The good news: The COVID-19 pandemic is largely behind us and now, you have a lot more options for socialising, entertainment and leisure.
The bad news: You may be working so hard at home or have been cooped up for so long keeping safe, that you may have forgotten how to have fun, with both family and friends after your work day is over (cue fearful face emoji).
Don’t worry, our nifty guide’s here: A 5-part series highlighting the shenanigans that you, your loved ones and buddies can get up to on our little island after 9 p.m.
This first part’s for those who’re into some indoor sports and games, and where they can find these activities (analogue and/or digital), to play the (late) nights away.
Look out for the rest of the series, where we cover late-night drinking dives, music entertainment joints, nighttime sports activities and more!
For The Social Gamers: Clique Gaming
In case you didn’t know, Clique Gaming has been providing the ideal escape for gamers to chill out and pwn each other in comfort, for more than 15 years.
A well-known name in the local cyber cafe industry, it offers a premium gaming experience with top-flight equipment (think the gamer-faved Razer hardware), over 200 games (the latest hits, classics, niche titles and more) and at a supes affordable rate (from $3 an hour and up).
Another plus: It has multiple outlets located all around the island. Aside from its recently refurbished flagship outlet at Parklane Shopping Mall that now features new Razer computers and chairs, and gaming tables and monitors, Clique Gaming also has outlets at SAFRA’s Tampines, Jurong, Yishun, and the upcoming Choa Chu Kang clubs.
Why you should visit the SAFRA outlets, even in you aren’t in the neighbourhood: SAFRA Tampines just got renovated in January 2021 with a brand new VIP room and sofa area for PlayStation 5 gaming (great for playing with the extended family unit), while the SAFRA Jurong outlet is said to be the largest venue in the West of Singapore for high-performance LAN gaming.
SAFRA members enjoy 15% off subtotal at Clique Gaming outlets at SAFRA Jurong, SAFRA Tampines, and SAFRA Yishun; more info at safra.sg/amenities-offerings/clique-gaming
SAFRA Jurong: 333 Boon Lay Way, #2B-02, Singapore 649848
Operating Hours: 11am to 3am on Mondays to Thursdays, 10am to 3am on Fridays to Saturday, Sundays
SAFRA Tampines: 1/A Tampines St 92, #01-00A, Singapore 528882
Operating Hours: 11am to 1am on Mondays to Thursdays, 9am to 3am on Friday and Saturdays, 9am to 1am on Sundays and Public Holiday
SAFRA Yishun: 60 Yishun Ave 4 #02-06,Singapore 769027
Operating Hours: 10am to 3am on Mondays to Thursdays, and Public Holidays, 10am to 3am on Friday, Saturday, Sundays and eve of Public Holidays
For The Dart Throwers: Forest Darts
If you haven’t exactly been catching up with the world of indoor sports, darts is no longer your typical laid-back Brit pub activity. In fact, in the last few years, the art of throwing darts has exploded to become a global phenomenon, and as with all things trendy, is also a popular nighttime social activity with the youth and the young-at-heart.
And, if you haven’t tried your hand at it or are intending to prove you aren’t a “Bo-bo” shooter with your mates, there’s no better place to head to than Forest Darts cafe and pub. Established since 2006, even before the popularity of darts skyrocketed here, you can book a table easily at any of its 4 outlets equipped with DARTSLIVE 2 & 3 electronic dartboards, including Ann Siang Road (Forest Darts), Anson Road (Forest3) and Downtown East (Forest4).
Or, visit its Forest5 outlet at SAFRA Mount Faber. It is sizable (it’s one of the largest dart pubs in Singapore, at 2,300 square feet) and equipped with some 20 DARTSLIVE2 electronic dartboards and 2 traditional steel tip boards, so everyone can get into the throwing game. What’s more, you and your squad can do so while sitting back with a few tall cold ones – frozen Sapporo Beers – served up here. All while soaking in the brightly lit yet relaxed ambience of its faux flora-filled setting (hence, the cafe name, Forest). For non-drinkers, not to worry, there are also non-alcoholic drinks and bar bites like fries, wings and pizzas, available to take care of your hunger pangs.
And who knows, you might catch some “off-duty” competitive local dart sport athletes at Forest5 (from whom you can sneak-pick up a skill or two from). A very possible encounter, since this sports bar chain has played host to many league teams and competitions, including the 2022 PDC Asia World Cup Singapore Qualifying event.
SAFRA members enjoy 10% off total bill (excluding Happy Hour and promotional items) at Forest5 Darts Cafe at SAFRA Mount Faber. More info at safra.sg/amenities-offerings/forest5-darts-cafe
SAFRA Mount Faber: 2 Telok Blangah Way, #01-10 Mount Faber, Singapore 098803
Operating Hours: 4pm – 12am on Mondays to Saturdays, closed on Sundays
For The Laid-back Folks: Liquid Lounge
Prefer some place less heavy on the sporty and competitive, and more of the homely, heartlander vibe? Then Liquid Lounge is your ideal afterhours chillaxing spot.
It ticks all the boxes for a simple all-in nights-out for your neighbourhood/secondary school/fellow longtime-bojio lounge lizards.
Beer bucket? Check. Comfort finger food? Readily available. Electronic darts? Yup. Pool table? You bet. Live music? Make your own as you sing to your favourite tunes at the Karaoke lounge. Good times? Yessiree.
SAFRA members enjoy 10% discount except during Happy Hours and special promotions at Liquid Lounge. More info at safra.sg/amenities-offerings/liquid-lounge
Liquid Lounge: SAFRA Punggol, 9 Sentul Crescent, #02-03, Singapore 828654
Operating Hours: 3pm to 12am, Sundays to Thursdays, 3pm to 1am on Fridays, Saturdays, and eve of Public Holidays
For The Pro Gamers: Reality Rift
We’ve got another local cyber café on the list for hardcore gamers looking to battle it out online.
Avid fans of the multiplayer online battle arena video game, DOTA 2, would be familiar with the name ‘Reality Rift’ – one of Chaos Knight’s skills. This young entertainment establishment was formed back in 2020 by former members of the Reality Rift DOTA team, when the onset of the pandemic halted many e-sports tournaments. With their passion for gaming, they have created a space for fellow gamers like themselves to experience entertainment at its finest.
You can expect all the most popular games and high-end gaming equipment from the likes of well-established brands like Secretlab, XBOX, Nintendo Switch and ZOWIE. From snug professional gaming chairs to 144Hz gaming monitors that provide quick refresh rates to make the gaming experience smooth, gamers would feel right at home at Reality Rift Arena.
With prices starting at an affordable $1 per 15 minutes, nights out with your bros need not break the wallet nor dampen the fun! Pick your arena of choice from outlets conveniently located at Bugis+ or Carpenter Street!
SAFRA members enjoy 3 hours of PC gaming for the price of 2 hours at Reality Rift Carpenter Street outlet only till 31 December 2023. More info at safra.sg/promotions/reality-rift-promo
Reality Rift Carpenter Street: Carpenter 29, #05-00, Singapore 059923
Operating Hours: 11am to 11pm daily
Arena Billiards
Nightowls rejoice as we’ve got a low-key, quaint night-spot that will tick off the ‘entertainment’ and ‘food’ items on your list of must-haves in ‘Places to Chill at Night” – bonus if you stay in the north!
Cue in Arena Billiards, your one-stop cue sports facility that provides the games, the food and drinks, and the chill ambience. Fresh from its revamp in 2020, the facility now has around 12 tables for players of all levels to play on – be it billiards, snooker, or pool.
Hang out with friends and family and put your hand-eye coordination and accuracy to the test! Munch on some finger food as you take aim and clack the billiard balls together. Play until the wee hours as closing time is only at 3am daily!
SAFRA Yishun, 60 Yishun Ave 4, #02-04, Level 2, Singapore 769027
Operating Hours: 10am to 3am daily
If you’re not yet a SAFRA member, you can get your complimentary membership as part of the NS55 Recognition Package (also valid for existing members). Register here!
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