Location: Downtown Core

An Unforgettable 2016 SG Race Experience You’ll Never Forget

My family and I are big car racing fans and we have been faithfully following the night race series in Singapore. Every year, we would crowd around the television at home, our eyes glued to the screen and our hearts racing. We would complain incessantly when the safety car comes around, or cheer in jubilation when our favourite race car driver, Sebastian Vettel, executes another perfect turn.

But this year, our night race experience will be different. We’ll be enjoying the best night race experience ever. Without having to squeeze with the crowd or sweat buckets, we can still witness the action live, in front of our eyes. Talk about having the best of both worlds!

High up on one of the highest floors of the Marina Mandarin Hotel, you’ll have a bird’s eye view of the track. In the comfort of air conditioning, watch the race unveil before your very eyes. From the balcony, you can watch as the cars rev their engines while getting ready. Before you know it, they’ll be off!

And there it will be, the sound that you’ve been anxiously waiting for throughout the night. The sweet rumble and roar of the engines. Louder, deeper, more thunderous and powerful than you’ve ever heard through the TV.

As you wait at the balcony eagerly for the race car drivers, the smell of burnt rubber will grow stronger and increasingly pungent. Watch in awe, jaw dropping, as the signature red and white Ferrari approach the bend. The cars will glint as the harsh and strong light projectors shine on it. Follow and track the cars around the track, and watch as drivers skillfully manoeuvre around the curves.

This is it. This is the night race viewing experience that you’ve been waiting for. It can’t get any better than this. Nothing beats real life, and we’re sure it’ll be an unforgettable night.

The best night race viewing experience you’ll ever get

Want to catch the night race but don’t want to sit in the sweltering heat of the stands or pits? Well, now you can! With Marina Mandarin’s Early Bird Trackview Room Package, you’ll get to watch the race from the comfort of your own hotel room!

Marina Mandarin Deluxe Rooms

Deluxe rooms which include one king or two twin beds, and an attached balcony with the best view of the track, are available at a special price of $600+ per night.

Marina Mandarin Premier Rooms

Premier rooms are also available at $650+ per night. These rooms are located on higher floors, which will guarantee you a better view of the track and the city skyline.

And if that’s not tempting enough, you’ll also enjoy daily buffet breakfasts, free in-room wi-fi and late checkout (subject to availability), when you book either rooms during this promotional early bird period!

Marina Mandarin’s Early Bird Trackview Room Package

The Marina Mandarin’s Early Bird Trackview Room Package is definitely one that’s not to be missed. Hurry, rooms are running out fast! Book now and you’ll soon find yourself standing on the balcony of your very own hotel room, waiting to hear the glorious roar of the cars! Nothing beats real life.

Marina Mandarin Early Bird Package
When: 12 September 2016 – 22 September 2016
Tel: +65 6845 1000
Website: 

Also, read ULTRA Singapore – Super Sick Lineup & Resistance Stage Artists Announced!

5 Hipster Hang Out Spots In Singapore That You Should Visit With Your Best Friends

All of us would remember fondly of a hangout spot where we spent many hours with childhood friends, pretending to be pirates and big bad wolves. As we grow older, this communal playground slowly disappears. But that does not mean that the fun has to end now that we’ve all grown up.

In Singapore, we’re lucky to have so many different hangout spots offering a game-and-food experience. We can bond with all our best buddies over different games; from pool to electronic darts to a sinister board game to Guitar Hero. The best part? All at a reasonable price.

Here are five superb hangout spots you can check out. Whether you want to kill some time, have some fun, or create new memories with friends, you’d find something you like.

Cue Guru

Cue Guru is my first choice when it comes to killing an hour between plans, especially if there is some time between finishing dinner and a movie. Averaging about $10 to $20 per hour, depending on the time of day, it is a great way to have some fun without breaking the bank. You can easily split the game cost between a few friends.

For food, try the $28 combo available at Cue Guru. It comes with a jug of Tiger Beer and a plate of crunchy popcorn chicken. The $25 weekday value combo, which is only valid from Monday to Thursday 11 AM – 3 PM, comes with two hours of pool games, a choice of two mocktails or juices, and a snack. If you’re a little thirsty, order from the bar. It is usually well stocked with designer beers, wine and cocktails.

Cue Guru is currently available in two locations: Bugis+ and Kovan.

Cue Guru Bugis+
Address: Bugis+, 201 Victoria Street #03-19, Singapore 188067
Tel: 6509 6002
Opening Hours: 11 AM – 1 AM from Mondays to Thursdays and Sunday, 11 AM – 2 AM on Fridays, Saturdays, Eve of Public Holidays, and Public Holidays

Cue Guru Kovan
Address: J Forte Sportainment Centre, 50 Hougang Avenue 1, Singapore 538885
Tel: 6280 8800
Opening Hours: 10 AM – 1 AM daily

iDarts Halo

Just right next to Cue Guru in Bugis+ is iDarts Halo, a fantastic hangout spot to hone your electronic dart throwing skills while spending time with friends.

There are six such hangout spots, operated by iDarts Singapore, all across the island – from Boon Lay to Punggol to Tampines. This particular setting in Bugis is perfect for the young cosmopolitan city-goer who would like some liquor to go with their missiles!

For beer lovers, especially, there is an ongoing daily happy hour promotion. You’ll receive a Carlsberg and Kronenbourg beer tower at $62 and $72 respectively. If you’re more of a cider kind of person, check out the new fruity ciders at the bar!

iDarts Halo
Address: 201 Victoria Street Bugis+, #03-24, Singapore 188067
Tel: +65 6634 9662
Opening Hours: 12.30 PM – 1 AM Sunday to Thursday (and Public Holidays), 12.30 PM – 3 AM Friday, Saturday and Eve of Public Holidays

Saint Games

Can video gaming be serious? Saint Games says yes! Opened in 2009, the household brand is today located at The Cathay and Bugis+. It offers fun-filled game time to people of all ages!

This is the perfect hangout spot for those whose friends are obsessed with console gaming, from PlayStation 3 to the Nintendo Wii, and the Xbox. Game selections include classic Xbox titles, Rockband, Guitar Hero, Raving Rabbids, and more!

If you’ll be catching a movie on the same day, check out Saint Games @ The Cathay’s special tie up with Cathay Cineplexes, which is just a few floors up. Show your movie ticket for that day and get an extra 30 minutes of gameplay time, on top of your existing purchase.

Saint Games @ The Cathay
Address: #03-06, Handy Rd, Former Cathay Building, Singapore 229233
Tel: +65 6397 2285
Opening Hours: 12 PM – 10 PM Sundays to Thursdays, 12 PM – 2 AM Fridays to Saturdays

Hideout

Hideout is exactly what its name implies: a shelter from the outside world, an escape to a second reality. Located in Peace Center, a mall that really only comes alive after dark, this hangout spot offers a brief respite with board games and console games available for rental.

The rooms are spacious, soundproof, and furnished with the most comfortable bean bags! All these to provide you with a totally private gaming experience. With more than 30 board games available, including card games like Bang and Saboteur, and the latest gaming consoles in town, prices start at $9 for the first hour per person for first-timers, and $6 per person for subsequent hours.

Hungry? You will be able to purchase snacks from Hello Panda biscuits to spicy instant noodles to M&Ms. Eat while you play!

Hideout
Address: #03-04/05 Peace Centre, 1 Sophia Rd, Singapore 228149
Tel: +65 6837 0686
Opening Hours: 11 AM – 11 PM Sunday to Thursday, 11 AM – 1 AM Friday and Saturday 

Settlers Cafe

Perhaps you are not a console gamer, or maybe you just prefer something more old school. Try a game of Catan or Ticket To Ride with your friends for an hour or two at Settlers Cafe. It’s conveniently located in Clarke Quay. With many promotions available, from ladies night to student packages, gaming for an affordable fee is not too far from reality!

Food is also not a problem at Settlers Cafe, with an a la carte menu touting many scrumptious dishes! Dishes available are Jumbo Chicken Sandwich for $12.90 to Beef Lasagne for $9.90 to Tumeric Chicken for $12.90. You can also order light snacks and beverages, including several alcoholic choices.

One of our favourite titles at Settlers Cafe is Pandemic. It’s a 2-4 people strategy game that requires the players to stop and treat a virus that will soon conquer the whole world! If you’re looking for more of a party game choice, go for Taboo, a game that will guarantee a good laugh, no matter what.

Settlers Cafe
Address: 39 North Canal Road, Singapore 059295
Tel: +65 65350435
Opening Hours: 6 PM – 11 PM Tuesdays to Thursdays, 12 PM – 1 AM Fridays, 1 PM – 1 AM Saturdays, 2 PM – 8 PM Sundays, Closed on Mondays

With these five great hangout spots in mind, the next time you’re planning a gathering, whether it’s for the traditional board-and-card game enthusiast, the Xbox expert, the darts fan, or the pool champion in your clique, you’ll be sure to find something that makes everyone happy. Keep creating new memories! The fun does not end, play time starts now!

(Header image credits: @shaneinfinite, words by editor)

Also, read Stuck In Singapore? Here Are 10 Uncommon Places To Visit For A Different Kinda Fun!

ULTRA Singapore – Super Sick Lineup & Resistance Stage Artists Announced!

The wait is finally over! With just a month and a half to showtime, ULTRA Singapore has finally revealed the Phase Two artist lineups for its inaugural edition set to take the stage this 10 -11 September!

For those new to the EDM scene, the ULTRA brand is a series of Electronic Music festivals spanning Europe, South America, Asia, South Africa and Miami.  Over the past 18 years since its inception, thousands of the world’s most iconic DJs, producers and live acts have performed their slick beats at the festival over 20 countries.

Headliners

The first name to join this lineup is UK super group Above & Beyond! Having been around the EDM scene since 1999, the UK super group is sure to deliver an electrifying performance.

The Early Bird tickets for this event were sold out upon release! To make sure you chope a spot at the festival, you need to move fast to snap up the last remaining Advance Tickets priced at USD$175 (2 day admission).

There’s also the Premium General Admission Tickets (2 day admission), which grants ticket holders access to dedicated express lanes, restrooms and F&B stalls, priced at USD $200.

Once the Advance tickets are sold out, you will have to purchase the regular ticket at USD$190 for General 2-day admission or USD$225 for the Premium General Admission.

If you’re going in a group, they’re having a super tempting not-to-be-missed Group Package. All you need to do is purchase 5 tickets and get the 6th one for free! What are you waiting for? Get your troops together and score this discount package!

Head to ULTRA Singapore to get your tickets now!

ULTRA SINGAPORE*

Date: Sep 10 & 11, 2016
Venue: Ultra Park, 1 Bayfront Avenue
Ticket Price: USD$175 (Advance- General Admission), USD$200 (Advance- Premium Admission), USD$190 (Regular -General Admission), USD$225 (Regular -Premium Admission)
Online Ticketing: Ultra Singapore
Website: Ultra Singapore
Headliners:
Above & Beyond, Afrojack Alesso, Axwell^Ingrosso, deadmau5, Kygo, NERO (Live), DJ Snake, ZHU
Support Acts:
Carnage, Far East Movement, Gryffin, Jauz, Marshmello, Nicole Moudaber*, Reboot*, Shaded (Live)*, Technasia*, W&W

*RESISTANCE Artist
Do note that you need to be 18 years of age and older to attend this event

Header image source: Ultra Singapore

Also, read Stuck In Singapore? Here Are 10 Uncommon Places To Visit For A Different Kinda Fun!

Thought You Knew All About Singapore? Here Are 10 Uncommon Places That’ll Guarantee A New Experience

Even if you’re not going abroad, you can look to our very own humble abode for fun things to do and places to explore. Singapore isn’t just about Orchard Road or Gardens by the Bay. We’re almost as sick of these places as you are!

Well, fret not! Come the weekend, you can look forward to something else to do! Here are 10 interesting and uncommon places to visit for a different kind of fun.

1. Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle & Dragon Kiln

Dubbed one of Singapore’s most well-kept secrets, the Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle is a place that combines heritage, history, discovery, and fun. It gives vibes of an old museum and you can actually buy proper pottery and art at a reasonable price!

There’s also the Dragon Kiln (a furnace/oven for burning pottery), one of the oldest surviving brick-built kilns in Singapore for wood firing. If you’d like to learn more about pottery, Thow Kwang also hosts a series of workshops that will give you your Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze “Ghost” pottery moment.

• Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle
• Address:  85 Lorong Tawas, off Jalan Bahar
• Contact number: +65 6268 6121
• Operating Hours: Daily, 9am-5pm
• Website: Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle

2. Lazarus Island

Are you looking for a beach to visit, but find that those at Sentosa are overpopulated? Why not try Lazarus Island instead? Accessible by a causeway from St John’s Island, Lazarus Island is home to an untouched tranquil beach.

You could take a dip in the clear turquoise waters, and bring along a picnic basket for a picnic on the pristine white sand. For the best beaches in Singapore, read this.

3. The Observatory at Science Centre

Stargazing, anyone? With a location near the equator, Singapore has an advantageous location. It allows stargazers to catch a glimpse of the constellations in both the northern and southern celestial hemispheres. If you happen to be in the west, drop by the Science Centre to check out the exhibits and end off your visit with a sky full of stars!

• Science Centre Observatory
• Address: 21 Jurong Town Hall Road, 609433
• Contact number: +65 6425 2500
• Operating Hours: Friday 7:45pm- 10:00pm
• Facebook: SCOB

4. Pulau Ubin

It’s a great destination for those who would like to escape the hustle and bustle of the city (especially from the crowd!). Just swap the MRTs for rental bikes and enjoy nature.

5. MegaZip Adventure Park

Up for an adventure with your buddies? Head down to Sentosa’s MegaZip Adventure Park to get your adrenaline going. Hang 450-metre high up and swing across a jungle, beach, and the sea at a speed of up to 60 kilometres!

Not a fan of swinging across Sentosa? Check out Climb Max, an obstacle course consisting of three levels of aerial ropes at 15 metres high. That sure sounds like the next Singapore Ninja Warrior course!

• MegaZip Adventure Park
• Address: Imbiah Hill Rd, Sentosa Island, 098967
• Contact number:+65 6884 5602
• Operating Hours: Daily, 11am-7pm
• Entrance fee: $50++
• Website: Image source: Bounce Singapore[/caption]

  The thought of hanging around Orchard as something fun to do probably did not cross your mind. But how about bouncing around the latest indoor adventure park that is strategically located in Orchard?

  Bounce Singapore is an epic urban playground that consists of interconnected trampolines, Freerun Terrain Park (like the one on American Ninja Warrior), and “Leap of Faith” – jump on a raised platform and leap out to catch hold of the trapeze. Best part of all? It’s indoors and you won’t get sunburnt from all that fun.

  [caption id="attachment_11345" align="alignnone" width="960"] Image source: Bounce Singapore[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11346" align="alignnone" width="960"] Image source: Bounce Singapore[/caption]
  • Bounce Singapore
  • Address: Cathay Cineleisure Orchard, 8 Grange Road, #09-01
  • Contact number: +65 6816 2879
  • Operating Hours: Sun-Thurs (10am – 10pm), Fri-Sat (10am – midnight)
  • Entrance fee: $24++ (general admission), $19++(student discount)
  • Website: Bounce SG

  7. Singapore Botanic Gardens

  [caption id="attachment_11381" align="alignnone" width="700"] Image source: Image source: Image source: blognacarona[/caption]
  • Singapore Botanic Gardens
  • Address: 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569
  • Contact number: +65 6471 7138
  • Operating Hours: Daily 5am-12am
  • Website: Singapore Botanic Gardens

  8. Mint Museum Of Toy

  [caption id="attachment_11431" align="alignnone" width="586"] Image source: gridho[/caption]

  You’re never too young or too old for toys! This toy museum will delight both adults and kids with its vast collection of vintage toys and memorabilia from around the world.

  With over 50,000 pieces of vintage toys, this collection is considered one of the finest in the world. Even the five-storey building that houses the museum is a work of art and has gained international recognition at Architectural Awards.

  [caption id="attachment_11437" align="alignnone" width="602"] Image source: Javier Wu[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11439" align="alignnone" width="601"] Image source: afiq_castello[/caption]
  • Mint Museum Of Toys
  • Address: 26 Seah Street, 188382
  • Contact number: +65 63390660
  • Operating Hours: Daily 9:30am-6:30pm
  • Entry fee: $15
  • Website: Image source: Souce: Image source: The Natural Traveller[/caption]
    • Changi Chapel & Museum
    • Address: 1000 Upper Changi Rd N,  507707
    • Contact number: +65 6214 2451
    • Operating Hours: Daily 9:30am-5.00pm (last admission at 4:30pm)
    • Entry Fee: Free admission
    • Website: Image source: Image source: puripurikan_daus[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11458" align="alignnone" width="800"] Image source: addgrainonearth[/caption]
      • Singapore City Gallery
      • Address: 45 Maxwell Rd, The URA Centre, 069118
      • Contact number: +65 6321 8321
      • Operating Hours: Monday- Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm
      • Entry Fee: Free admission
      • Website: Singapore City Gallery

      With 10 uncommon places to check out with your friends for a different kinda fun (and some really pocket-friendly ones), which one would you visit first? While you’re at it, also check out The Singaporean Bucket List – 10 Challenges You Die Die Must Complete.

      Header image source: Tiny Pieces Of Paper & Quirky Imagination Was All It Took For Instagrammer To Make SG Fun Again