This is not a drill: Lil Jon is joining in the festivities at Marquee – and other reasons why you should be celebrating National Day at Marina Bay Sands.
It’s an open secret that we love spending National Day at Marina Bay Sands for an awesome vantage point to catch the yearly fireworks display. But wait, there’s more: We’re talking locally-inspired menus, Lil Jon paying us a hot visit, and one-for-one booze to look forward to over the upcoming holidays.
Dine on the local side
Just in time for the festivities, Renku’s special lunch menu salutes time-honoured, traditional dishes like nasi lemak, chicken rice, mee goreng and Nyonya kuehs, served with a choice of Teh Tarik or Grass Jelly with Soya Milk. If one meal isn’t enough for you, spend the public holiday gourmand-ing with the pre-National Day and National Day buffet feasts at Rise. Because why not have unlimited plates of local cuisine for two days in a row? It is the nation’s birthday, after all.
Renku: Exclusive National Day Set Lunch, 29 July – 12 August, $18++
Rise: A Sumptuous National Day Feast (dinner), 1 – 8 August, $54 nett per adult; 9 August, $88++ per adult
Now, we can’t leave out the King of Fruits when we’re on the topic of local eats. We’re looking to the durian souffle from db Bistro & Oyster Bar for our fix this season, a deliciously fluffy dessert filled with Mao Shan Wang puree. Bonus points to them for serving this with a scoop of mangosteen sorbet – locals and insiders know this as the Queen of Fruits, commonly consumed after a durian binge.
What does the sweet side of Singapore taste like? According to Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer, it’s a decadent mix of vanilla frosting, chocolate gems, pineapple jam biscuits, topped with a pineapple popsicle, coconut butter cookies, whipped cream and sprinkles. At least, if the very tempting Straits CrazyShake is any indication.
db Bistro & Oyster Bar: durian souffle, $18, available throughout 2019
Black Tap: Straits CrazyShake, available from 9-11 August, $22++
Turn down for what
Blast Lil Jon’s wildly popular track at any club and you’ll bet partygoers will start grooving to it within seconds. This August, the rapper himself will be at Marquee to join the revelry with the hottest crunk drops. Catch him hyping up the crowd on 8 August before passing on the decks to home-grown spinmasters including DJ Jade Rasif, Mix Mischiefs, Krumbs and more on the 9th, 10th and 11th. Snap yo fingers and fire up that loud, everyone.
Another round of shots… or cocktails
Pop into Avenue for one-for-one cocktails and a different type of party on the eve of National Day – think retro arcade challenges, mini bowling, pool and other games. All while the DJ’s dropping some sick beats, of course.
Alternatively, head up to the 57th floor for Lavo’s skyline views and the Singa-star cocktail. The bartenders will only be mixing this for a month, a gin and vermouth concoction with pink grapefruit, blueberry, merlot tea and starfruit. For the best experience, sip on this bright refresher while you watch the fireworks show!
Avenue: one-for-one cocktails, house pours and beers, 7-9pm every Thursday
Lavo: Singa-Star, available in the month of August $25
Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956
This post is in partnership with Marina Bay Sands.