Is Singapore the city that never sleeps?
Not quite, considering our malls pull down the shutters for the day by 10pm, and the idea of late night fun for most of us equals knocking back beers or shots at the many bars and clubs across the island.
But if you ever find yourself in a New York state of mind, wondering what to do besides Netflix and chill at midnight (especially this Valentine’s Day), we’ve got you covered.
After combing through the city for all the late night shenanigans that have nothing to do with booze and beats in a dimly-lit space, here’s our list of top things to do in the wee hours of the morning – from spa treatments and ghost hunts to indoor baseball and midnight shopping:
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Invest in an LED kite – like those by Kite Culture or GoFlyKite – and take your new gadget to the greenery of Marina Barrage (or any park near your home, we suppose) for a quiet red-eye flight without the usual hordes of families.
Besides the fact that you won’t be drenched in sweat under scorching sunny rays, night cycling also means cool breezes and practically empty roads.
You can either join cycling groups like JoyRiders, or take to the streets with a couple of friends to cover trails like the Round Island Route, a 150km park connector that takes you around Singapore, and the Eastern Coastal Loop, which brings you through the beaches of East Coast Park and Pasir Ris Park.
We all know Singapore’s full of haunted places – who needs Halloween when you can get spooked any day of the year?
If you’re the type to get a thrill from a spine-tingling, hair-raising night out, put your brave foot forward and check out eerie places like Old Changi Hospital, Bukit Brown Cemetery, Pasir Ris Park, and Nee Soon Rubber Estate.
But do so at your own risk, please, or contact groups like the Singapore Paranormal Investigators for help before you venture into the unknown.
Alternatively, read our beginner’s guide to ghostbusting in Singapore for the lowdown on the supernatural world.
Prawning sessions are ideal for people with infinite patience (i.e., not us) – unless you go with a group of boisterous buddies who’ll entertain you while you wait for the marine creatures to nibble on the bait.
To take part in the super chill (well, it eventually gets exciting when someone hooks a crustacean) after-dark activity, hit up 24-hour prawning joints like Hai Bin, Riviera Prawn Fishing, or ORTO. Even if you fail to reel in the prawns, stay on to grill your friends’ catch and feast on the fresh seafood.
Retail therapy is soothing, no matter what time of the day (or night) it is.
And with the opening of Japan’s massively popular Don Don Donki at Orchard Central, now we’ve got options for 24/7 shopping besides Little India’s legendary Mustafa Centre.
So the next time you’re hit with a bout of insomnia, go forth and shop for snacks, electronics, household products, and other random stuff to your heart’s content.
The oasis that never shuts its doors, g.spa is a haven of tranquillity, with facilities such as hot and cold pools, steam rooms, saunas, VIP rooms, a cafe, and even a relaxation lounge where you can unwind and chill.
The spa offers everything from aromatic massage treatments and prettifying manicures to invigorating body scrubs and anti-aging facials to help you sleep better when your head finally hits the pillow.
Alternatively, the newly-opened Spa Nes is another 24-hour paradise, with a thermal pool, a steam room, a sauna, and a lounge that you can luxuriate in just by purchasing the Spa Pass (S$38/one hour, S$68/three hours).
You don’t have to invite everyone over to your place when The Mind Cafe at Dhoby Ghaut stays open in the unearthly hours of the morning.
Hang out till 6am on Fridays and Saturdays at the cosy space, which offers a wide selection of board games, as well as free flow snacks and drinks to keep you awake and alert.
Alternatively, Settler’s Cafe at Clarke Quay closes a little earlier at 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
In a nation obsessed with food, naturally we’d be crammed with countless supper joints to appease those hunger pangs at the stroke of midnight.
So ditch your McDonald’s speed dial for legendary eateries across the country such as Swee Choon Tim Sum, Mr Prata, Rochor Original Beancurd, Beach Road Scissors Cut Curry Rice, The Ramen Stall, and loads more.
Karaoke bars are fabulously fun, especially when you’ve had a drink or two and all your inhibitions have flown out the window.
So gather your rowdiest group of social butterflies for a wild night of microphone antics, ridiculous dance moves, and cheeky tunes to serenade one another with.
Plus, some karaoke joints offer Wi-Fi, free-flow drinks and snacks, and the best cheesy songs.
KTV bars that welcome midnight songbirds include Manekineko, Skinny’s Lounge, Teo Heng KTV Studio, Tang Music Box, and good old Party World.
After you’ve waved goodbye to your night owl buddies, slot in some “me time” with your camera to watch the sunrise in peace, before the rest of Singapore awakens.
Secluded spots for a tranquil morning include Changi Beach, Sembawang Park, Lorong Halus, and Kranji Reservoir.
Before the sun rises, take a walk amidst the hushed flora and fauna of the Botanic Gardens, which opens its gates at 5am daily for visitors to roam around the Healing Garden, Foliage Garden, and Learning Forest.
For more greenery, make the trek to Gardens by the Bay, which also welcomes explorers to its outdoor gardens from 5am.
Obviously, one of the world’s best airports stays awake 24/7 with the hustle and bustle of travellers and restaurants that never sleep.
You don’t have to buy a plane ticket to spend a leisurely night hanging out at any of Changi’s brightly-lit terminals, amidst the sleek art sculptures and quiet corners for insomniacs (or students) to wander around in.
(Text: AsiaOne / Additional reporting: Natalya Molok)