The Riverside, Singapore - Going Cheap at Clarke Quay

When evening comes, Clarke Quay is a lively and fun place to be. Along with it, goes your wallet with its pricey restaurants, trendy bars, hip cafes, blaring music clubs and pulsating discos. You can still enjoy the evenings at Clarke Quay without a fat wallet or in no mood to party. There is a temperate side of nightlife here that keeps your wallet in check and you won't be the only one.

The south side of Clarke Quay (across the river) is quieter, relaxed and without the hot spots. I could see families as well as romantic couples strolling, chatting and sitting along the banks while admiring the river view at night. Others would be enjoying packed meals and drinks together under the cool evening air. A quieter side of Clarke Quay but still a pleasurable experience.

Nightlife on the south side of Clarke Quay

Along the south side of Clarke Quay

Romantic evening on the south side

Man (probably an Australian) playing the didgeridoo

The Riverside, Singapore - Nightlife at Clarke Quay

Boat Quay has a lively nightlife but Clarke Quay is even livelier. Plenty of restaurants, bars and night clubs here to empty your wallet. Prices seem to past the roof at Clarke Quay, compared to other night spots in Singapore. At night, there seems to be more white looking (pardon the expression) tourists and expats than Singaporeans or other Asians - or was it just my perception? Anyway, it is an interesting place to be at night and enjoy its liveliness, even if your wallet is near empty.

Clarke Quay's south side

Crossing the bridge from the south side

At the mall

Dining outdoors at the Riverpoint

 

Want to belly dance with me?

The Riverside, Singapore - Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay is another quay along the Singapore River. The quay is about 15 minutes walk from Boat Quay and there is an MRT (commuter train) station within Clarke Quay of the same name. Like Boat Quay, Clarke Quay was also an important port, commercial and trading centre in Singapore from the early 19th until the later part of the 20th century.

Clarke Quay has a different story to tell today with many of the old warehouses converted into restaurants, bars, entertainment spots and shops. The area is relatively quiet during the day but as evening approaches it gets very lively and colourful. It's a pricey area but seems very popular with the wealthy as well as tourists and expats from the Western countries.

Near Clarke Quay MRT Station

Clarke Quay

South side of Clarke Quay

Walking along Clarke Quay

Riverside Point at Clarke Quay

The Riverside, Singapore - Boat Quay

On the south side of the Singapore River is Boat Quay, crammed with old shophouses that have been converted into various establishments. Boat Quay has a historical significance in Singapore's history -  the area was a busy port and the shophouses were once occupied by Chinese merchants.

Today Boat Quay is more known for its restaurants and bars with a couple of souvenir shops and convenience stores in between. Plenty of Chinese restaurants here and seafood seems to be the specialty. Quiet during the day, but the crowd generally picks up as evening approaches and gets lively.

Along Boat Quay

Souvenir shop in Boat Quay

Outdoor dining

At a Chinese seafood restaurant

Fresh seafood waiting to be dined

The Riverside, Singapore - Boat Cruise on the Singapore River

A relaxing way to see sections of Singapore is to take a cruise boat along the Singapore River. Several companies offer these river cruises, using small covered boats including bumboats. Tickets for a ride cost SGD15-30 (USD12-24) depending on the service. Some companies offer a day pass for unlimited rides as a 'hop-on, hop-off' service.

There are several jetty points for boarding including Merlion Park, Fullerton Hotel, Raffles Landing Site, Robertson Quay and Clarke Quay. The cruises last around 40 minutes taking passengers past several major landmarks in Singapore. Scenes include Esplanade Park, Raffles Place, Empress Place Building, Parliament House, Singapore Flyer and Boat Quay.

Cruise boat on the Singapore River

A bumboat

Cruise boat near Boat Quay

Cruise boats docking at Clarke Quay

The Riverside, Singapore - The Promenade

The promenade along the Riverside is a nice place for a stroll and watching the scenes along the river. During lunch hour, many office workers can be seen sitting, taking a break and having their packed lunch. There is a Chinese man selling ice cream, who seems to be around each time I here. I have never seen him smile or try to be friendly with anyone but gracious enough to say thank you to all his customers.

Crossing the bridge near Fullerton Hotel

Walking along the promenade

Robertson Quay by Sengkang

Statues describing the history of the Riverside

Ice cream for a hot day

The Riverside, Singapore - Esplanade Park

Esplanade Park opened in 1943 during the Japanese occupation of Singapore, and today one of the oldest parks on the island. The park is located on the Riverside near the mouth of the Singapore River. As you walk cross the bridge from the Fullerton Hotel, turn right and walk along the promenade until you reach the park. Esplanade Park is well maintained with shady trees, manicured lawns and benches to rest your aching feet.

Esplanade Park

The promenade in Esplanade Park

Green area of the park

Lim Bo Seng Memorial

The Riverside, Singapore - The Colonial Buildings

Many of the historical buildings from the British colonial era are across the river from Raffles Place. If from Raffles Place (where you see the skyscrapers), cross the bridge near Fullerton Hotel to get to the other side of the river. The 5-star Fullerton Hotel itself is housed in a colonial building and then known as Fullerton Building, where the General Post Office was once located.

Many of the buildings have been converted into museums and cultural centres. The most obvious, as you cross the bridge, is the 19th century Victoria Centre with a statue of Sir Stamford Raffles (Singapore's founder) in front. Others include the Asian Civilisation Museum (Empress Place), Arts House at the Old Parliament Building and the Old Supreme Court.

Victoria Theatre

Statue of Stamford Raffles in front of the Victoria Theatre

Fullerton Hotel

Asian Civilisation Museum

Old Supreme Court Building by Sengkang

The Riverside, Singapore - Singapore's Beginnings

Beginning in the early 19th century, the mouth of the Singapore River was Singapore's old port with small boats carrying goods up and down the river. The river mouth was the island's centre of trade, commerce and finance as well as colonial administration. Over the decades, the two sides of the river developed, expanded and became the artery of the island.

Today the banks of the river is a picturesque area of Singapore now known as the Riverside. It is home to towering skyscrapers, colonial architecture from the British era and former two-floor warehouses converted into shops, restaurants and entertainment spots. Major destinations along the Riverside include Raffles Place, Clarke Quay and Boat Quay

Raffles Place

Scenic Riverside

Boat Quay (background)

Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay at night