Activities in Bugis for group outings
If you and your friends live at opposite ends of the East-West line, Bugis is certainly one of your most-visited spots – after all, it’s right smack-bang in the middle of Singapore. There’s an endless slew of bargain deals in Bugis Street and it’s also the perfect spot to while away a lazy weekend in one of their many cafes along Haji Lane.
But if you’re looking for things to do as a group, you’ve got plenty of choices too. Whether it’s rooftop prawning or museum hopping, here are 9 things to do in Bugis for group outings
Other things to do in Bugis:
1. Play exciting games at Battle Bunker
Before Mobile Legends was a thing, nights would be spent going “bankrupt” while playing Monopoly. For bonding sessions with friends sans the endless checking of Facebook and IG, check out game cafe Battle Bunker at Bugis+.
From mind games like Codeword to Exploding Kittens where you can sabo your friends, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the range of board games available here. The best part – it opens till late, daily! So for those who’ve been stuck in limbo after drinks at 10.30PM, here’s somewhere you can hit up with your pals.
Battle Bunker also sells board games, game guides and a selection of collectibles and figurines for anime and game enthusiasts to dive in when there. To keep you hydrated through hours of intense gaming, they also provide bottled drinks that you can purchase at the counter.
Address: 201 Victoria Street, #03-16/17 Bugis+ Shopping Centre, Singapore 188067
Opening hours: 12PM-11PM/Late, Daily
Price: From $10/hour for party games and $10/person for board games
Telephone: 6509 4011
Find out more about Battle Bunker
2. Try arcade games with neon lighting at Paco Funworld
Paco Funworld was a popular name back in the 90s – it’s now made a resurgence with a second outlet at Bugis+. With its bright neon lighting and upbeat tunes, you’ll be tempted to test your luck at the claw machines and arcade games.
Their claw machines are filled with a huge range of prizes, from soft toys to snacks, and if you’re lucky, you can also hit the jackpot for tickets to exchange for prizes at the counter. No matter which game you choose, you’ll definitely walk out with a treat.
Address: 201 Victoria Street, #05-07 Bugis+ Shopping Centre, Singapore 188067
Opening hours: Mon – Thurs 11AM-11PM | Fri – Sat 11AM-12AM | Sun 10AM-12AM
Price: $1 = 2 credits
Find out more about Paco Funworld
3. Test your IQ and agility at indoor playground Amazing Castle
Make your way across Freeze!!!’s disco-esque floor by jumping on lit-up tiles.
Indoor playgrounds are a dime a dozen here in Singapore, but Amazing Castle stands out from the rest as a quirky playspace that tests your athleticism and IQ at the same time. Games like Freeze!!! require memory work while others like Seventh Heaven will have you hoisting yourself across a ball pit to win.
Hailing from Russia, this play space allows around two to three players at each station, so you can take turns to try out different stations if you have a group larger than three. Each game is around three to five minutes long, which is perfect if your group is looking for time to kill before catching a movie upstairs.
Address: 201 Victoria Street, #03-21 Bugis+ Shopping Centre, Singapore 188067
Opening hours: 11AM-9PM, Daily
Price: From $4 per game
Find out more about Amazing Castle
4. Catch and BBQ prawns at Fish@Bugis+
Having supper is every Singaporeans’ go-to when we don’t know what else to do at night. But what makes your grub taste better is when it’s fresh seafood that you can barbecue on the spot – something you can do here at Fish@Bugis+.
Singapore’s only indoor rooftop prawning pond, Fish@Bugis+ allows you to catch prawns and even seasonal lobsters and crabs before barbecuing them fresh. This activity doesn’t take up a great deal of brain energy – you can just nua and chat with your friends while waiting for something to bite.
Besides prawning, it also offers a fish spa (from $15) where you can exfoliate your feet with fish nibbling away at your dead skin. Bring your kids here for them to try their hand at longkang fishing too – and to bring some little fish friends home.
Address: 201 Victoria Street, #07-05 Bugis+ Shopping Centre, Singapore 188067
Opening hours: 9AM-6AM, Daily
Telephone: 9008 0201
Price: $18/hour, $29/2 hours, $35/3 hours, $12/hour for tertiary students/NSFs
Find out more about Fish@Bugis+
5. Try out bespoke cocktails at Bar Stories
Image credit: Tripadvisor
We all probably have that one friend group that only meets once a year to catch up. Instead of shouting over a noisy bar about how your year has been, head down to Bar Stories – a quiet spot that’s worlds away from the noisier bars down at Prinsep Street.
What’s special about Bar Stories is that their menu is constantly changing – you can expect a surprise every time you’re down here, with cocktails (from $20) made to your preference. Food-wise, they have seasonal collaborations with restaurants such as Scaled by Ah Huat Kelong and insideout – a temporary pop-up by chefs Hwe and JT.
Address: 55-57A Haji Lane, Singapore 189248
Opening hours: Tues – Sat 5PM-10.30PM
Telephone: 6298 0838
Find out more about Bar Stories
6. Put your detective skills to the test at Xcape Singapore
For thrillseekers looking to get your heart pumping, Xcape Singapore one place you should definitely hit up with your friends. This 52-chamber escape room is the very first in the world to have role-playing elements that allow you to cosplay as themed characters.
Check out their wall of fame – posters of their themed escape rooms
Their rooms are a mixture of 10 themes based on popular films such as Train to Busan, Harry Potter, Annabelle and even kid-friendly ones like Kung Fu Panda. Don’t forget to put your thinking caps on before entering the room to successfully break out before your 60 minutes are up!
Address: 161 Rochor Road, Bugis Village, Singapore 188436
Opening hours: 11AM-11.30PM, Daily
Price: From $22/person for 60 mins during off-peak hours (Mon-Fri before 6PM) | From $28/person for 60 mins during peak hours (Mon-Fri after 6PM, Weekends and PH)Telephone: 6908 191
Find out more about Xcape Singapore
7. Visit pet cafes at Bugis
Roll around with doggos at We are the Furballs (WTF)
Image credit: @wearethefurballs
Others get the butterflies from seeing significant others, but my heart skips a beat when I cross paths with corgis. For those nodding their head in agreement, gather your fellow dog-lovers and head down to We are the Furballs to play with these adorable creatures.
These furry fellas are trained to follow simple commands like “sit” and “paw”, which you can (and should) reward with a treat. They’re even smart enough to follow you to the counter when you’re getting treats! Packets of treats are available at $3 per packet.
For the safety of the dogs, children must be at least 10 years old to enter and accompanied by adults at all times – but you won’t need supervision if you’re 13 years and above. Although the cafe doesn’t provide food, you’ll get a free cup of iced tea to accompany your play time with the doggos.
Capacity is limited, so if you’ve got plans to head down, make sure to call ahead to secure your slot with these furballs.
Address: 201 Victoria Street, #07-07 Bugis+, Singapore 188067
Opening hours: Sun – Thurs 1PM-10PM | Fri – Sat 12.30PM-10.30PM
Price: For 1.5 hours from Mon – Thurs, $10.90/adult, $9.50/local student 20 years old and below | For 1.5 hours on weekends, PH and eve of PH, $12.50/person
Telephone: 6509 1186
Find out more about We are the Furballs
Stroke Ragmuffins and Munchkins at Meomi Cat Cafe
Image credit: @meomicatcaf
For feline fans, hit up Meomi Cat Cafe down at North Bridge Road to make a visit to these furry pets. Pet and feed the seven pedigree kitties including a Ragamuffin, Munchkin as well as an American Curl. You may just be lucky enough to meet “Mr Meow”, the owner of the cafe who’ll introduce the cats for you to get to know their personalities better.
Other than the complimentary tea or juice of your choice, you can also enjoy other in-house treats such as Belgian waffles and cakes if you’re feeling a little peckish.
To keep these kitties safe and healthy, children must be at least six years old to enter, and all kids aged 12 and below must be accompanied by adults.
Address: 668 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188801
Opening hours: 11AM-8PM, Daily
Telephone: 6296 0339
Price: For 1.5 hours from Mon-Thurs, $10.90/adult, $9.50/local students 20 years old and below | For 1.5 hours on weekends, PH and eve of PH, $12.50/person
Find out more about Meomi Cat Cafe
8. Museum hop between lesser-known galleries at Bugis
Vintage Camera Museum
Even though it’s the largest camera-shaped building in the world, the Vintage Camera Museum somehow still manages to remain fairly hidden among all the cafes at North Bridge Road.
As an independent museum that focuses solely on the history of photography and cameras, you’ll be brought around the place by the friendly owner that’ll introduce you to his collection of vintage cameras that date as far back to the 1800s. Unlike other museums with their “no touching” policy, you’ll be able to pick up some of these cameras for a closer look.
A 6-metre-long Mammoth Camera
View the collection of over 1,000 cameras and take in the massive six-metre long Mammoth Camera in person. Their gallery of cameras also serve as a photogenic backdrop for an #OOTD shot.
Address: 8C & 8D Jalan Kledek, Singapore 199263
Opening hours: 10.30AM-9.30PM, Daily
Telephone: 6291 2278
Price: $20/adult, $15/senior citizens and children below 12
Find out more about Vintage Camera Museum
Parkview Museum
Image credit: @_mrylc
If your museum-hopping crew and you have been to the National Museum or the National Gallery more times than you can count, head down to Parkview Museum for a change of scenery. Located in the same building as Atlas Bar, you can also appreciate the architecture of the building reminiscent of The Great Gatsby.
A private museum that focuses on featuring contemporary art and architecture from artists all over the world, you’ll definitely leave here feeling a tad bit more cultured.
Urs Lüthi, Sculpture in 2 Pieces (2018)
Image credit: Parkview Museum
You probably won’t be able to find unique pieces like this 3-armed man from the museum’s recent exhibition, Disturbing Narratives, in our National Museum. Their unconventional exhibits border on PG13, but are definitely ones that will allow you to appreciate the visual arts from a different perspective
Address: 600 North Bridge Road, Level 3 Parkview Square, Singapore 188778
Opening hours: Mon – Sat 12PM-7PM
Telephone: 6799 6971
Price: Free admission
Find out more about Parkview museum
Note: The museum is currently closed in preparation for their next exhibition.
9. Get your future read at Fu Lu Shou Complex
The only time most of us would’ve listened to our fortune being told was during Chinese New Year where you’d listen out to see if you’ll be blessed by Cai Shen Ye this year. But at the atrium behind Fu Lu Shou Complex, you’ll be able to get your future read all year round.
Here, you’ll see gurus providing card reading services while seated under their makeshift booths. If the prospect of someone being able to read your life from cards on a table creeps you out, you can stick to reading your projection for the year on the banners in between Fu Lu Shou Complex and Albert Mall.
Even though most of us have dismissed 2020 as a complete waste of our time, we can still find out if our fortune will turn around next year. Discover which zodiac sign you’re best suited for, or if you’ll meet “The One” – all through palm reading and card reading services.
While many of these banners are in Mandarin, there are plenty of other banners in English as well for everyone to join in on the fun.
Address: 149 Rochor Road, Singapore 188425
Opening hours: 24 hours, Daily
Group activities in Bugis
No matter if your friend group is looking for a thrilling experience at Xscape Singapore or to just cuddle with dogs at We The Furballs, there’ll be something for everyone here. As Phase three rolls around, make sure to flag Bugis as one of the places to reunite with your bigger cliques this season – but remember to remain vigilant and keep your masks on at all times!
Other group activities to do:
- Drinking games over video call
- Halal cafes and restaurants for group gatherings
- Board and card game shops
Image credit (bottom right): @meomicatcafe
Photography by Gracie Lee En and Huy Pham
