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52 things to do in Singapore in 2012

Concoct your own cocktail bar crawl, attempt yoga while strapped to a hammock, and of course, there's lots of eating to be done.


Singapore = Snoresville? Maybe it's just you...

Bored in Singapore?

You'll have no excuse to prolong this complaint any further when you've finished reading this laundry list of 52 things to do in 2012.

And really, there's no such thing as boring ... just boring people.

1. Pick peanut shells off the floor of Long Bar

Littering is allowed in Singapore, encouraged even at the Raffles Hotel Long Bar.

To give you more value for your S$23 Singapore Sling, eat your fill of the complimentary peanuts and "decorate" the floor of this classic colonial bar with the discarded shells.

Walk up to the third floor for an exhibit on the history of Raffles Hotel Singapore.
1 Beach Road, Singapore, +65 6337 1886; www.raffles.com.

2. Fly Scoot

Scoot over to your next holiday destination.

If the Mayans are to be believed, the world will end in 2012 -- all the more reason to travel, and for less.

Choose soon-to-launch Scoot Airways whose slogan "short, sharp and snappy," and undertaking to discount fares up to 40 percent -- we hope -- translates across as quality, value-for-money travel without the hassle of delays and cancellations.
www.flyscoot.com

3. Ignore the "chope" system

Isn't it great that you get free tissues whenever you eat out at hawker centers?

Yes, we know tissue packets are placed as a way to reserve tables but this system deserves to be turned on its head every once in a while.

So go ahead, ignore the tissues packets and just sit down and enjoy your meal -- just don't be surprised if someone has something to say about it.

4. Broaden your mind at Kennel

Fix your sights on expanding your mind at Kennel.

Spaces like Kennel give us optimism for Singapore's entrepreneurial future.

Located in Dempsey Hill, Kennel doesn't just rent out space, it encourages the sharing and cross-pollination of ideas hosting regular workshops, social events, classes, and talks.

To encourage learning from all avenues, every Kennel member is expected to contribute a certain amount of Knowledge Bank hours (KBh).
Block 8D, #03-03/4 Dempsey Hill, +65 6276 9616; inthekennel.com.

5. Party like a mogul

Not to be overlooked, Velvet Underground has revamped and reopened with a new VIP lounge.

When Filter (1 Nanson Road, #02-05, River Valley Close; bottlepopper@filterclub.sg) launched in 2011, many people wondered if the world of VIP, bottle-service-only clubbing would survive in Singapore.

It has, and we have the region's billionaires, trustafarians and generous corporate expense accounts to thank (or not) for this.

A big player on the scene is Pangaea (Pangaea at Marina Bay Crystal Pavilion, 2 Bayfront Ave., +65 986117013; www.pangaea.sg), which according to a recent article in Forbes is the highest-earning club - per square meter -- in the world, grossing US$300,000 weekly for the three nights that it's open.

But the most telling sign that VIP clubbing is here to stay is Zouk's Velvet Underground (17 Jiak Kim Street, +65 6738 2988; www.zoukclub.com), which has re-opened with a VIP-only Velvet Lounge. Ultra slick with just 12 tables, and privy only for those on guests lists or table reservations.

6. Buy property

Prefer to save your clubbing money for a down payment?

Well, with realtors mourning the cooling-off measure of 2011, property buyers will hopefully have something to smile about. If these measures -- a 10 percent additional buyer's stamp duties (ABSD) imposed on any private buys by foreigners and corporations -- have their intended effect, property prices should go from crazy to a little less crazy.

7. Re-watch your favorite blockbuster, Imax style

Singapore finally has an Imax theater that'll regularly screen blockbusters.

On the bill: "Avatar", "Thor", "How to Train your Dragon" and "Star Trek" for the first few months of 2012. From now till March 31, grab a bargain with the SHAW IMAX Passport for S$49, which includes entry to one IMAX 2D and two IMAX 3D movies.
www.shaw.sg/imax

8. Club at Club Street

83's art just adds to the drinking experience.

The closest thing Singapore has to Hong Kong's Lan Kwai Fong, the injection of bars and restaurants has revived Club Street to be one of Singapore's buzziest streets.

A big shout out to newish bar 83 (83 Club Street, +65 6220 4083; www.83clubstreet.com).

We're a fan of the revolving artwork -- curated by local art collective Kult -- adorning the walls, the quirk decor (a clock turning backwards, a wall of cassettes) and the roster of DJs taking turns helming the decks.

A big reason why people are once again spilling out onto Club Street, their happy hour (S$8 for a house pour drinks, beers and wines) from 3 p.m.-8 p.m.

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