When was the last time you went clubbing with your friends and danced the night away?
For most of us, that was a hella long time ago, about two years to be exact.
But thanks to easing COVID-19 restrictions, we can finally hit the club!
For the brand-new-to-clubbing Gen Z-ers, welcome to the club!
Here’s all you need to know about the reopening of nightclubs, including the cost of COVID-19 tests, the surviving nightclubs, and getting the most bang-for-your-buck on your night out!
As the situation is still developing, we will update the article when more information is still available.
TL;DR: Clubbing in Singapore 2022
| Atas | Normal | Budget | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ART | $12 | $12 | $12 |
| Dinner | ~$30 | ~$12 | ~$5 |
| Pre-Drinks (Assuming 4 drinks per person) | ~$80 | ~$40 | ~$16 |
| Clubbing (assume: $30 cover charge on normal nights) | $30 | $30 | $30 |
| Supper | ~$45 | ~$15 | ~$2.50 |
| Transport | ~$16 | ~$16 | ~$1.30 |
| Total Cost | $213/night | $125/night | $66.80/night |
On top of your regular clubbing expenses, revellers will have to take a mandatory supervised Antigen Rapid Test (ART) before entering a nightclub.
This will cost $12 – $15 and will only be valid for 24 hours.
You can do so by booking an appointment with one of the Combined Test Centres (CTCs) or Quick Test Centres (QTCs), or do it remotely with these approved ART providers.
The cheapest is currently Minimed which provides remote ART at only $12.
Clubbing Safe Management Measures
Before we all go ham, there are some things you’ll have to do before you can enter your favourite nightclub.
Needless to say, you’ll have to be fully vaccinated to enter any nightlife venue.
On top of contact tracing and showing your vaccination status on the TraceTogether app, you’ll also need to take a supervised ART to enter nightclubs where dancing is offered as an activity.
Supervised Antigen Rapid Test (ART)
Before heading to a club, you’ll have to take a supervised ART at one of the Combined Test Centres (CTCs) or Quick Test Centres (QTCs), or do it remotely with these approved ART providers.
The cheapest is currently Minimed which provides remote ART at only $12.
A supervised ART will set you back $12 – $15 and will only be valid for 24 hours.
So be sure to book an appointment early to get a good timeslot.
Things To Bring
- Nine other fully-vaccinated friends, maximum of 10 pax per group (if you’re lucky to have that many)
- IC or photo identification (don’t be a blur sotong and get stuck outside a club)
- Face mask
The Best (Surviving) Night Clubs in Singapore 2022
With all the legal stuff out of the way, let’s get to the fun part: all the clubs that have confirmed a reopening in Singapore!
| Nightclub | Reopening Date | Cover Charge | Opening Hours | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Discotheque | 19 April 2022 | By table booking only. (Main dance floor will not be opened, hence no need for ART) | Fri: 8pm - 3am Sat: 8pm - 4am Wed & Thu: 10pm - 3am | 133 Cecil St, Singapore 069535 | Underground, retro-inspired nightclub for old-school hip hop |
| CE LA VI | 20 April 2022 | By table reservations | Mon & Tues: 5pm - 1am Wed: 5pm - 3am Thu: 5pm - 1am Fri: 5pm - 3am Sat: 12pm - 3am Sunday: 12pm - 1am | Level 57, Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, Hotel Tower 3, 1 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018971 | Modern rooftop lounger with A-lister DJs |
| Yang | 20 April 2022 | Wed: $30 (ladies), $45 (men) Fri & Sat: NA | Wed, Fri & Sat: 10pm-3am | 3A River Valley Road, #01-02, Singapore 179020 | International nightclub with a focus on Asian revelers. |
| Zouk | 20 April 2022 | Wed: $35 (ladies), $40 (men) Fri & Sat: $40 (ladies), $50 (men) Comes with two house pours | Wed, Fri & Sat: 10pm–3am | 3C River Valley Road, #01-05, The Cannery, Singapore 179022 | Most popular club in Singapore with four clubs rolled into one |
| AVENUE Singapore | 29 April 2022 | TBA | Fri & Sat: 10pm-6am | 2 Bayfront Avenue, B3 (Entrance at level 1), Singapore 018956 | Bespoke hidden gem with fun features like a mini bowling alley and arcade games |
| Marquee | 1 July 2022 | TBA | Fri, Sat, Eve of PH: 10pm till 6am | 2 Bayfront Avenue, B1-67, Singapore 018956 | Three floors, making it one of the largest clubs in Singapore |
Sadly, some clubs in Singapore have also permanently closed. They include:
- Altimate
- Attica
- Avry
- Bang Bang
- Canvas
- D’underground
- F.Club
- Fleek
- Kilo Lounge.
Clubbing Expenses
The cost of a night out is highly subjective, depending on your group of friends and your budget for the night.
I’ve broken down the cost based on the type of night you will be having: Atas, Normal, and Budget, so that you can have a rough estimate based on your spending appetite.
ART Cost
With the new regulations in place, you’ll have to fork out an additional $12 – $15 and a bit of your personal time to get a supervised ART done.
Dinner
| Atas | Normal | Budget | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dinner Type | Dinner at a swanky bar, restaurant or the latest cafe | Having dinner at a more affordable restaurant or bar e.g. Astons, Saizeriya, etc. | Kopitiam Hawker centre Food court |
| Cost | $20 - $40 per person | $10 - $15 per person | $3.50 - $10 |
Pre-Drinks
| Atas | Normal | Budget | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | In the club Open table Rooftop bars | Drinking at nearby bars, etc. | At home or outside, with duty free drinks. |
| Cost | $20 - $30 per drink $400 - $1500 to open a table | $10 - $20 per drink | $4 - $10 per drink |
Cover Charge
As nightclubs have been closed for quite a while, it’s still too soon to know the exact cover charges when clubs reopen.
But based on our past experiences, cover charges are usually around $30.
Supper
| Atas | Normal | Budget | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supper Options | Hotpot places - Hai Di Lao - Beauty In The Pot Korean BBQ | Swee Choon | 7 Eleven Instant Cup Noodles |
| Cost | $45 - $50 per person | ~$15 - $20 per person | ~$2.50 |
Cab Ride
Taking a cab home will incur additional costs, where you will expect to spend an estimate of $16 to $23 on a cab ride home.
| Atas | Normal | Budget | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of Ride Home | Taxi Grab GoJek | Taxi Grab GoJek | Wait till 6am to take the first bus or train home |
| Cost | $16 - $23 | $16 - $23 | $1.30 - $2 |
Total Cost
| Atas | Normal | Budget | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ART | $12 | $12 | $12 |
| Dinner | ~$30 | ~$12 | ~$5 |
| Pre-Drinks (Assuming 4 drinks per person) | ~$80 | ~$40 | ~$16 |
| Clubbing (assume: $30 cover charge on normal nights) | $30 | $30 | $30 |
| Supper | ~$45 | ~$15 | ~$2.50 |
| Transport | ~$16 | ~$16 | ~$1.30 |
| Total Cost | $213/night | $125/night | $66.80/night |
Whether you’re an Atas spender or a more conservative, Budget spender, a night out with your friends will cost you from $66.80 for just one night!
Regardless, we’re all craving to club again, so here are some tips and tricks to make your night more affordable!
Tips And Tricks For A Cheaper Night Out
Get Rid Of The Cover Charge
Especially for guys hitting the clubs, one of the biggest drawbacks is the $30 entrance fee you have to pay just to get in.
For those planning to go, check out the club’s website or social media pages, and drop them a message to see if you’re able to get in through a guest list, which gives you a waiver on your cover charge.
Get Your Own Duty-Free Alcohol For Predrinks
Getting drinks from bars and clubs can be very expensive, so bringing your own alcohol is a great way to reduce the cost for the whole gang.
However, Singapore has a rule where consumption of alcohol in a public space or non-licensed premise is restricted from 10.30pm to 7am. So it’s best to have drinks at a friends’ place, before heading to the club.
Wait For The First Morning Bus Or Train To Get Home
If you have nothing on the next day, taking the morning bus or train home from the club will save you on your cab fare.
For those who aren’t staying out too late, there are also Night Rider buses that you can take, that are available from 12am to 2am.
Pay With Credit Cards
Aside from the above tips, remember to use your credit card to maximise your spending.
For students, you could also try using GrabPay to earn some reward points.
