The (evolving) guide to laptop-friendly wifi cafes in Singapore
I started putting together this list when I left a corporate job to start my newsroom consultancy, The Splice Newsroom.
I wanted to keep costs down, so I hunted down and camped out at wifi cafes around the city. I wanted two things: Fast wifi and great coffee. This is what I found.
It’s by no means exhaustive, so please help me add to it by leaving a comment below. I hope it’s useful for other startup entrepreneurs.
Alan Soon
The Bravery
Jalan Besar
https://goo.gl/maps/1Cj6hvqSfPG2
12 mbps down, 10 mbps up
Notes: Free with password
Sarnies
Telok Ayer
https://goo.gl/maps/W7w25H6LSdL2
7 mbps down, 11 mbps up
Notes: Free with password
The Daily Roundup at The Working Capitol
Tanjong Pagar
https://goo.gl/maps/g5dRgg4jdDv
12 mbps down, 3 mbps up
Login code with purchase
Notes: Good for one hour, but you can always ask for another
The Lokal
Tanjong Pagar
https://goo.gl/maps/mVCjk17Ptrw
10 mbps down, 10 mbps up
Router: The New Lokal Wifi
Last known password: ilovebacon
Notes: Better food and drink than The Working Capitol down the street. My current pick for best flat whites in Singapore.
Baker & Cook
Chip Bee Gardens, Holland Village
https://goo.gl/maps/yx5p92eCd242
3 mbps down, 3 mbps up
Notes: A bit slow, but probably one of the better coffees in Holland Village
EspressoLab
China Square Central
https://goo.gl/maps/yQ9JX3AJzRw
4 mbps down, 10.5 mbps up
Notes: There’s an annoying popup login window
Red Baron
Gillman Barracks
https://goo.gl/maps/vHe8mQPKRiR2
9 mbps down, 10 mbps up
Notes: Free with password. Good selection of craft beers. Outdoor seating available — around a vegetable garden, no less!
6oz Espresso Bar
Fuji Xerox Tower, Anson Road
https://goo.gl/maps/iwd9qEYy1Qo
Notes: Good wifi, and quiet!
Dapper Coffee
Amoy Street
https://goo.gl/maps/b6VrL1CzT7M2
144 mbps line (as told to me by the owner!)
Notes: Plenty of places to charge up here too. Six power points scattered around seating areas, including 8 more power points at the bar counter.
Yanti Authentic Nasi Padang
Keong Siak Road
https://goo.gl/maps/y6DiJDVirQC2
Notes: Ok, it’s not an hipster artisanal coffee place, but you’re gonna need lunch at some point. Most importantly, the food is good — and there’s wifi. And yes, there’s coffee.
Honorable mentions… great cafes but unfortunately, without open wifi.
Forty Hands
Tiong Bahru
Notes: An institution. Credited with starting Singapore’s artisan coffee scene. They started my fetish for flat whites.
The Plain
Tanjong Pagar
Notes: Fantastic eats, made better by an enthusiastic, fun staff.
Alan Soon is the Founder & CEO of The Splice Newsroom. He builds, develops and transforms newsrooms / Ex-Yahoo Managing Editor for India & Southeast Asia / ONA Singapore Co-Founder. This post first appeared on his Medium blog.
