The stylish power couple gives us the low-down on Zouk, Mustafa Centre, Ong Shunmugam and even roti prata
She’s the marketing head honcho of Zouk Singapore; he’s the founder of The Pride, a collective of gentlemanly influencers. Meet Sofie Chandra and Eugene Lim.
This dynamic duo (also a real-life couple!) sure knows a thing or two about nightlife and fashion in Singapore. After all, Sofie has been working with local clubbing institution, Zouk Singapore, for a decade now, while Eugene, who’s a marketing head for local brands Tocco Tenero and Tocco Toscano, is the brains behind collective The Pride, which promotes the idea and lifestyle of a modern gentleman in Singapore. They share with us what they love about the little red dot, and what are the best things to do (even after hours) when in town.
Singapore is…
Safe. We can take late night runs in peace, and there’s the convenience of great food options no matter the time of the day. Most importantly, it is home.
While the city sleeps, you can…
Grab a cup of teh halia (ginger tea) at one of Arab Street’s late-night coffee shops, shop at Mustafa Centre, catch a midnight movie, get your feet kneaded into submission, and eat at the various restaurants that open ’round the clock.
Our favourite local designers and labels are…
Evenodd for its clean yet bold style; Yesah for its mad textures and colours; Benjamin Barker for sharp, tailored looks; Young Hungry Free for party-ready pieces; Ong Shunmugam for traditional-meets-contemporary designs; and exhibit Store for effortlessly chic clothes and accessories that won’t break the bank.
The nightlife scene in Singapore is…
Constantly evolving and consistently dynamic. There’s always something new knocking on the door to tease consumers, who are looking for variety and unique spaces these days.
If you only have a day in Singapore…
Have roti prata (South Indian flat bread) and teh tarik (pulled tea) from a nearby coffee shop, then hit Orchard Road for a shopping spree at Flesh Imp, Benjamin Barker, Tocco Toscano, and Superspace. Before leaving the shopping street, stop by one of the many scooter stalls by the road for ice cream sandwiched in rainbow-hued bread. For dinner, visit Bismillah Biryani on Dunlop Street, and head to The Druggist on Tyrwhitt Road thereafter for craft beers.
When in Singapore, be sure to try…
Scissors-cut rice, mee pok, ayam buah keluak, wanton mee, nasi lemak, and fried carrot cake.
Not many people know that…
Velvet Underground at Zouk used to be a karaoke outlet within the premises, and later became a microbrewery before transforming into a club space.
Green spaces are aplenty in Singapore, and we love…
MacRitchie Reservoir, Gardens by the Bay, and the National Orchid Garden at Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Speaking of Singapore Botanic Gardens…
We are extremely proud that it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site! It’s a well-deserved accolade: the lush space has been around since 1859 and survived the Second World War. The best part? It’s free for anyone who needs a spot of nature.
This article was first published in Singapore Insider. Pick up a copy of the print guide at Singapore Visitor Centres island-wide, including Orchard (junction of Cairnhill Road and Orchard Road), orchardgateway, ION Orchard (Level 1 Concierge), and Chinatown Visitor Centre (2 Banda Street), or download the latest issue.