/7
For those who work erratic schedules or simply want to get ahead of daily crowds, make the most out of their 24-hour facilities. Kissa Kalms is a 24/7 vending machine cafe that has ready-to-eat bento sets, local dishes and ice cream. Unlike your everyday vending machines, the ones here carry unique items such as celebrity chef “Justin Quek” bento series and Wagyu beef don.
You can also work off that midnight snack with Anytime Fitness, a gym that’s open 24/7.
And if you need a TGIF break to cool off after work, Wild Wild Wet has free entry* on Fridays and Saturdays, 6PM to 8PM! There’s no end date to this deal announced yet so make sure to head down there while you can.
To access these deals, drivers get free parking at Begonia Open-Air Carpark as well, available every day from 9PM to 5AM.
*For selected rides and attractions only.
Easties needn’t travel far to enjoy the nightlife, especially since everything from karaokes to supper spots and bars are there for you to end the night with. Downtown East is located pretty conveniently too – just hop on one of their convenient and free daily shuttle buses from Pasir Ris MRT to get to the hub.
On top of nightlife, they also have a variety of other long-standing entertainment options such as Cathay Cineplex, Cow Play Cow Moo Arcade and Hi Roller Indoor Skating Rink which happens to be the biggest in Singapore. You’ll have tons of activities to keep you entertained throughout the day.
Downtown East
Address: 1 Pasir Ris Cl, Singapore 519599
Opening hours: Fri-Sun 10AM-1AM | Mon-Thur 10:30AM-1AM
Telephone: 6589 1688
This post was brought to you by Downtown East.
Photography by Lery Villanueva.
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