Category: Cool Places In Singapore

Play Glo-Up Versions Of Hopscotch And Jenga At The Coolest Playground, Gastrobeats

If you liked Gastrobeats last year, then we have good news for you.

From 9 March to 1 April 2018, Singapore’s largest carnival, the Prudential Marina Bay Carnival is collaborating with Gastrobeats, in conjunction with i Light Marina Bay 2018.

Gastrobeats previously debuted in i Light Marina Bay 2017 and will find its new home at the Promontory, providing a colourful neon glowing playground for everyone.

A Spectacular Neon Playground

This year, Gastrobeats will feature new activities such as LED-lit hula hoop stations as well as glow-in-the-dark versions of our childhood games such as hopscotch, Twister, Jenga, floor pong, chess, and even Paintball!

That’s not all, for 3 consecutive Sundays from 18 March, there will be a retail market and eco-craft workshops hosted by Terra SG to educate and encourage the public to care for the environment.

Visitors can also participate in the complimentary weekly mass workouts organised as a part of the Fitness By The Bay programme, in collaboration with Pure Fitness and Pure Yoga.

There will also be musical performances from Friday to Sunday, with acts including indie-pop band M1LDL1FE, alternative rock band Cadence, and hip hop collective Mediocre Haircut Crew.

Lastly, on 31 March, Gastrobeats will host the ILLUMI FEST RUN where participants will be splashed with glow-in-the-dark water while they traverse various activity zones that includes a giant ILLUMI slide and ILLUMI splash box.

Open daily from 4pm to 11pm (except Christmas and New Year’s Eve, when it will start from 3pm), admission to the Prudential Marina Bay Carnival is completely free!

To get yourself credit for rides and games, you can purchase them online beforehand or while you’re on-site.

Gastrobeats @ i Light Marina Bay
Venue: The Promontory, 11 Marina Boulevard, Singapore, 018940
Date: 9 Mar – 1 Apr 2018
Website

Also read Have A Fab February With These 10 Food And Events To Check Out With Bae

(Header Image Source: Xavier Lur)

A Care Bear-Themed Cafe Is Springing Up In S’pore And It Will Awaken Your Inner Child

Singapore has seen so many character cafes pop up in the recent years, it’s almost as if it’s an elaborate scheme to get us to keep throwing money in pursuit of that perfect Instagram shot.

Of course, we all know this. But that doesn’t stop us from visiting these character cafes when they pop up in succession.

Once again, Kumoya has partnered with Little Miss Bento and American Greeting to bring us Care Bears x Kumoya, a Care Bears-themed cafe.

Step Into Care-a-lot, Home Of The Care Bears

From 1 February to 31 March 2018, Kumoya will be transformed into Care-a-lot, the home of the Care Bears.

The cafe will be completely redecorated with the Care Bears. While it doesn’t exactly resemble Care-a-lot, this will do.

As with all past iterations of character cafes, what everyone is looking forward to is the themed food, and the Care Bears don’t intend to lose out to the Sanrio characters.

Food Prepared With Care

First up, we have The Seafood Chowder you’ll Love-a-lot ($28.90).

This seafood-loaded chunky stew comes with a generous amount of shrimp and squid, as well as chunks of carrot and broccoli, served with a bed of beetroot-stained rice shaped like Love-a-lot bear.

For the pasta lovers, there’s the Kumoya’s Star Attraction ($18.90) which is a classic Pomodoro spaghetti with shitake mushrooms, cherry tomato confit, and parmesan cheese.

If you’re looking for something more substantial, there’s the Cheer-Up Chicken Katsu ($21.90).

Were you expecting a chicken cutlet? Because we were. But it’s actually a burger!

A juicy Japanese katsu chicken slathered generously with teriyaki sauce is sandwiched between soft burger buns, topped with a sunny-side up and cheddar cheese, served with a garden salad, crisp fries and mushroom soup.

While the mains look adorable and Instagram-worthy, the sides don’t disappoint either.

Served in a limited-edition snack holder, choose from the Truffle Fries ($11.90), Salted Egg Yolk Fries ($11.90), Chicken And Corn Sticks With Nacho Cheese ($12.90) and Karaage Chicken With Shoyu Glaze ($12.90).

Salted egg lovers will love the Salted Egg Yolk Fries, which comes sprinkled with salted egg cereal crunch and salted egg mayo dip. There’s no such thing as too much salted egg.

Kumoya’s signature crispy karaage chicken also gets a makeover, with a homemade sweet shoyu glaze.

Every past character cafe has had their own version of Kumoya’s desserts and drinks and this is no exception.

Go for the Rainbow Garden Strawberry Parfait ($18.90) – Strawberry Hokkaido soft serve is served with vanilla pudding, meringue drops, fresh fruits, chocolate sable, a rainbow candy strip and mixed berries sauce.

Not a fan of vanilla pudding? How about waffles? The Spread-The-Cheer Waffles ($19.90) combines Kumoya’s signature waffles with the strawberry Hokkaido soft serve, mixed berries sauce, meringue drops, wafer sticks, and Care Bear cookies.

That’s not all. End off your meal with their Calpis drinks or special Care Bears teas.

The Cute Cuddly Calpis ($11.90) combines Berry flavoured Calpis with a mountain of fresh cream, while the Magic Mango Strawberry ($11.90) uses Mango Strawberry Calpis with a mountain of fresh cream.

If you grew up with Care Bears like us, this is one character pop-up cafe that you shouldn’t miss!

Available from 1 February 2018 till 31 March 2018, don’t miss out on a chance to dine in Care-a-lot!

Care Bears x Kumoya
Address: Kumoya, 8 Jalan Klapa, Singapore 199320
Date: 1 Feb – 31 Mar 2018
Website

Also read You Can Now ‘Jio’ Your Muslim Pals To Drink With You At This New Halal Rooftop Bar

(Header Image Source: Kumoya)

You Can Now ‘Jio’ Your Muslim Pals To Drink With You At This New Halal Rooftop Bar

Who would’ve thought there’d be a day we can finally say “halal” and “bar” together in the same sentence. We’ve got news for you, Singapore has a halal rooftop bar and you’re going to want to jio your Muslim buddies for this.

If you’re looking for a night out with friends or a date with bae, this rooftop bar experience will definitely give you chill vibes after a long day at work.

Halal Rooftop Dining Spot

Located in the Arab Street precinct, Atap Bar will take you back to the old days. Its cosy interior, patterned floors and swing chairs will remind you of your grandma’s kampung.

This family-friendly establishment serves up non-alcoholic, localised bespoke mocktails. With drinks inspired by Malay folklore and traditional songs like “Rasa Sayang”, there’s bound to be a drink for everyone here.

The “Rasa Sayang” ($14) is a blend of rose infused water mixed with strawberry, mint leaves and more! Just like the folk song itself, this drink captures much of the Malay character.

If you’d like a little sugar, spice and everything nice, get the “Tiga Abdul” ($15) which is inspired by the classic 1964 movie played by famous actor P. Ramlee.

Feeling a little daring? You can make your very own customised mocktail starting at $13. Who knows they might just name a mocktail after you!

 If you’re feeling a little hungry, they serve up bar snacks such as Honey Wings ($10). Oh and did you know they serve Keropok Lekor ($8) as well? Talk about the perfect snack.

If that isn’t already convincing enough, Atap Bar also provides games you used to play back in primary school. From old maid to five stones, relieve your childhood memories and brag about how good you were at these games back then.

If you need a good night accompanied with good drinks, stunning view and chill music, Atap Bar is the place for you. It’s the best sober vibes you can get in Singapore!

With a lot of thought put into the concept for this modern kampong bar – it’s definitely one of Singapore’s hidden gems you don’t want to miss.

Atap Bar
Address: 48 Arab Street, Level 5 Singapore 199745
Opening Hours: Mon 7pm-12am, Wed-Thurs 5pm-12am, Fri 5pm-1am, Sat 3pm-1am, Sun 3pm-12am, Closed on Tuesdays
Website

Also read $5 Is All You Need To Get Drunk At Singapore’s Cheapest Pub Crawl

(Header Image Source: Atap Bar Facebook)

6 Picture-Perfect Staycation Ideas That Suit Both The Budget And Lavish Traveler

If we had it our way, most of us love to go on extended vacations to exotic locations – if we had the time and money to do so. But, just because you can’t leave the country doesn’t mean you can’t have a fun, restful holiday.

Whether you’re looking for a cheap getaway, or have a little extra cash to splash for a special occasion, we have some ideas for where you and your partner, friends, or family can go for a holiday, right here in Singapore.

$100 – $150

1. XY Hotel Bugis

A relatively new addition to the boutique hotel scene is XY Hotel Bugis. Located in Kampong Glam, XY Hotel Bugis’ design and rooms feature a unique blend modern art, while staying true to the local heritage.

While its exterior is deceptively minimal with its black and white design, step inside and you’ll find a space that’s overflowing with personality and interiors punctuated with bright pops of colour.

Think rattan chairs in bold hues of pink, green and indigo, and neon lights in the common areas. All 15 of their rooms also feature quirky murals.

At XY Hotel Bugis, each room has its own distinct vibe and charm. The handiwork of designers both local and overseas, some rooms feature pop art-style murals while others feature more abstract paintwork.

Located just minutes away from OG hipster area Haji Lane and Arab Street, you won’t have to venture far for some amazing – and halal – food. And if you’re feeling restless at night, you can always head to the 24-hour Mustafa Centre to do some late night (or early morning) shopping!

A Superior room will set you back $130 – $160 per night, while the Deluxe room will cost $140 – $170 per night.

XY Hotel Bugis
Address: 11-13 Jln Klapa, Singapore 199325
Contact no.: 6788 1001
Facebook

2. Rabbit Carrot Gun

If you want a change of pace from hotels and boutique hotels, here’s a staycation spot that’s more unique – Rabbit Carrot Gun.

Rabbit Carrot Gun is a restaurant and ‘hotel’ rolled into one. On the ground floor of this refurbished shophouse is a bustling casual dining restaurant that serves up all your brunch favourites, while the second storey comprises 3 rooms for guests.

The Kubric Suite ($139) is a bright and airy room with bold art adorning the walls, The Rabbit’s Retreat ($165/night) comes with a bath tub and, and The Terrace Suite ($145/night) is the biggest of the three, featuring a private roof terrace.

If you don’t live in the East side of Singapore, this would be a great opportunity to explore parts of Singapore you’ve never ventured to before. Our tip? Bookmark all the good food you want to try in the area to make the best of your stay in the East.

Rabbit Carrot Gun
Address: 47 – 49 East Coast Road, Singapore 428768
Contact no.: 6348 8568
Website

$150 – $200

3. Mercure On Stevens

If you take the bus or drive to Orchard Road, you may have noticed two buildings that have recently sprung up along Stevens Road.

There’s also the newly-opened Winestone lounge which offers both indoor and outdoor terrace seating. With its chill vibes, Winestone is a great place to unwind with friends over shared plates of raclette and freshly bakes pizzas and bread.

Mercure On Stevens
Address: Orchard District, 28 Stevens Road, #01-02, Singapore 257878 
Contact no.: 6491 6100
Image Credit: Image Credit: Sassy Hong Kong[/caption]

We absolutely love their bathrooms and can imagine spending hours relaxing in their luxurious bath tub.

For a 5-star retreat, their price tag isn’t too hefty, with prices starting from $230 a night. With plenty of greenery and marble, we think plenty of amazing photos will come out of your stay here.

A huge plus point when you stay here is that you will have no lack of options when it comes to nightlife. With Clarke Quay just a 5-minute drive away and Orchard Road within walking distance, you won’t have to worry about being bored and having nothing to do after dark.

Hotel Fort Canning
Address: 11 Canning Walk Singapore 178881 
Contact no.: 6559 6770
Image Credit: Gardenasia Facebook[/caption]

Nestled in the Kranji Countryside, the three villas here are spread across over two hectares of land. Each villa is decorated with its own distinct style: English (Begonia Villa), The Orient (Camellia Villa) and Contemporary (Daffodil Villa). The villas here are designed after the colonial houses of yore, and come with their own walk-up staircase!

With each villa leading straight to the pool, you’ll surely be tempted to take a dip, especially in sunny Singapore. Other amenities here include a tennis court, amphitheater, and billiards table, so get off your devices and enjoy the beautiful outdoors while you’re here!

The villa rates are standardized across the board, with weekday stays (Wed, Thu) priced at $280++/night and weekend stays (Fri, Sat) priced at $350++/night.

Gardenasia FarmStay Villa
Address: 240 Neo Tiew Crescent, Singapore 718898   
Contact no.: 6898 9111
Image Credit: Image Credit: Image Credit: Want to win a 3D2N stay (with breakfast for two) at Mercure Singapore on Stevens? Simply like and follow TwentyxThirty on Facebook, and tag someone you’d like to share the staycation with!*  

*Terms & Conditions apply.

This article is written in collaboration with TwentyThirty.

Also read Aliwal Urban Art Festival Is Back, And It’s Bringing Food Trucks, Glamping And Amazing Music

(Header Image Source: Gardenasia Facebook)

Aliwal Urban Art Festival Is Back, And It’s Bringing Food Trucks, Glamping And Amazing Music

The Aliwal Urban Art Festival is back for its fifth iteration on 20 January 2018, and you know it’s serious when they close off the road on Aliwal Street.

This time, Aliwal Urban Art Festival has leveled up their programmes to include skateboarding, glamping, dancing, freestyle football and many more!

Art At Aliwal

For those of you who love to bust a move, there’s The Get UP to Get DOWN featuring ScRach MarcS. Held at the Aliwal carpark, this all-out block party will feature music from the 60s all the way to 2009. There might even be a soul train.

What’s an urban art festival without urban art? Presented by RSCLS and The Blackbook, there will be a RSCLS Detour, which takes you around Kampong Glam to learn more about the history of urban art in Singapore.

That’s not all, there’s also Spin Cycle, where 3 artists use a puzzle canvas to create interactive artwork that visitors can play with. There will also be a Terrainware Tent Challenge where you get to pit your skills against outdoor gurus to glamp at the Aliwal Urban Art Festival.

Music At Aliwal

No urban art festival is complete without music and Aliwal Urban Art Festival does not disappoint.

Festival-goers can expect live performances from Bakers In Space, Mean, Sobs, Vandetta, and Eatmepoptart. That’s not all, other musical highlights include FFIN from Slugwife, Ras Irie, and Koflow.

Skate And Play At Aliwal

Skaters can also test their skill and flex their creativity at the Best Line and Best Trick contest at the Firing Line. There’s even prize money to be won!

There’s even a Skate Drop-In Clinic where newbie skaters get to learn from the best coaches in Singapore, in a safe and supervised environment.

Soccer buffs can also test their skills at the Street Football Challenge and pick up some freestyle skills from the pros.

Eat And Shop At Aliwal

Of course, you don’t have to go hungry at the Aliwal Urban Art Festival. There will be a bunch of food trucks available at the Aliwal carpark.

For those who are there for the shopping, there’s the Brilliant Corners Artist Market where you can expect to find limited edition art prints, custom tees, magazines, and 12″ records.

Aliwal Urban Art Festival 2018 is the must-go art event that’s part of the Singapore Art Week. Bring your friends and family down to Aliwal Street on 20 January 2018 for a night of crazy fun!

Aliwal Urban Art Festival
Venue: Aliwal Arts Centre, 28 Aliwal Street, Singapore, 199918
Date: 20 January 2018
Website

Also read Here Are All The Concerts To Look Forward To In 2018 So Far

(Header Image Source: Aliwal Arts Centre)

Don Don Donki Is Finally Opening On Dec 1 And They Basically Flew Japan In For S’poreans

Japanese discount store, Don Quijote, better known as Don Don Donki, will be opening its store in Orchard Central on 1 December 2017.

This is the Japanese brand’s first store in Asia. The new 2-storey retail space spans 1397 square metres and will be operating for 24 hours daily.

If you’re hungry, Don Don Donki will also be partnering with Hokkaido Marche to offer a dining experience that we are all familiar with. Just imagine Marche serving up Japanese food.

Another highlight of the Singapore outlet is the takeaway delicatessen section in the supermarket which will offer sushi, sashimi and tons of Japanese goodies.

The cheapest item that you can find at Singapore’s Don Don Donki is the Calbee Jagatico Salad ($0.50). The most expensive item is the 35-year-old Hibiki Suntory Whisky which costs a whopping $80,000.

There’s also the exclusive Don Don Donki bar. There are only 2 outlets in the world. One here in Singapore, and the other in Tachikawa, Tokyo.

The Japanese bar serves a variety of sake, whisky and beer. Unlike the 24-hour outlet, it operates from 4pm – 2am on Sunday to Thursday and 4pm – 3am on Friday and Saturday.

Shoppers will also be thrilled to know that the alcohol section of the supermarket offers alcoholic drinks that are not available at other Don Don Donki branches.

With this opening, we know where we’ll be shopping and buying groceries from now on.

Don Don Donki Singapore
Address: Orchard Central, B1 & B2
Opening Hours: Daily: 24 hours
Website

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(Header Image Source: Shuji Umetani)