Heading into our 11th year of Amber Lounge Singapore, we thought wed share our best tips for enjoying Singapore Grand Prix week to the max.

Singapore, also known as the Garden City, is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular locations on the planet, combining heritage, culture and technology with unbelievably beautiful natural flora and fauna. Add to the mix fabulous restaurants with world-class international chefs, exciting street food vendors and one of the best F1 Grand Prix of the seasonYoure in for an action-packed experience.

Things to do and see

Marina Bay

This is the real focal point of Singapore. Having undergone a recent transformation of epic proportions the Marina Bay area is a futuristic-looking wonderland. The breathtaking Marina Bay Sands Hotel boasts the worlds longest elevated swimming pool, perched 191 metres above ground. Its observation deck gives you an incredible 360 degree view of the Singapore skyline that will be etched into your mind for many years to come.

The Helix Bridge

Singapores first curved bridge, links the Marina Centre with Marine South and forms part of a 3.5 km pedestrian loop around the bay. A stunning light show occurs at 8pm each evening, illuminating these iconic landmarks.

Clarke Quay

Here youre guaranteed partying with a variety of clubs, bars and live music venues as well as restaurants in a dynamic alfresco area at the waters edge of the Singapore River.

Gardens at the Bay

Singapores highest pedestrian bridge connecting Mount Faber Park with Telok Blangah Hill Park. Walk its winding treetop path to view birds in their natural habitat and a panorama of the city, its harbour and the Southern Islands. A huge, colourful, futuristic park located in the Bay area, awarded World Building of the Year at the World Architecture Festival in 2012. The famous supertree structures offer an impressive skywalk over the gardens where you will see oversized seashell-shaped greenhouses providing microclimates where hundreds of trees and plants flourish.

Raffles Hotel

Named after Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the man alleged to have been at the centre of the development of Singapore in the 19thcentury, this iconic Raffles Hotel dates back to 1887 and is one of Singapores most well-known addresses. The hotel features 18 restaurants and an arcade of over 40 boutiques but of course, many visit the Raffles Bar to experience the delights of the Singapore Sling which was developed here by the Raffles mixologists over 100 years ago. 

Singapore Flyer

Yet another World Best, the Singapore Flyer is the largest observation wheel around the globe at 165m high, 30m taller than the famous London Eye. From here youll see Marina Bay, Raffles Place, Empress Place and the Pandang.

Singapore Zoo

The zoo in Singapore is renowned as a leading centre for conservation and research and the Night Safari is definitely a must-see. Discover Himalayan Griffon Vultures, Greater One-horned Rhinoceroses and other rare creatures.

Places to stay

Singapore truly comes alive during Grand Prix week. Not only will you see the best motorsport racing in the world but you’ll see the city at its best as the exotic Asian destination is on show for the world to see.

Although it’s a small island, there are plenty of amazing places to stay close to Marina Bay Street Circuit. Some of our favourites are The Conrad Centennial Singapore which is a stone’s throw to the F1 paddock and Amber Lounge, The Concorde Hotel with a great location and lightly lower cost. and for retreat-style accommodation go for One Farrer Hotel.

If you’d like to explore Singapore’s amazing shopping after a day at the track, Orchard Road is the place to stay. It’s an absolute haven for shoppers, with some of Singapore’s coolest cafes and hip bars, but it’s also one of the busiest places during the Grand Prix.

Marina Bay is the ideal area to base yourself if you want to be right in the action. The F1 circuit winds through the streets, which are surrounding by the Bay with towering sky scrapers at every turn. Expect stunning sights and numerous swanky restaurants and bars.

Nightlife is the main attraction at Clarke Quay which is perfect for party animals and people who love food. It’s located at the mouth of the river, with a cosmopolitan atmosphere which truly ignites during the Singapore Grand Prix.

Sentosa Island is a family-friendly resort-style sanctuary with a range of hotels. Attractions include Underwater World, Universal Studios and the Skyride.

Places to eat

Immerse yourself in the local culture at Singapore Hawker Centre Food. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience Singaporean cuisine. Sample delicious street food such as Bak Kut The, Wanton Mee and Dim Sum.

Stalls highly recommended for these delights include:

  • Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh: 7 Keppel Road, #01-05/07, PSA Tanjong Pagar Complex, Singapore 089053 (closed on Mon)
  • Song Fa Bak Kut Teh: 11 New Bridge Road #01-01, Singapore 059383
  • Ng Ah Sio Pork Ribs Soup: 208 Rangoon Road, Hong Building Singapore 218453 (closed on Mon)
  • Fei Fei Wanton Mee: 62 Joo Chiat Place, Singapore 427785
  • Kok Kee Wanton Mee: 380 Jalan Besar, Lavender Food Square, #01-06, Singapore
  • Parklane Zha Yun Tun Mee House: 91 Bencoolen Street, #01-53, Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
  • Swee Choon Tim Sum: 191 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208882(closed on Tues)
  • Tim Ho Wan: 450 Toa Payoh Lorong 6, #02-02, ERA Centre, Singapore 319394
  • Wen Dao Shi (搵到食): 126 Sims Ave, Singapore 387449

(Related Guide: https://sethlui.com/best-dim-sums-singapore-guide/)

Best nightlife during the GP

Singapore is buzzing with bars and nightclubs with the finest nightlife around the city centre. Exploring Singapore’s nightlife is a must if you want to feel the true night-pulse of the Lion City.

Here are a few suggestions for the liveliest after-dark areas you can’t afford to miss.

Amber Lounge
Of course! Having been part of the Singapore Grand Prix since its very first year, Amber Lounge is the ultimate place to party during Grand Prix weekend. Many say it’s the best party in the world and the electric atmosphere in Singapore takes this iconic F1 party to a whole other level. You can go straight from the paddock to the party. Book table and tickets here.

Holland Village
This Singapore neighbourhood loves to flaunt its alter-ego as soon as the sun sets. Due to its more out-of-town location, this popular nightlife spot draws in more of a local crowd, as well as a good helping of expats who’ve made this city their home. The main evening activities happen along ‘Lorong Mambong’, where you’ll find some cool and quirky pop-up bars, fancy alfresco restaurants and the occasional street party.

 

Singapore History

During the 14th century, this small but strategically-located island earned a new name. According to legend, Sang Nila Utama, a Prince from Palembang (the capital of Srivijaya), was out on a hunting trip when he caught sight of an animal he had never seen before. Taking it to be a good sign, he founded a city where the animal had been spotted, naming it The Lion Cityor Singapura, from the Sanskrit words simha(lion) and pura(city).

The city was then ruled by the five kings of ancient Singapura. Located at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, the natural meeting point of sea routes, the city flourished as a trading post for vessels such as Chinese junks, Arab dhows, Portuguese battleships and Buginese schooners. 

Transport

A lot of the city centre is in lock-down during Grand Prix week and most of the time the easiest way to get around is by train or walking past the blocked areas then jump in a taxi or Grab car. 

By Train

Singapores MRT system is probably the fastest way to zip around the city. The rail network is accessible to Singapores key attractions are within walking distance from an MRT station. You can buy tickets for single trips or you can buy a Tourist Pass, a special EZ-Link stored-value card which allows you unlimited travel for one day (S$10), two days (S$16) or three days (S$20). Singapores trains and stations are accessible to wheel chair users and the visually impaired, as well as families with strollers.

By Taxi

Taxis are comfortable and especially handy if you want to go to places not accessible by bus or MRT. They are metered, but there may be surcharges depending on when, where and which companys taxi you board. You can hail a taxi by the roadside at most places, or queue for at a taxi stands found at most shopping malls, hotels and tourist attractions. If you wish to book a cab, you can call a common taxi booking number, 6-DIAL CAB (6342-5222). Note that traffic during Singapore Grand Prix week is at its worst so ask for the best place to catch a taxi to avoid this.

Grab

Grab merged with Uber to enable safe and affordable transport when getting around the city. Simply download the free Grab App to book a ride and pay quick and safely.

5 Singaporean Slang Terms 

Wah lau/Wah piang
Translation: Oh my gosh!

While it doesnt literally translate to Oh my gosh!, its used more as an expression of shock. You can use either expression as they both have the same meaning.


Siao
Translation: Crazy/Insane

This is usually used as a sarcastic reply when someone proclaims theyre going to attempt an impossible task or does something stupid.

 

Chope
Translation: Reserve

Commonly used in a setting such as an eatery, chope is also the action of placing tissue packets on tables in hawker centers as an informal reservation.


Makan
Translation: Eat

This Malay word, which means eat, is also used very commonly in Singlish.

5 Fun Facts about Singapore

It’s a city of (man-made) waterfalls. You’ll find the world’s tallest indoor waterfall (35 metres) at the Cloud Forest, Gardens by the Bay.

It’s home to the world’s first night zoo, opened in 1994, the 35-hectare park features over 1,000 animals in their natural nocturnal environment.

Singapore is one of only three surviving city-states in the world along with Monaco and Vatican City.

Besides the main island, Singapore includes 63 other tiny islands. Most of these islands are uninhabited.

Singapore is hot –except for 31stJanuary 1934, that is, when the island recorded its lowest ever temperature at 19.4°.

4 Singapore Grand Prix facts

The track is 4 times more brightly lit than a football stadium, with 1,600 lighting projectors, each with internal reflectors that project the light beams at different angels to prevent it from blinding the drivers.

This circuit has 23 corners which is more that any other circuit. The fact that most of these are fairly tight helps contribute to Singapore having one of the longest average lap times on the calendar.

In little over an hour, F1 drivers are exposed to sauna-like conditions in the cockpit, causing them to lose between two to three litres of water during each race. Drivers are required to drink up to 8 litres of water to keep themselves fully hydrated, as they usually loose up to 4kg of weight per race.

F1 drivers experience extreme forces of up to 4.5 –5 times of their gravitational force, which basically means that they are supporting 5 times their body weight just on their necks during the race.

 

Book your table and tickets to Amber Lounge Singapore HERE