The White Rabbit Restaurant, a church that has been beautifully converted
The easiest way to get away from kids thronging the streets is to sleep all day, then get yourself to a club.
So heads up - three new party places under LifeBrandz are set to open this Thursday in Clarke Quay.
Dance club Zirca takes over the old Ministry Of Sound premises, while hip-hop boutique club Rebel and disco-funk bar Yellow Jello (Block 3C, The Cannery, River Valley Road, #01-02 and #02-01, tel: 6235-2292) are where Kandi Bar used to be. Look out for risque cabaret and burlesque shows, as well as other live entertainment.
Those in the know will also tell you to hit out-of-the-way spots which the younger set don't frequent. Camp at House (Block 8D, Dempsey Road, tel: 6475-7787) sees an adults-only crowd for its wine buffets ($35++ for free-flow wine) on Tuesdays. The White Rabbit (above, 39C, Harding Road, tel: 6473-9965), a former chapel converted into a restaurant and bar, is a perfect locale for a couples-only dinner or a girls' night out.
ADULTS-ONLY ENTERTAINMENT
We're not talking about dirty videos or strip clubs, but rather performances with mature themes.
Singapore Repertory Theatre's The Office Party involves office politics, hidden desires and even sexual harassment. It is open only to those above 16 and starts its two-week run on Thursday. Tickets from $40 are available through Sistic (tel: 6348-5555, www. sistic.com.sg).
At the Esplanade, the Do Not Disturb series is open only to those above 18. The four plays, directed by Tan Kheng Hua, transport the viewer to budget hotel rooms and tell stories of illicit love, regrets and revenge. On from Dec 18 to 21. Tickets at $35 are available through Sistic.
Another cheeky option is nightspot Howl At The Moon's Comedy Show (180, Orchard Road, Peranakan Place, level 2, tel: 6838-0281) , which is open to those 21 and up. Expect comedy with themes that play on politically-incorrect issues such as race. Tickets are also available through Sistic.
GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL
If you love the quaint colonial ambience of Dempsey Road or Rochester Park, but think the makeovers have caused both locations to become a tad commercial, check out Gillman Village.
Just off Alexandra Road, its sleepy vibe is accompanied by a down-home local flavour, sans annoying hipster wannabes. Plus, there are several places that draw mostly adult crowds.
(Warning: Avoid the Frangipani Bali Warung, the main food centre where families converge for cheap eats.)
Kitschy bikers' hangout Handle Bar (1, Lock Road, tel: 6475-9571), offers unpretentious drinks at reasonable prices - beer starts at $6 per mug, and house pours start from $9. Another enclave worth checking out is art lovers' haven Wessex Estate, just off Portsdown Road. Check out the restaurant and bar Cicada (7, Portsdown Road, tel: 6472-2100) and eatery Colbar (9A, Whitchurch Road, tel:6779-4859).
TAKE A HIKE
Wildlife enthusiasts say that the best place to go is the Chek Jawa Wetlands on Pulau Ubin. While Chek Jawa is open from 8.30am to 6pm daily, we recommend two must-dos - a trip to the top of the lookout tower (right), and a walk along the beach at low tide when starfish and corals are unveiled. It's outdoorsy couple heaven, for sure.
To get there, take a bumboat to Ubin from the Changi jetty at Changi Village for $2.50. You can hire a van or rent a bicycle from the main village. Visit the National Parks Board's website at www.nparks.gov.sg or call 6542-4108 for tidal information.
