After three trips to Singapore, I found few places in the city more charming than Clarke Quay. Located just north of Chinatown, this colourful historic area hugs the banks of the Singapore River. It quickly became one of my favourite neighbourhoods in the city for a relaxing stroll.
Clarke Quay is one of Singapore’s bona fide favourite hangouts for locals and travellers alike. Walking through this area multiple times, I wandered past hip cafés, riverside restaurants, and bars. In the evening, I saw the neighborhood come to life as some of the city’s most vibrant nightlife options ramped up.
Ready to start exploring this eclectic riverside district? Get your bearings with this Clarke Quay neighborhood guide, including my recommendations for what to see & do, where to eat & drink, and where to stay…
What to see & do
Embark on a Singapore River cruise
Tired of the bustle of central Singapore? Take a breather with a relaxing cruise along the Singapore River.
Clarke Quay is the most well-known and most developed of the city’s historic riverside quays. It’s also the most common first port of call for a Singapore River Cruise. As this boat ride is one of my favorite activities to do in Singapore, I’d recommend hopping on one of these cruises to see the city from a different vantage point!
Embarking on this cruise, I drifted alongside the riverbanks, admiring the city’s two other main riverside quays: Boat Quay and Robertson Quay. After taking in all their colourful charms, we sailed into Marina Bay, one of my favourite areas to explore in Singapore.
On a Singapore River cruise, you’ll duck under a few of Singapore’s most important historical bridges. Keep on the lookout for Cavenagh Bridge. It’s one of the oldest bridges in Singapore and the city’s only suspension bridge. You’ll also pass by the colonial-era Anderson Bridge, a national monument of Singapore.
On the cruise, I also caught a glimpse of Makansutra Gluttons Bay and Esplanade – Theatres by the Bay, both of which I think are the perfect end to an evening tour of Marina Bay.
The iconic Merlion statue, located at the mouth of the river, is also en route. (And, of course, I would recommend visiting the Merlion for an obligatory classic Lion City selfie!)
Breathe in some fresh air at Fort Canning Park
Looming north of Clarke Quay, Fort Canning Park is a wonderful escape from Singapore’s downtown core. Trudging through this hilly park on my last visit to Singapore, I spotted plenty of locals jogging and walking their dogs.
What I enjoyed most about visiting Fort Canning Park was getting the chance to relax to the sounds of the city drifting into the background. I’d recommend spending some time here to douse yourself in the serene atmosphere and meander through the park’s lush network of gardens.
Aside from enjoying chill-out time, Fort Canning Park is one of my recommended must-see stops in Singapore for history buffs. The hilltop was once home to royal palaces. More recently, the park served as the base for the British Army’s command centre, nicknamed the Battle Box.
Get the adrenaline pumping at G-Max Reverse Bungy
While I often strolled over to Clarke Quay to eat, drink, party, and socialize, I discovered that more adventurous travellers aren’t forgotten here either. To add a dash of excitement to your visit, strap yourself in for the ride of a lifetime at the G-Max Reverse Bungy.
The gravity-defying ride reaches a speed of up to 200 kilometres an hour. It jolts you hundreds of feet into the air and back down again—and again and again!
(Ever wondered what it would feel like to be a bouncing ball? Look no further.)
Warning: This G-Max Reverse Bungy ride isn’t for everyone. Even if you fancy yourself a rollercoaster pro, this one may still scare the pants off of you. (Looking at it from the boardwalk was enough to scare me off, to be honest.)
Step back in history at the Old Hill Street Police Station
Snuggled at the base of Fort Canning Park, the Old Hill Street Police Station immediately caught my eye from the opposite riverbank. It’s front-and-centre as you stroll towards Clarke Quay from its namesake MRT station.
I learned that this colorful historical building was built during British colonial rule, harkening back to 1934. Today, the Old Hill Street Police Station is most famous for its eye-catching and colourful Neo-Classical façade. (Even if its cheery style betrays the building’s “greyer” past as the home to the city’s first jail.)
Art lovers will discover plenty at The Old Hill Street Police Station, too. The main courtyard has been recently converted into an air-conditioned atrium. The ARTrium hosts several art galleries with rotating exhibitions. Although I couldn’t fit any into my travel schedule, you can also enjoy regular performances and events here.
Where to eat
I was a tad disappointed that I couldn’t find the budget-friendly food delights of a hawker centre in these parts. But my worries were quickly put to rest.
As I wandered along the riverbanks, I still found plenty of excellent places to eat in Clarke Quay to treat my taste buds with some of the tastiest fare in Singapore. Here are a few of my recommendations for where to eat here…
NOTE: The restaurant scene in Clarke Quay seems to be ever-changing. I’ve had to scrap about half of my original recommendations as they’ve closed down since my last trip and the time of writing. I will try to keep this updated, but keep in mind that the Singapore food scene is competitive and places seem to close frequently on a whim.
Hanjip Korean Grill House
Wherever I travel, I’m always down for Korean. And the Hanjip Korean Grill House would be my first choice around Clarke Quay. Start with their classic samgeytang (ginseng chicken soup) and a hanjip meat platter to share, featuring prime ribeye, prime boneless short ribs, pork belly, and pork collar. Or, for a more budget-friendly option, opt for Korean fried chicken or spicy stir-fried pork belly.
IPPUDO
This newish ramen joint occupies the former location of Ramen Keisuke Lobster King, famed for their signature Lobster Broth Ramen, which I loved on my first trip to Singapore. Unfortunately, the lobster ramen is no more, but that’s not to say this place isn’t worth your while. Whenever I’ve eaten at this popular ramen chain, their Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen hits the spot. It’s always delicious and absolutely loaded with umami.
Peony Jade
With two Michelin Bib Gourmand awards under its belt, this top Clarke Quay restaurant is a must-visit. Chowing down on the elevated Chinese dim sum here is transcendent. It was an instant addition to my personal Singapore culinary highlight reel. (Which in this foodie city, I consider no small feat.)
NOTE: Since my last visit to Singapore, the Clarke Quay location of this restaurant has closed. In 2023, the restaurant opened up at the AMARA Hotel in Tanjong Pagar.
Little Saigon
Need a Vietnamese twist for your palate? The Vietnamese fare at Little Saigon was some of the tastiest I gobbled up in Singapore. This restaurant won me over with both its fresh food and its stunning riverside patio and atmospheric interior.
The Southeast Asia-inspired cocktails are a hit, too. My own personal favourite was the Hanoi Martini, fused with lemongrass syrup for a pinch of Indochina in the Lion City.
Red House Seafood
This popular restaurant is one of the oldest seafood joints in Singapore. It’s famous for dishing out yummy Cantonese and Hainanese seafood classics.
The crowning jewel, though, is, of course, the Red House Chilli Crab. As it’s one of the most famous Singaporean dishes, I wouldn’t recommend leaving the city without trying it at least once.
Rico Rico
Need a break from Asian flavours? I can’t think of a better option around Clarke Quay than this much-loved Mexican restaurant. Grab a plate of chicken nachos to share and crab quesadillas. Wash it all back with a margarita de la casa (or a pitcher of sangria if you’re traveling with a few mates).
Where to drink
Even more so than eating, Clarke Quay is most famous for its bars & clubs. The area is one of the premier nightlife hotspots in Singapore, attracting well-to-do patrons from across the entire city-state.
Need some ideas for where to drink in Clarke Quay? Here are a few of our recommended nightlife picks in the area…
NOTE: Even more so than the restaurants, the bar scene around Clarke Quay is volatile and ever-changing. About half of my original recommendations have closed permanently. Fortunately, new spots are constantly opening up in their place.
Here Kitty Kitty
For a tamer night, start off at this funky and colourful speakeasy & cocktail lounge. The bright Japanese-inspired decor is a hit, the perfect backdrop for sipping on tasty signature cocktails like the Social Outcast and Snow Angel.
Yin Bar Singapore
Located in a 155-year-old heritage mansion, this courtyard bar gets high praise for its laid-back riverfront atmosphere and innovative signature cocktails like their kao liang sour, spicy chen pi mei, and “drunk on bubble tea.” Visit on Wednesday and Thursday between 6 pm and 8 pm for a two-hour free flow on spirits (S$38).
Cuba Libre Café & Bar
This popular Clarke Quay club rocks out with local bands & DJs spinning Latin music. The drink menu fits the vibe. I’m a huge fan of their Caribbean and South American-inspired cocktails, including lychee margaritas and mai tais. Visit on Sunday between 4 pm and 9 pm for their weekly Latin Sundowner Party, featuring S$8 red wine, white wine, and Corona. (This is about the cheapest I’ve seen while exploring this normally pricey area.)
Chupitos Shots Bar
With its name, I probably don’t need to warn you that this bar could have “bad idea” written all over it. I’d recommend this as a better place to start a night on the town than to end one.
The eclectic selection of shots here ranges between fun & cheeky to oh-dear-god-why-did-I-drink-that.
Warehouse Bar
If you want to rock out on your trip to Singapore, I’d suggest checking out this popular live music club. The Warehouse features live rock music every night of the week, and daily deals on drinks. (Although I should warn that it’s still not quite what most travelers would consider budget-friendly.)
Level Up
Grown tired of the usual clubbing scene? I think you’ll love this interesting concept bar! Flipping the script, this bar features an onslaught of classic arcade machines & fun games to complement your drinking. Good times, indeed!
Where to stay
Thanks to its central location, I always recommend Clarke Quay as one of the coolest areas to stay in Singapore for first-time visitors. I discovered a wide selection of great accommodations in & around the area to suit nearly every budget here.
Here are a few of my favourite hotels in Clarke Quay to start your search…
Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay
Located between Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay, this hotel is one of the most budget-friendly choices I’ve encountered in the area. We love the beautiful city views from the rooms as well as from the outdoor pool area.
Park Regis Singapore
Wedged within walking distance of both Clarke Quay and Chinatown, this mid-range hotel is another fantastic choice. We dig the sleek and colourful modern rooms and stunningly relaxing outdoor pool area, built for your chilling pleasure.
Swissotel Merchant Court Singapore
This 5-star gem is our favorite luxury hotel around Clarke Quay. We’re charmed by the spacious modern rooms with subtle contemporary Asian touches. The resort-like courtyard and pool area are a calming oasis amidst the hectic Singapore urban life.
Getting there
Clarke Quay is located north of Chinatown in Singapore’s downtown core. By public transportation, the closest MRT station is Clarke Quay MRT. From Exit C, it’s less than a 5-minute walk to the area via Tew Chew Street and Read Bridge.
