Far from being boring, the city is full of lesser-known gems worth checking out on the weekend.
If you find yourself frequenting the same old hangout spots, it’s time to break the routine and explore something new.
While these recommendations might not be as accessible as the usual malls or trendy neighbourhoods, venturing off the beaten path is a fantastic way to discover unexpected fun and learning experiences.
SAVOUR HOME-BASED WOOD-FIRED PIZZA
Operating from the front yard of a residential landed property, The Long Weekend Pizza is a takeaway-only set-up known for its top-notch pizzas. Freshly cooked to order in an authentic wood-fired oven, the 12-inch pizzas boast a crisp, lightly charred crust with a satisfying bite. They come in classic flavours like margherita, pepperoni and Hawaiian.
Pre-order your pizza through WhatsApp, make payment and schedule your pick-up time. While they do take walk-ins depending on how busy they are, it’s best to check their social media for opening hours and occasional closure dates before heading down.
Where: The Long Weekend Pizza, 61 St Patrick’s Road, Singapore 424174
DIVE INTO A WORLD OF VINTAGE VINYL
Professional DJs, vintage record collectors and elderly fans of Chinese divas all converge at Red Point Record Warehouse, a long-established treasure trove housed in a nondescript industrial building in Tai Seng.
Here, you’ll find thousands of old vinyl records, CDs, cassette tapes, and more, with a diverse range of artists from Teresa Teng to Iron Maiden and Genesis to Taylor Swift. The collection spans sentimental Chinese ballads to Malay-language rock EPs, complete with plenty of ‘80s-style mullets and denim on the album covers.
Where: Red Point Record Warehouse, 80 Playfair Road, Kapo Factory Building, Block B #06-11, Singapore 367998
AIM FOR A FUN TIME
Singapore’s first indoor Player versus Player (PvP) airsoft venue is the place to be if you’ve ever wanted to experience a first-person shooter game in real life. TactSim, located at HomeTeamNS Khatib, features movable wall panels that change up the layout every season — so you’ll never encounter the same battle arena twice.
Originating in Japan in the 1970s, airsoft challenges players to showcase teamwork and strategy in a fast-paced environment. Unlike other projectile games, the 6mm plastic pellets used leave no marks, making it much less intimidating for newbies.
Perfect for bonding with family or friends, TactSim offers classic game modes like Capture the Flag and King of the Hill, as well as target shooting for honing your aim and accuracy. Do note that players should ideally be 18 and above; those aged 14 to 17 require a parent to be physically present.
Where: TactSim, HomeTeamNS Khatib, 2 Yishun Walk, Level 3, Singapore 767944
BEFRIEND SOME BEES
Don’t ‘bee’ frightened of this buzzy attraction — bad puns aside, Singapore’s native honeybees are important pollinators and a critical part of our island’s eco-system. Through its Rooftop Farm Experience, The Sundowner invites visitors to get up close and personal with a colony of these industrious critters.
Located above a row of shophouses in Siglap, this nature experience centre hosts workshops and activities like salad and sugarcane harvesting, learning sessions on ants and worms, movie screenings and mini zen garden building. For a triple treat, the Rooftop Farm Experience combines the Bee Encounter (where visitors don bee suits to inspect nests and learn about the apiary) with organic gardening and a farm-to-table honey tasting session. Discover how honey can have unique flavours — much like whiskey or wine, depending on the flowers involved — and create your own cocktail with fresh garden garnishes to enjoy at sunset.
Where: The Sundowner, 705A East Coast Road, Singapore 459062 (by appointment only)
TAKE A WALK INTO THE KAMPUNG PAST
While most visitors to the Seletar aerospace hub head for the dining outlets at The Oval, just a short trot away lies a whole other world waiting to be explored.
Start your morning with a leisurely walk around Hampstead Wetlands Park, a picturesque pond designed in the style of a rustic British forest pool, making it a favourite of photographers. Birdwatchers also flock here, as hornbills, owls and hummingbirds often grace the scene for National Geographic-worthy shots.
After completing the park’s half-hour loop, cross Seletar Aerospace Drive towards Piccadilly to find Boh Geh Uncle Canteen. This no-frills eatery channels the vibes of school canteens from the ’60s to the ’80s, and has a drinks stall, Chinese economy rice stall and halal food stall serving affordably priced meals. Reviews say the food is decent, but the owners get testy if you attempt to photograph your food or the surroundings. It’s best to heed the ‘no photography’ signs, put away your phone and enjoy the momentary escape into a simpler era.
Where: Hampstead Wetlands Park, 1 Baker Street, Singapore 799977 / Boh Geh Uncle Canteen, 398 Piccadilly, Singapore 798368
TEA AND MUSIC IN THE HEART OF LITTLE INDIA
Step into a world of charm and elegance at this events venue housed in a pre-war heritage shophouse. Behind its whimsical pink doors, owner Sonia Ong has created a captivating space that blend 19th-century, hand-cast European tiles with Chinese antiques, modern art and bold design features like a striking handblown bronze and glass chandelier in the entryway.
Check out the Wartime Café set, which features coconut fish pie, sweet potato kangkong and homemade coconut ice cream all made from faithfully reproduced WWII recipes. For a hands-on experience, try the Wartime Kitchen experience (pre-booking necessary), which includes a cooking lesson and shophouse tour.
Don’t miss the Baroque House Secret Garden Tour, which takes you on a historical journey spanning the shophouse’s glory days in 1919 to its recent period-sensitive renovation. Afterwards, indulge in the Baroque House Afternoon Tea set of scones and a cuppa, available with any tour purchase.
To experience this unique fusion of tradition and contemporary flair, follow Baroque House on Instagram.
Where: Baroque House, 29 Rowell Road, Singapore 207984
DIP INTO DESIGN AT A FURNITURE SHOP
Aa Furniture’s owners are experts in high-end vintage furniture from Europe and Japan, and they know how to make design fun and accessible — by hosting a quarterly weekend market, jigsaw puzzle competitions and other engaging events.
Swing by to admire their collection of mid-century modern chairs and modular furniture, and stay to shop their curated selection of home goods. Their shelves feature an intriguing array of stationery, curios and even skincare products from an international roster of up-and-coming brands. Pick up some vintage soup spoons for $15 or splurge on one of the sculptural paper lamps on display.
Where: Aa Furniture, 10c Jalan Ampas, #07-01, Singapore 329513
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