From moonlit safari trips and cutting-edge nightclubs to lofty bars and enviable eats, we give you the inside scoop on the Lion City. By Time Out Singapore staff

Bars

1-Altitude Gallery & Bar
At 282 metres above ground, the triangular-shaped outdoor bar at this self-proclaimed ‘highest al fresco bar in the world’ is indeed a magnificent vantage point, with unobstructed views of the city lights. Bordered securely by glass and furnished with wood flooring and lounging cabana beds, this rooftop bar is one with not just altitude but attitude – it even has a lowered dance floor in the centre for partygoers to show off their moves under palm trees. The revelry is supported by an extensive, and in parts, unusual drinks list, as well as a resident DJ. Oh, and did we mention you would also be partying it up on the highest point in Singapore? One Raffles Place, 1 Raffles Pl, +65 6438 0410; www.1-altitude.com.

New Asia Bar
This bar with a view took the New Asia experience to a higher level when it opened its helipad for regular shindigs. Adding fuel to the party fire was a cast of international mixologists and DJs who kept the partygoers clamouring to do more than drink with a view. Level 71, Swissôtel the Stamford, 2 Stamford Rd, +65 6837 3322; www. swissotel.com.

Orgo Bar & Lab
A hidden treasure perched at the top of The Esplanade where you can admire the view or be entertained by the Japanese mixologist hard at work behind the bar. Roof Terrace, The Esplanade, 8 Raffles Ave, +65 6336 9366; www.orgo.sg.

Art Spaces

National Museum of Singapore
Four times the size of the Singapore Art Museum, this is one of Singapore’s oldest public buildings but it possesses an innovative soul. The cultural powerhouse boasts wireless technology – which allows for both audio and visual tours – the restaurant and café Novus, and the superb cuisine of Chef Chan’s Restaurant. For an impressive array of Southeast Asian contemporary artworks as well as top-notch international touring exhibitions, this space is the place. 93 Stamford Rd, +65 6332 5642; www.nationalmuseum.sg.

Opera Gallery
One of Singapore’s classiest and most accessible spaces, Opera has made a name for itself over the years by bringing in some of the world’s most sought-after artists. 3-5 ION Orchard, 5 Orchard Turn, +65 6735 2618; www.operagallery.com.

Singapore Tyler Print Institute
Facing the Singapore River, this impressive home to the art of print- and paper-making is also one that nurtures new talent; the Institute often holds public talks and workshops. 41 Robertson Quay, +65 6336 3663; www.stpi.com.sg.

Boutique Hotels

Naumi
Wedged in on Seah Street in the shadow of the grandaddy of all hotels, Raffles, you could almost miss this green-creepered gem. It would be a shame though, as this 40-suite establishment is as much about design (chic metal structures adorn the building’s façade and automatic wooden shutters close at the press of a button) as it is about comfort (Kiehl’s toiletries and in-room yoga mats). But it’s the thoughtful touches – including wine chillers, steam rooms and the choice of an Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or Nintendo Wii console – which push this property to the top of the block. 41 Seah St, +65 6403 6000; www.naumi hotel.com.

New Majestic Hotel
Loh Lik Peng’s 30-room hotel boasts mirrored ceilings, an Asian boudoir-style suite, suspended four-poster beds and pop art paintings by Singapore artist Justin Lee. 31-37 Bukit Pasoh Rd, +65 6511 4700; www.newmajestichotel.com.

Klapsons, The Boutique Hotel
A pocket design rocket, the 17-room futuristic-style hotel by William Sawaya transports you to another stratosphere of hospitality. 15 Hoe Chiang Rd, +65 6521 9030; www.klapsons.com.

Clubs

Zouk
Three clubs in one, everything and anything happens at this iconic music venue. In recent memory, electro bad-girl Peaches put the ‘sin’ in Singapore when she sported a dildo while performing Shake Yer Dix in the club’s main room and revolutionary hip-hop group De La Soul brought the house down when they rapped and rhymed in Velvet Underground’s cosy atmosphere. The third club, Phuture, makes room for resident DJ Andrew Chow and his now-infamous ‘Flava’ Fridays. Apart from the array of music this place churns out, the original eye candy by Roy Lichtenstein, Philippe Starck and Andy Warhol keeps clubgoers’ senses working overtime. 17 Jiak Kim St, +65 6738 2988; www.zoukclub.com.

Stereolab
The new kid on the block has marked its territory by bringing in a number of big names – Frankie Knuckles, Danny Krivit and Nicolas Matar among them – to show off its fully analogue high-fidelity sound system, an audiophile’s wet dream. 7 Raffles Blvd, +65 6337 0800; www.stereolab.sg.

The Butter Factory
As the club nears its fifth anniversary, the guys at Butter really know how to keep things colourful and unexpected. 1 Fullerton Rd, +65 6333 8243; www.thebutterfactory.com.

Restaurants

The Lighthouse
When a restaurant is perched atop the Fullerton Hotel, with a 360- degree panorama of the Singapore skyline, you can be assured that it will attract a buzz upon opening. There is still a heavy hum coming from chef Diego Martinelli’s kitchen and it does not look like it will be dying down any time soon. The dishes on this Italian menu produce rich flavours with a modern touch: the tortellini stuffed with duck and mascarpone with a rosemary sauce, and the Wagyu beef tenderloin with creamed celeriac and porcini jus, have had people raving. Fullerton Hotel, 1 Fullerton Sq, +65 6877 8933; www.fullertonhotel.com.

Iggy’s
‘It’s just the food I like’, says owner Ignatius Chan when asked to describe the food at Iggy’s. While there has been a change of culinary guard in the last couple of years, the regulars don’t seem to be the least bit ruffled. Reservations are still made way in advance to secure a spot at this award-winning restaurant. Old favourites like the multi-textured sakura ebi cappellini with konbu, and the signature burger with the intense truffle and sabayon sauce, make this modern European eatery well worth the splurge. 1 Cuscaden Rd, +65 6732 2234; www.iggys.com.sg.

Oso Ristorante
Chef Diego Chiarini’s short menu rarely disappoints. Standout dishes include robust rigatoni bathed in a deep red sauce of thyme, black olives and tender rabbit. 46 Bukit Pasoh Rd, +65 6327 8378; www.oso.com.sg.

Heritage Streets

Arab Quarter
Back in the day, Arab settlers set up trade in this area also known as Kampong Glam. Today, visitors can still find hand-woven baskets, an assortment of fabrics, a beautiful Istana, mosques and Zam Zam’s, the best spot for authentic Indian Muslim mutton murtabak. For ready-to-wear shopping, Haji Lane attracts a hipster set that frequents independent stores like Soon Lee, Know It Nothing and White Room. There are also several Middle Eastern shisha bars for you to relax, eat and drink in, and taste flavoured tobacco through glass hookah pipes. Arab St.

Chinatown
A hive of vibrant activity, this enclave entices with its array of delicious local fare as well as colourful souvenirs for tourists. Trengganu St.

Club Central
While the ‘Design Hill’ may be slipping thanks to sky-high rental costs, it still gets attention for its string of independent bars, restaurants and boutiques. Club St.

Hawker Centres

Chomp Chomp
Singapore’s best hawker is not central, accessible mainly by car and not as vast as some makan places. But this is all part of its appeal; the shoulder-to-shoulder seating and non-CBD location in Serangoon Gardens is hawker food in its true setting. Good food at affordable prices helps too. 20 Kensington Park Rd.

Maxwell Food Centre
One of the oldest centres, Maxwell’s is still rugged and raucous on the inside – get there early if you’re after a plate of Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (stall 10). Cnr South Bridge Rd and Maxwell Rd.

Makansutra Gluttons Bay
Polished outdoor hawkers who have come a long way from their old satay stakes nestle together by the Esplanade. 1-15 Esplanade Mall, 1 Esplanade Dr, +65 6336 7025; www.makansutra.com.

Parks

Botanic Gardens
The Christmas tree lights up, while weekly concerts and alfresco performances make this 157-acre park a haven for both locals and visitors. 1 Cluny Rd, +65 6471 7361; www.sbg.org.sg.

East Coast Park
Every weekend sees a whole new community setting up home (and tents) on its grounds. It’s still the place to go for a leisurely bike ride or a scenic skate. From Changi Airport to Fort Road; www. nparks.gov.sg.

Fort Canning Park
This site is home to a hilltop town club, World War II bunkers, a world class cooking school – and it still has the space for outdoor concerts. Fort Canning Rd, +65 6332 1200; www.nparks.gov.sg.

Spas

Spa Botanica
A spa par excellence, the tranquil surroundings, exemplary service standards and extensive add-ons – mud pools, labyrinth and private float pools included – make this our favourite spa facility. The menu of innovative treatments – we recommend the Beaufort Touch massage and Galaxy Mud detox – coupled with a staff of expert therapists keep us coming back for more. 2 Bukit Manis Rd, +65 6371 1318; www. spabotanica.com.

Aramsa – The Garden Spa
Housed within the lush greenery of Bishan Park, we love the menu of holistic treatments and late-night opening hours. 1382 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1, +65 6456 6556; www.aramsaspas.com.

Beauty Emporium at House
At this one-stop shop, you can buy flowers, books and tunes before/after you settle all your beauty needs. Block 8D, Level 2 Dempsey Rd, +65 6475 7375; www.dempseyhouse.com.

Shopping Malls

ION Orchard
This dazzling behemoth has 300-plus shops, including some brand-name flagship stores, as well as a number of well-designed luxury boutiques. This mall also has soul, in the form of the 5,600 sq ft ION Art space. 2 Orchard Turn, +65 6838 6520; www.ionorchard.com.

VivoCity
We’re still hot for this mall designed by Toyo Ito. And germs or no germs, we love the kids’ wading pool (oops, sorry we meant water feature) at the Sky Park. 1 HarbourFront Walk, +65 6377 6860; www.vivocity. com.sg.

Paragon
Despite being more than 12 years old, this Orchard Road shoppng centre still rocks. 290 Orchard Rd, +65 6738 5535; www.paragon.com.sg.

Attractions

Night Safari
The Night Safari experience at Singapore Zoo is truly unique and memorable. Props to the crew for introducing the highly popular Gourmet Safari Express, Halloween Horrors and Sleep with the Beast programmes. 80 Mandai Lake Rd, 6269 3411, www.night safari.com.sg.

Singapore Zoo
Our pride and joy, the latest star is a baby Komodo dragon, the first hatched outside Indonesia. 80 Mandai Lake Rd, +65 6269 3411; www. zoo.com.sg.

Singapore Flyer
This year, the giant ferris wheel introduced a Butler Sky Dining option and longer opening hours, and transformed itself into one big party central for the F1 season. 30 Raffles Ave, +65 6854 5200; www.singaporeflyer.com.