In the past weeks leading up to Singapore’s annual LGBTQ rally/wholesome picnic, Pink Dot, we’ve seen some very overtly ridiculous reactions and opinions, as well as warm, heartfelt ones—there was that whole saga about removing a Pink Dot ad in Cineleisure and that silly remark about rainbow cakes, but there has also been overwhelming support (this year’s Pink Dot has received the highest amount of sponsorship to date, with 116 local companies lending support in the form of an estimated $235,000) and beautiful thought-pieces from the local media.
It’s the first time the event will be barricaded to work around the recent changes to the Public Order Act (organizers almost wanted to cancel the event), and more than ever, Singaporeans need to show up to support the freedom to love. But what happens once the you’ve raised your pink torchlights, supported the cause and picked up your trash (because we don’t want to leave a bad impression)? You party. Hard.
You’ll probably be left awkwardly standing in Hong Lim Park with no other plans besides maybe having some mee sua at the nearby BK Eating House while waiting for your turn to move out. Instead of heading back home, why not extend the celebrations with a little dancing and some booze? Here’s where you can go to get your drink on after the dust settles at Hong Lim, besides at the usual suspects Taboo, Tantric and Bar Naked.
Herstory Love Pink
You’ve probably heard about this one already, especially if you’re on their mailing list (they’ve dropped text messages with special drink deals). They’re dedicating the July edition of their monthly girls-only party to show support for Pink Dot in a big way—by throwing a party! The best dressed couple of the night will win a bottle of bubbly so come dressed in your pinkest, most chic get-up as they begin the night with a special show that celebrates everyone on the LGBTQ spectrum, followed by music by DJ Special K and Roy. Drink deals are happening all night long (housepours at $15 nett, six tequila shots at $60 nett, and so much more).
Venue: Canvas (#B1-01/06 The Riverwalk, 20 Upper Circular Rd.)
Time: 9pm
Admission: Free (students between 19-23 years old before 10pm, air crew before 11pm, birthday girls all night long), $5 (Herstory members), $10 (Non-Herstory members), $15 (men, subject to approval at door)
Hypersonic: Pink Ball by Play x Hyper
Play may have ceased operations eons ago, but they’re still active in the pink partying scene, organizing the occasional party here and there. This month, they’ve teamed up with Hypertainment to throw a massive Pink Ball at one of the halls in Suntec. You’re bound to bump into old friends and former regulars of Play here. And judging by the venue and the program for the night, this is probably the biggest LGBTQ party happening post-Pink Dot. There’ll be a special performance by Japanese dancer Alex Stone and a show by The Play Queens & Hyper Hunks called “Night of a Thousand Britneys” (probably because it’s the day after Britney Spears’ debut in Singapore). DJs Thomas Ou, Lorri and Zack C will be on deck duty throughout the night.
Venue: Suntec Convention Centre, Hall 406
Time: 10pm
Admission: $28 (standard pre-sale), $35 (VIP pre-sale), $38 (standard door), $45 (VIP fastpass door)
One Love SG
Over on Jiak Chuan Road, new community movement One Love SG is hosting a cozy, slightly more intimate affair at Lime House. With four storeys comes four different set-ups to let you party the way you want to. The multi-faceted and multi-talented Ginette Chittick takes the second floor with her signature dose of all things nu disco while The Professor turns up the volume with his repertoire of Top 40s, pop and handbag house music to get you poppin’ and grindin’. Otherwise, you can check out the exclusive two-level roof top where you can chill and lounge over some light jazz with your friends. Our very own iconic drag queen Sammi Zhen will be presenting three different sets of performance across level 1 to 3.
Venue: Lime House (2 Jiak Chuan Rd.)
Time: 10pm
Admission: $30
Pink is Love Party
Ladies District may have closed their shutters at Dunlop Street a couple of months ago, but now they’re ready to go with their first party at their brand new location on Duxton Road. On top of being a kind of rockin’ housewarming party for all (free entry for everyone), they’ll also be supporting the freedom to love by opening their doors at 2pm and live streaming the event. Drink promos are pretty decent (a bucket of 5 Bingtang beers is going for $50) and they’ll be playing Hip Hop, R&B and Top 40s from 10pm onwards.
Venue: Ladies District (72 Duxton Rd.)
Time: 10pm
Admission: Free
Pink Party “Beyond The Barricades”
Despite the current state of affairs, it’s great that places like Dorothy’s are welcoming non-Singaporeans who aren’t able to partake in this year’s Pink Dot to join them in celebrating this special day. They’ll be swinging their doors open for everyone who want to support the freedom to love, but can’t because… barricades. They’re decking out their joint with balloons and banners, and filling the place with cheerful banter, music and great drink deals while they screen a live feed of the event.
Venue: Dorothy’s (13A Trengganu St.)
Time: 3pm
Admission: Free
Pink Pizza Party
Not up for flaunting your crazy dance moves? Yellow Cab Pizza Co. is throwing a low-key pizza party at their CityLink Mall outlet that gets you a complimentary pink cocktail (or mocktail) with every pizza purchase. Also, if you’re donned in pink, you’ll be entitled to 10% off your total bill. Some beers, G&Ts and vodka-based drinks are going for $5 nett all night long while house wines are $28 a bottle.
Venue: Yellow Cab Pizza Co. Singapore (#B1-01/02 CityLink Mall)
Time: All-day
Admission: N/A
Project Pink x Gem Bar
If you just want to have a no-frills, non-party atmosphere kind of night, there’s always Gem Bar. Supporting the freedom to love in a quiet, subtle way, anyone who drops by dressed in pink will get to enjoy special drink promos—housepour spirits are going for $10++, housepour wines at $12++ and a selection of shots are $50++ a pop.
Venue: Gem Bar (10 Ann Siang Hill)
Time: 6-10pm
Admission: Free
She+Pride After Pink Party
Local LGBTQ group She+Pride will be on-site at Pink Dot with a community tent where they’ll be sharing what they stand for, their philosophy and activities that they run. But for those who can’t attend Pink Dot because they don’t have a pink or blue IC, they can catch the live feed at Lepark. Once the dust has settled, party goes on well into the night for anyone who “identify as womyn in the LBTQI spectrum”. Yes, it’s a girls-only event (only the after party) but men who want to come “must be accompanied by their womyn guests”.
Venue: Lepark (#06-00 People’s Park Complex, 1 Park Rd.)
Time: 3pm
Admission: $10 at the door
Singapore Freedom2Love Pub Crawl
This one’s for the people who’s motto in life is “go hard, or go home”. The organizers are the same people who organize the weekly TGIF and occasionally, themed pub crawls in Singapore. This Saturday, get ready to visit four “mystery” LGBTQ-friendly bars (we’re guessing the ones on Neil Road and a couple on Club Street) and one club (comes with a VIP entry) where you’ll get complimentary shots at each venue, an extended happy hour and exclusive drink deals (1-for-1 drinks, anyone?). If you register for the VIP crawl, they’ll also throw in a one-hour free-flow at the first bar and an additional shot at every venue.
Venue: Various undisclosed LGBTQ-friendly bars and one club
Time: 7:30pm
Admission: $25 (standard crawl), $49 (VIP crawl)
Yum Yum Pink Divas
The crew behind the Yum Yum Disco Dong party series have really made a name for themselves, throwing the whackiest, most kitsch and campy disco parties in Singapore. So if you’re down to boogie the night away after lighting up Hong Lim Park, expect a colossal celebration of unapologetic fun with the queer alternative scene’s finest (here’s looking at you, Bobby!) and Yum Yum Disco Dong queens Mona Kee Kee and Vanda Miss Joaquim. There’s never a dull moment at their parties.
Venue: OverEasy Orchard (#01-01 Liat Towers, 541 Orchard Rd.)
Time: 10pm
Admission: Entry via guestlist. Click here to sign up
