Ditched the boss, let's party -- Picks of Singapore's watering holes

Discussing weighty issues at APEC 2009 is well and good, but when the official schedules ends, there's plenty of places to let loose some steam. Here are CNNGo's picks of party spots after you've ditched the boss and office tie -- best thing is, they're all within a short 5-minute ride from the convention center.

The Butter Factory -- Too cool for skool

While Zouk remains the undisputed king of the club scene, the Butter Factory has definitely become a close second for the throne. The hip hop mecca sees snaking queues filled with nubile young things, trendy hipsters and eternal dancing queens (and kings) come every weekend ever since it moved to a swanky waterfront location at One Fullerton. The current place to see and be seen.

One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Road, 2nd level, Singapore
tel +65 63338243
www.thebutterfactory.com
Opens Wednesday 10pm to 3am, Thursday 9pm to 2am, Friday and Saturday 10pm to 4am

 

Raffles Hotel Long Bar -- Real vintage

Home to the Singapore Sling cocktail, entering Long Bar is akin to taking a step back into colonial times. You’ve got the decked out décor, genteel old world ambiance, elegantly sarong-clad servers and even peanut shells strewn all over the floor. Touristy yes, but it’s hard to fault its charm when you feel the gentle tropical breeze -- courtesy of mechanised wicker fans, no less -- with a frosty brew in hand.

Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach Road, Singapore
tel +65 6337 1886
www.raffles.com
Opens Sunday to Thursday 11.00am to 12.30am
Friday, Saturday and eve of Public Holiday from 11.00 am to 1.30 am

 

Timbre @ Substation -- Homegrown tunes

This popular outdoors pub has a lush indie edge to it. Unsurprising when you consider the fact it’s tucked behind the gardens of Singapore’s first independent home for the arts, The Substation. Settle in with a pint as music from homegrown bands waft through the balmy night skies and crusty pizzas make their way from the kitchen to the tables of hungry yuppies and emo kids.

The Substation, 45 Armenian Street, Singapore
tel +65 6338 8030
www.timbre.com.sg
Opens Sunday to Thursday 1pm – 6pm, Friday and Saturday 6pm to 2.30am

 

Stereolounge -- Chi-chi chic

For something a little swishier, the sleek sophistication of Stereolounge would do very nicely, thank you. It’s the more understated gastrobar to its glitzier sister club, Stereolab. True to its name, hypnotic down-tempo beats throb from the custom-built JBL sound system. Kick back with a Bellini or two. Meanwhile hungry souls can feed on the satisfying mix of Latin-inspired dishes such as Cuban Mini Burgers.

Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Boulevard, ground floor, Singapore
7 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square, Singapore
tel +65 6336 8111
www.panpacific.com
Opens Monday & Tueday 5pm - 1am, Wednesday & Thursday 5pm - 3am, Friday & Saturday 5pm - 4am

 

New Asia Bar -- Top dollar view

Here's the drill -- Take the express lift up Southeast Asia’s tallest hotel to the 71st floor, rush over to the floor to ceiling windows and gush over the stunning vista of the city skyline. Next, ease your way into one of the plush cushioned seats before ordering a French Martini or one of their signature cocktails, The Stamford Tower. The music can be schizophrenic as it runs from the gamut from Motown to top forties to house. But with a view this mesmerizing, who cares?

71st Floor, Swissotel Stamford, 2 Stamford Road, Singapore
tel +65 6837 3322
www.equinoxcomplex.com
Opens Sunday to Tuesday 3pm to 1am, Wednesday and Thursday 3pm to 2am, Friday and Saturday 3pm to 3am