The majority of Singapore’s gay nightlife is concentrated in the T in Chinatown, easily accessed by taxi or the Chinatown or Tanjong Pagar MRT stations. You may never know that homosexuality was technically illegal in Singapore by visiting any of Singapore’s gay bars or gay clubs. Amidst the hustle and bustle of Chinatown in Singapore, there are pockets of quieter areas that are somewhat removed from the maddening crowds in your typical party spots. Such places tend to be the preference for many who want a good night out surrounded by eateries, bars and even karaoke joints – and all within walking distance, if that’s your bag. You can find a plethora of entertainment nightspots in Singapore where the gays can lay their hat down and enjoy a night out without any concern.

Here, there are some very popular bars where the gays can enjoy a night out without any concern.

1. Tantric Bar

It is located in a beautiful heritage building with an open-air garden courtyard in front and a sophisticated lounge atmosphere inside done up in orange and red accents against velvety black. It is one of Singapore’s most popular gay bars, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights, when it is packed with revellers enjoying cocktails and double-shot housepours. In slow weekday nights, you can see people chilling on the day beds in the (oddly) green-lit courtyard, while on weekends the joint is jam-packed, standingroom only. The dance tracks and kick-ass Long Island Teas are guaranteed to keep you happy and buzzing all night. The staff in this Bar are cute and friendly, the courtyard has its own bar to keep the good times rolling outside as well as in. Crowd is gay, but gay-friendly straights are also welcome.

Address: 78 Neil Road, Singapore 088841

Phone: 64239232

Hours: Mon 8:00 pm – 3:00 am Tue 8:00 pm – 3:00 am Wed 8:00 pm – 3:00 am Thu 8:00 pm – 3:00 am Fri 8:00 pm – 3:00 am Sat 8:00 pm – 4:00 am

2. Taboo Bar

Taboo is a boutique dance club located on Neil Road in the heart of Chinatown, this is one of the classier gay bars in town. The main floor downstairs is where all the action takes place, replete with an LED-lit dancefloor and 30 ft.-long bar. Upstairs, dubbed the Attic, is where you can chill out over a cocktail or two, glossing over the beautiful crowd. The waiters in this Bar are very friendly. Mixed crowd also has some lesbians, there are all races party here, so it’s extra fun. The busiest time is on Friday and Saturday nights. Weekly theme nights include FLIRT Fridays, HandBag Nite and Tutti Frutti Nite. It may keep moving location but Taboo remains a tried and trusted venue for late-night dancing and frolicking which can release your inner Madonna on that podium.

Address: 65-67 Neil Rd, Singapore 088897

Website: www.taboo97.com

Phone: 6225 6256

Hours: 8pm-2am Wed & Thu, 10pm-3am Fri, 10pm-4am Sat

3. Play Club

Play club is a 4,000sq ft dance club in the Chinatown catering mainly to fun-loving gay and lesbian clubbers. This is still one of the hottest spots in town for boys of a certain persuasion. The main dance floor heats up at weekends, and has attracted renowned international DJs such as Junior Vasquez (USA), Hex Hector (USA) and Wayne G (UK) spinning chart-topping music and classic anthems. It helps that drinks here are affordable: all house pours are $5 and a bottle of Absolut Vodka is only $80—with one-for-one on all housepour jugs every Friday and Saturday before midnight. If you’re into emerging local talents, occasional dance and singing competitions are also held here on weekdays.

Address: 21 Tanjong Pagar Road, #01-02/3/4, Singapore 088444

Phone: 62277400

Website: www.playclub.com.sg

4. DYMK Bar

DYMK Bar is located among many other popular gay bays on Neil Road in the heart of Chinatown, DYMK is a chill-out bar attracting a largely gay and lesbian crowd. The name stands for Does Your Mother Know. DYMK has its home in a beautifully restored double-storey heritage shophouse, unmissable by its bright red and yellow façade.  The place is nice, cozy and perfect for unwinding after a hard day’s work. It also hosts the local SM crowd every last Thu of the month. The interior features plush sofas and original artwork to create a ‘home-from-home’ atmosphere, where you can kick back and chill out on the ground floor, or head upstairs for the retro music vibe and busy dancefloor.

Address: 41 Neil Road, Singapore 088824

Phone: 6224 3965

Website: www.dymk.sg

5. Backstage Bar

This is a cozy, gay-owned bar, one of Singapore’s most popular gay bars, it is located on Trengannu Street in the heart of tourist Chinatown, Besides dancing to upbeat music, this place sis a good spot to socialize. It is nicely decorated with posters from musicals, with a balcony for smokers or flirting with passersby. The entrance to this long-running bar with a breezy balcony is on Temple St; it attracts an older set and their acolytes. Double shots all night, every night. Premium liquor, like Bombay Sapphire, is served here. The staff are very hospitable and drinks are reasonably priced. Although a haven for gays, you will find a mixed group of people flocking the Backstage Bar.

Address:  13A Trengganu St, Singapore

Website: www.backstagebar.moonfruit.com

Phone: 6227 1712

Hours: 7pm-2am Sun-Thu, 7pm-3am Fri & Sat

6. Actor’s Bar

Actors is more like an effeminate version of Cheers than an out-and-out gay bar; bartenders mete out vodka shooters and sympathy to queers and straights as required. Instruments like the guitar, drums and bass are up on the stage available for you to bring out your inner rockstar. You can perform up to three songs before you’re hauled off the stage. Regardless of the quality of the music, a night at Actor’s can get pretty hilarious so go there with an open mind. Don’t go if you’re suffering from a migraine. Expect a relaxed vibe, a 25-to-35 crowd, impromptu musical jams and the odd game of pool.

Address: 02-13 South Bridge Rd ,The Quays, Singapore

Phone: 653 32436

Hours: 18:00-02:00 Mon-Sat

7. E Bar

E bar is located on Neil Road, in amongst the majority of Singapore’s popular gay bars and clubs, and opposite the ever-popular Tantric B-ar. It is situated within a beautifully restored heritage shophouse, EBar is cool and classy where you work your diaphragm and ab muscles instead of your legs. On the eve of holidays, the bar sometimes converts into a disco, with house music filling the bar after midnight. You have to train your patience as well because there’s apparently a long wait before the microphone is in your hands. All birthday guys and gals get a free shot with proof of date of birth.

Address: 57 Neil Rd, Singapore       

Opening hours: Mon-Sat PH&Eve of PH 8pm to 3am    

Phone: +65 6324 2802

8. OUT Bar

It is also a popular Gay bar designed with touches of the iconic 60s Hollywood era up to today’s Divas. there are regular events, performances and guest DJs in this Bar. It is the perfect place to unwind at happy hour prices after a day’s busy work. Try their mojito cocktail at a very reasonable price.

Address: No. 43 Neil Rd, Singapore

Phone: 6224-2865

Hours: Open Mon 5pm-midnight, Tues-Thu 5pm-1am, Sat and public holidays 7pm-2am.

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