Indulge all five senses and learn that it doesn’t take two to tango after all. You can sniff, lick, eavesdrop, stare and caress everything this city has to offer alone. If you don’t have a good time, you have nobody to blame but yourself…and, maybe, Time Out Singapore for making the suggestions. So make us proud and conquer this city all on your own
Other tips: #1 to #5 | #6 to #12 | #13 to #18 | #19 to #25
No need to get antsy at the idea of dining alone. Instead of plopping yourself down at a table for two and pretending to read a book, swing over to somewhere with a bar counter that serves more than just chicken wings or fish and chips:
There’s ample counter space at Akashi for you to perch at, and the sushi chefs provide entertainment while preparing chopped tuna and spring onion handrolls (highly recommended), or slicing into fresh salmon for your nibbling pleasure. Be sure to ask what the chef’s special is for the day, and if owner/chef Mervin is around, you’ll be happy you attended the show.
Where: #01-01 Orchard Parade Hotel (Tel: 6732 8662, akashijap.com.sg)
Scoffing down a burger and a chocolate milkshake is one of life’s simplest pleasures. And here you can indulge to your heart’s content without worrying about looking like a total glutton; after all, your counter-mates are most likely doing the exact same thing.
Where: #02-24/25 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road (Tel: 6737 0701)
Having a dining partner here can be pointless and way too distracting. On a good night, you may have chef Ryan Clift and mixologist Matthew Bax working their magic in the kitchen and behind the bar. They whip up creative, experimental dishes – and they’re super-easy on the eye. To really indulge yourself, go the whole hog and have their 15-course drink/meal pairing – we guarantee you’ll be close to orgasmic by then.
Where: 8D Dempsey Road (Tel: 6475 2217)
Headbanging solo to indie-rock or doing an intricate glow-stick routine on your lonesome runs the risk of looking a little pathetic. Sitting back and listening to soothing sounds of jazz standards on your own just means you’re a soulful individual. Here are our picks on where to go and where to nab the best seat in the house:
The boho-style jazz enclave gets our vote for its eclectic decor and impressive talent on show. Pick the oversized brown seats and snag yourself a colourful foot pouf so you can stretch out.
Where: 11 Bali Lane, Historic Kampong Glam (Tel: 6292 3800)
The stalwart of the local jazz scene packs it in on a nightly basis with resident band ChromaZone belting out jazz standards that’ll have you tapping your fingers and feet to the beat. Take a seat towards the back of its ground floor in one of the rattan chairs.
Where: 28 Boat Quay (Tel: 6538 3029)
So you’re a bit of a comic nerd and play Pirates or Magic the Gathering: just be glad there are others like you.
Find fellow tree-huggers, spread your love for all things green and bond over (you guessed it) green-coloured liquids: at Green Drinks you can let your inner earth-child glow and help save the planet by reducing your carbon footprint. Already active in 460 cities, you might find yourself surrounded by NGO members. We’re green with envy.
Where: Green Drinks at Helipad (#05-22 The Central, Eu Tong Sen Street, Tel: 6327 8118; www.helipad.com.sg).
When: Every last Thursday of the month; 8-10pm.
So your hearing is a little whack? Sometimes a bit of silent companionship is all you really need. Take a stroll to the Botanic Gardens on a Sunday morning and slide into the momentum of tai chi, or better yet, follow the old fogies in another daily routine and make your move in Chinese checkers – they’ll be happy future generations will learn the game.
Where:
Bookworms Karen and Kenny hold regular book-related events, from book launches and signings to art exhibitions, at their charming store. Expect a different theme every month; keep yourself up to date by joining their Facebook group. The lovely couple is extremely friendly, so even if you show up alone you won’t feel like a bookend.
Where: BooksActually (9 Yong Siak Street, Tiong Bahru; Tel: 6222 9195, www.booksactually.com)
You don’t always need two to tango – and believe it or not, salsa can be enjoyed solo. No, this isn’t a weird sexual innuendo – it’s a non-partner body movement class that’ll have you sashay-and-enchanté-ing like a lithe Dangerous-era Michael Jackson. We recommend taking the eight-week introduction class for optimum results.
Cost: $20 per class.
Where: Jitterbugs Swingapore (#B1-08 The Cathay, 2 Handy Road; Tel: 6887 0383, www.swingapore.com)
Other tips: #1 to #5 | #6 to #12 | #13 to #18 | #19 to #25
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