Posts, pics, video and motivation on Travel Lifestyle, countries around the world! Addicted to adventure travel and photography, I'm on a mission to inspire your next journey with entertaining stories, beautiful images, fun travel videos, and useful tips.
There aren’t many Michelin-recommended wine bars in Singapore, but FOOL, a concept by Cloudstreet’s chef Rishi Naleendra, is one. The stylish gastrobar is designed as a playful, approachable space to enjoy wine. The wine list, for instance, is broken down into colourful, tongue-in-cheek categories, which makes navigating its 50-something pages a pleasure. You can’t really go wrong with the thoughtfully concise food menu, but look to head sommelier David Tan for his unerring pairing recommendations.
When you think of Perth, its excellent beaches, stunning nature and emerging dining scene tend to dominate the limelight. But did you know that this capital of Western Australia is also home to a thriving nightlife scene? Here are seven destinations to check out if you’re looking to dance the night away:
1. Party under an LED rooftop at Magnet House
This nightclub in Perth’s city centre pulls the crème de la crème of the party world. With a guest list of serious dancers and VIPs, Magnet House is the perfect venue for those looking for a decadent nightclub experience. In 2020, it underwent a multimillion-dollar facelift, which resulted in a luxurious spectacle of canopied lights in the main hall that reverberate with the bass and LED displays throughout the venue. The overall vibe is immersive, trippy and fun.
The mesmerising, pulsating lights of the revamped Magnet House. Photo: Magnet House
Located in Perth’s city centre among plenty of bars and pubs (try the nearby Prince Lane for pre-dance drinks), Magnet House is easily accessible by public transport and open only on Fridays and Saturdays.
2. Channel Vincent Vega and Mia Wallace on the dance floor at Jack Rabbit Slim’s
Nestled in Perth’s cultural epicentre, Northbridge, the iconic Jack Rabbit Slim’s is inspired by Quentin Tarantino’s cult classic film Pulp Fiction. Start your night in the friendly 1950s diner-style room with cosy booths and neon signage out front. Then, step through the retro fridge doors to find a large performance hall with its own bar. Here, light projections fall upon Pop Art wall illustrations by local artist Sean Morris as you cut up the dance floor to everything from live Australian indie bands to international DJs.
Old school neon lights the way to Jack Rabbit Slim’s. Photo: Jack Rabbit Slim’s
Quench your thirst with the popular PowerRave, a fluorescent blue vodka-based mixer that has become the venue’s signature drink. You won’t find food here, but there are a handful of Korean and Japanese eateries nearby that close just before midnight.
3. Get electrified at Barbes
Flanked by the Swan River, the laid-back inner suburb of East Perth is home to great shopping, dining and plenty of green spaces. And in 2020, it sprouted a venue that took its nightlife credentials to the world stage. Barbes hosts some of the coolest local and global electronic DJs, and its roster has included South Africa’s popular amapiano DJ Romeo Makota and UK’s dubstep talent Laurence Guy. Pair that with a state-of-the-art sound system and laser lights that electrify the space and you’ll have a wild night to remember.
4. Eat, drink and dance like you’re in Italy at Si Paradiso
Located on eclectic Beaufort Street, the enigmatic Si Paradiso defies labels given how it dishes out food as good as its beats. Some of the best local DJs can be found at its Amalfi coast-inspired courtyard on the weekends, playing everything from Balearic beats and amapiano to soulful house and oz-wave. In the basement space, Perth’s best tastemakers from the music scene curate special nights of underground bass, rap, techno and more, with the party going until 1am. Their bites are equally spectacular, with 96-hour-fermented dough pizza and Italian-style dishes like gnocchi and beef short ribs.
Don’t miss Si Paradiso’s 96-hour-fermented dough pizzas. Photo: Si Paradiso
5. Soak in festival vibes all year round at Spring
Freshly opened earlier this year in a heritage building on bustling Queen Street, Spring is a vibrant venture by the people behind Seasons, Western Australia’s beloved music festival, and hospitality pros Sneakers & Jeans. The result is a modern restaurant, bar and late-night dance spot that channels a festival feel all year round.
Spring offers solid Italian-American bites, so fuel up before you dance the night away. Photo: Spring
The multi-level venue has something for every taste and age group. The main dining and bar area on the ground floor boasts a giant artificial wisteria tree centrepiece and plenty of natural light. Things get moodier on the first floor, with its intimate dance floor and neon, cocoon-shaped DJ deck.
On Wednesdays and Thursdays, Spring is frequented by those seeking post-work dinner and drinks, while on Fridays and Saturdays a younger crowd streams into the club entrance accessible from the outdoor garden area to sweat it out to high-energy house music. Fuel up with Italian-American flavours on the food menu.
6. Let your inhibitions fly at no-judgement Toots
Step inside Toots, and you’ll find a secret disco within a bar. Tucked away in Sneaky Tony’s in bustling Chinatown, getting into Toots is part of the whole experience. Head to the front bar and ask, “Is Toots in?” and get your golden ticket with directions to a secret door.
Pack your wildest disco outfit if you plan to stop by Toots. Photo: Toots
Housed in a former restaurant, this retro chic disco opened post-pandemic to bring a touch of Studio 54 wildness to its patrons. Whether you’re 18 or 60, have daggy moves or wild disco outfits, let your inhibitions dissolve on the dance floor at this welcoming space.
7. Revel in the spectacle at Metropolis
Fremantle, a 30-minute drive from Perth’s city centre, is a port suburb with lots of old-world charm. You can spend a day or a whole weekend here, enjoying its pristine beaches, eateries and shopping. And if you fancy a night out, you can’t miss Metropolis, one of the biggest nightclubs in Western Australia. Prepare for a sensorial feast as DJs play a symphony of party bangers from dusk to dawn – and don’t be surprised if live horns, flamethrowers and dancers accompany the sets.
Metropolis is a solid choice if you’re already planning to be in Fremantle for the day’s adventures. Photo: Metropolis
For our full list of things to try and places to see in Perth, check out our Perth City Guide. For more information on Singapore Airlines flights to Perth, visit the official website.
One of Singapore’s oldest neighbourhoods, Kampong Glam was once home to Malay royalty as well as Bugis, Arab, Javanese and Boyanese migrant communities in the early 1800s. Today, its colourful shophouse-lined streets draws a crowd looking to experience its rich heritage and hipster hotspots.
While the Sultan Mosque and youthful Haji Lane are key tourist landmarks, there are many other nooks worth exploring. For instance, Type8ar is a workshop and retail space dedicated to typewriters, while rustic restaurants like Hjh Maimunah and Bumbu Restaurant serve up delicious local and Indonesian fare.
For some authentic recommendations on the best of this neighbourhood, hear from the locals – Naadhira Ismail, Galeri Tokokita’s Oniatta Effendi and Johari Kazura – behind three of the most exciting businesses here.
Naadhira Ismail
Founder and Baker, Mother Dough
Stepping into Mother Dough is like receiving a warm hug, what with the comforting aroma of fresh bakes in the air and glass cases teeming with almond croissants, garlic twists and an array of delicious weekly specials. The bakery was founded in 2018 by Naadhira Ismail, who left a career in fashion and communications to knead her passion for bread-making.
Running her much-loved bakery means Naadhira Ismail’s never standing still. Photo: Mother DoughSome of Mother Dough’s popular weekend bakes. Photo: Mother Dough
“It’s always a joy to see the counters full at 10am when we open after a whole morning of organised chaos and energy”
“From day one, Mother Dough has always been humbly centred on the love for baking and creating,” says Naadhira. “It’s always a joy to see the counters full at 10am when we open after a whole morning of organised chaos and energy from the bakers and front of house.” So beloved is the bakery by its community, that these same counters are nearly empty by late afternoon – so consider this your tip to order online in advance, or arrive early!
Naadhira’s love for the area’s rich culture and vibrant energy sparked her decision to open the café in Kampong Glam. When she’s not toiling away in the kitchen, you’ll find her chomping down a nasi rawon (a rice dish served with beef soup, beef lungs, tempeh and tofu) at West Sumatran restaurant Sabar Menanti, and washing it down after with a teh tarik halia (ginger milk tea) from Tarik. She also enjoys checking out Cuturi Gallery’s art exhibitions, hunting for eclectic treasures at indie store Shrub and leafing through vinyls at B Side Records.
Oniatta Effendi
Founder, Baju by Oniatta and Galeri Tokokita
Raised in a household where wearing batik was a regular occurrence, it’s no surprise that Oniatta Effendi fell in love with the fabric from a young age. She eventually founded Baju by Oniatta, a fashion label that celebrates the rich traditions and intricate beauty of batik.
“Witnessing the craftsmanship of batik makers first-hand whenever I’ve visited them over the years has deepened my reverence for the tradition and fuels my passion to preserve its beauty through our creations,” she says.
Oniatta Effendi, the sprightly proprieter of Baju by Oniatta and Galerie Tokokita. Photo: Baju by Oniatta
“Kampong Glam is a lively bazaar of stories, flavours and traditions”
Her collections are inspired by culture, nature and feminine resilience, typified by their unique silhouettes and symbolism-laden motifs. As she puts it, “each collection is a woven narrative of my ongoing journey of exploration, curiosity and a deep appreciation for human connection.”
And while her boutique store, Galeri Tokokita, is a peaceful sanctuary tucked away in a second-floor shophouse space – round the corner from Mother Dough – she loves the hustle and bustle of the neighbourhood. “Kampong Glam is a lively bazaar of stories, flavours and traditions,” she says. “And there are so many great places here.”
Oniatta recommends trying the ayam bakar (grilled chicken rice) from Warong Nasi Pariaman and grilled lamb bites from All Things Delicious. “Gelam Gallery on Muscat Street is also worth checking out,” she adds. “They’ve turned a back lane that was lined with trash bins into a walking gallery with some lovely murals!”
Johari Kazura
Founder, Sifr Aromatics
As the third generation of a family of perfumers, Johari Kazura was always destined to run his own scent shop one day. While he grew up helping at his family store, Jamal Kazura Aromatics, he eventually branched out to follow his passion in experimenting with new scents.
While the store’s design embodies the old world, its eclectic layout also invites visitors to follow their sense of curiosity and wonder
Johari established Sifr Aromatics in 2010, a stone’s throw away from his father’s shop. Its name means “zero” in Arabic. Stepping inside is akin to entering an enchanted realm, given how its wooden shelves are lined with intricate antique bottles filled with intoxicating aromas. While the store’s design embodies the old world, its eclectic layout also invites visitors to follow their sense of curiosity and wonder. This is, after all, what keeps Johari excited after all these years.
“I get inspired by life!” says Johari. “The food I eat, the places I go, a new ingredient that lands in my lap. Sometimes it’s a client with an odd request or personality that leads me down paths I would not have taken myself.”
The Kampong Glam area has been the background of Johari’s childhood, and really, his whole life. If you’re in the area looking for lunch, he recommends Zam Zam and Victory Murtabak. “Both are located at the corner of Arab Street and North Bridge Road, and have been serving South Indian Muslim cuisine at the same location for about 110 years. You can’t go wrong with a mutton murtabak at either places,” he says. “There’s also Rumah Makan Minang, which has also been serving Indonesian-style nasi padang for three generations.”
Take a walking tour with OH! Open House to discover the untold stories of Kampong Glam. Photo: OH! Open House
For those who love their history with a dose of art, sign up for the OH! Kampong Gelam pop-up walking tour by local non-profit, OH! Open House, which runs from 30 Mar to 12 May 2024. You’ll get to learn tidbits about this historic enclave as you visit 10 site-specific art installations in the area, including Thai artist Ruangsak Anuwatwimon’s sculptures located at Johari’s store.
For our full list of things to try and places to see in Singapore, check out our Singapore City Guide. For more information on Singapore Airlines flights to Singapore, visit the official website.
The local outpost of the Michelin Guide-recommended flagship in Hong Kong, Wa-En Wagyu Yakiniku offers an upscale gastronomic affair at a decent price point. The restaurant specialises in premium A4 and A5 wagyu from the Miyazaki prefecture, which guests can indulge over multiple courses in an elegant dining space. Specialyakinikugrills imported from Japan are designed with a downdraft exhaust to minimise cooking fumes. When it comes to beef, it’s hard to fault the meltingly tender premium Miyazaki wagyukarubi, or boneless short rib. A light touch on the grill will leave the delicate cuts mouthwateringly succulent.
Elevate your meal with a drink from the Singapore-exclusive Wa-En Bar, which boasts Jewel’s widest wine and whisky list. Cocktails like the Mikan Martini are not to be missed, especially during Happy Hour, where the prices drop to just $12 onwards.
Whether it’s walking across a shiny field of mysterious, colour-shifting orbs, wading past digital koi in knee-deep water or ambling through a meadow of upside-down flowers, you are guaranteed mind-bending experiences at teamLab Planets Tokyo DMM’s immersive exhibition. The innovative installations combine physical elements with stunning visual effects made using cutting-edge digital technology.
teamLab Planets Tokyo DMM is conveniently located next to Shin-Toyosu Station on Tokyo’s Yurikamome Line and runs until 2027.
