Look no further, ‘cause we’ve got the scoop...
We get it. Life is such a rollercoaster ride that sometimes it’s near impossible to stay updated on things to do in the city. That’s where we come in: We’re here to bring you the latest buzz in the city, covering everything new and cool from food and shopping to entertainment and viral trends – all in easy-to-read, bite-sized doses, of course! So go ahead and bookmark this page for your weekly hit of what’s happening in Singapore.
A toast to the best cocktail
Woo girls, where y’all at? National Margarita Day is this weekend! So what if it’s more of a thing in the US? We’re down to celebrate our fave boozy treat anytime, and plenty of restaurants and bars are getting in on the action. Whether you like it frozen or on the rocks, there’s a drink promo for you at hotspots like OverEasy Fullerton, The Secret Mermaid, Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall, Super Loco, Cuba Libre, Piedra Negra and more.
National Margarita Day, celebrated at multiple locations.
So long, farewell
In our fickle food scene, your fave eatery may be all the rage one day and shuttered the next. For every hot new table, you’ll likely see more than a few spots close down. We’re only two months into 2020, yet we’ve already said goodbye to ice cream parlour Cold Stone Creamery, Ronin cafe and Belimbing Superstar (sister to The Coconut Club). To add on to the farewells, we’ve got the Jay Chou-endorsed Liang Sandwich Bar leaving Singapore after less than two years in the biz, as well as the once-viral Spice World Hotpot, formerly famed for its bizarre bubble tea steamboat.
Germs, be gone
After sanitising and sterilising like there’s no tomorrow, you’re probably low on anything anti-bacterial by now. No worries though; you can easily make your own. There are plenty of tutorials out there, but the basics are simple.
All you need is 1/4 cup of aloe vera gel, one tablespoon of rubbing alcohol, 1/2 teaspoon of vitamin E (optional) and essential oils like lavender and tea tree (about 10 drops each). Just blend it all up, pour the mix into a small bottle, and you’re good to go. Psst: You can make yours more aromatic by adding extra essential oils such as cinnamon, lemongrass and peppermint!
#Supportlocal in film… for free
The regional short film competition inspired by HBO Asia Original series Invisible Stories has chosen its winners from a pool of more than 300 entries, and you can check ‘em out without charge on HBO Go. The three top picks feature untold stories from their own neighbourhoods.
Washed Off by Ansen Goh from Singapore offers a peek into the lives of two workers from Bangladesh who run car-wash moonlighting services; Ali by Malaysia’s Ibtisem Ben Nassib follows the titular character as he leaves Syria in search of a better life but soon realises it’s a mistake; and Hello Uncle by Singaporean Sabrina Poon takes a look at an old man’s encounter with strange noises from his upstairs neighbour.
HBO Asia’s short film winners, free to stream on HBO Go.
This music fest gets a glow-up
Returning to the shores of Sentosa, AIA Glow Festival has announced its headliners for this year’s edition: MGMT, Two Door Cinema Club and Starley. If that doesn’t convince you to get your tix, perhaps the wellness activities, international yoga bigwigs, charity run to brunch, or hip eateries will.
AIA Glow Festival 2020, 30 – 31 May, Palawan Green, Sentosa
The virus situation everyone’s talking about
Covid-19 isn’t going away anytime soon, yet life must go on. Still, staying home doesn’t have to be a chore. So if you’re self-quarantining, under official orders or working from home, we’ve got all the tips you need to keep entertained and productive.
Other updates include: The Singapore Red Cross appealing for blood donors as national stocks have dipped to low levels after the outbreak; Singapore Airlines and SilkAir temporarily cutting down on flights due to a drop in travel demand; and local theatre companies teaming up to offer discounts for those who book multiple shows. So if you’re planning to catch Wild Rice’s “The Importance of Being Earnest”, “The Son” by Pangdemonium, or SRT’s “The Lifespan of a Fact”, you can get 15% off your purchase if you buy tickets to one of the other productions too.
Wildlife baby boom
The next time you take a trip to any of the wildlife parks on the island, look out for little ones of the animal variety. Apparently, Jurong Bird Park, Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Safari have altogether welcomed 660 newborns and hatchlings from 121 species over the last year. Quite an amazing feat, no? Some of the babies on the list include the Santa Cruz ground dove, hyacinth macaw, Malayan tapir, anteater, West Indian manatee, crocodile monitor, douc langur and rhinoceros. Too cute!
May the 4th be with you
Can’t quite muster up the nerve to join the crowds at marathons or fitness challenges? Yeah, we feel you. Which is why fun runs like the upcoming Star Wars Virtual Run are ideal to gear you up for a lifestyle change. This one’s easy – you get ample time to clock in your distance from 4 – 31 May, and you can do it anywhere (even at home on the treadmill!). Just download the Move Run Tracker app and pledge your allegiance to the Light or Dark side to participate.
Star Wars Virtual Run, 4 May
Yaass, queen!
The first-ever Queens of Asia kicks off with a bang, starring a whole host of funnywomen doin’ it for the laughs at Coyote Ugly Saloon in Clarke Quay. Hosted by Hossan Leong, the show features names like Yumi Nagashima from Japan, Aditi Mittal from India and Joanne Kam from Malaysia. Expect to chortle your way through wisecracks about dating, sex, marriage and gender equality.
Queens of Asia Comedy, 21 Mar, 8pm, Coyote Ugly Saloon Singapore
Last week’s buzz
And the Oscar goes to…
If you’ve been following the 2020 Oscars, you’ll know that Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite made history by snapping up countless awards and becoming the first non-English film to take home Best Picture. The South Korean director’s already a lovable meme, but if you haven’t yet seen his masterpiece, head to Cathay, Filmgarde, WE Cinemas or The Projector to catch it in its big-screen glory.
Other winners to watch in cinemas include Joker (Joaquin Phoenix for Best Actor) at Cathay or GV Funan; Marriage Story (Laura Dern for Best Supporting Actress) on Netflix; Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (Brad Pitt for Best Supporting Actor) at GV Funan; Jojo Rabbit (Best Adapted Screenplay) at GV, Cathay or WE Cinemas; Little Women (Best Costume Design) at GV; and 1917 (Best Cinematography, Sound Mixing, Visual Effects) at GV, Cathay or WE Cinemas.
Happy hour in the shower
A collab between Spa Esprit and Compendium, the limited edition Gin and Detox Plantation Shower Gel takes after-work drinks to your home with its invigorating body soap. Always dreamed of smelling like your fave G&T? Well, now you can bathe in the scent of torch ginger essential oil with juniper, lemon and clary sage.
Spa Esprit Gin and Detox Plantation Shower Gel, $88, available at all Spa Esprit outlets and Beauty Emporium.
Down but not defeated
Yep, we’ve all been following the news about the coronavirus outbreak in Singapore. But really, as long as we practice proper hygiene and good social responsibility, there’s no reason why we can’t stay calm and beat Covid-19 (shoutout to the amazing medical staff at the forefront of the fight!).
However, in light of the health situation, multiple events in the city have been affected. Checkpoint Theatre’s The Nuclear Family production is pushed to March 2021; NUS Arts Festival 2020 is cancelled; Art at Curate dining series 17, light art festival i Light Singapore 2020, wine event Matter of Taste and concerts by K-pop acts Taeyeon and Got7 are postponed; boyband 98 Degrees will perform on 19 May instead of 20 Feb; and Sabrina Claudio has pulled out of Garden Beats 2020, although the festival will continue on as planned with extra safety measures.
There’s still a ray of sunshine amid the downpour though: Many kind-hearted souls have started their own initiatives to make DIY hand sanitiser and pass out masks to those in need, as well as buy coffee (Operation #BoosterShot) and craft care packages (Be Kind SG) in appreciation for healthcare workers. You can also donate new masks or sanitising items to those on the frontline; or, if you’re out of disinfectant and can’t find any in stores, just bring an opaque bottle to bubble tea brand Milksha to get a free 50ml pump, no strings attached.
Till death do us part
Ready for some laughs? Video-on-demand service Hooq has launched its first Singapore Original TV series, She’s a Terrorist and I Love Her, created by Terence Chia and Haresh Tilani from comedy brand Ministry of Funny. The show follows a man who gets himself into a fake marriage for fast cash but ends up discovering his new wife has other extremist goals in mind. Can he win her over and stop her nefarious plans with true love? The side-splitting production stars familiar homegrown names like Benjamin Kheng, Munah Bagharib and Noah Yap.
Hooq, available on Apple Store or Google Play.
Wanna taco ‘bout it?
Happiness isn’t elusive, especially when you’ve got a good approach to mindfulness and wellbeing. To ease the stress off work emails and texts, Taco Bout Your Day wants to bring inspiring, personalised quotes and journal prompts straight to your phone on WhatsApp. Because notifications don’t have to always be about deadlines and meetings.
Here’s how the monthly wellness subscription works: You pick a theme that’s most relatable to your current life stage, add any extra notes you’d like the peeps behind the service to know, and start receiving your customised quote each morning. It’s sort of like a digital journey, with Sunday as the designated reflection day, but don’t worry, no secrets will be leaked here. Plus, the campaign’s end goal is to donate some of the proceeds to the Singapore Association for Mental Health.
Taco Bout Your Day Initiative, $14.90, available online.
Glamping adventures on the roof
Looking for something a little different from your usual staycations? Try an overnighter at Naumi Hotel Singapore’s Cloud 9 Infinity Pool & Bar. Its latest collab with Wondrous Glamping is a luxe experience on the boutique hotel’s rooftop, complete with a sunset check-in time, a buffet breakfast for two and all the amenities you need to stay in style.
Naumi Hotel Singapore, from $280/night, 41 Seah Street, Singapore 188396
A scented dining experience
Michelin-starred Restaurant Jag is teaming up with fragrance house Maison 21G for a unique culinary journey to evoke memories and emotions through a line-up of scents and flavours inspired by the seasons and landscapes of France. The “six-expression” winter edition menu takes you through a forest visit, a fresh garden and the ocean, with limited tables for each seating.
Scent & Savour at Restaurant Jag, 25 – 29 Feb, $218/person, 76 Duxton Road, Singapore 089535
Tea-rrific brews for the mind and body
Health and wellness on your mind lately? Perhaps it’s time for a par-tea with Aussie brand T2 Tea and its new range of 100% organic blends. The Quiet Mind is a caffeine-free cup of herbs with chamomile, eucalyptus and apple; The Dreamer soothes you to sleep with rose, sunflower, calendula and cornflower petals; The Glowgetter adds that floral touch with nettle, rosehip and vanilla; and The Belly Blend keeps bloat at bay with its mix of fermented black tea with cacao nibs, chicory and marshmallow root.
T2 Tea’s Wellness range, available at $21 each at all T2 stores.
Great World 2.0
Great World’s just gone through major refurbishment works for the first time in over 20 years, and it’s looking better than ever. Expect to see more than 70 new tenants in the shiny new shopping mall including Meidi-Ya Japanese supermarket, household brunch name PS.Cafe, tonkatsu joint Anzu, bakery and deli Plentyfull, homeware shop Hooga and Asian-inspired furniture store Lim’s Holland Village.
Plus, dessert brand House On The Moon and Goobne Chicken Korea’s oven-roasted chicken are both making their Singapore debut here. And if you’re stocking up your kitchen, you’ll be in good hands with offerings from Cold Storage, Ryan’s Grocery, and bulk foods retailers Scoop Wholefoods Australia and The Source Bulk Foods.
Great World, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, Singapore 237994
Shack up with burger and fries
Good news for all burger fiends who don’t live anywhere near Changi Airport – the cult burger brand has finally opened its second shack in the Outram Park area. Those who’ve yet to swing by can expect additions to the menu like Chick’n Shack, an antibiotic-free chicken breast burger slow-cooked in buttermilk marinade and fried, as well as new frozen custard flavours Eye of the Tiger (vanilla custard with lychee, raspberry and shortbread) and Open Sesame (vanilla custard with black sesame paste, Plain Vanilla brownies and black sesame seeds).
Shake Shack, #01-01, 89 Neil Road, Singapore 088849
Cheers to mid-week madness
Raise a glass to hump day with a view at The Pelican, where ladies can take advantage of $8 happy hour drinks. Choose from the likes of sangria, prosecco, bellini or aperol spritz, and kick back at the alfresco area with waterfront views.
The Pelican’s Don’t Miss Wednesday, every Wednesday, 5pm – 7pm, #01-01, One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Road, Singapore 049213