If you don’t live in the east, chances are you probably only make a trip to Paya Lebar once in a while for the Geylang Serai Bazaar during Hari Raya. Especially in recent years, the area has easily become a popular hangout spot that offers a deluge of unique and fun things to do, all within the vicinity of the MRT station so you won’t have to walk far.
Couples, friend groups and families alike will find plenty of reason to swing by. From $2 oysters and an art jamming studio to a dessert cafe that opens till 4AM, here are eight fun things to do at Paya Lebar that’ll make your stop there worthwhile.
Nestled along the outdoor stretch of PLQ Plaza, Tipsy Bird is everything you’d want in a bar. Besides good booze, they’ve got your evenings covered with all-day happy hour deals and a good variety of delicious grub to pair your tipple with.
Seafood lovers will be delighted to know that they’ve got a selection of oysters priced at only $2 each, including Canadian Oysters that are creamy and sweet plus the Gray Fine De Clair No. 4 which are higher in liquid content. Fresh, seasonal oysters that don’t burn a hole in your wallet, paired with a pint of ice cold beer? Shiok.
Other crowd favourites include their Wagyu Beef Cubes ($18) that are torched to melt-in-your-mouth doneness. For drinks, try their signature Blue Bird cocktail ($18) – a unique blend of elderflower cream and vodka. Apart from savoury delights, they also offer a range of desserts such as the Tipsy’s Burnt Cheesecake ($10) and Premium Collagen Acai ($15).
Other drinking holes within PLQ include Jimmy Monkey, Chug Chug, and Hibiki Sake Bar and Dine.
Address: 1 Paya Lebar Link, #01-08 PLQ 2, Singapore 408533
Opening hours: 12PM-10.30PM, Daily
Note: Operating Hours may change with updates to Covid-19 regulations.
Telephone: 8879 6057
Tipsy Bird website
Just two minutes away from Paya Lebar MRT station and across the street from PLQ Mall is a unique 7-Eleven store that’s the perfect hangout spot for a budget night out.
It’s not just any ordinary 7-Eleven store – apart from having open-air seating reminiscent of K-drama roadside hangout scenes, this outlet has an exclusive partnership with Heineken. This means you’ll be able to ditch cans or bottles and get your lager ($7.90/cup) straight from the tap, at a self-service beer corner – the first of its kind in Singapore.
Get your favourite snacks or even some steaming cup noodles for an enjoyable meal comprising cheap, convenient thrills. Here’s a handy guide on how to get to PLQ Parkside to find this special 7-Eleven outlet.
Address: 2 Paya Lebar Road, #01-08 PLQ Parkside, Singapore 409053
Opening hours: 7AM-11PM, Daily
Whether you’re looking for a new date idea to spend quality time with bae or in need of a relaxing respite from the daily grind, art jamming is a great way to let loose and engage your creative side.
Our Art Studio @ PLQ Mall not only offers acrylic painting, but other less commonly provided mediums such as clay making, Chinese ink painting, manga drawing and Nagomi Art – a vibrant and delicate medium which uses soft pastels.
Image adapted from (L-R): @ourartstudio.sg, Our Art Studio
Our Art Studio’s customised classes are suitable for all ages and start from $50/pax for a 1.5 hour session – these are available daily and timings are flexible. Apart from classes, they also offer art jamming and workshops such as leather painting ($150/pax) and miniature clay making ($50/pax).
Stay tuned to the Our Art Studio Facebook page for updates on upcoming workshops.
Address: 10 Paya Lebar Road, #04-20 PLQ Mall, Singapore 409057
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 11AM-9PM | Sat – Sun 10AM-9PM
Telephone: 6908 3183
Our Art Studio website
Scoop Wholefoods is every eco warrior and health nut’s dream – apart from organic foods like fresh nut butter and wholesome snacks like granola, roasted nuts and dried fruits, everything you’ll find here is in sustainable packaging. That means you’ll get to bring all your own reusable containers and fight the battle against plastic wastage.
You can bring your own jars, bottles and tupperware to stock up on the groceries you need, or purchase a reusable eco bag (from $3.50) or jar (from $1.25) straight from Scoop to kick-start your sustainable, zero-waste lifestyle.
Address: Paya Lebar Road, #B1-07/08/09/10 PLQ Mall, Singapore 409057
Opening hours: 10AM-8.30PM, Daily
Telephone: 6513 1811
Scoop Wholefoods website
Treat your little one to a fun afternoon of play time at Smigy Indoor Playground, located at Level 3 of PLQ Mall. It’s not just your regular indoor playground – but one filled with dreamy decor with light pastel colours where kiddos can frolic and have little adventures.
Image credit: Smigy Facebook
Apart from its gorgeous interior serving as the perfect backdrop for you to capture memories of your child, it’s also well-equipped with a foam pit, trampolines, slides, swings, climbing structures and even a race car track. Rest assured that your ball of energy won’t get bored, and will be raring for repeat visits!
Price: From $16/child for 2 hours play (Children under 2 years old)
Address: 10 Paya Lebar Road, #03-05/06 PLQ Mall, Singapore 409057
Opening hours: Mon – Thu 10AM-8PM | Fri – Sun 10AM-9PM (Timings also apply during school holidays and public holidays)
Telephone: 8797 3001
Smigy Facebook
We’re more than devastated that beloved local KTV franchises have been forced to shutter. For an equally affordable alternative to KIV once KTV is finally allowed again, check out Sing My Song Family Karaoke at PLQ Mall. They have a wide selection of songs that go beyond English and Chinese – including Korean, Malay, Tamil and even Vietnamese.
While you can’t sing there just yet due to Covid-19 restrictions, they’re having a CNY promo for their 5-in-one karaoke system $1,388 (U.P. $2,088) to install at home just in time for the festive season. This includes a touchscreen monitor to select songs, song console, karaoke amplifier, mic receiver and two wireless mics so you can sing any time you want.
You can also book a private room (free for first hour, subsequent charges from $10/hour) for up to eight pax to hang out with friends. While microphones can’t be provided now, you can still enjoy music on their karaoke systems which boast an extensive selection of songs.
Alternatively, you can get some work done there alone if you’re still working from home but need a change of scenery. Apart from free wifi, they also provide free phone charging service so you won’t have to lug around extra cables. They’ve also got you covered with a variety of food like their signature Rendang Chicken, and drinks like Yuzu Coral and beer towers at 20% off.
Price: From $10/room
Address: 10 Paya Lebar Road, #04-05 PLQ Mall, Singapore 409057
Opening hours: 11AM-10.30PM, Daily
Telephone: 8661 9887
Sing My Song Family Karaoke website
Here’s some fabulous news for night owls who have been scouring for food haunts that open past midnight: the newly-opened Sweet Hut Cafe at Geylang Road opens until 4AM, and is only a 5-minute walk from Paya Lebar MRT station.
Apart from quirky dice and rubiks cube chairs alongside vibrant interior decor, there’s also a pool table right at the entrance for you to chill the night away with fellow night owl friends.
On their menu is a variety of savoury finger foods like Fresh Shrimp Spring Rolls ($4.90), a selection of bubble teas from $2.90, as well as traditional Chinese desserts like Musang King Durian Mousse ($9.90) and Mango Pomelo Sago ($5.80) for a sweet supper.
Address: 654 Geylang Road, Singapore 389584
Opening hours: 3PM-4AM, Daily
Telephone: 8363 2408
Most Singaporeans would agree that the bulk of our squad gatherings and catch-up sessions are held in malls. If you’re tired of just selfie-ing against a plain backdrop to commemorate your meet-ups, go to Paya Lebar Quarter to find photo spots that look straight out of those IG-centric art and lighting installations.
Neon light signages, mock-ups of Singapore’s old-school hawker stalls and bakery – you’ll be surprised that there are so many photo opportunities to take advantage of at a shopping mall. Head there dressed in your best #OOTD and snap as many shots as your heart desires, in between eating and shopping – a.k.a. the typical mall shenanigans.
Just a stone’s throw away from the MRT station, Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ) brings a myriad of new experiences to explore and enjoy. Apart from an indoor mall, PLQ also has outdoor areas like the PLQ Parkside and PLQ Plaza with its own set of eateries and places to chill while enjoying the al fresco breeze.
With Chinese New Year around the corner, we’re gonna have lots of shopping to do. For that, head over to PLQ for CNY promotions to stretch your dollar. From now till 28th February 2021, you can redeem a $10 Lendlease voucher when you spend above $138.
To skip the queue and make redemptions easily on your phones, simply sign up as a Lendlease Plus member with promo code ‘LLP21PLQ’ on the Lendlease Plus mobile app (Lendlease Plus app on Apple Store | Lendlease Plus app on Google Play) or website to earn 5,000Plus$ instantly.
If you’re heading there via Grab, note that you can get $3 off your ride with the promo code ‘PLQ3OFF’ from now till 15th February 2021.
Folks who are driving can visit on Sundays to enjoy the first hour of parking free, from 10AM-6PM (last vehicle entry at 5.59PM), now till 28th February 2021. Heads up, the entrance to the carpark is located under Park Place Residences after passing Sims Avenue.
*Terms and conditions apply, visit the Paya Lebar Quarter Facebook page for more details.
Whether you’re a foodie, art enthusiast, parent to adventurous tots or you’re just looking for new places to explore, swing by the Paya Lebar vicinity to find activities for all ages and lifestyles.
This post was brought to you by Paya Lebar Quarter.
Photography by John Low.
Cover image adapted from: @saysiee
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