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This is still one of the hottest spots in town for boys of a certain persuasion. Its weekends are a hoot when girlie dance anthems from the likes of Kylie Minogue, Kelly Clarkson and Kelis are dropped by resident DJ Andrew Tang, and the crowd, mostly trendy young things, sashay their way to the dancefloor and let it rip. It helps that drinks here are affordable—all house pours are $5 and a bottle of Absolut Vodka is only $80—with one-for-one on all housepour jugs every Friday and Saturday before midnight. If you’re into emerging local talents, occasional dance and singing competitions are also held here on weekdays.

Taboo

Set inside a two-story 5,000 sq. ft. space on Neil Road, this is one of the classier gay bars in town. The main floor downstairs is where all the action takes place, replete with an LED-lit dancefloor and 30 ft.-long bar. Upstairs, dubbed the Attic, is where you can chill out over a cocktail or two, glossing over the beautiful crowd. The vibe is heady, with progressive house filling the floor. Come on a Saturday when it’s most fun: KL’s DJ Louis T drops by every third Saturday of the month with his teeming tribal dance tunes, while the themed HOT Party held every fourth Saturday of the month occasionally sees international DJs dropping by (Junior Sanchez, maybe?).

HQ Karaoke & Bar

Previously Toca Me Bar, this “ladies” hangout is not just a place to people watch. As the name suggests, it is also where you can croon a ditty or two. An open Karaoke concept also means that you can easily make new friends here while you work out those vocal chords. Failing that, enjoy its signature cocktails like the Soju Oolong Tea, Mojitos and Apple Shooters while chilling out on plush seats amid distinctively pink-colored décor.

My childhood was a blur. It was a lot of books and rote, so the “enlightenment” to a non-traditional, non-established career track in entrepreneurship and fashion came much later in life.

I like to float in the pool and have that sense of weightlessness so that I can think and not get distracted, but honestly, it’s because it’s hard for me to get access to the Internet.

Somebody invent a waterproof e-tablet, please.

I find random inspiration from movies, and the messages I get can range from the overt to the subtle.

I find a lot of fun in making these obscure connections to the things I do. It can be wondering how it is possible to get someone to adopt your idea without telling him to, à la Inception, to a line like “We will give them something they have never seen before,” à la Maximus in Gladiator.

I was dressed in indie-chic ankle-length pants the other day, and some ill-informed club bouncer summarily dismissed me as wearing “berms.” I was distraught, really. Couldn’t sleep for days and had a mini fashion-conscience crisis.

Generally, the more I improve myself as a person contributing to the society or the scene, the happier I am.

My ultimate guilty pleasure is dancing like no one’s looking. Except that state of mind only comes when inebriated, and when that happens, everyone’s really looking.

Last night I crept downstairs and finished a tub full of overnight fried noodles.

Xenophobia, racism and downright ignorance make me sick.

Folks here have to see this world as a global village, and embrace Singapore’s increasing role as the world’s capital. Few civilizations that insist on being insular ever end up lasting for too long.

If I could, I would be Steve Jobs for a day and liberalize the closed iTunes system that has been built so that it went back to the ideals he preached when he was a much younger man.

What he achieved is legendary and has changed human lives forever—many will mourn the loss—but I truly believe that if he had had the opportunity to muster the strength, he would have opened those gates before he passed.

My personal mantra is “In Hoc Signo Vinces”—“In this sign you will conquer,” a Latin phrase immortalized with Roman emperor Constantine I.

My derivation and inspiration from it is: To look out for signs to encourage yourself to go forward down the path you’ve chosen. Don’t ever get distracted by the naysayers, they’re always the loudest.