
Who says Raffles Place is all work and no play? Say hello to Rasa Singapore, CBD’s new kid on the block.
Raffles Place is often synonymous with towering skyscrapers and a bustling hub filled with office workers in the daytime. But who’s to say it’s not equally busy beyond the 9-to-5 grind? Once the sun sets, the district transforms into a vibrant nightlife spot, with sleek establishments like HighHouse and Nova drawing in crowds. And now, a vibrant new spot has joined the CBD fold. Let us introduce you to Singapore’s newest community space, Rasa.
Rasa: Gorgeous interiors and lush soundscapes await

Rasa, which means essence in Sanskrit, is designed as a dynamic space to foster connections and collaborations between artists and communities. It also aims to engage and inspire curious cats in Singapore.
Occupying 6,000 square feet on the second floor of Republic Plaza, Rasa is split into two distinctive rooms. First is Hall, a cocktail bar and restaurant lounge serving Southeast Asian-inspired beverages and artisanal gelato. After stepping into the space, your eyes will immediately be drawn to the oval bar illuminated by an overhead steel mesh.
Next, walk through a majestic saloon door to enter Floor, a music lounge where creativity shines. It features an expansive window looking out to the intersection of Collyer Quay and Finlayson Green, along with plush orange modular sofas.

First impressions count. And if you’re blown away by the interiors, we’ll have you know that Studio Karhad, Berlin’s renowned architecture and design firm, is responsible for this space. The studio also received help from Convert Textured with the lights, which can be changed depending on the occasion.
Wait, do you hear that? Can you feel that boom da boom boom bass? The sound system is hand-assembled by Sean Iskhandar, a local AV specialist. Keep an ear out for the full range of sounds coming from the speakers flanking the floor-level DJ booth.
Dance the night away to eclectic playlists

Rasa aims to bring people together and introduce them to electronic music they may not hear on a night out in Singapore. How does the team plan to do that? By centring its music selection on house and electronic music genres from Wednesdays to Saturdays. Before you go, “Oh, boring!” – don’t worry, guests can expect something different each night.
Wild Pearl, an independent outfit based in Pearl’s Hill Terrace, will take the reins with its Community Night shindig on Wednesday evenings from 7pm in Hall. If you’ve been to its parties before, you can look forward to the same energy and sounds.
Things start to pick up on Thursdays. UK garage and 2-step reverberate around Hall from 7pm, while Floor throws it back to the 90s and early 2000s from 9pm. The latter also hosts Thank God For Women every Thursday till 3am – perfect for ladies’ night! Bring all your gal pals down and enjoy complimentary salted yuzu sorbet with Peddler’s Gin (while stocks last). Boys can still join in, but tickets cost $25 for y’all.

Swing by on Fridays and Saturdays for a smorgasbord of sounds from both rooms. Kick off your night with reggae, downtempo, and funk before you move over to Floor and take things up a few notches. DJs will spin house music on Friday till 3am, while various shades of electronic music take over till 4am. There are live performances on both nights, but those along with the artist line-ups will only be made known on-site during the actual days.
If you think that’s it, think again: on one Sunday each month, Rasa flips the script with a day-to-night gathering with techno blasting in the background. Yes folks, the party ain’t over till the clock strikes midnight on Monday!
Cocktails and gelato, anyone?

While we love a good rave, Rasa is more than just party central. Guests are invited to sip on cocktails ($20++) developed by experienced mixologist Louis Tan. A must-try? The Cantaloop Rush, a dessert cocktail which comes with a scoop of Rasa’s rock melon sorbet. Those who prefer a spicy kick can go for the Gingered Batanga, made with Caribbean pineapple, old ginger, cola and ginger beer, tequila, and bitter herbal liqueur.
How about something a little less adventurous yet intriguing? The signature classics are creative spins on familiar flavours using Asian ingredients and premium spirits. Choose from six drinks, such as Bak Kwa Manhattan, Gula Melaka Old Fashioned, and Lapsang Souchong Negroni.

Of course, with rising inflation, everyone is mindful of their alcohol spending. The team is aware of this, which is why Rasa offers happy hour deals between 6pm and 10pm from Wednesdays to Saturdays. For $20++, you can get two Asahi beers or standard mixer drinks.
What food items pair well with cocktails? The only correct answers are gelato and sorbets ($6 per scoop). Rasa has partnered with a local gelato maker to offer cold treats that include plant-based and dairy-free options. Look out for flavours like Hokkaido milk, Thai coconut, cempedak, and rum and raisin.
Psst: You’re invited to Rasa Singapore this weekend
We don’t know about you, but we’re super hyped about this new multi-disciplinary community space. Rasa officially launched on 10 January (we hope the recent monsoon surge is a sign of good luck for the team), with celebrations extending into this weekend.
The inaugural Rasa Weekender runs from 17 to 19 January and boasts a stellar line-up including Rasa resident artists Darryl Knows, Leland, The Professor, and local talents. Looks like our weekend plans are sorted!
How to get there: Take the East-West or North-South Line to Raffles Place and head to Exit D, which leads directly to Republic Plaza’s basement (roughly a two-minute walk). Head up to the Tower 1 lobby, walk out from the entrance lobby and turn right, passing Autobar. Take the stairs to level two and you’ve arrived at Rasa. If you’re taking a taxi or private hire, drop off at D’almeida Street.
Opening hours: Wednesdays, 7pm to midnight, Thursdays & Fridays, 8pm to 1am, and Saturdays, 8pm to 2am (Hall); Wednesdays to Fridays, 9pm to 3am, and Saturdays, 9am to 4am (Floor)
Ticket prices: Free entry before 10pm and from $25 afterwards
Rasa, #02-01/02, Republic Plaza Tower 1, 9 Raffles Place, Singapore 048619