Recession busters: Five under $5

#1: If you like to drink

Flip a coin with the bartender at Brewerkz on Bukit Timah – if you win at heads or tails, you drink for $1 (a half-litre of beer, that is).

Where: Brewerkz (903 Bukit Timah Road; Tel: 6464 8155, website)

When: 14 Jul-25 Aug. Every Tue 6-8pm

#2: If you love the limelight

If the ‘get sloshed and warble out a few tunes’ set-up at Actors isn’t quite your thing, take it up a level at Scarlet City where you pay $5 to sing two songs with a professional band, including lights and the full rigmarole. Patrons take this seriously – one ‘party auntie’ told The Straits Times she spends $1,000 a month on stage outfits. Call for full details.

Where: Scarlet City (#04-02 AMK Hub, 53 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3; Tel: 6582 4145).

#3: If you’re incredibly dexterous

Learn to juggle for free – you just need your own balls. Pick up two Neon Balls for $3.95 each at Toys“R”Us and get a third one free. Call Koah Fong on 9220 1986 for information about learning to juggle.

Where: Esplanade Underpass, walk along CityLink towards Marina Square and watch for directions

When: Fri 8-11pm.

#4: If you love video games

Snag a seat at SAFRA’s Mass Gaming Area for $2.50 (guests)/$1.90 (members) an hour. It’ll keep you out of the sun and on your ass for two hours.

Where: SAFRA Game Haven (29 Carpenter Street; Tel: 6438 6040, website)

#5: If you’re feeling horny

Three-packs of Durex condoms are going for $3.70 at your nearest 7-Eleven – safe sex is always cheaper in the long run.

Where:

• Brewerkz, 14 Jul-25 Aug. Every Tuedays 6-8pm. (903 Bukit Timah Road, Tel: 6464 8155, website)
• Scarlet City (#04-02 AMK Hub, 53 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 Tel: 6582 4145)
• Learn to juggle for free. Fri 8-11pm. (Esplanade Underpass, walk along CityLink towards Marina Square and watch for directions)
• SAFRA Game Haven (29 Carpenter Street, Tel: 6438 6040, website)
• Durex condoms. Nearest 7-Eleven