Lush Life, life's my oyster... PDF Print E-mail
Scene Reports | Singapore's bar scene
Written by Darren Halls   
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(My view anyways, not yours!)

 

Darren Halls

 

O
kay, this month was again filled with good times. After living in Prague and coming from London, Singapore had lots to live up to with regards to parties and good times.

 

Well I am happy to say that Singapore has surpassed my expectations on so many levels.

 

I never expected to party as hard as I have since I have lived here. Every week I go to new and exciting places, and many regular ones too, yet all I hear from people is that 'Singapore is getting boring and there is nothing to do'...

 

I say to those people 'Get a life'!!! I did. The social aspect of living here is huge as there is so much to do, so much variety and so many, many good people to enjoy the good times with.

 

Muddy Murphy's had all manner of horrors descend upon it this month. With Leather Face, Scream, Freddie & Jason as well an Anna Urbaniak, a frightful Polish Ghoulette in Singapore for just a visit...or something more sinister?

 

All types of Zombies and other ghouls & nasties were together in one place, it would have been a Ghost Busters dream it wasn't even Halloween either. Muddy's was hosting the Launch Party of the Warner Brothers release of Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Beginning this last month.

 

Billy McDonald, (see; Meet the Bosses), he was also at the Scruffy Murphy's birthday bash YOHOing with his ship-mates; hmm he was there at Muddy's in what was or was not his true form... who knows? A man of many talents, what will he transform in to next... but more importantly, where?

 

DBL O is a great place to end a night at, with the new light system that complements the new decor. Whilst the set up is the same, the place has a new feel to it. Located in Mohd Sultan, which is fast becoming a haven for some real fancy restaurants. It could, along with its' sister club O BAR, (located in the same building), be the only place to party in the area soon.

 

Check out the new CD on the DBL 0 label, The Tektile Movement is a compilation of great sounds to get you in to the dbl 0 mOOd. With a new range of apparels for the ladies, it is somewhere to keep an eye on. Cheap drinks, great music, super lights, and guys, lots of babes, Megan, Fran and Tiff to name just a few.

 

This week saw the move to new premises for Madam Wongs. So over to Magazine Road and the Club MOMO complex to check it out.

 

In the Old Cube location, Wongs is set to be the latest compliment to the Lee stable, Cube being phased out after only a few months and I was very surprised by that, with so many venues charging high prices for drinks, it is difficult for young adults to get to clubs, so after the launch of Cube, I was prepared for a great place for the youngsters to hang out, leaving the others for the rest of us.

 

John Lee has surprised us all again, by bringing a Singapore iconic venue to his empire. Well-done John.

 

This week also saw a new addition to the editorial team at Think Magazine. Cher Tan is a young vibrant girl with some really fresh ideas. Our publisher set us out on a tour to give her a taste of what we deal with... so off to Fluid for something to eat.

 

Fluid Bar & Lounge is set in Far East Square, offering an assortment of light easy listening music, al-fresco patio area, as well as a great interior and a bar upstairs that is equipped with a pool table, and a state of the art foosball pitch.

 

The food is basic bar food with an ala-carte twist. Tasty smoked salmon to hearty beef burgers will keep those hunger monsters at bay. After feeling like we were gonna explode, we walked to Uncabunca. Where?

 

Located on Circular Road, Cher and myself arrived to have a leisurely drink in a great bar. Uncabunca is one of those places you could easily pass by without even realising it is there. A truly relaxing place that will welcome you with a smile.

 

The staff is attentive, open and happy, service is swift and pleasant. With a well equipped bar, Mark & David will join you for a chat and make sure you leave to return, I will. With the new venue next door that will be joined via a secret door of types Uncabunca is a perfect place to play pool with friends, whilst it can also be separated for private parties or corporate functions, a truly versatile venue.

 

It is wintertime in England now, or very near to it, but here in SG, some of us may miss the cold... "YEAH RIGHT!!!" I hear you say. But if you do, there is only one place to go, or maybe two, Circular Road & Holland Village, ESKI BAR. With an almost sub-zero temperature you will feel like you are at home... almost!

 

A trendy place to drink a beer or a fruity cocktail, you can be sure you won't ask the waitress for some ice to keep your beer cold. How long can you stay in the sub-zero bar for?

 

Oh yes, it also has a bar top that is made of crushed ice, with a separate bar-room that is slightly warmer as well, only by a couple of degrees, you get the best of both worlds. It shows the footy too, so you will feel right at home lads. Too cold for me to stay long, so off again, BRRR.

 

Clarke Quay next. An old favourite of mine was our next stop. BB's, located in the old Whampoa Ice House, it seemed the most appropriate place to stop next after Eski Bar. Paul Dawson, GM, was in fine form entertaining the guests.

 

Always with a joke and a beer, Sue, Neythen and the gang will welcome you all. Home of the Bedok Kings RFC or at least their main watering hole, you could have a quiet night or be in fort some great fun.

 

Down the block, the Crazy Elephant was just that, crazy. With screens that are to say the least pushing the bounds of the MDA, you can be sure of something well & truly different here.

 

Zuma Bar & Grill is a place with a difference. We all go to those restaurants that have a bar, but we only drink at the bar while we are waiting for our table. At Zuma you get your table first, then move to the bar afterwards, or you can just sit at the bar. Its' different that's for sure. I hear that there may be a few changes soon.... I'm watching!

 

Highlander in Fountain Square CQ had an event with a difference, CLANN AN DRUMMA. These tartan terrors are those that are behind the soundtrack of Mel Gibson's We Were Soldiers. Slainte Mhor!! 1Nite StandBar & Comedy Club was set alive as per usual by the sounds of 'Six in the City'.

 

Always guaranteed to draw a crowd, Tyson, who has to be the worlds friendliest bouncer with the baldest head, will show you in, Six will take you down to floor with all the club classics to can handle. The comedy starts again in January, so keep watching.

 

Off to ATTICA, no, not the prison in NY State, but the club in CQ. With good old dance music mixed with up to date R&B, it's a place to dance the night away.

 

Want something harder, the members/VIP area at the back of the courtyard, ATTICA TOO, will take you through to the wee early hours with the sounds of KoFlow, Titus and DJ Small, you can be assured of a varied night here.

 

Yet again it was certainly another lush life this past month, with parties a many, friends a new and many new and some regular places visited.

 

Send me a listing of a venue you think we don't know about, and we may pay it a visit. If we do & we meet you there, we buy the first drink. Send to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . A lush life, is a good life!


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