Boat Quay & Clarke Quay, Singapore

If you're staying in Singapore even for only one night make sure you don't miss the opportunity to take a bumboat ride down from clark quay to the Merlion and back. ( about 30 Mins). The scenes you see from the land cannot even be compared to what you see from down the 'river'. And the elaborate work of the different bridges can only be admired from the bumboat.

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Brewerkz microbrewery and restaurant is THE place for a beer in Singapore, in my opinion!

A number of beers are brewed on site, including the award winning India Pale Ale (which won the World Beer Cup Gold Medal in the English style beer category in 2004).

Eight beers are available on draught (wheat ale, golden ale, Czech-style pilsner, Chinese rice beer, India Pale Ale, Brown Ale, Darkside Ale and stout). Belgian beers (7-9%) are available in bottles and Brewberriez fruit beers are also available.

Prices vary according to the time of day. The happiest Happy Hour is between noon and 3pm when a pint of draught beer costs just S$3 (1.10 GBP / 1.60 Euros). Between 3pm and 6pm, a pint will cost you S$6, between 6pm and 9pm it will cost you S$9 and between 9pm and closing time it will cost you S$12.

Alternatively, jugs of beer (holding between 3 and 4 pints) are available. Between 3pm and 6pm, these cost S$15 (I believe they cost just S$12 between noon and 3pm) and S$22+ after 6pm.

Another popular choice is the "seven set sampler" - a chance to try, in small glasses, seven different draught beers.

During my stay in the city, I tried the entire selection of draught beers with the exception of stout which was unavailable at the time. My preferred pint was the wheat ale - a light beer, similar in taste to Hoegaarden - highly recommended!

There are numerous tables outside under a canopy, while the air-conditioned interior has large screen TVs showing live sports (including live English Premiership football on ESPN).

An extensive food menu (generally of an American nature - with chicken wings, steaks etc) is available, but I found the food to be expensive so never tried it.

Dress Code: No dress code - feel free to turn up in shorts, T-shirt and flip-flops!

Update: I revisited Brewerkz in late March 2006 during a short stopover in the city and the beer menu had changed. The wheat ale (which I was really looking forward to drinking!) and a couple of the other draught beers had been replaced by 3 different brews, the closest of which to wheat ale was the "kolsch ale". It seems that different beers are brewed on a rotation basis.

Located along the Singapore river is Clarke Quay in here you will find shops to get your habit started and after that you can relax and have something to eat at the numerous restaurant. And at night you can check out the pubs along the river and have a good time in Singapore

Sorry...but I don't like this spot...it might be in a nice area beside the water but the music is terrible, the DJ play the music too loud and the crowd inside is not my type...

Seems like all the tourist flock there though...I don't know why...

I much prefer Mohd Sultan St. There's better choice of clubs there.

(thought I'd put a picture for the guys of what you will NOT see on Boat Quay)

Dress Code: Anything you feel like

All along the Boat and Clarke Quays, there are numerous restaurants and bars / nightclubs. This was the center of action for tourists, and a few locals were thrown into the mix, as well. While not providing the excitement of Bangkok, this area has its upside, in that it is completely safe and still rather fun. The restaurants serve overly expensive meals, so try not to eat here. Just come for the party!

Dress Code: Casual,
Toned-down club wear
Shorts

Difference between Boat Quay (for us Americans, say "Key") & Clark Quay? Boat Quay has overpriced restaurants and some bars, while Clark Quay has dance clubs and bars and some restaurants. They are less than 10 minutes walking from each other when sober. Both are super safe to walk alone at night, I must have done it 8 times during my 5 days there.

In Clark Quay, the hottest club (as of Aug 2006) is Ministry of Sound. Lots of skinny Singaporeans dressed to kill and waiting outside to get in, good place for people watching. Indochine is a nicely deco'ed dance club with an open patio out front. One Nite Stand is my kind of bar - Philipino band playing American music where people actually dance. Didn't like Gotham Penthouse too much, even when I didn't have to pay cover.

Do not arrive in shorts, my local friends tell me that is a sign that you're not ready to party (ummm, what did they mean?). Expect to pay SGD$11-13 for a drink (draft beer, bottled beer, vodka and cranberry, tequila shots all about the same price). And yes, if you are male and not accompanied by female, you will be propositioned by hookers (if you're curious about Singapore sex scene, check out David Brazil's "No Money, No Honey!") in Clark Quay, but overall I only saw 1 or 2 hookers in each place.

By the way, both areas are empty from Monday to Thursday. Sundays are pretty lame too.

In case you're wondering, yes, an US$30 dinner is considered expensive by locals.

1. Get in to Clarke Quay early to enjoy 2 for 1 drink specials. This will bring the cost of a beer down from about $14 to $7 each.

2. Buy your beer from 7-11 convenience stores and drink it on the Clarke Quay bridge. This is as good a night spot to mix and mingle as any.

3. Wednesday is 'Ladies Night' in Singapore. Most clubs offer free entry as well as free drinks (cheap champagne) until about 11pm. (Free entry for girls all night though.)

4. My favourite spots: Le Noir, Attica and The Pump Room (Live 80's band daily).

Dress Code: Collared shirts and shoes for guys. Girls can usually get by with day wear.

The place for some very nice, relaxing jazz sounds. This was a welcome relief after walking along Boat Quay and hearing the awful techno rubbish blaring out of several bars.
There is no cover charge but the drinks ain't cheap! We paid 27 SD for 2 beers.
The atmosphere is great though and the food good if you want to eat.

Dress Code: There doesn't appear to be one.

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This area is the place to be at night. Very nice ambience with a lot of street performers and couples strolling around this place. This area also houses a lot of clubs, bars and restaurants. A must place to visit in Singapore...

Very nice bar right at Clarke Quay. The evening we went it was not very packed and as in every club, it was very cold inside. Be sure to bring a sweater, if you are feeling cold easyly.

Or as realdestinations.com puts it: "Downstairs, you’ll find Bar Cocoon – a venue for lounging, socializing and clubbing with massive opium beds enveloped by silk lanterns and drapery providing a sensuous charm to its relaxing ambience."

Dress Code: By the time we entered, there was noone checking about our clothes. But if you want to get in touch with some lovely girls you have to dress to impress.