Fine dining, cool bars and funky streetscapes abound in this popular city-centre district.
Right up to the middle of the 20th century, Clarke Quay’s location just upstream from the mouth of the Singapore River made it the city’s busiest mooring point and the commercial nerve centre of this important colonial trading hub. The storage buildings and warehouses that once housed huge volumes of goods have been redeveloped over the last 30 years and the once bustling port area is now the city’s premier entertainment and dining district.Stylish restaurants and hip nightclubs line the revamped waterfront which is thronged every night with locals and tourists alike. The carnival atmosphere is added to by talented street performers, inventive street lighting and the gigantic, multi-coloured umbrellas that tower above the laneways and squares – truly a sight to behold!However, the major draw for most visitors to Clarke Quay is the wide-ranging choice of top-quality dining on offer. Chic restaurants serving up modern Asian-fusion cuisine sit next to excellent traditional eateries with the best in local delicacies. Seafood fans in particular will be spoilt for choice but there really is something for everyone, from Mediterranean bistros to Indian curry houses.Many of the waterfront establishments have seating outside so you can dine al fresco and enjoy the cool evening breeze and gorgeous views of the river. Or, if you want to get even closer to the water, dine aboard one of the converted trade boats or take a trip downriver on one of the traditional bumboats. After dinner, take a stroll through the surrounding streets to catch an on-street magic show, check out the beautiful fountain or simply chat with the friendly locals. And if you fancy a late night, Clarke Quay has a multitude of the city’s best bars and clubs to choose from.This vibrant district is within walking distance of the city centre and the Clarke Quay bus terminal is where you should alight if you’re taking public transport. The quay is open every day and there’s plenty of pay parking available.
