The Quays of Singapore

Raffles Hotel

• Raffles Hotel dates back to the 1830’s as a private beach house. 48 years later, the home became Emerson’s hotel. When the owner of the hotel passed away it was closed until becoming Raffles Hotel in 1887. Many additions and renovations have been made to the original building. In 1951, the Long Bar and a shopping arcade were added and all rooms were converted into suits. 

• Unfortunately, Raffles Hotel is still undergoing renovations during our visit and is estimated to reopen Fall 2019. A small pop up bar attempts to offer an alternative to drinking a Singapore Sling in the famous hotel. Very small and crowded, we walk to Boat Quay for our first taste of a Singapore Sling, created in the early 1900’s by an employee at the Long Bar in the Raffles Hotel.

Merlion Park

• The mythical half lion, half fish mascot of Singapore standing nearly 400 feet tall is located at Merlion Park in front of the Fullerton Hotel. The mermaid lower half represents the origins of Singapore, a small fishing village. The lion head symbolizes lion city.  The smaller, original Merlion, measuring only 6.5 feet tall is also located in Merlion Park.

• The Jubilee Bridge opened in 2015 to increase pedestrian traffic from Merlion Park to the Esplanade and Promenade.

Boat Quay

• The Singapore River has been the center of Singapore’s trade since 1819. Barges would unload at the commercial center, Boat Quay, and send goods upstream to warehouses in Clarke Quay. 10 minutes father upstream is Robertson Quay, originally mangroves and swamp land also had warehouses used for storage.

• More than half of Singapore’s trading business took place in Boat Quay. In the early 1990’s, the original houses were transformed into riverfront restaurants and bars. The first Irish pub in Singapore, Molly Malone’s Irish Pub, is located in Boat Quay. Just before the rain, we find a riverside table and order our first Singapore Sling. 

Clarke Quay

• Upstream from Boat Quay is the more upscale, Clarke Quay. The 5 blocks of warehouses and Chinese ships have been transformed into restaurants, nightclubs and floating bars. A canopy of giant air conditioned, light changing umbrellas protect the walkways and outdoor dining spaces from the elements. Live music fills the streets from the many bars and restaurants.

• We sip a flight of 6 beers on the Pump Room‘s patio while listening to blend of nearby live music. The smokey flavor of the beers was a little overpowering for our palettes.

• Across the river from Clarke Quay is a large Clarke Quay Riverside Shopping and Leisure Center with Italian, Chinese, Mediterranean, and local dining options, a New Zealand open capsule G-Max Reverse Bungy, and shopping.

• Singapore’s first Microbrewery and restaurant, Brewerkz, has received multiple awards for their beer. The signature series consists of 5 beers with seasonal beers also available.

• It is prohibited to place locks on any other structure than the designated Locks of Love heart.

Check out more of our adventures in Singapore here:

• Treat Yo Self at Marina Bay Sands
• The World’s Highest Urban Microbrewery and More at Marina Bay
• Exploring 5 Singapore Neighborhoods
• Breakfast with Orangutans at the Singapore Zoo

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September 2018