Image credit: @seokminPabo
With BTS and BLACKPINK announcing their tour dates in Singapore, the K-wave revival is back again at full force. The local Korean idol fans are a spirited bunch with a surprisingly active community scene right here in our very own backyard, organising celebration events on a weekly basis. This includes the likes of band anniversaries, birthdays and the occasional ships.
From gelato parlours to coffee houses that print your selfies on drinks, here are 6 cafes you can head down to take part in the festivities.
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Disclaimer: The K-pop idols don’t actually show up at these cafes. These events are organised by local fanbases in conjunction with cafes, providing a space for the community to gather and fan-girl – or fan-boy – over together.
Image credit: @riiqing
For a first-timer, you’d be surprised at the sheer scale of these events. Some of them are full-blown parties, complete with of music, photo booths and exclusive goodies. Obtaining the merch is as simple as making a drink purchase at the cafes. After which, you can use the receipt to claim the fan-made goodies.
Some fan booths go the extra mile and give out freebies too, like stickers and photo strips of the celebrated idols. All out of goodwill.
Click here for the updated list on the upcoming Korean Idol events running.
Word on the street is, singer and owner Eunkwang can sometimes be spotted here.
Image credit: @nicholas_ap
Opened by BTOB member Eunkwang, +82 (PlusEightTwo) is a beautifully minimalist cafe. It looks especially gorgeous during the day, where the sunlight streams through the floor length windows. The cafe also houses a small retail space for a well-curated selection of accessories and clothes.
Palette Toast (strawberry, matcha and cookies & cream spread) & Matcha Siltarae (silky bingsu)
Image credit: @foodieggy
The sellouts here are the Palette Toast ($8.50) and assorted Ice Cube Sodas ($7.50). The dessert menu is equally unique with special Matcha Siltarae Bingsu ($17.90) and Snowflake Bingsus ($18.90).
Image credit: @151092_
Note: This cafe can get very packed during event days, so we suggest popping by on a normal day to try their food and desserts.
Image credit: @sexycutielovely
Being one of the bigger hosting cafes, you can expect to see a photo corner set up during events, decked out with banners, standees, fairy lights and balloons.
+82
Address: #01-02 Rendezvous Gallery, 9 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189559
Opening hours: 11AM – 11PM daily
Telephone: 85357294
Website
Take a step into Cotton Dreams and you’ll be transported to a pastel candyland, complete with cute heart-shaped velvet plush chairs *squeals*. During K-idol events, you can expect to see a cutesy photo booth table flanked by K-pop merch, and a couple of fan booths distributing photo prints.
Image credit: @cottondreams.co
Their bubble tea concoctions here are equally as chio, with their famous Signature Milk Tea + Cotton Candy (from $3.50) and the ethereal-looking Real Rose Flower Tea ($4.20). They also serve grown-up bubble tea drinks, spiked with alcohol e.g. Green Apple Green Tea + Vodka ($11.90).
Image credit: SCAPE
Image adapted from @cottondreams.co & @makichryl
Cotton Dreams
Address: #02-18C/D SCAPE, 2 Orchard Link, Singapore 237978
Opening hours: 11AM – 9PM daily
Website
Image credit: @sexycutielovely
Hole-in-the-wall Haji Lane cafe Selfie Coffee lets you print your selfies – or the faces of your idols, if you so wish – on top of your latte froth. This eclectic cafe is on the smaller side but makes a warm inviting place for a gathering.
The decor here is jungle-inspired with sprawling trellises and colourful animal paintings
Image credit: @herolove2
A cup of hot coffee here costs $7.50 while a cold one costs $8.50, both with printed froth. Apart from that, the cafe offers a handful of cakes and pastries for tea.
Every event held here includes a lucky draw, where there are canvas prints and official K-pop merchandise up for grabs. To enter, present your in-store receipt with your details written at the back to the staff.
Selfie Coffee
Address: 11 Haji Lane, Singapore 189204
Opening hours: Mon – Thu: 11AM – 7PM, Fri – Sun: 10AM – 9PM
Telephone: 63417213
Website
Image credit: @yuka_matsubayashi
5 The Moments Cafe is a vintage camera shop cum gelato creamery, that gives off grungey vibes with its various antiques and intentionally distressed walls.
Image credit: @ayahi
The flavour selection here isn’t the widest but what they do serve are all pretty strong on their own, with the pistachio being the top pick.
Gelato from $4.80 + Freaky Cones with chocolate and sprinkles (additional $2.80)
Image credit: @yumtsuboianna
Image credit: @radiate_lifestyle
Get the Homemade Waffles with Ice-cream ($10.80) to share with your fellow ARMYs, Wannables, Once, Exols, etc …you get the point. Other items on the menu include seasonal cakes like Coffee Salted Caramel, Matcha Tiramisu and Red Velvet to name a few.
Goodies from the recent TWICE anniversary celebration.
Image credit: @yjg.neoooppa_
5 The Moments Cafe
Address: 73 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088494
Opening hours: Sun – Thu: 12PM – 11PM, Fri & Sat: 12PM – 11.30PM
Telephone: 6222 5336
Website
The Coffeesmith chains in Korea are a go-to feature in Korean dramas.
Image credit: Kaptain Kerr
Coffeesmith is the most active cafe in the K-idol celebration scene, rotating a slew of events between their 5 chains across the island. Many have likened the place to a Korean version of Starbucks with its cosy ambience and friendly Korean staff.
Image credit: @TaekAHwi
You can’t go wrong with their Iced Latte ($7), and if you’re a sweet tooth, get the signature Smith Iced Cereal Latte ($8), made with cereal-infused milk. Hit a minimum purchase during the celebration days and you’ll get a limited edition coffee sleeve with your idol’s face printed on it.
Image credit: @vinepurplicious
Image credit: @ladybugtae
The coffeehouse offers other items like desserts, brunch bowls and draft beers on tap. Full meals are available at their newly opened Suntec branch too.
Coffee Smith
List of all outlets here.
Website
A hidden gem on the 3rd floor of Orchard Central.
Image credit: @walkingonsunshine.sg
The newest kid on the scene, Walking on Sunshine is already making waves in the K-loving community. A 3-in-1 beauty salon, photo studio and cafe, the here decor makes you feel like you’re in a rustic farmhouse or garden.
The food here has a good mix of Western and Korean influence, with fusion items like Spicy Pork Panini ($17.50) and Seoul Bulgogi Pizza. Drink wise, get the recommended ombre Flower Ade ($8) made with butterfly pea and lemonade or the decadent iced Butter Cream Latte ($6.50).
A bang for your buck – Walking On Sunshine offers $15 brunch buffets daily from 10AM – 12PM.
Image credits: @alovelyssa
Flower Ade, with a flower-shaped ice-cube
Image credit: @walkingonsunshine.sg
Just opened in September 2018, this cafe has yet to hold a celebration but there’s already a line-up of upcoming events happening in the months to follow. With such a beautiful and expansive space, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Check out Eatbook’s full review here.
Walking On Sunshine
Address: #03-07 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road, Singapore 238896
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM daily
Telephone: 8877 8800
Website
Image credit: jimiyoong.tumblr
Whether you’re a BTS super fan or a Wanna One stan, you too can now take part in the festivities and celebrate the collective love of all things Korean with this list of cafes.
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