Lately, things have felt like I was in a pressure cooker. Work deadlines, assignments due… it all seems never-ending! Work just keeps on piling and piling up, with the stress being overwhelming. I’m sure many Singaporeans can relate! I was chatting with a colleague the other day, and we were brainstorming of ways to just let loose… that’s when we thought, how about karaoke?
Now, I’ve done karaoke before, but never really thought about it as a legit stress reliever. More like a fun night out, with questionable singing. So, we decided to put our theory to the test. Our chosen battlefield? HaveFun Karaoke!
And not just any HaveFun, but the one at SAFRA Yishun. HaveFun has a few outlets, but the one at SAFRA Yishun was the most convenient for us. In addition, we had 10% discount because our session was paid by a SAFRA member! We figured a solid three-hour session would be a decent enough experiment. Surprisingly, it was quite affordable! We went on a Thursday, from 3-6pm, and it was only $18 per person (pre-discount)! Not only that, there were free-flow soft drinks available to quench our thirst from all the singing!
First Impressions
Walking into HaveFun at SAFRA Yishun, the first thing I noticed was the vibe. It wasn’t gloomy or cramped like some karaoke places I’ve been to. It actually felt pretty modern and well-maintained. We got ourselves a room, and it was a great size for the two of us! The lighting also adds to the mood perfectly!
Additionally, we noticed that the song selection here was massive. Seriously, from golden oldies to the latest pop hits, they have it all here. Plus, if the song was not included in the system, you could simply search it up on YouTube!
Time To Sing!
Now, I’m not going to lie, the first song or two were a bit… awkward. You know that feeling when you’re slightly self-conscious, even among friends? But as the minutes ticked by and we belted out tune after tune, we started getting more comfortable. There’s something incredibly freeing about just letting go and singing your heart out, even if you’re hitting more wrong notes than right ones. It was all about having fun! We took turns choosing songs, laughing at each other’s hilarious interpretations of each song, excitedly moving our bodies to the music.
Next, we also decided to try the trending karaoke game “Blind Karaoke”, and it was hilarious seeing each other struggle to sing the right lyrics! Three hours flew by surprisingly quickly, we were kind of bummed out when our time ran out. We were laughing, cheering each other on, and genuinely having a blast. It was the kind of release that I had almost forgotten existed amidst the daily grind.
The Final Verdict
So, did three hours at HaveFun Karaoke actually help relieve stress? Yeah, absolutely! By the time we left, I felt lighter, more relaxed, and exhausted (but in a good way!). Maybe it’s the act of singing itself, the distraction of the music, or just the pure fun of spending time with a friend. Whatever it was, it definitely did the trick!
If you’re looking for a way to de-stress and have a good time while still considering affordability, try grabbing some friends and heading to HaveFun Karaoke. And hey, the SAFRA Yishun outlet is pretty great and definitely worth checking out! Maybe I’ll even make it a regular thing. My vocal cords might need some recovery time, but my mental health will certainly thank me!
HaveFun Karaoke is located at both SAFRA Yishun and Toa Payoh. Click here for more information.
