It’s that time of the year again — the Singapore Grand Prix 2018 is creeping up on us. Returning for yet another year of speeding cars, unpredictable trackside animal action, celebrities doing the darndest things and loads of after-parties for you to channel all that adrenaline onto the dance floor.
Now that we’re into our 11th year of Formula One cars whizzing by the streets of Singapore at night, you probably know what to expect. Still, we’re here to help. So here’s the lowdown on midnight ragers hosted by clubs around town for those who want to avoid mingling with the usual posh crowds at swanky F1 soirees (ahem, Amber Lounge and The Podium Lounge).
1-Altitude
The skyscraper rooftop bar is known for its panoramic views of the city skyline, so you really can’t go wrong joining the crowd of merrymakers here. Across three days of revelry, The Circuit takes you from the Altimate Circuit Party to Heineken’s More Than A Race Party, complete with tunes by DJs Cuebrick and Moguai.
Sept 14-16. 6pm-9pm: $68, includes one house pour and F1 cocktail; after 9pm: $88, includes one premium pour and F1 cocktail.
1919 Waterboat House
With a vantage point for you get close to the circuit action, 1919 Waterboat House makes sure you’re all taken care of, first by stuffing you with dinner and bottomless drinks, then offering entertainment in the form of live music and a race-themed showcase in collaboration with tire supplier Pirelli.
Sept 14-16, 6pm-9pm for dinner and drinks, 9pm onwards for rooftop party. Dinner & drinks: Fri & Sat $280, Sun $355; standing ticket: Pre-sale $75, at the door $100, both include one drink.
Bang Bang
If you just wanna hit the dance floor at a good old club night, Bang Bang (and its furry mascots) offers two parties’ worth of high-octane fun, with DJ Metro taking the stage on Friday and DJ Agent Smith spinning the beats of EDM, hip hop, and rock on Saturday.
Sept 14-15, 10pm-late. $45/night, includes one drink.
Bar Rouge
Bar Rouge is throwing a party called “Race The Night” at its 71st floor perch in Swissôtel The Stamford, starting with an opening rave with DJ Tracks and his hip hop bangers on the deck — followed by DJ Chuckie on Saturday, and later, DJs Fadille, Rattle, and Styluxtakut closing out the weekend.
Sept 14-16, 5pm-late. Fri: Before 10:30pm $25, after 10:30pm $35, both include one house pour; Sat & Sun: Before 10:30pm $35, after 10:30pm $45, both include one house pour; three-day pass $115, includes three house pours.
Empire
A more casual alfresco alternative to the swanky rooftop lounges in the CBD, Empire cranks the glamour up a notch for F1 weekend, with snake charmers and belly dancers working the crowd to the backdrop of music by DJ Kaylova, Rica, Fadille, and Shin.
Sept 14-16, 5pm-late. Pre-sale $40; at the door $55, includes one drink.
Lulu’s Lounge
Va Va Vroom returns for a sultry Grand Prix weekend with its line-up of burlesque and boylesque performers, sassy drag queens, and gogo dancers – all grooving to beats by DJ collective Matteblacc.
Guest stars The Sugar Dutchess and Fifi Fontaine from Australia’s SugarBlue Burlesque will also make an appearance, and if you’d like to split your time between Lulu’s Lounge and next door club Bang Bang, just fork out $60 for entry to both.
Sept 14-16, 9pm-late. Fri & Sat $35/night, complimentary entry on Sun.
Tanjong Beach Club
Rev up for F1 at this edition of Smack My Beach Up, held the weekend before the actual races. Here’s where you can throw on your best beach wear, get rollin’ in a Zorb, try your hand at a round of Flip Cup, and knock back shots to the tune of Jon White’s house and disco melodies.
Sept 9, 1pm-late. Free.
Sky Grande Prix
This year’s soiree pops up at Grand Hyatt’s Martini Bar for five nights, beginning with Glamour Pit Stop, a display of jewelry and fashion, with complimentary entry for the first 100 ladies.
Other noteworthy experiences include a Macallan tasting flight, a blackjack night hosted by the controversial sugar daddy dating platform The SugarBook, a champagne wonderland, and a gourmet feast with live screenings of the final race.
Sept 12-16, various timings at Grand Hyatt Singapore. Pre-sale $48/day, at the door $68/day, both include one drink.
Zouk
Gear up to go full throttle at Zouk, where the party decor is inspired by retro 8-bit video games. Kick off the weekend with DJ Hong spinning electronic melodies on Friday, followed by R3hab helming the decks at the main room and DJs Lincey and The Dinosaur taking you back to yesteryear with Total Recall’s sing-along ‘90s pop hits at Capital on Saturday.
Come Sunday, brush off your hangover and head back for more dance floor action with Brit R&B singer Jay Sean crooning his way into your heart at Capital.
Sept 14-16, 10pm-late. Fri: Men $40, ladies $30, both include two house pours; Sat (R3HAB): Pre-sale $50, at the door $60, both include one house pour; Sat (Total Recall): Men $50, ladies $40, both include $30 worth of drink credits; Sun: Free entry for first 100 guests, $20 after midnight, includes one house pour.
