Being a teenager in Singapore has its perks. Not only is the city an incredibly safe one to be out and about in at practically any hour, there are also plenty of cool neighbourhoods, enclaves and laid-back places for teenagers to hang out in. We roped in a couple of young expats to share some of their favourite teenager hangout spots.
#1 Holland Village
One popular place for teenagers to hang out is Holland V, conveniently near an MRT station and buses. While it’s calm during the day, once the sun goes down it livens right up. There are loads of cafés and restaurants, and you can also hang out on the main street, as the police close it off at night to make it pedestrian-friendly. Grab a vegan-friendly acai bowl at Project Acai, a local favourite acai-exclusive café, or head for ice cream at Sunday Folks.
#2 Orchard Road
Whether you’re looking for clothes, makeup, or anything for that matter, Orchard Road will have it. You can shop till you drop at international stores like H&M, or try locally-owned ones like Actually. A popular hangout spot for teenagers is Scape. It was set up specifically as a youth hub, and is undergoing a major refurb in 2023. The skate park at Somerset is also popular and will soon have a new neighbour in the form of an amazing-sounding ski, skate, snowboarding and surf “resort” called Trifecta, due to open this year. For a different vibe, head to Plaza Singapura, which has a Timezone gaming arcade, Five Guys for burgers and Din Tai Fung for xiaolongbao.
#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 and looking for a top night out, Clarke Quay has plenty of bars and restaurants. Even if you’re underage, however, this is still a good choice for hanging out with friends in Singapore. Daredevils can take on the GX-5 Extreme Swing that operates daily from 4.30pm until late, shooting you through the sky at 120 kilometres per hour. For a more mellow experience, do what the tourists do and take the Singapore River Cruise (40 minutes; book online for cheaper tickets).
#5 East Coast
For those craving some physical activity, East Coast is a perfect teenager hangout spot. This breezy coastal haven looks out over the Singapore Strait. Stroll along the beach or hire a wide variety of bikes, in-line skates and segways for a ride on the designated pathways – or, for skateboarders, head to Xtreme SkatePark. Keen for a shop? Try Cat Socrates, a sweet knick-knack shop inside one of Joo Chiat’s colourful townhouses, or Egg3 on East Coast Road for fashion and accessories. If you’re 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 place for teenagers to hang out and meet friends, but be warned that a lot of restaurants get full to the brim. Haji Lane is definitely a favourite street in the area. Have a wander and see what you find, but keep an eye out for highlights like SSFW, which has cool accessories and local jewellery designed in its Haji Lane studio, and Hygge for home and lifestyle goods.
#7 Gardens by the Bay
This Singapore landmark is a favourite 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, the world’s largest greenhouse, 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, which is definitely a major plus! 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. 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. Other top places for a bite or a sweet treat include P.S Cafe Petit and Plain Vanilla Bakery. At Monument Lifestyle, meanwhile, you can order a NYC-style bagel, sip on coffee from California, and browse accessories, homewares and clothing from Singapore, Los Angeles and Oregon. The neighbourhood also has some interesting street murals by Yip Yew Chong.
#9 Marina Barrage
For a hangout spot with great views, Marina Barrage is a winner. You can sit and admire the Singapore skyline or have an active day out here – just bring friends, a picnic, a ball to throw around and a kite! If you’re lucky, you might even catch some stars at night – never an easy feat with the bright lights of the city. From the Barrage, it’s a short walk to Gardens by the Bay. Or stroll along the water’s edge to Marina Bay Sands and the ArtScience Museum to make it a full day out.
#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 and great food at places like Privé.
Now that you know the best places for teenagers to hang out 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!
