Singapore F1: The top 10 parties

Race, what race? For most, tonight kicks off five days of heavy partying. Some are so serious about living it up this weekend that they’re arming themselves with a color-coded party spreadsheet divvied up by hourly intervals -- true story.

Over the past two years, September has become Singapore’s most exciting month and this year is no exception with a back-to-back schedule of parties, concerts and events lined up, an itinerary that is attracting people from all over.

“We’re coming down from Hong Kong without F1 tickets,” says journalist Angie Wong. “No doubt we’ll see everyone from Hong Kong on our flight, we’re looking forward to people watching, drinking and fence jumping.”

People and parties aside, a large draw of the weekend is the chance to share a dance floor with a celebrity or a driver. And while it’s not a sure thing, these five days (and these venues) are when and where you may just spot one.

F1 drivers at Amber Lounge.

Amber Lounge Fashion Show & Amber Lounge Grand Prix After Party


Arguably the two biggest parties of the Singapore F1 season, this is where the celebrities, race drivers and their entourage are most probably heading to.

This year, to make sure they’re not outdone, Amber Lounge is hosting a fashion show on the Saturday night.

F1 third drivers Daniel Ricciardo, Gary Paffett, Jerome d’Ambrosio, Ho Pin Tung, Fairuz Fauzy, Karun Chandhok and Luiz Razia will take to the catwalk clad in Hugo Boss alongside models dressed in Herve “King of Cling” Leger’s Autumn/Winter 2010 collection.

“I’m looking forward to a star studded party with the F1 drivers,’ says lawyer Patricia Lee who will be attending Sunday's party.

A definite possibility, last year, 2009 F1 World Champion Jenson Button rocked up post-race, as did the Black Eyed Peas’ Taboo who broke out an impromptu performance. 

25 & 26 September. Temasek Reflection (Water wall behind Millenia Walk).  Tickets from 500 euros (S$860) per person. Tables for eight persons range from 3,995 euros (S$6,980) to 15,000 (S$20,000) euros. All prices include unlimited champagne. Note: Classic tables are sold out for the Sunday. For more information, go to http://amber-lounge.com

Playboy.com's Suzy McCoppin.

The Official Lounge at Stereolab


Last year Bernie Ecclestone, Sir Richard Branson and F1 driver Rubens Barrichello all swung by for a drink and a boogie, and this year it is unlikely to be any different.

Making sure the party stays within their cozy confines, a roll call of noted DJs - Catherine McQueen, Hayley Parsons, Max Chipchase and Octo of Bed Supperclub – will be making good use of the club’s customized sound system.

And with Playboy.com columnist Suzy McCoppin hosting the official after-party and the fashion shows with alldressedup (23 September) and FashionTV (24 September), the chance to spot a celeb/driver will be high.

“[Executive director] Michel Lu always brings in the best DJs and I’m sure, this round will not be an exception,” says Perlyn Leong, a sales director.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the best looking people on the dance floor especially on Friday night at the FashionTV party!” 

23-26 September. Pan Pacific Hotel Singapore. Tickets available from S$80 (includes a glass of champagne). Race ticket holders get a 15 percent discount and table bookings start from S$1,200. Go to Gatecrash for more details.

The Chemical Brothers perform at GO!

Avalon at Large presents GO!


Talk about creating a buzz even before their official opening … Mega club Avalon is rolling out a two-day music/dance event extravaganza and cleverly, they’re holding it on the Thursday and Friday, right before the F1 kicks into high gear.

On the roster are a mish-mash of artists: American rapper/singer Flo Rida, DJ Steve Angello, Aussie band Empire of the Sun, dancehall artist Major Lazer, as well as the hotly anticipated Brit electro-duo Chemical Brothers.

“Of all the acts coming during the F1, the Chemical Brothers are the only ones I am really interested in.” Says Erik Wee, a business analyst. “They always put on a good show and they’re probably the only real reason I’m venturing into the F1 area.”

While details of the night’s schedule have not been made public, we suspect the bigger acts will take to the stage past midnight.

23 & 24 September, 8 p.m.-6 a.m.. Marina Bay Sands Sands Expo and Convention Center. Tickets from S$85 (one-day pass), S$125 (two-day pass), S$350 (VIP pass) from Sistic.

The Sky Bar at KU DE TA.

KU DE TA

Singapore’s newest hotspot -- it opened on last week -- has one distinct advantage over everyone else, it's perched 200 meters up in the sky with a bird’s eye view of the track.

Partying at KDT starts at S$200 per person but that only buys you entry and a drink. If you're looking to splurge, S$1,000 buys you unlimited food and drink, and yes champagne is included in the deal.

Music wise, the best night will be on Saturday night, when DJ Derrick May spins from 11pm.

24-26 September. Skypark at Marina Bay Sands. Race packages start from S$1,000 and after-party tickets start at S$200 (inclusive of one drink). Find out more at http://www.kudeta.com.sg

Red In My Head 2010.

Red In my Head 2010

For the real partygoers RightClickA’s invite is the one to have. Known for throwing parties where it is the music, not the people, that matters, this year they’re bringing the party to Keppel Island.

Inside a custom-made dome, the work of eight 3D artists will be screened across a 2,500 square foot wall, morphing to the music of Finnish DJ Top Billin and DJ Shellsuit.

“I’m expecting good music. The RightClickA guys always do things differently and their focus is on the music,” says TV producer and writer Michele Klyne who has attended a number of RightClickA parties.

“They don’t always bring in the biggest names but they bring in niche DJs who are really good, honestly it’s just a really fun party.”

24 September, 10 p.m.-2.p.m.. Keppel Island. By invitation only. More information at http://www.dope.sg/

Poolside revelry beckons at The Podium Lounge.

The Podium Lounge 


Located less than five minutes walk from the Paddock Club, you’ll find the high rollers, drivers and celebrities swinging by here for a quick drink.

“This is my second year attending the party at The Podium Lounge. I’m sure it will be as smashing as it was in 2009. Last year, by midnight, most people were wet not because of the pool but from all the champagne!” says Lina Tan, a financial planner.

Official F1 champagne, G.H.Mumm will also host charity auctions on all three nights, with a jeroboam of Cordon Rouge signed by Lewis Hamilton, Timo Glock and Fernando Alonso, winners of The 2009 Singapore Grand Prix as its hottest ticketed item.

24-26 September. Ritz Carlton Millenia. Prices range from $118 to $3,998 for a VIP table of 12. Tickets from http://www.apesnap.com/event/podiumlounge

China’s Super Girl winner Jane Zhang.

F1 Weekend Supafly at Powerhouse St James Power Station


Bringing the track to you (via a racing simulator out at the entrance), St James Power Station will have its own agenda going.

Resident DJ Kzee will be rolling out R&B and hip hop tunes and Jane Zhang, who won China’s Super Girl singing contest fame performs at Shanghai Dolly on the Saturday night.


25 September. St James Power Station. Tel +65 6270 7676. Grand Prix pass holders get free entry before 10 p.m. at St James Power Station, Bar None and Shanghai Dolly. Otherwise, cover charge starts from S$10. More information at http://www.stjamespowerstation.com

Mariah Carey performs at Zone 4 of the Circuit Park.

LG Live at 2010 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix


With no F1 Rocks this year, there will be no dilemma on how to rush back and forth from the track.

Headlining the Padang stage this year will be Mariah Carey, Adam Lambert, Sean Kingston, Missy Elliott, Daughtry and the Las Vegas Chippendales.

Other attractions include a large scale performance by Studio Festi and daredevil stunts by the Freestyle Trials Bikers.

24-26 September. Marina Bay Street Circuit. Tickets from http://www.singaporegp.sg





Put your hands up at Zouk.

Zouk


Head here on the Friday night when they host the Official G.H.Mumm F1 party: Pit Stop Party.

The crowd will be decidedly Euro-centric with French DJ Martin Solveig in the DJ booth.

On Saturday, Tiga with his techno-electro tracklist performs and on Sunday, the first 500 F1 ticket holders enter free upon presentation of their F1 stub. 


24-26 September. Zouk. Tel +65 6738 2988. From S$35 (inclusive of two drinks). More information from http://www.zoukclub.com

Take a break from the track and chill out at Tanjong Beach Club.

Beach Carnival 


Continue partying during the day at Tanjong Beach Club.

This beachhouse/bar/club will be rammed with the pre-race crowd cooling off in the pool, topping up on their tan and grabbing some shut eye before the Night Race.

Providing non-liquid entertainment will be DJ John MacLean with DJs Hook and Has. Stilt walkers and beer pong add to the list of dist
ractions.

25 September, 2 p.m.-10 p.m. Tanjong Beach Club. Tel +65 6270 1355.

 

 

 

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