Spend any amount of time in Bali, and chances are you will also make a trip to Singapore at some point for either a visa run or a transit stop on the way to or from Bali. Fortunately, sleek and stylish Singapore offers plenty to keep you occupied even if you’re only there for a short while. If you’ve got 24 hours or less to kill in the Lion City, here is our suggested itinerary to help you get the most out of your city break.
8am – Breakfast at Common Man Coffee Roasters
Java junkies will love Common Man Coffee Roasters, as they have a talented team of knowledgeable baristas, top notch roasting and brewing equipment, and an array of enticing drinks using specialty artisan coffee beans. Their food menu is not too shabby either with a good mix of hearty and healthy bistro breakfast and lunch fare.
commonmancoffeeroasters.com | 22 Martin Road #01-00
10am – Shopping at PACT
No trip to Singapore would be complete without engaging in a bit of shopping, and Orchard Road is the epicentre of malls, outlets, and boutiques in Singapore. If the sheer number of shops is overwhelming, we suggest heading to PACT, a multi-concept mini-department store with everything from jewellery to T-shirts, homewares, perfume and suits. They also have a nail salon, hair salon, and casual restaurant under the same roof.
12pm – Lunch in Chinatown
For an authentic taste of Singapore that won’t break the bank, head to the Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown. This complex houses multiple food stalls run by locals and serving up delicious dishes like fish head soup, rice porridge, roast duck, fragrant chicken rice, and kway teow noodles. Wash it down with a freshly squeezed juice or iced coffee, and leave room for a silky bean curd in original or almond flavour.
2pm – Spiffy Up at Blow+Bar
Whether you’re planning a big night out on the town, or just want to update your look before you head back to Bali or further afield, Singapore’s got great grooming venues where you can get colour, cuts, extensions and shaves. For both women and men, Blow+Bar is just plain cool, as the stylists are skilled, the space is sleek, and they serve complimentary bubbly, plus wine and spirits along with their services.
4pm – Smell the Roses at Gardens by the Bay
Once the sun starts to lower, the temperature drops a tad, which makes it prime time to stroll through Southeast Asia’s most innovative gardens. Gardens by the Bay is a massive 101-hectare venue dedicated to all manner of flora, and the park includes the world’s largest columnless glasshouse at the Flower Dome, the tropical mountain themed Cloud Forest, the towering Super Trees attached by an elevated walkway, plus other plant-centric attractions, restaurants and shops.
7pm – Dinner at Bacchanalia
Take one look at hip and happening Bacchanalia, and you know you’re in for a treat. The decor here includes smooth leather banquettes and hundreds of glass light installations hanging from the ceiling, the service is warm and welcoming, and the menu boasts contemporary cuisine like the 48-hour Pork Belly, Tahitian Vanilla Salmon, Cauliflower Gratin with truffles, and White Chocolate and Cherry Tart.
10pm – Speakeasy Style Sips at The Library
Not your ordinary bespoke bar, The Library is one of the coolest cocktail spots in the city. To get here, head to a small bookshop on Keong Saik Road, whisper the secret password (which you can get at their sister restaurant The Study next door) to the librarian, and she will reveal a door in a wall of books that leads to a dimly lit bar. Order up creative concoctions served in quirky containers like mini-bathtubs and copper steins.
1am – Sleep in Style at W Singapore at Sentosa Cove
It may not be in the very midst of the hustle and bustle of downtown Singapore, but W Singapore at Sentosa Cove is just a stone’s throw from all the action of both the CBD and Sentosa Island, plus it’s a chic retreat that is both classy and charismatic. Inspired by the jungle, the resort features lush greenery, soothing water features, organic materials, and natural amenities, and you have your choice of chilling in your bright airy room, at the swim-up bar, in the elegant steakhouse, or overlooking the DJ booth at WOO Bar.
For more recommendations about hot and happening spots in Singapore, plus new openings, upcoming events, restaurant reviews, and parties galore, visit Urban Journey our go-to site for everything Singapore and Lion City related.
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