• More on Joo Chiat Road (30 Dec 2003)

         

   U – Top Pub – 462/464 Joo Chiat Road – 6247-7953

  As you come on the J.C. Street from the south side one of the first places you come to is the U-Top Pub. I was out early and arrived in the Pub about 5pm so they had just opened. This Pub had recently been acquired by a new owner so it was pretty quiet when I visited. I spent some time playing pool with the bartender and after loosing both games she decided to take it easy on my and teach me a Chinese dice game similar to Liars Poker which I didn’t do much better at.

  The club is a bit on the small size with the pool room in the back and separate room off from the bar are that has couches so the big time singers. I’d say the club as possibilities but only time will tell that story. I would say it would be worth checking from time to time to see what happening, after all you never know about a place until you stop in.

  Blue Lagoon Lounge - 200 Joo Chiat Road - 6548-6786

  Yeah I know I was just there the other day but had to return under more favorite able conditions and I hit the jack box too. Arrived about 8pm and the club had a good crowd already. I found a seat at the bar and ordered up a beer then started to take in the action. Lots of girls, again mostly Vietnamese and young, much like Blue Star across the street. In reality both places have the same set up, open concept, girls everything. If you where drunk enough you might now remember which bar you were in.

  After being there for about 15 minutes I struck up a conversation with a local guy who said it was his first time there and seemed to be probing for information about the club. Seemed a bit strange since I’m not a local yet many think I am Malay so I guess that tends to work in my favor some times. The girls were milling around looking for old friends or new ones for the night. Meet the girl from the Bunker Pub from my last visit but after a short talk she moved on but then returned with her friend for me to talk to I guess she thought I would like better.

  Between the Blue Lagoon and Blue Star I felt the Blue Star had better looking girls but I have only been in each only once so I guess I’ll have to made a few more trips to get the whole scoop on these pubs on Joo Chiat Road.

   

• Joo Chiat Road, Singapore, my excursion trip (27/28 Dec 2003)

   

  You’re not as young as you thought you were!

  It started out a pretty quiet night with nothing going on and noting planned so I thought. I ran into a friend while having dinner at one of my favorite places and he invited me out for drinks since he had just gotten his year end bonus and wanted to party. So since I had no plans and he was paying I thought “why not”, so off we good to pick up his friend and then to the bars.

  He headed for Joo CHIAT Road and found a place to park by the complex and from there we started south up the street heading towards the beach. The first club we can to was 51 Jazzy. A happening place, with a bar in the front, a couple of KTV rooms and a large lounge in the back where most of the action takes place. We decided to return to the club later on in the evening. Why? I have no ideal but I thought we should have just stayed there. Our next stop was at the Blue Star Pub (Closed in 2006) a smaller place but average for a Singapore pubs. This place was packed when we arrived about 8:30 – 9 but we found a table in the middle of bar and ordered our drinks. There was about 20 or 30 girls hanging out with the customers enjoying them selves very much. A few guys singing songs that were pretty good but the main attention was on this one lady in a low cut open back black dress with blond hair. She was the hottest one in the club that I saw. We hung out for a few rounds but since all the girls were busy the team decided to move on down the road a bit.

  Our next stop was way at the far end of the street in the Nashville Pub. I had been there before and was a bit surprised when they wanted to head there because it was usually pretty quiet but had great prices. One thing I learned about going back to the Nashville Pub was that every time I go there it is different or at least the crew is. The last time I was there it was all Singaporeans working this last time all Filipina’s working. So now I knew why they wanted to go there, sad to say like the Blue Star ever one was and busy and taken. So that visit was shorted lived. Next on the list was Cup 36 a new place I think but is really dead there with only the guys playing pool and not much else going on to talk about so after the first beer we headed for the door and the next club.

  Since they didn’t mind Filipina’s to told them about Pub 81 which was a few short blocks away so we headed there. Usually a lived place with about 10 ladies working but on this night the crew was about 1/3 in size but enough to get the job done. We hung out for a while, 4 or 5 rounds, and then moved again. Next club was The Bunker, filled with people and pretty lively too. So we got a table and a beer and here comes the girls. All the ladies were from Vietnam, about early to mid-20’s and looking pretty good, but then again but now I was getting pretty blinded from the pace we had been going through the beer so who knows for sure. Shit they could have been butt ugly for all I knew, but anyway we talked for a few minutes and then came the big question: “You like me? You take me short time to night”. Being me, I had to ask the obvious question: “how much?” and the answer was, “100 dollar and I pay for room”. After she gives the details I decline her offer and she moves on to another one. This happen twice in the same place and both times by Vietnamese girls.

  Time to move again this time a short trip next door to the Blue Lagoon, open the door and it was a morgue in side so we didn’t even go in, time was about 12 am so they may have been closing, not really sure I was kind fucked up by then. So our last stop was where we started at 51 Jazzy. The bar area in the front had about 10-15 hanging out talking which a cool but in the back well that was different story. This big area will hold about 200 people I would guess and was people wall-to-wall. Kind of loud from the music so talking is more like screaming. The bad part was that we go the club so late finding a place was not going happen so we had to return to the front and have a seat in the bar area. Departure time about 1 or 2 can’t recall really.

  Over all I had a great time bar hopping up and down the street. We passed a lot of other places that I’m sure have there own appeal to them. Prices in the bars for a beer is not that bad with them ranging from 5 to 10 for a mug of Tiger which was a lot less then I though it was going to be. All the clubs we went in you could by a bottle if you wanted but didn’t ask on the price so I’ll have to get that next time. 

  The best way I could describe Joo Chiat Road is to compare it to Orchard Towers only instead of being 4 floors it is 6 block and cheaper if that is what you are looking for. Well worth checking out, if anything some place new to hangout and see a different crowd. Oh yeah, it seems that many of the places close up about 12am or 1 so it is not a very late night area so if you go, go early so you can get decent seating to enjoy your night or at least have first choice of who you want to share your drinks with that night.

   

• Top Guy Japanese KTV Lounge - #05-01 Orchard Plaza, Orchard Road – 7634-5649 (Dec 1 2003)

  After being in Singapore for my entire time I hadn’t gone to the Japanese KTV places at all. I had seen them in the malls all over the place but never had the time to visit one. There are several places where these kinds of clubs occupy in great numbers. One being the Orchard plaza and the other being Cuppage plaza, between these two locations there must be over 30 clubs of every size and shape. Let me start by saying that if you are tight on money when you go out to party these kinds of clubs are not for you in anyway. The Japanese clubs are expensive from the time you walk in the door, so be dooly warned

  I arrived at Orchard Plaza around 10pm on a Monday and found the plaza (mall) very quiet unlike what I had expected to it be! There was no on hanging around like in Orchard Towers and really no one even walking around except for me. I kind of felt like the place was closes or I had gone in the wrong mall. I made my way to the escalator and started my journey up the top floor. As I went from floor to floor I saw the clubs but couldn’t tell if they where open or not. When I reached the fifth floor which is the highest level I went to me left and passed a club that had a about 8 girls just sitting around outside talking. As I passed no one offered to me come in and check out the place so I just keep on walking. Beside how many times have you been in a Japanese style club and seen a Black American sitting there? So I didn’t think too much about it because I knew of all the clubs in the area some one would ask sooner or later.

  As I made my way around the fifth for I saw a disco named “Sparks” which use to be located in a different mall but since I heard no sound coming from that area I passed that too. Once I had made a full circle of the floor I had dead it was I headed back for the one where I had seen the girls before sitting out side. As I approached the club again no reaction from the girls so I just walked pass them and entered the club.

  Once I side I was quickly greeted by the Assistant Manager “Kim” who began to give me the break down of the club and how it all worked. I am sure she felt I was new to this kind of club and that chances were this is not where I wanted to be due to the cost.

  1. Entrance fee = S$35.00
  2. Mug of beer = S18.00 or was it S$24?
  3. Bottles of sprits = S$ 200.00 and up
  4. Ladies drinks = S$ 20.00 to 25.00 and up
  5. Company of a lady for 1 hour = S$100.00 big ones

  I’m sure there are other charges but I can’t recall them. I do recall trying to cut a deal for a jug of beer vice there jug deal on the hard stuff but she wasn’t going for it so I settled for mug my Tiger Beer and had a seat at the bar. Kim spoke with me for a few minutes before introducing me to Eve who had a seat at the bar with me. Everyone was friendly enough and I meet many of the visible staff since some girls where busy in the karaoke rooms with customers.

  Over all I found the Top Guy Lounge a nice place with a nice layout from what I could and did see. Being a Japanese style club I would say the prices are not really too bad when you think about it. Like many of the bigger KTV clubs in Singapore I would think this club could be fairly cheep in the long run. If you decide to buy a bottle they will keep it for you until you next visit like many of the clubs will do.

  If you should plan to visit the club to have a good time and not have to worry about anything during the evening I think about a Grand (S$1000.00) should take care of you.

  Figure it like this just to walk in and get some company to join you and a bottle it is going to cost you at least S$350.00. If you can afford it have fun and enjoy it. For myself I think I’ll have to pass and maybe go with a few friends to help split the high cost of a Japanese KTV Lounge.

   

• Las Vegas Karaoke Pub – 51 Neil Road – 6225-1103 (9 October 2003)

  As Karaoke Pub go this has to be my favorite one to date. Open from 6pm to 2 am it is right around the corner from Duxton Hill area. The club is a good size place with lots of tables and girls to sing with. Besides singing you can play pool or watch the bar top dancers or pole dancers. Yes they have all three for your enjoyment. There wasn’t any one the night I but it was an off day so I differently need to go back and check out the shows everyone what worked in the bar greeted me and made me feel right at home. On Tuesdays and Thursdays the special is a bottle of Chives is only S$99.00 and you have one week to finish it off. Not a bad deal if you have others to help you with it, if you need help that is. Tigers will cost you S$6++ and ladies drinks are S$16++ so not to bad a kind of easy on the wallet .Another great part of this pub is that the girls are mostly Singaporeans with a few Malays mixed in if I recall right. So that was a nice change from the Thais, Vietnamese and Filipinas you usually meet in the pubs. With that in mind the service is also different since these ladies didn’t come out of the bars of Manila or Bangkok to work here short time.

  The service is good and not pushy when it comes to getting your next drink or if you should decide to get one for the lady who has joined you for a song or two. You can call ahead and reserve a table if you plan to show with friends and what to ensure that you get a table that will seat all of you. The DJ will play any song you would like and sing it if you ask.

  So stop by and check out the Las Vegas Karaoke Pub one night who know you may see there some time enjoying my Tiger beer or maybe even a bottle of Chives.

  Note; pretty and young girls working here, I met one that was only 20 year old but most were between 22 and 24, really good looking Singaporean girls. There could be more going on here then it appears but only time will tell that story. The girls are not pushy for drinks but they will ask for them if you don’t offer. The girls move around a lot to different tables and it wasn’t that crowded the night I want in so who knows how it would be if it really crowded. I got 2 telephones before leaving without even asking for them so what does that tell you?

• Rapids – 91 Tanjong Pagar road – 6323-3508 (8 October 2003)

  Here is another place I just happen to drop into one night to have a beer while walking around the Chinatown area. At first I passed it by but then decided why not, I was thirsty and it was close so I turned around and when on in.

  The time was about 9:30 or 10pm and there wasn’t much going on. A few people were sitting around enjoying their drinks and along with a couple of girls sitting at a table alone. So I bellied up to the bar and ordered myself a beer from the bartender. Looking around I saw I a pool table in the back and not much else. Even thou is said Karaoke on the sign I saw no sign of anyone planning to do any singing that night. After 10 or 15 minutes I was then approached by a young lady who sat down and starting to me. S.O.P. – what’s your name, where are you from, Etc. So after a while I asked her if she wanted a drink, knowing sure as hell she did. I met a few other ladies in the club as the night went one and a few sailors that where in town for a couple of days.

  This clubs is similar to the Pub 81 in the set up with not a lot of singing going on but tons of other action going on. Prices for drinks where pretty good at 6++ for a beer, sorry I forgot what the ladies drinks cost but over all it wasn’t that bad. Not a bad pub if you like Filipinas and just hanging out for a while. The girls come and go often but return pretty fast some times. This is definitely one place you would only visit with your male drinking buddies.  

  Update: 4 March 2004 - I was in the area and stopped in for a beer and to see if anything and changed. well everything was the same except for a new batch of ladies, they come and go every 2 weeks making trips to Malaysia and other places in the region before retuning. Bottled beer for a lady cost me S$20.00 while my bottle was S$12.00, last time I had a Tiger Draft. After a very short time I had Three ladies around me chatting me up but when I didn't get the two drinks things died off to a point. With the club having more girls then guys they were happy just talking and seemed sad when I told them I was going to another club, oh well!

   

• Queens Disco, Orchard Towers, first floor (first and third Sunday of the month) – (14 September 2003)

It had been a while since I was in the club for a contest and I was lucky enough to drop by while they where having one. From what I could tell the Blue Banana and Queens Disco were both have some kind contest as well as Peyton Place. I decided to check out Queen’s sine I had not spent time in there much since the remodeling took place. It was pretty early when I arrived so I had a chance to get a good seat close to the stage area, this is really a good place to be during the dance and swim suits portion of the contest.

The clubs had a ratio of around 3 to 1 (girls to guys) so if you wanted to meet one of the ladies I dough it would be a problem for you since many were they looking for date on there day off too.

I had a good time watching the contest some of the girls could really do the nasty dancing to get your blood flowing hard and fast. Seeing these domestic workers in the clubs makes you wonder how their employers deal with them working around the house day in and day out because many of them are real lookers with bodies to match.

• Beaver’s, The American Pub –  33 Liang Seah St- 6338-4595

  I found Beaver’s pub while looking for a place to have lunch and decided to check out one. Well I ended up going back later that evening to have a few beers. Beaver’s is a nice hold in the wall kind of pub with a nice kick back feel to it. Happy hour is from 12 noon until 9pm for draft beer on tap and house pours for only 4.95++. So what is there to do here? Well they have a pool and darts along with a big screen TV to check out your favorite sports on.

  You’ll find many of the workers of the offices enjoying them selves here after getting off work and relaxing with co-worker. The staff is as friendly as they come so service is very good. Over all a nice place to visit after work when you are looking for a different place to have a few drinks outside of the normal clubs and pubs thorough the city. So if you decide to visit Beaver’s head for towers 3 & 4 then go to the basement and you’ll see it on the right and side. If you have a business card from the pub you drink at happy hours prices ALL NIGHT LONG. To bad they will only give you one and you have to use it the next time you go in!

• Hard Rock Café – 50Cuscaden Rd. #05-01, HPL House – 6235-7398 (1 Sept 2003)

  After coming to Singapore for more then 4 years now I finally made it to the Hard Rock at night to check out the club. I arrived around 10:30 pm and found the club kind of lacking in the entertainment area. The band that was playing was ok but over all I was a disappointed in the performance. Maybe my hopes where just too high not remembering I was in Singapore and not in the states. But then again the only Hard Rock Café I have been in I really like is the one in BANGKOK, gee I wonder why that could be!!

  So unless you are there to have something to eat or pick up your shirt, just keep on moving because you are not missing anything there as far as I’m concerned.

• Bar None, Marriott Hotel, 320 Orchard Road (7 Aug 2003) (Renamed B one Dec 2007)

  I received an invitation to Bar None for part of the National Day celebration so I jumped on the chance to check out the club with a friend.

  With an opening time of 7pm we decided to meet up at 7:30 and check it out. When we arrived we were greeted at the door and given Singaporean flags and treats to enjoy but as you may know about arriving so early there isn’t much going on so after a fast look around we left to get something to eat and come back later.

  Returned around 8:30 or so which was a good time since happy hour was ending at 9 and I ordered an Chives on the rocks which only ran me S$6.50, pretty good deal I thought the Midori and 7up was 6.06 and a Gin and tonic was 5.20 for a single and 10.40 for the double I ordered for the girl that invited me. Service was pretty good over all and we received our drinks pretty fast. The only complaint I had was the Chives just didn’t have the normal kick when I first tasted it, maybe I’m just getting use to them again?

  Like other clubs here this is another small dance club seating about 100 maybe 150 but plenty of standing room thorough the club for the late comers. Seating is on 2 different levels so the chance to check out the action on the dance for is there for the lookie-loos’.

  A fair mix of customers on the night I was there while I expected to see a much younger crowd I would say the average age was about 29 to 35 over all. The Bar None has more then its share of hot babes that I found enjoyable to check out.

  I don’t remember the name of the band that playing that night but I would go back to hear them again. They where suppose to be playing Pink Floyd songs during the evening and over the time I was there about 3 and half hours I only remember hearing one. Maybe I was talking to checking out the crowd, who knows. So to kill some time I start to take a few pictures of my guest and the club, well the guest shots were ok but when to turned the camera on the club so guy comes out of no where and tells me “No pictures in the club!” Hearing this before I comply and start to put it away but only asking why? He mumbled something that I really didn’t want to hear then left.

  Over all I had a good time in Bar None and I’m sure I’ll make it back there some time to party again so I’ll see you there!

   

• Orchard Towers – On any given Sunday (3 Aug 2003)

  It had been while since I visited OT during the day time when the clubs open of the Tee Dances so I made a trip there to see how things where going. My last trip there must have been over a year and a half ago and every club I stopped in was packed full with the girls that had the day off like many maids do.

  My first stop was in the old Green Mango which is now called Makati City on the second floor. One of the bigger clubs in OT this place during the night is a hot spot for Filipinas and Thai girls while during the Tee Dances time it is mostly Filipinas. The staff now seams to be all Filipinas too and they have some really hot looking waitress too I have to add. The crowd in the club can and went as if no on really knew just where they wanted to party because the club was pretty empty and not a lot happening really, some where with friends and few girls where there alone just hanging out dancing and drinking. The DJ played a mix of R&B and house so there was plenty to dance to which they did. Saw some good moves by a few of the girls but the ones along the railing they where along where doing a lot better job of working that ass then the others.  Over all I would give this club a 7 on the 10 scale for day time visits even with a sparse crowd. Glass of beers is S$10. No band playing while I was there.

  My next stop was the Ipanema Club on the second floor also. Here to the crowd way low buy more people then in the Makati City with lots of single girls here and all dancing and having a good time. The Ipanema is always a good stop while in the towers and usually had a crowd of girls out side the door to attract you to come on in. the music is good and beer here is also 10 sing Dollars. One thing I don’t like about this club is the girls are not as approachable as in other clubs, maybe it is just me and my own observations but seeing how it is OT I must be wrong. This club receives also get a 7.

  After the Ipanema I headed for my one of my favorite clubs, The Crazy Horse Saloon, but sad to say it was closed, too bad because this club is always happening with a show or contest of some time going on. This told me that things most be slowing down in the towers on Sundays plus the low turn out of the crowd.

  All of the small clubs are closed on Sunday during the day time so if one of those are your hang out save you time and just go at night.

  Making my way to the basement I give Peyton Place stop in which is another Filipina bar. This small club had a good size crowd going on and a lot of singles dancing and drinking. There are a lot more girls here then guys most of the time so talking to them is always easy and fun. Contest are held here and the dance contest is a must see if you are in the area. Beers are S$13 and jugs are 35 which is a bit steep when compared to the other clubs prices. Rating 8.

  My last stop was the Blue Banana located next to Peyton Place. $10 dollars to get in which gets your first drink so no problem there. Another good size club which a lot of girls hanging out and dancing. When I arrived many of the good seats where taken so I had to site close to the back of the club by the entrance way which gave me a great view of the girls as the came in and left. This club has contest too so if you miss one clubs you can try to catch another clubs show. On my visit I found this club to be the friendliest from both staff and the crowd. While the girls looked a bit better in Peyton Place and Makati City, attitude will go a lot further in my book any day so I give the Blue Banana an 8 over all.

• Bojangles Bar – 557 Bukit Timah Road – Crown Centre – 6462-4717/8 (16/5/03)

The Bojangles Bar is another one of those clubs you happen to come across in the least likely places and end up having a great time at. Located on a corner the bar has outside seating so at night you can enjoy the coolness in the evening air while inside you can enjoy the music, pool table, big screen TV or the conversation with one of the clubs patinas. The Bojangles Bars is your typical neighborhood kind of bar where everyone is friendly and you just have a nice comfortable felling there.

Opening at 5pm it closes at 1am Sunday-Thursday and 3 am on Friday and Saturdays you can have the full range of drinks and different kinds of beer along with the finger food is offered from the kitchen ranging from S$6.50 to S$9.50 in prices with Happy Hours prices on beer are S$14 of a jug of Tiger or 22 for Heineken which ends at 9 pm. If you plan to visit the bar often and like drinking the hard stuff you can buy a bottle of your favorite sprits and leave it behind the bar for your follow on visits.

The crowds consist of a good mix of guys and girls of both locals and Expats so everyone is at home adding to the over all feel of the club. I found the bartenders, Bart, Ana, and Xdvire gives great service and are very helpful. The clubs has 5 outlets thorough Singapore with 4 of them being on Bukit Timah Road and one in East coast by the beach on Kuo Chan Ave so I have my work cut out for me as a venture to the other outlets and check them out also. If they are anything like this one I’m sue I’ll have a blast and each of them

• Buckaroo B.B.Q. and Grill – 12-B Andrews Ave, off Sembawang road – 6754-2621 (4 May 2003)

I found this place while on a bike ride one day. A nice home town restaurant which I would say isn’t know by to many due to it location. Being way off the beaten track if you don’t know this place is there I don’t think you’ll just happen to find it. Opening at 4pm daily and closing at 11pm the Buckaroo serves those that live in the area which is kind small so you see a lot of families and regulars there. The two main areas are the bar area and the patio area both you can eat it. A fairly good size place for the area it has seating for about 60 to 75 plus the bar seats.

The staff provides good friendly service so if you are not sure what to order off the menu just ask what is popular and they will be more then happy to point them out to you. Some of the items that are carried are 4 levels of hot wings. I had the #1 it they really hit the spot with just enough tang to get your attention but not enough to hurt you. There is also steak, ribs, sandwiches to choose from also with a host of other items. Prices are good for the portions you receive which are large in size. Drinks come from a fully stocked bar and they offer 5 different beers and Tiger on tap for S$6.00 a mug and Corona or Miller Lite at S$7.80. The cost of my 6 full wings was S$14.80 while a Striplion Steak cost S$24.80 which was about 300 grams I think it was, could have been 500 because it was a good size chunk of meat, nice and thing too! You can use your Visa, MasterCard or American Express to pay for your meals at the Buckaroo B.B.Q.

One novel setting of the Buckaroo is its display of old American western items from a saddle and hats to pictures of some of the Indian Chiefs form the days of the wild wild west. Os if you want to find the Buckaroo B.B.Q. head for the beach at Sembawang park and before you reach the park at the top of the hill look for Andrews Ave on the right, it will be going down hill, about 100 meters from the corner once you make the turn you’ll see the restaurant on the right hand side of the road. So head on down to the Buckaroo B.B.Q one night for a great dinner in the old west!

• Terra Club – PSA Terminal Wharfs Gate - Navy Regional Contracting Base – Sembawang

I have visited this club ever since I have been coming to Singapore and felt it deserves a review for those in the U.S. Navy that may be visiting Singapore or even the retired personnel that may be in the area.

Like most all military clubs you can not beat the prices at the Terra Club on drinks thus making this a prime spot to get starting on your partying mood before heading out to town where prices will empty your wallet of your hard earned cash in no time fast. Beers at S$2.00 or S$13.00 for a pitcher can’t be beat anywhere, while the food cost is pretty close to out in town you will not save much in the area. In my opinion eat out in town because you’ll get a lot more for your money of the same things that have on the menu. Mixed drinks will cost you S$5 to S$7.00 if that is your fancy.

The Terra Club has indoor seating as well as patio seating under three different areas which are around the pool area. There is a wadding pool for kids and a Jacuzzi for you to relax in after that hard day at work. If you want to work up a sweet you can play basketball, tennis, baseball, football or soccer on the fields which are also located next to the club. In the club there is a pool table, dart boards, shuffle board and slot machines to play while you spend your time. When the USO show in town they will perform under one of the covers patios and usually play for 2 or 3 day before moving on. As for the crowd it varies from time to time but the best time to visit from I have noticed is when the ships are in because the club tends to have a better atmosphere and more enjoyable plus you’ll see a lot more single girls stopping by too. Every year the base will put on a 4^th of July fire works show which is always fantastic and a must go to even. The base will have venders from town come in and set up booths giving the even a carnival feel to it. Go early because this event always attracts a lot of people and seating is limited if you want to be comfortable while watch the fireworks show.

Outside of the base in the parking lot you can catch a cab to town which will run you in the neighborhood of S$17 to S$18.00 for normal prices or you can catch bus 169 in either direction outside of the base to the MRT station costing you a combined total around S$3.50 to Orchard Road.

So while in port at Singapore check out the Terra Club first you’ll happy you did!

• Orchard Hotel Lobby Bar – Orchard Road (12 April 2003)

Hotel lobby bars are not one of my normal hang out but when one of my friends started to work as the bartender I decided to go over and see him and have a few drink just to support his new job.

I arrived in the Lobby Bar around 6:30pm and had a seat at the bar after finding out that his shift had not started yet and ordered myself a glass of beer while I waited. Checking out the layout of the lounge it had a 30’s feel to it by the murals on the wall and furniture. The man on the piano was playing a mix of jazz and blues for the set and sounder very good. Not to loud but not to soft either so the few people that are there could still talk or listen in easy. The circular bar is located in the center of lounge and as most hotel bars offers a full range of drinks for your pleasure. The staff is small but the service is fast with friendly smiles from all.

At 8pm the entertainment started from a 2 girl, 1 guy group with the girls, Rochelle & Rona doing the singing while the guy, Bobby Ismail plays the keyboard and providing back round vocals. For a small group they sound great both singers have strong voices and can sing a variety of songs all equally well.  Everyone in lounge truly enjoyed the sets that the group sang making them a favorite of the hotel and ended up with the group getting their contract extended for another 3 month.

While most of the people in the lounge where hotel customers I did see several, like my self that had stopped by with a friend to enjoy the comfort of the bar and listen to the band. I can see myself returning to the Orchard Hotel Lobby Bar often to enjoy the band and just relax with a friend for a few drinks. So while in Singapore check out the lobby bars in your hotel and see what they have to offer I know I am going to be checking out a lot more of them!

Duxton Hill Area

Located between Tanjong Pagar Road and Neil Road you will find the Duxton Hill area of Chinatown in Singapore which was one of the party areas clubber use to visit and party throughout the night years ago. This area is made up of 2 streets, Duxton Hill and Duxton Road where you can find karaoke pubs, bars, restaurants, a hotel and businesses side by side in this small area. When I visited I stayed the Berjaya Hotel which is located on Duxton Road and in the middle of all the action so it was it was ideally located for my weekend of scouting the area without having to deal with cab fares.

Relatively a small area to visit, there are about 20 clubs to visit so you’ll find some place to your liking. The karaoke pubs are all small places with girls working in them to keep you company while you sing your heart out, while the restaurants are set up for both inside or outside seating and offer some fine dinning for you to enjoy. The Hotel Berjaya has a French restaurant which is known to be one of the best in Singapore. Over the years many of the clubs had to reduces in size so they would rented out the upstairs portion of the club to companies and keep the bottom part the clubs. These worked out will since many of the companies close well be for the clubs come to live.

• Lot, Stock & Barrel Pub – 29, Seah Street (8 March 9, 2003) 6338-5540

Here is another one of those places that I’m sure many have walked by with out even giving it a second glance. This pub is next to the famous Raffles Hotel so if you have been in the hotel before stopping here you’ll be going from one extreme to the other. The shop house pub has a bar / TV area in the front portion with a small pool table and darts in the back half. I don’t think darts are played here much since the area was being used for as a storage area for the kegs of tiger.

When I first arrived the club was pretty quiet even thou it was 9:30 pm on a Saturday. So I decided to have a beer and check out the pool table for a while. The service was pretty good over all but one of the waitress seamed a bit more interested in talking to the guy sitting in the back of the club enjoy his jug of beer so who knows what that was about? Not a bad pool table for its side with the only draw back being the room is too small for the table so you may have to use the short stick to make some shots and even then the down angle may be like you are looking down a cliff.

In the front part of the club where the bar and TV is on Saturday evening is the United Supporters Club watching the soccer games which will fill the pub up which seats about 40 in that part of the club. They have 1 large projection screen and 1 20” TV for viewing so every seat has a good view of the games.

Prices are about the same as many of the pubs so that makes it a good deal, over all not a bad place but not my kind of place I would visit but then again you never know? So check it out for your self and see what you think.

• Bar & Billiard Room – 1 beach road – Raffles Hotel (8 March 9, 2003) 6337-1886

Located in the world famous Raffles Hotels this bar offers you everything you would expect from a 6 star hotel, outstanding service, great atmosphere and lots of room to relax. With a 30’s era setting the club gives you a very good impression when you enter and it vastly improves as you spend time on the comfortable chairs or couches. For your entertainment there is a 3 piece playing softly from the corner of the club opposite from the billiard room.

Drinks are pretty reasonable considering where you are with a Chivas on the rocks costing only S$13.00, I expected it to be a lot more! Food is also served but when I got there it was too late to order so you need to get there before 10pm to get your order in. Every Sunday at 11am there is a brunch but you need to call in for reservations to ensure seating for your party.

On the side of the club there are 2 excellent Snooker table for playing on will cost you S$15.00 and hour so if that is your game this would be a great place to have some fun.

For this club like many in the hotel you should be dress in the approached attire, this is not some pub on the beach. 

So if you want to impress your date think about taking them to the Bar & Billiard Room in Raffles Hotel.

• Now and Then Pub – 51 Anson Road, 01-55 Anson Centre , Tanjong Pagar, Singapore – (3 March 2003) 6225-1050

Tucked away on the far side of Chinatown next to the M Hotel is a pub call Now and Then Pub. From the out side it looks like one of the more up scale Karaoke Lounges by the walkway leading to the entranceway.  

The club is bigger then most pubs I have visited lately which is a nice change since there is plenty of seating spread around the place and you don’t get bumped into everything someone try to get pass your seat. Pool and darts are available if you want to pass your time playing or you can kick back and watch one of the many TV’s that would be playing sports or a karaoke song someone wants to sing.

Happy hour is from 5pm to 8:30 where your drinks are 1 for 1 so for your S$9.00 beer you’ll get 2 or S$13.00 for mix drinks which the clubs has a full bar for you to chose from and if you are big spender they also sell bottles which you can leave there and they will label it with your name for your next visit which many clubs do in Singapore.

Now for the dirt on the club:

Lots of friendly girls to keep to you company that you can buy drinks for. Ladies drinks will run you S$18.00 regardless of what you get her. Mostly Filipina girls sitting with the customers having drinks and joking around while the girls keep the guys company but on Tuesdays and Friday nights at 10:30pm the club host fashion shows, bikini shows and wet tee-shirt contests (sometimes for the tee-shirt shows) with Singaporean models participating so this should heat things up in the pub not that it is needed in the first place! Being your basic Buy-Me-Drink (BMD) pub there is plenty of dirty dancing, hugging and kissing going on all over the club. When the guys leave the girls move on to the next guy sitting unattended and looking for some female company. So be forewarned because you can end up spending quit a bit of your hard earned cash in these type of establishment if you are not careful.

I was in the Now and Then Pub on a Monday night about 9 pm and there was about 15 or 20 girls works and it wasn’t long before I was approached by one fine little Filipina from Cebu. Elle, age 27, told me that the girls come from all over the Philippines such as Manila, Angeles City and the Subic Bay area but I’m sure those are the main locations since Ella is from the Cebu it seems they come from all over the islands.

I didn’t see any girls leaving with a customer in the 2 hours I was there so I can comment on if that active happens or doesn’t happen but from my experience in BMD bars most of the time you have to spend a lot of money in the bar before one of the girls will date you out side of the bar since they work off the sales of drinks you buy for them.

So far this is the first club I have come across that has this set up but I’m sure I’ll find many more as I wonder around Singapore’s well hidden clubs.

• Pat’s Pub - #03-10 Ming Arcade, 21Cuscaden Rd – (25 Feb 2003) 6734-7998

Tucked away on the third floor of the Ming Arcade you’ll come across a small pub called Pat’s, this place is small with a pool table and seating for about 30 people maybe. It is the usual “Hole in the wall” kind of place. One good part of the club is the price of a beer, S$4.50 and 18 for a jug. There is a full bar if you are not a beer drinker and they open at 4:30 everyday and close at 1am. Their location is across the street from the Hard Rock Café just off Orchard Road making it easy to find.

It was pretty dead when I visited the pub with only a few guys at the bar talking to the bartender while the other bar tender was busy on the computer doing who knows what! So I got a beer and had a seat to check the place out, well after a while it wasn’t hard to see that nothing was going to happen in this place so I took up a game a pool to kill some time an give the place a chance but it remained pretty much the same so maybe on the weekends it will liven up?