Things to do in Bugis
If you and your friends live at opposite ends of the East-West Line, Bugis is certainly one of your most-visited spots – after all, it’s right smack-bang in the middle of Singapore. There’s an endless slew of bargain deals in Bugis Street and it’s also the perfect spot to while away a lazy weekend in one of their many cafes along Haji Lane.
But eating and shopping aren’t the only activities available here. From rooftop prawning to getting your fortune read, here are the best things to do in Bugis:
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1. Make unique art using science at Motion Art Space
You don’t need to be Picasso or Da Vinci to create art. Heck, all you really need are some paint and science to create your very own masterpiece at Motion Art Space.
At this art jamming studio, you’ll swing squeeze bottles of paint over a blank canvas, then let the laws of gravity and physics take over. The end results are random swirls that are unique each time. To elevate your work of art, you can opt to spin the canvas as the paint falls or even use a hairdryer to create paint splatters for a more avant garde look.
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2. Play exciting games at Battle Bunker
Before Mobile Legends was a thing, nights would be spent going “bankrupt” while playing Monopoly. For bonding sessions with friends sans the endless checking of Facebook and IG, check out game cafe Battle Bunker at Bugis+.
From mind games such as Codeword and Exploding Kittens where you can sabo your friends, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the range of board games available here. It’s unlikely you won’t be able to find a game you’ll like. In the event you don’t though, Battle Bunker allows you to BYOG – Bring Your Own Game. Just pay a cover charge of $10/pax and you’ll even get a free drink thrown in for a 2-hour session.
Battle Bunker also sells board games, game guides, and a selection of collectibles and figurines for anime and game enthusiasts to dive into. To keep you hydrated through hours of intense gaming, they also provide bottled drinks that you can purchase at the counter.
3. Play arcade games & claw machines at Paco Funworld
Paco Funworld was a popular name back in the 90s – it’s now made a resurgence with a 2nd outlet at Bugis+. With its bright neon lighting and upbeat tunes, you’ll be tempted to test your luck at the claw machines and arcade games.
Their claw machines are filled with a huge range of prizes from soft toys to snacks, and if you’re lucky, you can also hit the jackpot for tickets to exchange for prizes at the counter. No matter which game you choose, you’ll definitely walk out with a treat.
4. Catch & BBQ prawns at Fish@Bugis+
Having supper is every Singaporeans’ go-to when we don’t know what else to do at night. But what makes your grub taste better is when it’s fresh seafood that you can barbecue on the spot – something you can do here at Fish@Bugis+.
Image credit: @vonne.appetit via Instagram
Singapore’s only indoor rooftop prawning pond allows you to catch prawns and even seasonal lobsters and crabs before barbecuing them fresh. This activity doesn’t take up a great deal of brain energy – you can just nua and chat with your friends while waiting for something to bite.
Besides prawning, it also offers longkang fishing for kids. Your little ones can wade in shallow ponds to try and catch guppies to bring home.
5. Try out bespoke cocktails at Bar Stories
Image credit: Tripadvisor
We all probably have that one friend group that only meets once a year to catch up. Instead of shouting over a noisy bar about how your year has been, head down to Bar Stories – a quiet spot that’s worlds away from the noisier bars down at Prinsep Street.
What’s special about this contender for best bar in Singapore is that their menu is constantly changing – you can expect a surprise every time you’re down here, with cocktails made to your preference. Food-wise, you can also go bespoke with an omakase menu (from $65/pax). Otherwise, share bar bites such as Iberico pork jowl ($12) and Fremantle octopus ($24) with the table.
Address: 55-57A Haji Lane, Singapore 189248
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 5.30pm-10.30pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 6298 0838 | Bar Stories website
6. Put your detective skills to the test at Xcape Singapore
For thrillseekers looking to get your heart pumping, Xcape Singapore is one place you should definitely hit up with your friends. This 52-chamber escape room is the very first in the world to have role-playing elements that allow you to cosplay as themed characters.
Check out their wall of fame – posters of their themed escape rooms.
Their rooms are a mixture of 10 themes based on popular films such as Train to Busan, Harry Potter, Annabelle, and even kid-friendly ones such as Kung Fu Panda. Don’t forget to put your thinking caps on before entering the room to successfully break out before your 60 minutes are up!
7. Pet ragamuffins & munchkins at Meomi Cat Cafe
Image credit: @meomicatcafe via Instagram
For feline fans, hit up Meomi Cat Cafe down at North Bridge Road to make a visit to these furry pets. Pet and feed the 9 pedigree kitties including a Ragamuffin, Munchkin, as well as an American Curl. You may just be lucky enough to meet “Mr Meow”, the owner of the cafe who’ll introduce the cats for you to get to know their personalities better.
Other than the complimentary tea or juice of your choice, you can also enjoy other in-house treats such as Belgian waffles and cakes if you’re feeling a little peckish.
To keep these kitties safe and healthy, children must be at least 7 years old to enter, and all kids aged 13 and below must be accompanied by adults.
8. Learn more about cameras from the Vintage Camera Museum
Even though it’s the largest camera-shaped building in the world, the Vintage Camera Museum somehow still manages to remain fairly hidden among all the cafes at North Bridge Road.
As an independent museum that focuses solely on the history of photography and cameras, you’ll be brought around the place by the friendly owner that’ll introduce you to his collection of vintage cameras that date as far back to the 1800s. Unlike other museums with their “no touching” policy, you’ll be able to pick up some of these cameras for a closer look.
A 6m-long Mammoth Camera.
View the collection of over 1,000 cameras and take in the massive 6m-long Mammoth Camera in person. Their gallery of cameras also serve as a photogenic backdrop for an #OOTD shot.
9. Get your future read at Fu Lu Shou Complex
The only time most of us would’ve listened to our fortune being told was during Chinese New Year where you’d listen out to see if you’ll be blessed by Cai Shen Ye this year. But at the atrium behind Fu Lu Shou Complex, you’ll be able to get your future read all year round.
Here, you’ll see gurus providing card reading services while seated under their makeshift booths. If the prospect of someone being able to read your life from cards on a table creeps you out, you can stick to reading your projection for the year on the banners in between Fu Lu Shou Complex and Albert Mall.
While many of these banners are in Mandarin, there are plenty of other banners in English as well for everyone to join in on the fun.
Address: 149 Rochor Road, Singapore 188425
Opening hours: 24 hours, Daily
10. Game overnight with your friends at the Arena Esports Hotel
Calling all gamers in Singapore: there’s finally a place where you can play Valorant and Dota 2 in peace without anyone nagging at you to do something more productive. That place is the Arena Esports Hotel.
5v5 battle arena.
Image credit: Arena Esports Hotel
Opened recently in early 2023, this esports-themed hotel has gaming PC setups in each room for solo gamers. But we all know gaming’s much more fun with friends. Have the gang over for an overnight sesh and book the 5v5 arenas, so you guys can start training for the next The International competition.
What to do in Bugis
Many of us grew up visiting Bugis as teenagers, hitting up Bugis Street for affordable eats and clothes. But that doesn’t mean this place has become any less cool now that we’re adults. Whether you’re looking for a place to get a drink or a date idea that doesn’t involve just watching a movie, Bugis has plenty to offer.
Other things to do in Bugis:
Cover image adapted from: @vonne.appetit via Instagram
Photography by Gracie Lee En and Huy Pham.
Originally published on 25th November 2020. Last updated by Raewyn Koh on 18th September 2023.