Party of the Year: ZoukOut
For its 10th edition late last year, the electronic dance music festival had ravers grooving till sunrise through tunes by the likes of Tiesto, Booka Shade and David Guetta. The only problem? They set our expectations higher every year. www.zoukout.com
Best New Bar: Ku Dé Ta
Expectations were high when this Balinese import landed atop the Marina Bay Sands, but with that killer view, a solid cocktail list and—most importantly—diverse musical offerings (including Depeche Mode’s Andy Fletcher) it’s safe to say they’ve been met. 57/F Sands SkyPark, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-7688, www.kudeta.com.sg.
Nightspot of the Year: Zouk
Having hosted the best DJs in the world such as Fedde Le Grand, Cosmic Gate and Bob Sinclar, Zouk upped the ante even further in 2010 with their “Zouk Live” nights, featuring acts like Chromatics and Crystal Castles. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988, www.zoukclub.com.
Best Happy Hour: Harry’s Bar
From lunchtime till 8pm every day, enjoy housepour, draft, white and red wine and half pint of Harry’s beers for $7—just the way you like it. Harry’s @ The Esplanade, #01-05/06/07 Esplanade Mall, 8 Raffles Ave., 6334-0132 and other locations, www.harrys.com.sg.
Best Rooftop Bar: Loof
Having celebrated their fifth anniversary recently, Singapore’s first rooftop bar on the third level of Odeon Towers still stands out for its easy charm and great cocktails like Gummi Berry. It’s nothing less than a happy high here. Loof, #03-07 Odeon Towers Extension Rooftop, 331 North Bridge Rd., 6338-8035, www.loof.com.sg.
Best DJ: Aldrin
This famous DJ-producer has been kept busy with his regional and international gigs, continuing to push the boundaries of Singapore’s dance music scene with releases through his indie label, onewithaldrin. Also, his ONE nights at Zouk are now the stuff of legend. www.onewithaldrin.com.
DJ Gig of the Year: Carl Cox
The iconic British techno DJ-producer ripped Zouk’s dancefloor to shreds in October last year with his impeccable set, fusing epic moments with deep mixes that had hundreds with their hands in the air through the night. Now that’s what we call euphoria. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988, www.zoukclub.com.
Best Live Music Venue: Timbre
With establishments at The Substation, The Arts House and Old School, Timbre has gone from strength to strength with their delicious bar snacks, attractive drink promotions and, of course, their stable of quality local musicians such as Michaela Therese, 53A and Raw Earth. Danny Loong and Danny Chia’s hard work has certainly paid off. Timbre @ Old School, #01-05 Old School, 11 Mount Sophia, 6338-0800 and other locations, www.timbregroup.asia.
Best Theme Party: Disco:Very
Funk, soul and disco are the main sounds at this much-loved night, where Zouk residents djB and Jeremy Boon, together with a lineup of special guest DJs and live musicians, drop quality classics that are a hit among more discerning punters (yourselves included, obviously). Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988, www.zoukclub.com.
back to Readers’ Choice 2011
