Singapore Nightlife: Nightlife with Hot Spots

At night time, Singapore practically transforms itself from an ever-so-efficient business hub to a buzzing network of bars and nightclubs. Busy executives loosen their ties and kick up their heels to the sound of jazz swing in at Harry's Bar along Boat Quay, and earnest students-by-day let down their hair for some laid-back bar-hopping at famous Mohammed Sultan Road.

In the past decade, bars and nightclubs have blossomed in a big way in the Lion City. Long labeled as an over-protected nanny state where its well-behaved inhabitants just don't know how to have fun, partying the night away has become a norm. Many of the bars and clubs have taken on a unique Singapore or Southeast Asian character; you'll find restored Chinese god owns pumping out rap or retro, trendy bars of glass-and-steel exteriors and buddhist temple-style interiors, historic drinking dens that will you bring back to the days of the Raj.

BOAT QUAY & CLARKE QUAY

Boat Quay and Clarke Quay are dotted with restaurants as well as pubs, so the mood here is slightly laid-back and the crowd mixed. Patronised by serious party-goers, but also people just out for a pint after work, couples chatting over a leisurely dinner, and tourists. The pubs are old Chinese god owns and shop houses given a heartening face lift.

ORCHARD ROAD

This famous shopping belt also harbours some great clubs. Venom (Pacific Plaza Penthouse, 9 Scotts Road, 7347677) boasts a state-of-the-art dance floor and a sweeping view of Orchard Road. The theme changes every night, and the music ranges from pop to retro to house. The crowd -- well-heeled and chic.

MOHAMMED SULTAN ROAD

In the past few years, this once-forgotten back alley has taken on legendary proportions. Once a ramshackle row of old Chinese god owns, the street has been transformed into a vital, throbbing artery of Singapore's nightlife. The god owns have retained their colourful Peranakan facades, and many of the bars in this area have adopted a Shanghai-Old World type of interior.

ZOUK

Any review of the Singapore club scene should begin with Zouk (17, Jiak Kim Street, 7382988). This hugely popular club, which has been compared with some of the best in Europe, plays mainly House music to a mostly young crowd. Zouk's music is spun by its seven resident DJs, while regular live acts from visiting artistes - such as Galliano, Chemical Brothers, Heart and Kylie Minogue -- are an added draw.

LONG BAR

No list of Singapore nightspots would be complete without a mention of the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel. Housed in the historic Raffles Hotel, this is where the Singapore Sling, the island's most famous cocktail, was invented. The decor, in line with that of the hotel, is high-class colonial. Old-style fans flap about on the ceiling (although now they're automated, not pulled by some poor servant), and you're encouraged to throw your peanut shells on the floor -- they're there to add to the planter's ambiance.

It's convenient to go bar- and club-hopping in Singapore, as the golden triangle of nightspots -- Zouk - Mohammed Sultan - Boat Quay -- are all a short taxi hop from each other. Be warned, on Friday and Saturday nights the clubbing herd comes out in full force and you may have to call for a taxi to avoid waiting in queue. Drinks - including beer -- are fairly expensive in Singapore. Most bars have happy hours, where drinks are at a sharp discount or standard drinks like vodka tonic are on one-for-one offer. Wednesday night is Ladies Night at many bars, while some bars and clubs mark out one night of the week with a special dance or music theme. The bars serve finger food, some offer the usual pub grub like fish and chips or spring rolls, while the trendier ones have sushi or teppanyaki on their menus. If you're hungry for a real meal after all that clubbing, there's usually an Indian roti prata stall, hawker centre or coffee shop open nearby. The Newton Circus hawker centre is alive all night, while many hotels have coffee houses that welcome the tired and hungry until the wee hours of the morning.