7 reasons why we love Singapore’s East Coast right now

We’ve known forever that the East Coast (i.e., its sub-neighborhoods Katong, Joo Chiat and Siglap) has no lack of amazing local, Peranakan and Vietnamese food. But more recently there’s been a slew of fun new hangouts to add to the mix, so there’s no reason for East-siders to ever go elsewhere on weekends. (Sorry, non-East-siders.)

Dutch Colony Coffee Co.

The cafés here are actually good

When you’re at East Coast, you won’t ever need to go to a Starbucks because there’s just no lack of legit third wave coffee. Duxton heavyweight Group Therapy and Pasarbella cult fave Dutch Colony Coffee Co. each have easterly outposts. And you probably already know about Papa Palheta’s bicycles-and-mod-Sin venture Coast Cycles. There’s also Craftsmen Specialty Coffee, which incidentally has opened a second east side outlet, plus, if you have a hangover that needs curing, get your protein and Common Man coffee fix at Carvers & Co.

, 7 reasons why we love Singapore’s East Coast right now

Malthouse

So many places to get drunk

Despite its many offerings, the East Coast isn’t as well-known for watering holes as, say, Holland Village. But that’s cool with East-siders who would rather have chill new beer bars like Malthouse (a craft beer bar with Hitachino Nest on tap) and The Drinking Market (an outpost of Orchard Tower’s Jane Thai) all to themselves. Budget-conscious oenophiles also have cause for celebration as much-loved wine bar Wine Connection also has a new outlet in Katong. Hello, $30 bottles!

Paint Shoppe

Cute places to get your beauty fix

In-the-know East-siders usually get their nails done at the adorable Hands+Feet Studio, which has been around for a while. (Pro tip: they also administer amazingly affordable massages on the spot.) But we might try out colorful newcomer Paint Shoppe: they use eco-friendly vegan polishes. Another beauty find is twee new store Rue Mademoiselle at Joo Chiat, stocking French beauty and skincare products.

Cat Socrates, credit: Hellen Jiang

Cat Socrates loves the East

It was only a matter of time since the popular indie haunt at Bras Basah Complex opened a second outlet. Their Joo Chiat branch is stuffed with gifts, books, stationery, toys, trinkets and bicycle accessories. We love the lifestyle goods by local designers and the resident cat, which has its own hammock by the window.

Woolf Works

We’ve got our very own co-working space

And it’s even named after Virginia Woolf. We couldn’t be more pleased that Joo Chiat is home to Singapore’s first women-only co-working space, Woolf Works. It’s a full-featured space complete with meeting and workshop rooms, lockers, day-to-day necessities like printers and a kitchen.

, 7 reasons why we love Singapore’s East Coast right now OH! Open House

A brilliant art event is headed East

After a two-year absence, ingenious art-in-the-heartlands project OH! Open House is back, this time at Joo Chiat. Artists will install their work in actual homes, which participants can explore to experience art a whole new way (read: not in stuffy galleries or over-commercial art fairs).