Shutterbugs, take note. The biennial Singapore International Photography Festival will showcase contemporary photography through exhibitions, workshops and film screenings. Oct 5- Nov 17

Singapore's beloved Retrolicious is back with yet another outstanding lineup comprising Alphaville, Howard Jones, Tiffany and Wang Chung. Oct 6

The edgy month-long architecture festival Archifest returns with a "Rethink Singapore" theme and features exciting and enriching activities like Architours, a sketch walk and even a parkour lesson. Oct 6-31

Enjoy a three-course dinner for $35++ and a three-course set lunch for $25++ throughout the week at over 100 of the best restaurants in Singapore during Singapore Restaurant Week. Oct 7-14

In Zouk Presents David Guetta, the two-time Grammy Award winner is expected to churn out his signature genre-busting electropop sounds to a maximum turnout. Oct 11

Sentosa's terrifying Spooktacular will consist of five dark and creepy trails filled with tortured characters from a haunted army camp and even victims of the Ouija board - you'll need a ton of bravado for this one. Oct 19, 20, 26, 27, 28

Expect a mix of 80 stalls at the Red Cross International Bazaar, offering a smorgasbord of food, drinks, products and games, with all proceeds going towards Red Cross projects. Oct 21

If you're a beer lover, there's absolutely no reason for you to miss all the fun stuff - beer showcases, beer and food pairings, public brewery tours - happening in Southeast Asia's first Craft Beer Week in Singapore. Oct 22-28

The regional running championship adidas King of the Road culminates in the ultimate race in Singapore this year, with the track penetrating the city's most iconic sites, including Gardens by the Bay. Oct 28

Watch how teams of four make like the Wright brothers and test-drive their homemade flight machines to see if they crash or soar at Red Bull Flugtag, happening for the first time in Southeast Asia. Oct 28

Brewerkz
Even as it celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2012, there’s still no beating Brewerkz when it comes to microbreweries in Singapore. A Clarke Quay mainstay since 1997, Brewerkz is known for both quality and affordability and like any good brewery, it isn’t afraid to push the envelope. Planned innovations this year include a Blueberry Meade, Ginger Beer and Belgium IPA. (They’ve also been bottling beers for the likes of Spizza.)

RedDot BrewHouse
RedDot Brewhouse was the first bar and restaurant along the river bank to design a steel structured glass roof, allowing you to savor the unique craft beers like RedDot Lime Wheat and Monster Green Lager with hearty char-grilled fare and modern European cuisine while enjoying the breathtaking backdrop of the Singapore River under the stars.

Sque Rotisserie & Alehouse
Run by the Emmanuel Stroobant Group, this casual bistro and bar seats a whopping 256 folks. They don’t brew their own, but you can throw back any of the 10 draught beers on offer, including Kostrizer Schwarzbier and London Pride (both from $11 for a half pint). They also have a list of over 200 international beers such as Hitachino Nest Extra High ($20) and Double Bastard Ale ($38.50)—although frankly it’s almost unnecessarily long and the web-sourced reviews of each don’t much lower the intimidation factor! They’ve also got a one-for-one happy hour deal on all draught beers from 11:30am-6:30pm (Monday-Friday).

The Straits
Previously known as Archipelago, this iconic microbrewery may have changed its name, but everything else remains the same. You’ll find Archipelago Brewery’s signatures like Belgian Wit, Bohemian Lager, Irish Ale and Summer Ale as well as regulars like Heineken, Tiger, Kilkenny and Guinness Draught on tap ($15 a pint). Kitchen highlights like BBQ pork ribs ($20.80) make the perfect accompaniments to your favorite brew.
 

Astrid Dahl Studio Gallery
Located in one of Boat Quay's refurbished shophouses, Australian artist Astrid Dahl’s studio is quaint yet lively, with mixed media painting classes held every Tuesdays through Thursdays. Perk up your living room with one of Dahl’s colorful and impressionistic landscape works, available for sale from $800.

Absinthe Artisan
The fact that this elegant French spot would move to Boat Quay from Bukit Pasoh says a lot about the newfound optimism surrounding the Singapore river. It’s the perfect place to unwind with a glass of good wine and slices of cheese. For a hearty meal, don’t miss their signature Foie Gras Poêlé ($29), pan fried foie gras accompanied with warm blinis and morello cherries, or the Lapin ($39), braised rabbit leg Provencale-style, served with crushed potatoes and broccolini. Très magnifique.

Bar 57
Hole-in-the-wall establishment it may be, but its happy hour is, by far, one of the best in the area. On weekdays, happy hour runs all day (except Fridays, when it ends at 9pm), with standard house pours and bottled beers at $8, draft beers at $6 per glass, Stolichnaya vodka and Clan Gold whiskey at $98 per bottle, and a beer bucket of five bottles at $35. Ladies enjoy free flow of champagne, wines and vodka mixes all night on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Colombo Restaurant
It might not be new, but it still has the best view on the Boat Quay strip from its fifth floor, rooftop spot, as well some of the most authentic Sri Lankan cuisine (think crispy onion-and-chickpea-flour fritters, hearty, mouth-numbing lamb dishes, and cheese-stuffed naan) in Singapore. Make sure you call ahead to reserve seats.

Heirloom Gallery
A must if you’re a serious timepiece collector. Owner Shawn Tan opened his shop here 10 years ago and continues to attract a following for his collection of rare vintage wrist and pocket watches dating from the 1900s. Highlights include supremely hard-to-find Rolex and Cartier pieces, and rarer brands like Germany’s A. Lange & Söhne. Prices are $600-25,000.

Hom Yoga
Bit of a buzz about these folks right now, with their new outlet just opened at Orchard. Here, you can ease into a variety of hot yoga styles, including Hot Yang, Hot Hatha and Hot Flow. Eco-conscious yogis will also appreciate the use of energy-efficient lighting, a filtered water fountain and eco-friendly cleaning products in the studio.

The Juban Stand
If you love Tokyo’s popular tachinomiya, or standing bars, this new watering hole with the same concept is a definite go-to. While not completely chairless (30 bar stools line the walls and outdoor patio), the minimalist, open interior lets people move around and mingle freely in the 1,000 sq. ft. space. Drinks are decidedly Japanese-focused, too, with beers like Asahi ($10 a pint), as well as a range of sake, umeshu, shochu and Japanese Nikka whiskey (from $7 per shot/glass).

Check out our review of new bar Fern & Kiwi.

Mad Dog Bistro & Bar
This recent arrival to Boat Quay features a casual, upbeat vibe and an Italian-fusion menu with signatures like beer battered fish and chips ($21.50) and Mad Dog Smoked Duck ($19.90). Choose from a wide selection of wines to go along with your mains, such as the Chateau Laffitte Laujac 2005 ($95 per bottle) while you’re here.

Nothing But Green
One of the latest organic joints in town, this opened in May. While its outlet at Tanglin Shopping Centre carries only organic retail products, the café here is slowly packing the office crowd in with a small but delectable range of organic food. The affordable set lunch at $12 gets you an appetizer, a main and a drink (choose from a mix of sandwiches or rice dishes), or try the “Spize Up My Life” curry chicken stew ($10.90) for something a little heartier.

PIMABS
This atelier by owner and designer Leslie Chia has been drawing in the likes of Dick Lee ever since 2004 with an exclusive range of custom shirts and jackets (yes, even before the recent preppy look actually took off). Chia customizes each piece based on his own ready-made collection, with suits from $1,500 upwards and shirts $300 upwards.

Ramen Bar Suzuki
While the ambiance at this unassuming, new 30-seater joint is nothing to shout about, the ramen is some of the best we’ve tried. Specialties include tsuke-men with tonkotsu soup ($14.90), which is limited to just 10 servings a day and only available during dinner service. Hakata-style Jet Black Tonkotsu Ramen ($16.20) is another highlight: the addition of squid ink, fried garlic and black miso make this a unique show-stopper.

Toni & Guy Essensuals
For a quickie hair fix, head to the latest Toni & Guy outlet, which opened in February. Style director Clement Lim charges $70 for a stylish rework of your coiffure while a regular cut is just $35. You can also go for the scalp treatments ($65)—popular among stressed-out bankers nearby—or coloring services (from $90).

Upper Crust
The organic bakery’s latest outlet is a cozy space with the same diverse range of sandwiches that’s perfect for both takeaway or eating in at one of its 50 seats. All sourdough and soft breads are handmade fresh daily, with creative sandwiches such as the special egg tofu ($8.90), roasted veggies ($7.90), and smoked salmon ($10.90)—a must for the health-conscious.
 

Few cities have pulled off a river clean up quite as successfully as Singapore did almost three decades ago. But even today, few of us think of it as a destination of its own, the way we might about Sydney harbor or the San Fran waterfront. Despite endless “overhauls” (yawn) and “relaunches” over the years there’s still too many crappy venues, too much wasted space, and, frankly, it remains too much of a pain to get from one end to the other. That, though, looks like it’s all about to change.

Tyrone Tabing, Executive Director of the Singapore River One (SRO) organization (a recent ‘outgrowth’ of an Urban Redevelopment Authority consulting process) thinks there’s a “really exciting opportunity” at hand. The SRO’s plan, he explains, is to have “one voice for the precinct, to unify the three Quays while embracing the uniqueness of each.” And, sure enough, while his team busy themselves with clean-up operations of a different kind (together with the police force and various stakeholders they were behind the Better Singapore River Campaign, which has already scored some quick wins in cracking down on touting at Boat Quay), even bigger changes are afoot. In January, river taxis will begin offering a true ferry service between the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel and the Marina Barrage, making a $3 commute to the CBD, or even an after-hours, boat-based bar hop, a real option. (Details are still hazy, but it looks like the enviro-friendly boats will run every 10-15 minutes from 7am-10pm, with more than a dozen landing points and regular, express and even bookable “taxi” services.) Looking even further ahead, when the dust settles at the construction site next to Brewerkz in 2017 there’ll be the shiny new Fort Canning MRT station (on the Downtown line) meaning you won’t have to trudge all the way from Central to get to Robertson Quay.Small wonder there’s already an SG River app in the works.

In advance of all that, there’s been a flurry of activity along the Robertson Blue stretch (essentially Kith Café all the way to Limoncello) over the last year, and it now gives even Tiong Bahru a run for its money in the laidback charm stakes. A $15.6 million facelift of Clarke Quay is currently underway, complete with a new heritage-inspired frontage and some 15 new F&B outlets by year-end, including sexy new St. Tropez-inspired bar Cassis, opening in November. Right next door, the space occupied by the old River Valley Swimming Pool reopened earlier this year as The Foothills Fort Canning, home to hip art space Galerie Utama and host, last month, of the über-cool Sub-Sonic Live party (From October 6-13, it’ll also be home to a pop-up pavilion as part of Archifest 2012).

Elsewhere, the tenant mix is starting to change. Central, long known principally for its Japanese food joints (including newbie Zero.Zero and Osaka’s Chíso Zanmai), saw funky HK lifestyle store Goods of Desire (G.O.D) move in in July. Chan Iz-Lynn, Vice President of Far East Retail Consultancy which brought them in, describes the location along the river, with its “history as ethnic melting pot that is both tradition and innovation, as “the perfect complement to the brand’s celebration of authentic Asian culture through humor and creativity, all packaged in modern design.” Meanwhile, Ty Tabing is frank about the fact that neighboring Boat Quay has for too long been home to too many seafood operators. “It was a vicious cycle downward for them,” he says, “but that’s begun to change.” Indeed, it’s at the new look Boat Quay (see our hot dining, nightlife and even beauty recommendations at Boat Quay) that you can most readily get a sense of the precinct’s rapidly evolving identity. Gone (mostly) are the touts and the whole ‘bait-and-switch’ routine, in their place are an increasing number of upscale restaurants and other lifestyle offerings—read on for more!

You heard it here first folks: The Singapore River—hottest lifestyle destination in town by 2020.

It's almost Craft Beer Week in Singapore!
Find out where to get craft beer at the Singapore River.

What sort of training goes in before the race?
Charles Pic: The training between races is actually quite easy. Over the winter months, I train very hard and spend lots of time at the gym weight training or working on my fitness levels.
Timo Glock: Over a race weekend very little training takes place. Occasionally I will cycle the track but I do not do this at every circuit. Watching what I eat is also very important.

How do you stay focused during such a high-speed and high-intensity race?
CP: Staying focused during the race itself comes very naturally to me. What is harder is arriving at the race weekend with a good level of energy so that I can stay focused across the whole weekend.
TG: Experience helps. Being physically fit and having good stamina and endurance are important aspects of being able to maintain that focus during a race.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about the sport of Formula One?
CP: A lot of people assume that it is the driver that does all the hard work but Formula One really is a team sport. We have nearly 200 people working behind the scenes on the development of the car, looking after sponsors, and managing the
day-to-day running of the team.
TG: Most people know that Formula One involves lots of travel but I don’t think people understand exactly how demanding the travel is. There are 20 races across six continents on the Formula One calendar this year and with normally only a one-week break between races it can be a challenge.

What is it like driving in a regular car when you’re not racing?
CP: Driving in a regular car when I am not racing is very normal for me. Like all road users, I take care to care to stick to the speed limits, and I am aware of the other drivers around me.
TG: Driving a regular car is a very normal activity for racing drivers, exactly the same as for every other road user. I enjoy driving on the road as I find it relaxing, which is
a completely different experience to when driving in a race.

Which driver do you think will win the Championship this year?
CP: I think one of the drivers from Ferrari, McLaren or Red Bull will win the championship but it is very hard to pick a winner at this stage.
TG: It is very difficult to say which driver will win. There have been many different winners in the first half of the season but I think Fernando Alonso is very strong so I would put him top of the list for the time being.

For more on what's happening this F1 Singapore Grand Prix season, download our Night Race Guide 2012!

Considered by many to be the only true Grand Prix after-party, Amber Lounge has
been throwing annual Formula One (F1) Grand Prix parties, giving F1 partygoers the chance to live it up with celebrities, dignitaries and models from all over the world. Last year’s parties included guests like Beyoncé and Jason Statham as well as 24 F1 drivers, some of whom even took to the stage in the catwalk for the Herve Leger fashion show. September 22-23, 11pm

At Circuit de Catalunya, enjoy a special set menu featuring authentic Spanish cuisine while you sip on signature GP cocktails—all part of the F1 Singapore Grand Prix race screening programme. September 21-23

Can't decide what music genre you'd rather be partying to yet? The Chroam Asia collective presents a night of everything from funk and soul to hip hop and reggae, at their Cue the Music party hosted by Blu Jaz. September 22, 10pm 

During the F1 weekend, look forward to Hollywood nightclub Avalon’s annual music event GO!. This year’s lineup boasts DJ-producer Jerome Isma-ae and electronic dance music stalwarts Mason & Dragen. September 20-22, 10pm

Party with the who's who of the hip and happening in Singapore at the Johnnie Walker Circuit Lounge, which features an experimental bar and globally acclaimed DJs. September 22-23, 9pm

Mere minutes from the race building, the star-studded The Podium Lounge after-party has been the renowned party of choice for race drivers, celebrities, models, artists and the like. This year, UK electronic music maestro Seb Fontaine will headline the party with fashion shows by Canali, Trisha Vu and Willow & Huxley. September 21-23, 10pm

It's Red Circuit Racing Weekend at St James Power Station! Enjoy music by guest DJs Jerryca Misty, B.I.G. and Sylenz (spinning at the Red Party on September 21) and Kzee (spinning at the Supafly Circuit on September 22) as you catch live screenings of the race—from practice and qualifying races to the actual event itself. Ladies get in free. September 21-22, 7pm

G.H. Mumm F1 Party presents the Rev Up Friday party featuring Berlin-based Booka Shade—the duo behind Get Physical Music, which bagged DJ Mag's Label of the Year in 2005. September 21, 10pm

Another high-rise spot from where to watch the F1 Singapore Grand Prix (qualifying) race is Zafferano, where Insurgence is holding its Sky Grand Prix Party featuring a luxury lingerie show segment and UK's DJ Ben Joseph manning the decks. September 22, 6pm 

The Vault kicks off its first ever F1 season with a combo of Ramesh K, Norman Chung and Kavan spinning Latin, house and groove at Start Your Engines. September 21, 10pm

Download our 2012 Night Race Guide for more on what's happening this race weekend.

Brotzeit
Their Oktoberfest 2012 celebration stretches longer than the previous editions, kicking off at the Brotzeit 313@Somerset outlet (September 27-30) before moving on to the Raffles City outlet (October 4-7). The merrymaking ends at their VivoCity outlet from October 11-14. On offer are a special Bavarian menu featuring freshly baked giant soft pretzels, as well as their Oktoberfest Platter that'll have everything that's hearty (very German) on it— garlic pork sausages, pork chops, as well as Brotzeit's famous slow-roasted pork knuckles. The seasonal Paulaner Oktoberfestbier will also be available on draft.

Central Fountain Square, Clarke Quay
It's free and easy but no less fun this Oktoberfest season at Clarke Quay with Erdinger beer booths by the likes of Alegro, Fern & Kiwi and Shiraz, as well as German favorites such as sauerkraut and bratwurst. There'll also be live performances by local acts LGF, and Brandon & Band, plus games.

CHIJMES
From October 5-6 (7pm-midnight), toast to pints of Erdinger while you listen to German songs performed by Summer Oompah!. If you'd rather top 40 hits and modern or alternative rock, bands like Munkee Business and Rumors will also be in attendance. 

Magma German Wine Bistro

From September 22-October 7, try the traditional Beer Pork Roast ($32) or the Bavarian cheese spread with red onion rings & bread ($18). 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). All of this will be accompanied by traditional German Oktoberfest music.

Molly Roffey's
If you're around Market Street or the Bras Basah area, be sure to drop by Molly Roffey's for their sweet Oktoberfest deal: their pork knuckle set plus two pints of Erdinger White for only $52.80. They've also got a special Oktoberfest menu available from 4pm onwards, featuring all the sausage favorites.

Oktober Munich Restaurant and Bar
Listen to Bavarian folk music performed by resident band Gilbert & Friends as you down your two-liter Stärker Fresh Beer ($39, comes with complimentary tapas), and participate in their giveaway only on October 6 (6pm-1am). They're giving away $50 Oktober Munich dining vouchers too from October 14-27, so get drinking!

OverEasy
One of our favorite One Fullerton destinations is participating in Singapore's Oktoberfest celebrations for the first time (through October 13) with an Erdinger promo ($16 nett), along with menu items like crispy pork knuckle with sauerkraut and mash potato, and even a Sausage Platter. Turn it into a party by pre-ordering their Heineken keg, which holds approximately 40 pints of beer.

Paulaner Brauhaus
If you're going for strictly authentic, Singapore's only German microbrewery is probably your best bet. They've announced the prep of 6,000 liters of freshly brewed original Oktoberfest beer (sorry—bier) and promise live Bavarian music, as well as a traditional menu (lots of pork, we assume). 

Paulaner Clarke Quay
Don't confuse this place with the microbrewery—the Oktoberfest celebrations here happen outdoors at the Central Fountain Square at Clarke Quay, and starts 5pm till late. Pay $65 and you get two Paulaner beers plus all-you-can-eat Bavarian grub.

Peranakan Place
From September 17-30, the popular drinking enclave will play host to Erdinger representative Oliver Helbig's beer appreciation classes.

Swiss Club
Through September 16, the Swiss Club will hold a celebration (the longest running Oktoberfest party in Singapore) that's as traditional as it gets with a genuine Bavarian set up, authentic German dishes, as well as Erdinger draft beer.

The Terrace
Come hungry to their special Oktoberfest brunch (September 30, October 7, October 14, October 21 and October 28 from 12-3pm, $108++-152++) featuring Kielbasa and potato soup, Sauerbraten with Sauerkraut, crispy pork knuckles, wheat beer battered fish fry, as well as Bavarian black forest cake. Option for fee flow Dunkel, Erdinger Weiss, Champagne or wine is available.

Footnote
Quirky comedy about an unsolved rivalry between father and son, both eccentric professors at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
September 7, 7:15pm.

I-S PICK> Intimate Grammar
Fans of Amelie will love this equally dreamy film. Teenager Aharon refuses to grow up—his soul matures but his body stays unchanged—as he copes with dealing with a dysfunctional family which includes an overbearing mom and an uneducated dad.
September 6, 7:15pm. Sep 9, 7:10pm.

Jellyfish
Three stories about three Tel Aviv women whose lives intersect as they take refuge in a tranquil seaside village.
Sep 9, 5pm.

My Lovely Sister
A curious melodrama about a love triangle between the superstitious Rahma, her long-suffering husband Robert and the ghost of Rahma’s estranged sister Maria.
September 8, 9:30pm.

I-S PICK> Restoration
The best film in the festival, the story centers on a stoic antique furniture restorer whose business is about to face bankruptcy and an estranged son who is relentless on pulling the plug on the business. Featuring a marvelous central performance by Sasson Gabai.
September 8, 7:15pm.

The Secrets
Two women—the daughter of an unorthodox rabbi and her free-spirited counterpart—must make sense of their existence as they caught up in the rigid male establishment that they grew up in.
September 7, 9:30pm.

All films are screened at The Cathay. $11 from the box-office or log onto their website to book.