10 places for teenagers to hang out in Singapore

Where are the youth hangout places in Singapore?

Compared to many countries, Singapore is an incredibly safe place for teenagers to be out and about at practically any hour. And there are loads of great neighbourhoods, too! We roped in a couple of expat youths to share some of their favourite places for teenagers to hang out with friends in Singapore.

#1 Holland Village

Conveniently close to an MRT station and buses, “Holland V” is loaded with cafés and restaurants that have become popular teenage hangout spots. It comes alive at night when the main street is closed off to make a pedestrian-friendly zone. Grab a vegan-friendly bowl at Project Acai, or head for ice cream at Birds of Paradise. There’s also loads of shopping here – see our guide to Holland Village food and shops for more teenage hangout spots.

#2 Orchard Road

Orchard Road has several places for teenagers to hang out as you do a spot of shopping! There are countless international stores like H&M where they can browse for clothes and shoes; or try locally-owned ones like Actually. Trifecta is a ski, skate, snowboarding and surf facility in the area for something more active. For a different vibe, head to Plaza Singapura, which has a Timezone gaming arcade, Five Guys for burgers and Din Tai Fung for xiaolongbao. Recently refurbed is SCAPE on Orchard Link, which was set up specifically as a youth hangout spot in Singapore; new live performance venues and multi-purpose spaces are open with an emphasis on young creatives.

Speaking of Timezone, the popular indoor arcade operator has one of its 14 outlets easily accessible in the basement level of Orchard Xchange, just above Orchard MRT. The 22,000-square-foot venue has over 160 games, plus bumper cars, bowling, VR and party rooms. 

#3 Sentosa

Want a relaxing beach day with your teenage friends? Take the cable car from Mount Faber or VivoCity and enjoy the views during the journey across. The Sentosa boardwalk is another great way to get to the island – and also the cheapest! Sentosa has three beaches – Siloso, Tanjong and Palawan – where you can have a swim, do water sports or chill. They’re lined with tons of places to get food and drinks, including Coastes and Tanjong Beach Club. You can ramp up the fun with a visit to Universal Studios, the Skyline Luge, iFly or the MegaZip!

#4 Clarke Quay

If you’re an older teenager, one of the fun youth hangout places in Singapore is Clarke Quay, full of bars and restaurants. Daredevils can take on the GX-5 Extreme Swing that launches you into the sky at 120 kilometres per hour. It operates daily from 4.30pm until 11.30pm. For a more mellow experience, take a 40-minute Singapore River cruise. 

#5 East Coast

For teens after more physical activity, East Coast is the spot. The breezy coastal haven looks out over the Singapore Strait. Places for teenagers to hang out here include Xtreme SkatePark, or you can hire a bike, in-line skates or segway for a ride on the designated pathways instead. Not so energetic? Take a stroll along the shore instead. Shoppers can try nearby knickknack shop Cat Socrates, inside one of Joo Chiat’s colourful townhouses, or Egg3 on East Coast Road for fashion and accessories. Hungry? Head to Awfully Chocolate.

#6 Arab Street

Unique vintage and indie clothing stores line the little alleys of Singapore’s Arab Quarter – and it’s easy to find a bargain. In the evenings, it’s a cool area with places to hang out with friends in Singapore, but be warned that a lot of restaurants get full to the brim. With its vibrant street art, Haji Lane is a focal point. Have a wander and see what you find, but keep an eye out for highlights such as the jewellery and accessories at SSFW, or Hygge for home and lifestyle goods.

#7 Gardens by the Bay

This landmark is one of the more popular hangout spots in Singapore among both adults and teenagers. Gardens by the Bay is home to a huge variety of plants from everywhere around the world. The two conservatories – the Flower Dome, one of the world’s largest greenhouses, and the Cloud Forest – are fun to explore (not just for the flora, but for waterfalls, high walkways and misty nooks). They’re air-conditioned as well – definitely a major plus for a teenager hangout spot in humid Singapore! A great dining option nearby is Satay by the Bay, with individual food stalls selling local and international snacks and meals.

#8 Tiong Bahru

Tiong Bahru has become something of a hipster paradise in recent years. It has an “old Singapore” feel thanks to the Art Deco shophouses, while foodies and shopaholics can enjoy cafés and shops galore with places for teenagers to hang out. We’re a sucker for the green tea almond croissants at Tiong Bahru Bakery, a café chain that started in this area and is now found island-wide. Another place for a bite or a sweet treat is Plain Vanilla Bakery. The neighbourhood also has some interesting street murals by Yip Yew Chong.

#9 Boat Quay

It might be a Singapore tourist favourite, but Boat Quay has also become one of the popular hangout spots for teenagers – especially for older teens looking for an exciting night out. Plus, the proximity to Raffles Place MRT station makes it accessible to everyone. Pop over to Circular Road for dinner with friends at Dumpling Darlings, or try Sonny’s Pizza for a quick bite if you’re peckish. 

#10 Bugis

Once a red-light district, Bugis has transformed into a shopping and dining paradise, and one of the most culturally rich areas of Singapore. Bugis Street Market, right next to the MRT, is a popular teenager hangout spot, and a fun place to browse cheap souvenirs, clothes and accessories. For slightly pricier (and more air-conditioned!) shopping, head to Bugis+ and Bugis Junction. Next, carry on down Victoria Street to Chijmes. This pretty and historic complex (it was once a convent) has grassed areas for chilling out; or you can grab a bite at one of the many cool food places like Privé.

Now that you know the best teenage hangout spots in Singapore, take a look at this list of things to do! We also have a huge guide to international schools in Singapore.

For more helpful tips, head to our Living in Singapore section!