Singapore's first Yellow Lounge to take place October 18 at Zouk
Global movement Yellow Lounge, which takes classical music out of concert halls and into edgier spaces, debuts at Zouk on October 18 with accordionist Martynas.
Oktoberfest Asia 2013
This inaugural four-day outdoor fest ($75-85 from Sistic) will have you knocking down pint after pint of Paulaner Brauhaus, Spaten or Schneider Weisse—you pick—and professional servers dressed in dirndls bringing you loads of traditional German food. To keep you thoroughly entertained, there are also live performances from bands such as The Original Hofbräuhaus Show and comic acts like The Comedy Pimp.
The Bank Bar + Bistro
Be here at 6pm on October 10 to take part in The Bank's Oktoberfest celebrations, complete with games, German grub, music and $12 Erdinger pints all night. RSVP with your name, number and email address to [email protected] to get the first beer (of many, we're sure) on the house.
Bellwethers
Get a bucket of five German beers (we like the Weltenburger Asam Bock) at $60 from Oct 25-26 and the good folks at Bellwethers will throw in a free meat platter, too. Plus, there will be live music, games, prizes and a drinking competition from 6pm onwards.
Brewerkz
The crew behind this craft beer stalwart loves Oktoberfest so much, they’ve named a seasonal special after the festival. And guess what? They’ll be giving pints of this malty, nutty amber brew out from October 3-4 to anyone who has the special password—check their Facebook and Twitter—until the keg runs dry. If you’re late to the party, there’s also a $30 deal all night which gets you a pint, two Swiss Butchery sausages, potato salad and sauerkraut.
Brotzeit
Tuck into Brotzeit’s massive, meaty Oktoberfest Platter ($168) and wash it all down with Paulaner Oktoberfestbier ($14.90/pint), available on tap from Octover 10-13 and 17-20. (Tip: If you absolutely must hoard this seasonal beer, it’s available for sale in 1 liter cans at $39.50.) Perhaps the biggest draw this year is the final round (Oct 17, 7:30pm) of their inaugural drinking games which pit beer guzzlers against one another.
Clarke Quay
It's free and easy but no less fun this Oktoberfest season here with beer booths operated by bars around the Clarke Quay area, plus stalls hawking German favorites such as sauerkraut and bratwurst. There'll also be live performances and games to keep you entertained—it’s going to be quite the carnival.
Jibiru October Matsuri
Sure, this Japanese beer spot deviates from Bavarian tradition a little, but who are we to resist Sapporo by the liter? At $18 for a liter, this baby isn't for weak bladders. Craft beer snobs can go for Hitachino Nest brews on tap, starting at just $9.50 a pint. Available October 4-13.
Magma German Wine Bistro
From September 21-October 6, try Magma's Oktoberfest menu of German favorites including the enormous Oktoberfest Special ($298), a spread for 5-8 people. For those on a more liquid diet, celebrate in Germanic style with a special dark OktoberFest Beer ($22 per jug) or the red and fruity cherry beer ($22 per jug). There's also a Sunday Brunch Buffet on September 8, 11am-3pm with traditional German dishes and free flow of wines for an additional $30.
Oktoberfest at Atrium and Pacific Marketplace
Through October 31, throw back one-for-one beers at Atrium with every order of their assorted sausage platter. And take away a free pack of sausages with purchase of five packets of sausages (in flavors like bockwurst, pork and veal bratwurst) at Pacific Marketplace.
Paulaner Brauhaus 14th Oktoberfest
Freshly brewed Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier ($16.90/pint) is available from September 27-October 5, along with a special menu by chef Klaus Lukarsch and live music by Munich band Scharivari Sextett.
Peranakan Place: The Mega Perfect Pour Challenge
From September 24-28, tap your own pint of Erdinger at Alley Bar, Acid Bar or Outdoors Cafe & Bar. If you pour it perfectly, you'll get the next pint on the house.
Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-Cafe
This German bar hosts a Beerfest from October 3-6, with an all-you-can-eat and -drink buffet ($50) accompanied by live music. Call 6336-8675 or email [email protected] to book a table.
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Congratulations on your appointment at T.H.E. What are your plans (both “big picture” and otherwise)?
Thank you! In terms of working with T.H.E, one of my goals is to create a full-length work. There are a few themes I’m interested in exploring, and one of these was triggered by a recent trip to Jakarta, Indonesia. Simply being in that environment was a huge inspiration—the culture, smells, sounds; everything was so different from Singapore’s clean environment. The gritty pollution and vibrant chaos appealed to me, it revealed the most genuine, human aspects of society.
What was even more amazing was that I met an Indonesian student dancer who had just returned from a trip to Singapore, and he spoke about how the culture and environment in Singapore left a deep impression on him. That struck a chord with me, how we were on such similar wavelengths. So I started speaking to more Indonesian artists on the possibility of working together and we’ve definitely sown the seeds for future collaborations.
Another point of inspiration was an old Charlie Chaplin video I’d watched on Youtube, which addressed concerns on humanity and racism; subjects that speak to me powerfully. I thought it would be interesting to create a solo out of that composition and extend it to a longer creation through collaborating with one of the T.H.E dancers, Lee Mun Wai. These are all possibilities that I’m exploring, so hopefully they’ll come to fruition soon!
What inspires you?
Music inspires me to create. I can listen to a piece of music and visualize how the choreography would look like in my head. Hence as a choreographer my works are much more movement-centered than they are narrative; it’s not as interesting to me if I have to stick to a story-driven arc because I believe there’s a storyline inherent in the music. Some choreographers are able to draw inspiration from their environs and translate the stories and situations they see, hear, or experience, into movement. I really admire and respect that, but it’s also why I can’t understand some contemporary dance works!
People inspire me as well. The people I work with, especially dancers, are a constant source of inspiration when they move in their own unique style, with their own understanding of my choreography. Dance for me isn’t static and solely dictated by the choreographer. It requires a constant dialog between the choreographer and the dancers.
What’s the process like for transforming inspiration into a solid work of art?
Choreographically, I like to explore with the dancers in a collaborative process. As I mentioned earlier, movement often appears in a more abstract form to me, so how this translates into actual performance depends hugely on the dancers interpreting and making tangible what I communicate to them.
Apart from this, there are numerous other elements that need to be aligned in the entire creative process, such as the sound, lighting, etc. I create the frame, and the lighting designer, sound artist, set designer fill in different portions and shades to enhance the choreography. We have to work closely so that everyone shares the same creative vision. Audiences often credit the success of a production to the choreographer, but they overlook the fact that it requires a skillful blend of these different elements. Without the professional and artistic understanding that our collaborators bring to the table, many productions would certainly fall short.
What do you think of the dance scene in Singapore? What do you like about it, and where can we do better?
I’m happy to see that there are many contemporary dance groups emerging in Singapore. But it’s a double-edged sword—will they be able to make it, financially? Is this merely a trend that everyone is jumping on? Currently there’s a lot of support from the National Arts Council in terms of funding. They are very much willing to aid dance groups financially, but with a growing number of companies there comes not just the plus point of greater diversity and vibrancy, but also a real stretch on the resources available. That’s why we urgently need alternative sources of funding, and one under-tapped source is corporate sponsorship.
It’s common to see large corporations funding theatre companies because of their commercial appeal and high profile productions. Hence I think there’s an added challenge for dance companies to have corporations recognize the value of our work—we need to be more active in seeking out opportunities but at the same time these corporations must be open and receptive to us.
What do you do to wind down when you need a break from work?
I like to go away to resorts and have long relaxing massages. That’s my downtime, stepping into the calming surrounds of a resort and getting away from the stress of daily life. When it’s sun, sand and sea around you everyday, you really get to thinking about the basics; what you want out of life, how much you want to sacrifice for work, and whether it’s worth it. I’ve also been thinking of going on overseas volunteer trips to developing countries, and helping the children by teaching them dance, or buying books for them.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I wanted to be an actor even before I became a dancer! It’s not exactly a hidden talent, more like an unrealised dream. And I wanted to be a TV actor, not a theatre actor—if I were to be a theatre actor I’d want to learn how to sing. But my singing is horrible. I’ll sing in the car when I’m with friends, and they’ll always tell me to stick to my day job!
See Jeffrey Tan's latest work at T.H.E 5th Anniversary Celebrations: New Vision from Sep 13-15.
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What inspired you to organize an event like this?
We wanted to present a unique outdoor yoga experience that brings people together in a trendy and cool setting: a drop-in yoga session where people can, dance, be immersed in the music, be uplifted and have a great time. Yoga raves are popular in the US, where participants practice yoga in groups of 100 to 400 in large warehouse spaces, in a club setting—but one without drugs, smoking or alcohol. Yoga is the party.
How did you go about organizing it?
We organize monthly outdoor yoga events and partner with yoga and pilates studios, and met our music partners at the Yoga for Water, Yoga for Life event, where they played live music to accompany the yoga session. It was amazing to have 1,500 people up on the roof of the Marina Barrage with us—the Prime Minister was there too! We wanted to try something along those lines, incorporating a more fun, young and trendy aspect to it. Since we also hang out at Tanjong Beach Club we thought, "why not?" and it kicked off from there.
What kind of crowd are you hoping to attract?
Yogis, clubbers, weekend wariors and people interested in trying something new. Bring your coolest yoga pants and singlets!
What other events do you have up your sleeve?
We have a few more smaller monthly events planned this year, but next year there will be some big ones. We like working with other local businesses and partners and will be dishing out new lifestyle and fitness events. Find out more on the In The Loop website.
Yoga Rave Party—a vinyasa yoga session set to electronic music, complete with an afterparty—is on Sep 7, 6:30pm.
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Izy
Adding a big dose of cool to this quieter bit of Club Street is swish joint Izy, helmed by chef Kazumasa Yazawa (formerly of Waku Ghin). As you’d expect, he takes the traditional bar menu to new heights with small plates like ocean trout carpaccio ($28). With snazzy interiors straight out of a cyberpunk movie, and a list of sakes, small batch single malts, craft beers and bespoke cocktails to work through, it’s no surprise that this place is always packed with cool cats.
KOI Sushi + Izakaya
Another fresh new Club Street offering is KOI, a cozy bar which spills out onto the road on weekend nights. It’s a great spot to nurse a Hitachino Nest beer ($15) or interesting concoctions like the Cherry Blossom ($16)—Effen black cherry, Kirei umeshu, cherry, lime—and the Truffled Japanese Whisky Sour ($16). The vibe here is pretty low key, with local artworks lining the walls and simple but satisfying bar bites like scallop sashimi.
Sumiya
This retro (think vintage enamel signs and copper crockery) grill and izakaya has been packing in crowds with its DIY-style meals. But if you’re here to drink—and you will, because this joint’s got the cheapest Asahi in town at a mere $4.90 a pop—you’ll want to go for all-you-can-grab edamame ($6) and deep-fried goodness (from $6). Oh, there are shochu cocktails and sakes, too, if you can somehow resist their beer deal.
The Horse’s Mouth
Thanks to a big sign outside the shopping mall, this underground drinking den is no longer as hush-hush as it used to be, though parting the unmarked curtain in Uma Uma Ramen and heading down the dark steps still feels excitingly illicit. Although you’d expect too-cool-for-you barkeeps and impenetrable menus here, the mixologists are truly friendly, chatty and do their best to deliver a fun cocktail experience.
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Despite being surrounded by water we don’t tend to think of ourselves as a beach nation. It’s too easy to jump on a plane to Bali; too tempting to stay under cover of aircon. But few cities in the world can boast beaches as close to the center of town as Singapore, and there’s no better way to cool down here than with an ice cold drink in a sea breeze. Thankfully, after being ignored for too long, there’s a sense that the scene is finally picking up, with plenty of new or revamped beach bars and clubs doing interesting and innovative things.
Tanjong Beach Club has led the charge with their frequent parties and DJ sessions (though between us, we do still miss rough and ready spot The Shack), and even lesser known venues are upping the ante, with Myra’s Beach Club out at East Coast Park recently playing host to Sideshow, better known for their spirited shindigs at the Training Shed and Mount Emily. Others have reworked their menus and now offer an increasingly sophisticated food selection, alongside fancy cocktails to go with the beer buckets.
If you’ve not checked them out in a while, maybe it’s time you did. If you’re always at one, maybe you ought to check out another: you’ll find there’s more variety, and more to get excited about, than ever before.
What: Sister to swish resto One Rochester and rooftop bar 1-Altitude, 1-Twenty Six is a sea-fronting wine-and-dine spot at Big Splash along East Coast Park. Though it seats only about 100 or so, it feels much more spacious and luxurious than many other beachside establishments. There’s a small enclosed dining area, and the rest of the seats are placed in an outdoors (though sheltered) setting, complete with lush water features, lots of foliage and sultry mood music.
Why: It’s not quite a beach bar, but it’s put together really nicely and could well be a gateway drug for city slickers who’re nature-phobic. The cocktails here are grown-up—we’re huge fans of the Green Archers ($16), a combi of gin, Noilly Prat and cucumber—and the wine list comprehensive, with over 10 vinos available by the glass. The food is pretty sophisticated too. We like to cool off with the swordfish, unagi or tuna sushi (from $18), and the incredibly cheesy Gruyère soufflé ($16) goes great with a nice glass of white.
Who: Couples, corporate types here for after-work drinks, and, on weekends, families who live nearby. It’s a classy joint, so people here are usually fully clothed and well-behaved.
When: Musicians of different genres perform live daily, but Friday nights are when the scene heats up a bit with a DJ dishing out more uptempo tunes. Their Wednesday nights are also a favorite spot for girls’ nights out, too, so try that if you’ve done ladies’ night around town to death. Finally, they’ve also rolled out a brand new Sunday brunch if you fancy soaking up some sun.
How: Take a cab, or bus service 401 from Bedok MRT on Saturdays and Sundays.
What: One of the most vibrant (and perhaps the loudest) joints along the Siloso Beach strip, Mambo is probably the closest it gets to a proper club when it comes to local beach bars. It’s not the classiest joint—their parties tend to feature shots, T&A and electro trance—but the setup is certainly snazzy, complete with indoor and outdoor bars, swimming pool, cabanas and Jacuzzis.
Why: Their swimming pool and the scantily-clad bods therein.
Who: They can hold up to a whopping 3,500 partygoers if they take up their entire strip of beach, though the headcount usually ranges between 200 and 600. Weekdays see a chilled out crowd of tourists and families who head here to tan and swim, while on weekends it turns into beach party central with a pretty raucous crowd of expats, young working adults and exchange students.
When: Head to their fortnightly Saturday parties if you’ve got the stomach for trashy fun—a recent one was Spring Breakers-themed—which are free for ladies and $30 at the door for men.
How: Take their buggy service from Sentosa Express Beach Station (available on weekends), or the beach tram.
What: This five-in-one beach lifestyle destination comprises five diverse F&B concepts, including the freshly revamped Coastes and Bikini Bar, new spot Sand Bar, and eateries Flame and Makan2.
Why: You’d be hard pressed to find more diverse options in one place. Coastes is laid-back and mellow, with a menu that spans breakfast plates like eggs benedict ($16) to tea time scones ($10), as well as seaside standards like fish and chips ($22) to go with their summery cocktails (from $15). Bikini Bar is a bit rowdier and serves up beers like Bintang ($12) while Sand Bar’s a cozy hut with affordable, no-frills drinks. On top of all of that, the bath and changing rooms are new, clean and super spacious to boot. Sweet.
Who: A real mix of folks, from families at Coastes to SPGs at Bikini Bar, while Makan2 is a hot favorite with tourists who come for local grub like chicken rice ($6).
When: Come for the live music on Friday and Saturday nights, or a none-too-crowded brunch on Sunday mornings.
How: It’s just a stone’s throw from Sentosa Express Beach Station. No cabs necessary, really.
What: A no-frills 120-seater at the tail end of East Coast Park, sharing the same premises as PA Water-Venture, a popular spot for sea sports that also holds windsurfing courses.
Why: It’s unpretentious without going into sleazy territory, the staff are friendly but not smarmy, it’s close enough to the beach so that you can walk over for a dip in the sea, and far enough from the more crowded parts of East Coast Park so you don’t feel like committing hara-kiri while making your 27th lap around the carpark looking for an empty lot. Their extensive Mexican and North Indian menu is also rather unusual, the grub is prettily plated and actually quite good to boot.
Who: Windsurfers, families and groups of friends. Though it seems they’ve upped their street cred by hosting the Sideshow guys for a recent Sunday shindig, don’t expect hipsters or party animals flocking here anytime soon (unless there’s a special event going on).
When: Come if you don’t feel like getting all dressed up to hit the town. It’s usually packed for Saturday dinner and Sunday brunch, so avoid those unless you like crowds.
How: By cab, or bus service 401 from Bedok MRT on Saturdays and Sundays.
What: The closest thing we’ll get to a Malibu beach club, replete with an alfresco bar space, indoor and outdoor dining areas and a massive beach site with arguably the best sea view among the rest of the establishments.
Why: An all-day dining menu (with diverse quality offerings including starters like Tuna Tartare ($26), mains like grilled whole maine lobsters ($95) and desserts like Blueberry Pavlova ($14)) ensures that you’ll never go hungry at any time of visit, as well as a huge drinks menu. Signature cocktails include the Blackforest mojito ($18) and Tanjong Sling ($17).
Who: A very well-rounded mix of hip young things, working professionals, families with kids and basically anyone looking for a good time. The pool is especially popular among expats and the body beautiful with a penchant for showing off—and that’s exactly the point if you’re in the mood for some eye candy. Elsewhere, the cabanas are hot with big groups who come here simply to chill out or bask under the sun. TBC is pet-friendly, so expect some prized poodles or Yorkshire Terriers running around the beach.
When: Sundays are best if you want to bask in all the conviviality during the weekly Smack My Beach up parties with pumping, feel-good music—that’s when the pool gets really full—or when they’re having a special DJ gig or at their next Full Steam Ahead party. But if you’re looking for some down time, any weekday here will do the job. It’s the kind of place that really appeals across the board.
How: There are a couple of ways to get here, although taking a cab here would be the easiest (and fastest). Alternatively, you can choose to take a 10-minute tram ride after alighting at Sentosa’s Beach Station, or take a 15-20-minute walk from there. While getting here is relatively easy, getting out is a bitch. Tanjong Beach is, after all, one of Sentosa’s more secluded beaches and cabs are scarce here (you’d have to rely on mostly drop-offs or call for one). Thankfully though, they’ve recently introduced an in-house charter service with a drop-off service at VivoCity every Sunday between 6-10pm.
What: This cozy joint is more a seaside bistro than anything else. It’s just a smidge too far from the beach, and there are no changing or shower facilities, but it’s one of the most popular hangouts along East Coast Park.
Why: Regulars come here to socialize, enjoy live music (every day other than Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays) and food. Though pizzas, pastas and bar grub dominate the menu, owner Cindy Berlandier and her brother also create, amazingly enough, halal versions of Eurasian dishes—a cuisine usually known for being pork-heavy. Crowd favorites like oxtail stew ($20) and their house devil’s curry ($19) are authentically spicy and rich, while light bites like spicy creamy prawns ($15) and mango bruschetta ($12) hit the spot on sweltering days when you don’t quite want to tackle a curry. Drinks-wise, they’re all about frozen or ice-cold cocktails, so expect mostly beachy drinks like mojitos, pina coladas and long island ice teas (from $13.90).
Who: An eclectic crowd of families, friends and courting couples of all ages, both local and expat.
When: Its 120 seats are usually full on weekends after sundown, so we suggest coming on weeknights, when there are themed promos almost daily. Think couples nights (50% off the second drink for couples on Thursdays) and frat nights (beer and pizza deals, of course, on Mondays). Alternatively, watch out for their anniversary party next month, and a countdown party on New Year’s Eve.
How: There’s a spacious free carpark right next door, so driving’s the obvious choice. Otherwise, take a cab, or bus service 401 from Bedok MRT on Saturdays and Sundays.
Check out upcoming beach and pool events and the best waterfront bars for sports.
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