While everyone’s gearing up for the upcoming Chinese New Year long weekend, there’s another important occasion that’s taking place this week. Jan 26 marks the official national day of Australia, and for many, that means a gathering of friends and family over picnics and barbeques, and fireworks. Here in Singapore, the fanfare is a little low key, but it doesn’t go unnoticed, as with these places celebrating Australia Day. Have your pick, grab your buddies and have a boozy-filled night paired with barbecued nosh.
Boomarang Bistro & Bar
Of course Boomarang Bistro & Bar is celebrating Australia Day, right? Apart from the usually quality Australian food, coffee, wine and international sporting telecasts on their large screen TVs at their Boat Quay and Robertson Quay outlets, head over a have a bottle of ice cold Pure Blonde and VB Schooners at $8 while catching the Australian Open Tennis and ODI Cricket (Australia vs Pakistan). Make your reservations before you head down. #01-15 The Quayside, 60 Robertson Quay / 52 Circular Rd.
BQ Bar
If you’re taking leave to celebrate the national day of Australia, head over to BQ and fill up on some barbecued sausage sizzle for lunch (12pm-2:30pm) and dinner (5pm-10pm) with your mates at $8 nett, along with a couple of rounds of Pure Blonde ($8 nett per bottle all day). There’ll also be live music to enjoy throughout the night by their in-house band. 39 Boat Quay
Club Meatballs
It’s never too early to grab a cold one on Australia Day. Club Meatballs, a dynamic 70-seater restaurant right smack in the middle of Singapore’s Central Business District that’s known for their meatball subs, salads, wraps and of course, meatballs, is throwing their own Australia Day celebrations by offering Aussie lamb roast with free-flow beer and wine at $88 for lunch (12pm-3pm). But if you’re feeling a little responsible for work, you still have the lamb roast sans free-flow booze. Fret not, James Squire One Fifty Lashes are going for $122 all day. #01-35 China Court Access via China St.
Dallas Restaurant & Bar
Contemporary restaurant and bar Dallas is a great choice for some mouthwatering dishes like their juicy 150-day grain fed ribeye steak frites which comes with a freeflow of Dallas fries and salad ($38) and their platter of braised pork ribs, Australian lamb cutlets, ribeye steak, and rotisserie chicken ($70-$130). But if you’re just out to have a nice night out to catch up and reminisce your days in Australia with your uni friends, their happy hour is going on for the whole day. Also, a bucket of James Boag or Pure Blonde ($50) gets you four complimentary mini beef pies. 31 Boat Quay
Freehouse
This craft beer and cider gastrobar on the second floor of a shophouse on Boon Tat Street, just next to A Poke Theory is keeping Australia Day fresh with their idea of a celebration: two very Australian breweries will try to win your hearts by providing you with six beers and three rounds of blind tasting at Freehouse. All you gotta do is vote for your favorite and you stand to win some awesome prizes. The names of the breweries won’t be revealed until the end of the night, obviously. 21A Boon Tat St.
Tanjong Beach Club
Probably the most exciting of the bunch although it’s a belated celebration (Jan 29), hang out with some of your best mates at Tanjong Beach Club and grab some chocolate lamingtons and barbecued nosh like the Aussie Burger, egg roll and sausage sizzle while you soak in the day’s festivities, with top 40s tunes by Aussie boys Dave Code, Dave Does and Adam Sky and a Thong Throwing Competition (the footwear). Book a daybed early and guzzle down bottles of James Squire Golden Ale. 120 Tanjong Beach Walk, Sentosa
