Singapore Nightlife Tips by SWFC_Fan

Brewerkz: A beer by the river! Boat Quay & Clarke Quay Review

Brewerkz microbrewery and restaurant is THE place for a beer in Singapore, in my opinion!

A number of beers are brewed on site, including the award winning India Pale Ale (which won the World Beer Cup Gold Medal in the English style beer category in 2004).

Eight beers are available on draught (wheat ale, golden ale, Czech-style pilsner, Chinese rice beer, India Pale Ale, Brown Ale, Darkside Ale and stout). Belgian beers (7-9%) are available in bottles and Brewberriez fruit beers are also available.

Prices vary according to the time of day. The happiest Happy Hour is between noon and 3pm when a pint of draught beer costs just S$3 (1.10 GBP / 1.60 Euros). Between 3pm and 6pm, a pint will cost you S$6, between 6pm and 9pm it will cost you S$9 and between 9pm and closing time it will cost you S$12.

Alternatively, jugs of beer (holding between 3 and 4 pints) are available. Between 3pm and 6pm, these cost S$15 (I believe they cost just S$12 between noon and 3pm) and S$22+ after 6pm.

Another popular choice is the "seven set sampler" - a chance to try, in small glasses, seven different draught beers.

During my stay in the city, I tried the entire selection of draught beers with the exception of stout which was unavailable at the time. My preferred pint was the wheat ale - a light beer, similar in taste to Hoegaarden - highly recommended!

There are numerous tables outside under a canopy, while the air-conditioned interior has large screen TVs showing live sports (including live English Premiership football on ESPN).

An extensive food menu (generally of an American nature - with chicken wings, steaks etc) is available, but I found the food to be expensive so never tried it.

Dress Code: No dress code - feel free to turn up in shorts, T-shirt and flip-flops!

Update: I revisited Brewerkz in late March 2006 during a short stopover in the city and the beer menu had changed. The wheat ale (which I was really looking forward to drinking!) and a couple of the other draught beers had been replaced by 3 different brews, the closest of which to wheat ale was the "kolsch ale". It seems that different beers are brewed on a rotation basis.

Address: 1-5 Riverside Point Centre, 30 Merchant Road

Directions: Next to the river, close to Boat Quay and directly across from Clarke Quay.

Phone: 6438 7438

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Website: http://www.brewerkz.com

Equinox Bar, The Stamford: A beer with a view!

Equinox Bar is located on the 70th floor of Swissotel The Stamford, a tall hotel located in the colonial district of Singapore.

Large glass windows allow for an excellent view over Singapore. I visited the bar early in the evening (between 6 and 7pm) just as the sun was going down, so was able to experience the great view in both light and darkness.

At this time the bar was very busy and all the tables were occupied, but I was able to perch next to a window in order to soak in the amazing view while enjoying my pint.

To get up to the bar, go to the hotel's reception and the helpful staff will point you in the direction of the lifts which transport you directly to Equinox Bar (and the restaurant on the 69th floor).

There is a dress code for entering the bar (no shorts or sandals), but you don't need to book in advance. Prices are above average, but still not too inflated - I paid S$8.75 (approx 3 GBP / 4.50 Euros) for a draught pint of Tiger beer, although there were no complimentary nibbles with my drink!

The restaurant on the 69th floor has better views than the bar (the restaurant faces towards the river and the skyscrapers of the CBD, while the bar faces away from the river towards Orchard Road), but the food is very expensive, the atmosphere appeared too formal for my liking and you will need to pre-book a table.

Pop in to the Equinox Bar for the novelty of having a beer (or wine) overlooking Singapore, but there are better places for a night out.

After leaving Equinox Bar, I crossed the road and headed straight to Raffles for a Singapore Sling (I decided that I was only getting dressed up one night during my stay, so I visited all the places with a dress code on the same night). Unlike the Equinox Bar, Raffles does charge an extortionate price for its drinks - but it also provides a stash of complimentary peanuts!

Dress Code: Long trousers, shoes and a smart shirt.

Address: 70th floor, Swissotel The Stamford

Directions: 2 Stamford Road. Close to Beach Road and across the road from Raffles Hotel. You can't miss it, it's 70 storey high!

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Website: http://www.singapore-stamford.swissotel.com