Date ideas for couples and friends
After surviving the torturous period of no dining in, we’re now able to venture out and about again – and even eat in pairs. While the days of frolicking with the entire clique are still some way to go, these date ideas for couples and friends allow you and a +1 to make the most of your time while still observing government guidelines.
Now that travel’s off the agenda, it can be tough to think of activities to fill your off days with. Hence, we’ve grouped these date ideas into four full-day itineraries that you and your bestie or SO can enjoy together.
As a sweet bonus, each of the activity and dining recommendations come with DBS/POSB Card promos and additional SingapoRediscover Voucher (SRV) deals so you can rack up exclusive savings while you’re at it.
1. Museum-hopping itinerary & fancy cocktail dinner for artsy types
In terms of date ideas in Singapore, visiting a museum is a solid go-to for new couples and long-term unions alike. If appreciation of the fine arts has never been your forte, don’t feel intimidated as this itinerary involves museums that combine cool design, Insta-worthy setups and even video games.
Admire award-winning designs of everyday items at the Red Dot Design Museum
Image credit: Red Dot Design Museum
Start your museum-hopping journey at the Red Dot Design Museum, an oft-overlooked glass house along the Marina Boulevard stretch. You’ve probably given the building a passing glance while strolling along the promenade or heading to The Shoppes @ MBS, but this futuristic establishment actually houses hundreds of award-winning design work from all over the world.
Image adapted from: Red Dot Design Museum
What’s very accessible about this exhibit is that you get to admire the ingenious design work of everyday items, from stationery and electronics to furniture and apparel. They even have a collection of masks, a staple we’ve all become so accustomed to since Covid-19.
You won’t have to worry about impressing your date with extensive art history knowledge here, nor will your friend get to diss you for not appreciating cheem paintings and sculpture.
Book Red Dot Design Museum tickets with SRV via Traveloka.
Walk through aesthetic video game-based installations at the ArtScience Museum
Image credit: ArtScience Museum
After an eye-opening saunter through the Red Dot Design Museum, head over to the ArtScience Museum (ASM) which is conveniently located within the Bayfront region as well. This leg of the itinerary will be more interactive, as you and your companion journey through ASM’s new “Virtual Realms: Videogames Transformed” exhibit.
Image credit: ArtScience Museum
For all the times your mum has scolded you for letting video games “rot your brain”, this exhibit is here to tell you that video games can be an art form – legit. A team of globally acclaimed video game developers have partnered with ASM to create large-scale immersive installations that have become synonymous with the ArtScience experience.
Make sure to clear space in your phone memory, ‘cause you and your museum-hopping buddy are about to shoot a bunch of next-level pics and Boomerangs.
Book ArtScience Museum tickets with SRV via GlobalTix.
Enjoy fancy cocktails and 1-for-1 dishes at an atas bar in Duxton
Image credit: Anouska’s
To cap off a day of museum visits and seal the deal of how fancy and cultured you and your date are, make your way to Anouska’s for gourmet grub, signature cocktails, and even more Insta-worthy surroundings to document through photographs. The swanky bar is situated within the upscale Duxton enclave, so just stepping inside will make you feel all atas and socialite-ish.
Image credit: @anouskasbar
Even though you’re livin’ the Bling Empire life – even if it’s just for the duration of your Anouska’s dinner and drinks session – your wallet won’t have to suffer that much, thanks to the 1-for-1 promo for DBS/POSB Cardmembers, applicable for all dishes.
Additionally, you can also shave up 10% off your food bill just by paying with a DBS/POSB Card, and 15% off if you have the DBS Woman’s World, DBS Insignia or DBS Treasures Black Elite Card.
Find out more about the Anouska’s promos for DBS/POSB Cards.
1-for-1 promo valid from now till 30th September 2021, food bill discounts valid from now till 30th December 2021.
2. Cable car ride & hilltop brunch for those in need of stress relief
The stress of the daily grind can get so overwhelming that you just need to get away from it all. And since we can’t fly overseas, the least you can do is treat yourself to a cable car ride. Peering down at civilisation from high in the sky as you get a bird’s-eye view of the Harbourfront scenery just hits different.
Soar through the skies on a cable car and enjoy brunch 100M above sea level
Note: Image taken pre-Covid-19, for illustration only.
This SRV-eligible package comprises round-trip Skypass tickets for both the Sentosa Line and Mount Faber line. This means you and your cable car buddy will get 360-degree panoramic views of lush greenery, as well as the pristine beach and even USS.
Once you’ve reached Mount Faber Peak, enjoy a sumptuous brunch for two at Arbora Hilltop Garden & Bistro. As far as good views go, few dining spots in Singapore can rival the unobstructed scenery, cool hilltop breeze and natural flood of sunlight here.
Image credit: Trip.com
Available exclusively on weekends, the package entitles each guest to one brunch set, with your choice of either a Gourmet Breakfast or American Breakfast platter. To wash it all down, you can also order your fill of fresh fruit juices, coffee and tea.
Book Cable Car Skypass & Hilltop Brunch tickets with SRV via Trip.com.
Sink into relaxing GV Gold Class movie seats at discounted prices
Note: Image taken pre-Covid-19, for illustration only.
Let the rest and relaxation of the day continue by nua-ing and catching up on the latest movie releases at Golden Village. Gold Class tickets are a luxury which most Singaporeans wouldn’t bear to splurge on on any typical day, but you can afford to go big or go home with these exclusive ticket discounts for DBS/POSB Cardmembers:
- $3 off Gold Class tickets
- $2 off Gold Class Express tickets
- $1 off all other movie tickets
No movie sesh is complete without some popcorn and fizzy drinks, so it’s good that your DBS/POSB Card will also get you discounted snack combos. For any purchase of a pair of movie tickets, you can get the DBS Double Combo which includes one large popcorn and two regular Cokes.
Find out more about the Golden Village promos for DBS/POSB Cards.
Valid from now till 31st December 2021.
3. Heritage tour with tile painting & high tea for cultured folks
Besides museum visits, another popular date or outing activity for artsy Singaporeans is to go art jamming. This SRV-eligible tour combines the best of both worlds, and then some.
Not only do you get a Peranakan heritage tour with traditional tile painting as the activity, you can even sink your teeth into Peranakan high tea treats to complete the whimsical art and culture experience.
Take part in an all-in-one walking tour with gallery visit, tile painting & high tea set
Us Singaporeans have a term called bao ga liao, meaning all-encompassing, which is exactly what this Peranakan Heritage Tour is. Put on some comfy walking shoes and slap on plenty of sunscreen as you’ll be walking through the Joo Chiat-Katong area, rich in history and famous for its rows of gorgeous colourful shophouses.
One of the stopping points of the tour – Joo Chiat Community Club.
Image credit: Klook
Along the way, you’ll be stopping at notable spots where the guide will dole out nuggets of information surrounding Peranakan culture and history. This will be insightful for those of Peranakan descent to get in touch with their roots, and also for Singaporeans whose only exposure to Peranakan culture are eating kueh and watching The Little Nyonya.
Image credit: Klook
Thereafter, you’ll get to rest your feet while partaking in a leisurely afternoon session of arts and crafts – painting your very own decorative tile the traditional Peranakan way. Let your creativity fly as you get provided with all the materials needed, and you and your date or bestie will be able to have a friendly competition of who produces the most striking masterpiece.
Image credit: Klook
At the end of an activity-filled day that is nourishing for the brain as well as the soul, fill your tummy with some Peranakan high tea treats. We know that the term “high tea” usually conjures images of teensy sandwiches and finger food that’s gone in one gulp, but the food served as part of this tour is leaning more towards a proper feast.
Book Peranakan Heritage Tour tickets with SRV via Klook.
Cleanse your palate with 1-for-1 healthy hawker-style food from Kipos
Peranakan fare veers admittedly to the sinful side, with dishes often being rich and unctuous. After treating yourself to a decadent meal in the daytime, you and your tour companion can savour something more light and wholesome for din-din.
Image credit: @kiposgourmet
Clean-eating is known to cost a pretty penny, but this 1-for-1 deal on selected mains from Kipos will have you loading up on nutrients at half the cost. Choose from their Quinoa Lemak or Lo-cal Chicken Rice, both cleaner and more nutrition-packed versions of kopitiam favourites.
They have a Joo Chiat Road outlet so you can conveniently hop over for some post-tour refuelling once you’re done soaking up the culture and snapping pics along the shophouse stretch.
Find out more about the Kipos promos for DBS/POSB Cards.
Valid from now till 30th April 2022.
4. NERF arena & arcade games for those who are young at heart
This full-day itinerary is for the stressed out Singaporeans who are bogged down by adulting responsibilities, and just want to let loose and indulge their inner child. There’s a degree of physical activity involved which will be a great fit for active couples and besties who have run out of hiking trails to conquer. Best part? There’s aircon all the way.
Battle it out in a NERF arena & conquer a high-elements obstacle course
Note: Image taken pre-Covid-19, for illustration only.
No matter how big your NERF gun collection is, the NERF Action Xperience is sure to be a level-up where you get to battle it out with your shooting buddy in a full-fledged arena. Within an elaborate play space themed after the Wild West, you’ll get to try a Capture The Flag-like game called Camp Dune where it’s one base versus the other.
Note: Image taken pre-Covid-19, for illustration only.
Besides a rowdy round of shoot-’em-up, you can also partake in a high-elements obstacle course with a three-storey high rope climb, pole-climbing obstacles, and a double-faced rock wall so you can challenge your friend or partner to a vertical race. For the full low-down on activities available, check out our NERF Action Xperience guide.
Book NERF Action Xperience tickets with SRV via Changi Recommends.
Play arcade games to your young heart’s content with free bonus game credits
After upping your heart rate on the arena grounds at the NERF Action Experience, journey over to Timezone arcade to relive the familiar high from your childhood and adolescent days. For those who haven’t set foot within a Timezone branch in recent years, you may be surprised to see that the machines have gone through a major upgrade in terms of both variety and quality.
To get an in-depth look at what you can find at Timezone arcades of 2021, check out our Timezone VivoCity and Timezone Westgate guides. You can expect next-level activities like carnival game stations, LED-lit bumper cars, and cute mini bowling.
DBS/POSB Cardmembers and PayLah! users are in for a treat as you get to score five free games (worth $12.50 in total) with a minimum top-up of $30 game credits to your Timezone arcade card. Take note that your five free games will have to be utilised within the same venue, on the day of your purchase itself.
Find out more about the Timezone promos for DBS/POSB Cards.
Valid from now till 31st July 2021.
Savour 1-for-1 old-school wanton mee with a premium twist
To restore your energy levels after an eventful day of high-adrenaline fun, make your way to Wong Kee Wanton Noodle where your DBS/POSB Card will grant you 1-for-1 premium mains. Wanton mee is a hawker staple that we grew up loving. And now that we have that grownup moolah, it’s time to savour a more luxe version.
Image credit: @rontreechan
This promo lets you choose between the Minipot Special, Minipot Premium and Fresh Scallop Yuan Yang Noodle. Think of the minipot dishes as an extravagant way of slurping up wanton noodles, providing you with warm and comforting mouthfuls from start to finish.
The Minipot Special comes with your choice of lean meat or sliced fish, while the Minipot Premium is loaded with juicy prawns and scallops. Meanwhile, the Yuan Yang dish comprises a vibrant mix of tomato and spinach noodles.
Find out more about the Wong Kee Wanton Noodle promos for DBS/POSB Cards.
Valid from now till 30th April 2022.
Make the most of your SRV bookings with DBS/POSB Card promos
For those who have yet to utilise your SRV, don’t forget that you still have till the end of the year to redeem them. Whether you’re using them to offset the bill on staycations, activities or attractions, there are exclusive DBS/POSB Card promos to rack up additional discounts or perks on each of the following SRV merchants:
Note: All promos valid till 31st December 2021.
Changi Recommends: Get 20% off with a $150 min. spend.
Capped at $40 and limited to the first 250 redemptions per month.
Get 10% off with no min. spend.
Capped at $10 and limited to the first 800 redemptions per month.
GlobalTix: Get a $5 Gojek voucher with any spend on SRV redemptions.
Limited to the first 300 redemptions weekly, multiple redemptions allowed.
Klook: Hotels: Get $50 off with a $400 min. spend, or $10 off with $150 min. spend.
Attractions and others: Get $10 off with a $60 min. spend.
Traveloka: Get $15 off Singapore hotel bookings with a $300 min. spend* using promo code “DBSSRVH”.
Limited to the first 200 redemptions per month and one redemption per user per month.
Get $10 off Singapore tour and attraction bookings with a $100 min. spend* using promo code “DBSSRVX”.
Limited to the first 100 redemptions and one redemption per user per month.
*Note: Min. spend is calculated before SRV is applied.
Trip.com: Hotels: Get $50 off with a $400 min. spend using promo code “DBS50H2”.
Limited to the first 100 redemptions per month.
Get $10 off with a $150 min. spend using promo code “DBS10H2”.
Limited to the first 200 redemptions per month.
Tours and tickets: Get $10 off with a $100 min. spend using promo code “DBS10TNT”.
Limited to the first 100 redemptions per month.
Full-day itineraries & date ideas for couples and friends in Singapore
Your annual leave days are just sitting and stewing in the balance, and it’s high time you give yourself a break from the endless cycle of work every single week. Wrangle up your pal or SO and head on these full-day itineraries. You can also mix and match which activities appeal to you the most, and book your tickets using SRV and the additional DBS/POSB Card promos.
Note: Image taken pre-Covid-19, for illustration only.
To make the most of your full-day outings, cut down on commuting time by taking advantage of these exclusive DBS/POSB transport promos as well:
BlueSG: Free 1-month subscription and 30 minutes rental usage (worth $18.80) when you sign up for the BlueSG Basic Plan.
Valid from now till 30th June 2022.
GetGo: 50% off total booking fees.
Valid from now till 31st July 2022.
SG Bike: Free 7 Days Ride Pass worth $7.
Valid from now till 30th June 2022.
That way, you’ll be able to squeeze more activities in, engage in more adventures and create more lasting memories all without having to leave Singapore’s borders.
Whether you’re kicking things off early for an all-out full-dayer or meeting your +1 for a quick post-work stress-buster, there’s a DBS/POSB Card promo to help shave off your activity and dining bills.
Find out more about DBS/POSB Cardmember promos here
This post was brought to you by DBS.
Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal, Red Dot Design Museum, Klook