City Nomads Guide: Discover Bras Basah. Bugis

PUBLISHED June 2nd, 2016 02:00 pm | UPDATED June 3rd, 2016 02:57 pm

Many of us spend more time in the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct than we realise. It’s not just home to numerous monuments and museums, but also a treasure trove of art supplies and books, all within walking distance. Whether you’re looking for a weekend ramble, family day out or bringing an overseas friend around, let these City Nomads trails guide the way.

For Dates

Start with brunch at Artichoke Cafe & Bar (remember to make reservations!) for Middle-Eastern-inspired fare as outlandish and unapologetic as chef-owner Bjorn Shen. Objectifs is in the chapel building in the same compound that was previously Sculpture Square, and worth popping in for a browse through their selection of local and overseas photography books and films. Head to independent art space DECK for photography exhibitions and frequent local arts markets before cooling off with ice-cream with waffles or in cookie sandwich form at Merely Ice Cream.

Go on a street art hunt after around Bencoolen Street, Queen Street and even in Bras Basah Complex before detouring to Basheer Graphic Books and Art Friend. From there, it’s a short walk to Chijmes for dinner and a tipple — we recommend somewhere by the courtyard to soak up the architecture, restored from its days as a Catholic convent more than a century ago.

For Visitors

Bugis MRT station is a good meeting point that’s central and easy enough to get to. Grab sunscreen and some juice from Bugis Village and wander around the area around Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, Sri Krishnan Temple and Fortune Centre. There’s often a street market of sorts that sell anything from daily essentials to offerings for devotees; appearances by fortune tellers and buskers are not uncommon.

Refuel at Albert Centre Market & Food Centre before checking out the maze of wholesale shops on the third storey. The lively crowds may get tiring, and the open lawns at LASALLE offer a lovely respite. Otherwise, there’s Rochor Original Beancurd to recharge over a local favourite of silky beancurd and fritters or a refreshing drink of “Michael Jackson” (soya bean milk mixed with grass jelly). It’s up to you whether to catch a movie at The Cathay or head to the museums thereafter.

For Families

It’s a busy month for families and kids with packed programmes from multiple museums catered for the young. This year’s children’s season at National Museum of Singapore draws inspiration from building blocks with both activities and immersive installations.

Lunch at Food for Thought before popping into SAM at 8Q, Singapore Art Museum’s annex building, where Imaginarium, the wildly popular annual exhibition for children (and adults!), is being exhibited. Set aside some time for the museum’s range of workshops, ranging from edible art by the team behind 2am dessert bar to mural painting by illustrator MessyMsxi. Don’t miss the daily screenings of beautiful award-winning animated short films at the Moving Image Gallery on its second floor either! Then cross the street to the main Singapore Art Museum building, where you can delve into the ocean’s mysteries at Odyssey: Navigating Nameless Seas, where you will find stunning seascape-themed installation artworks by international artists on display.

From there, take a nostalgic walk through the classic HDB design of Waterloo Centre before picking up school and art supplies at Bras Basah Complex; there’s also many secondhand book fairs dotted around.

When the kids start getting restless, it’s time to move to MINT Museum of Toys with its collection of 8,000 vintage toys and collectable items sourced from more than 40 countries all the way from the mid-19th century. There’s no need to worry about dinner — food and beer comes with a rooftop view at Mr Punch  in the same compound.

For Friends

Start the day with a DIY nature trail walk at Fort Canning Park and take time to explore the spice garden, underground bunkers and even old graves; the serenity is a great backdrop to catching up with old friends. Then, of course, food — it’s never too early for some steak and wine, especially if it’s at Le Bistrot du Sommelier.

Thankfully, there’s no need to expend much energy moving after, for The Substation is just down the road, as well as the Peranakan Museum and Singapore Philatelic Museum. All the walking calls for drinks to round the day off, and you might just be in time for happy hour at rooftop bar Loof.