You are in the midst of an intense catching up session with friends. But after clearing your plates, the waiter glances at you, looks at the line of waiting customers and back at you. With some reluctance, you and your friends decide to take the conversation to Starbucks, only to find yourselves competing with the whole Yishun population for tables. God.
It may not be your hipster neighbourhood lined with cafés whose names you can barely pronounce, but the north isn’t as barren as you think.
We recognise the need for after dinner hangout spots, that having to Google for them can get frustrating. From dessert cafes to activity-filled venues, listed below are seven such hangout spots located in and around Yishun.
1. Handlebar
I can ride my bike with no handlebars, no handlebars, no handlebars.
Flobots’ song aside, if you’re looking for a little after-dinner exploring and drinks, biker-themed restaurant bar Handlebar is a great option. It may not be the most accessible of places, but the unique interior of this bar will have you go the distance.
Besides its unique furniture adapted from modified vehicle parts, there is a pool table made from a car’s body. So go ahead, knock back a few billiard balls and a few drinks; it’s always good to feel like a badass every once in awhile.
Address: 57 Jalan Mempurong, S759057
Tel: 6475 9571
Email: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Tue-Fri 5pm-1am, Sat & Sun 3pm-1am
2. Quench!
Wish to grab a few drinks but Handlebar is just to remote to travel to? Located at ORTO (previously known as Bottle Tree Park), this bar offers a variety of bottled beers ($10+) that will leave you spoilt for choice.
With alfresco seating overlooking a large fishpond, enjoy the laid-back vibes of this bar as you sip away at some ice-cold beers. The best part? The bar is open till 3am daily so you never know; Quench! may just become your new favourite watering hole.
Address: 81 Lorong Chencharu #01-10, S769198
Tel: 6257 3657
Email: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-3am, Sat & Sun 9pm-3am
For more on beer and bars, read 5 Best Craft Beer Bars For True Blue Beer Lovers In Singapore
3. Holy Cow Creamery
Shying away from alcohol, and craving for something sweet? Holy Cow Creamery is an ice-cream parlor that offers ice-cream and cake. Go crazy with some of their bold and exotic ice-cream flavours ($3/scoop) such as Mr. Potato Head (chocolate coated potato chips with salted caramel) while catching up on the latest gossip.
You can also top up your ice-cream with a waffle at an additional $4.50. For cake lovers, Holy Cow Creamery offers a range of cakes that includes Brownie ($4), Apple Crumble ($5) and Chocolate/Matcha Lava Cake ($6). Pretty reasonable prices, if you ask us.
Address: 292 Yishun Street 22 #01-291, S760292
Email: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Tue-Thu, Sun 11.30am-10pm, Fri & Sat 11.30am-11pm
4. Doughwory Bakery
Doughwory, be happy. When you’re out of dough, all you knead is love. Okay, we’ll stop.
If dinner didn’t manage to fill your tummy, an after-dinner visit to this pastry café would. With croissants, curry puffs and lemon cheese tarts going at $3 tops, it’d be hard to resist trying all of the bakery’s delicious-looking treats.
On the down side, this hidden gem has only a few available tables. Do be prepared to wait or tapau to #5 – Yishun Dam.
Address: 504 Yishun Street 51 #01-03, S760504
Tel: 6425 5028
Operating Hours: Daily 8am-10pm
5.Yishun Dam
Okay don’t roll your eyes just yet. It may not be much, but this location offers you as much space and serenity (depending on the crowd) as you need.
Since it’s basically free, you can simply buy some drinks before settling down for a good HTHT (heart-to-heart talk) session. If you’re looking to hang until late, you can bring along your grill and prepare your own supper.
The catch however, is its inaccessibility but you don’t necessarily have to be a car owner to enjoy this spot. A bicycle will be more than sufficient.
Address: Yishun Avenue 1, S769130
6. ORTO
Previously known as Bottle Tree Park, this new establishment, Orto, has retained most of its facilities such as its spacious prawning and fishing ponds.
Not only does prawning ($20/one hour, $30/two hours, $36/three hours) and fishing provide you a breather from the urban city space, the adrenalin rush when reeling in a catch can be pretty rewarding.
Plus, you get to lepak over some barbequed prawns afterwards. Its location may lean towards Khatib, but, if you’re looking to indulge in a light activity with a friend, prawning can be pretty therapeutic.
Address: 81 Lorong Chencharu #01-10, S769198
Tel: 6257 2972
Email: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Daily 24 hours
7. Cosmic Bowling
Looking for a more hands on but indoor activity? With a semi dark bowling alley, glow-in-the-dark pins and pop music in the background, bowling has taken on a groovy twist.
Of course, this activity is for the not-so-serious bowlers because well, the dimmed lighting and neon pins aren’t exactly best conditions for one to score three turkeys in a row.
Still, if you’re looking for a sporty activity that is fun and not so intense, give Cosmic Bowling at Yishun SAFRA a go.
Address: 60 Yishun Avenue 4, #02-02 S769027
Tel: 6759 9737
Email: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Sun-Thu 10am-1am, Fri & Sat 10am-3am
Price: $4.20/off-peak, $4.80/peak. Promotions available for certain cardholders
So there you have it, places you can now hold your catch up sessions at without having the waiter breathe down your neck. Of course, if you know of other hangout spots, do let us know. Good things must share, hor.
Also, read 8 Chillout Spots In The East For A Relaxing Night Out With Friends!
