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
Conveniently close to an MRT station and buses, and loaded with cafés and restaurants, “Holland V” 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 Sunday Folks. There’s also loads of shopping here – see our guide to Holland Village food and shops for more.
#2 Orchard Road
You can shop till you drop on Orchard! There are countless international stores like H&M, or try locally-owned ones like Actually. There’s also a new ski, skate, snowboarding and surf facility called Trifecta 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. Currently being refurbed is SCAPE on Orchard Link, which was set up specifically as a youth hub; new live performance venues and multi-purpose spaces will open early in 2024 with an emphasis on young creatives.
New!
Speaking of Timezone, the popular indoor arcade operator opened its 16th outlet in Singapore in 2023, 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 looking for a top night out, Clarke Quay has plenty of bars and restaurants. It’s still a good choice for younger ones, though, as 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 late. For a more mellow experience, take a 40-minute Singapore River cruise.
#5 East Coast
For those craving some physical activity, East Coast is a breezy coastal haven that looks out over the Singapore Strait – and a perfect teenager hangout spot. Stroll along the beach or hire bikes, in-line skates or segways for a ride on the designated pathways, or skate at Xtreme SkatePark. Shoppers can try 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 place for teenagers to hang out and meet friends, 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 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 Boat Quay
It might be a tourist favourite, but Boat Quay has also become one of the popuar places for teenagers to hang out in Singapore – especially for older teens looking for an exciting night out. And 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 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!
