13 South Bridge Rd (opposite the Riverwalk Apartments, above 7-11), Utopia Map, 6533-2436, email. Actors' is a friendly club frequented by people from all walks of life. Happy hours from 6-9pm with 3-for-2 pricing. They have a live band Jam Bar where customers can make use of equipment such as bass, congas, drums, guitars and keyboards. Open daily from Mon to Sat. Utopia Member Discount

CHINATOWN

Most of Singapore's gay scene is concentrated in Chinatown, easily accessed by taxi or the Chinatown or Tanjong Pagar MRT stations. Everything within this area is a pleasant walking distance with lots to see, smell, taste, photograph and buy along the way.

13A Trenggannu St (corner of Temple and Trenggannu St), Utopia Map, 6227-1712, email. A cozy, gay-owned bar, nicely decorated with posters from musicals, with a balcony for smokers or flirting with passersby. Same owner as Tantric. Fri and Sat are particularly jam-packed, so if you want a good seat, get here early. The staff are very hospitable and drinks are reasonably priced. Centrally located in the heart of Chinatown and close to dozens of gay venues. But Backstage is so happening that you might well make your love connection here. Double shots all night, every night. Premium liquor, like Bombay Sapphire, is served here. Open daily from 7pm until the wee hours.

41 Neil Rd, Utopia Map, 6224-3965. The name stands for Does Your Mother Know. It was opened and is managed by the old crew from MOX. The bar is a double story, old style The crowd is mostly GLBT. The place is nice, cozy and perfect for unwinding after a hard day's work. It also hosts the local SM crowd every last Thu of the month.

43 Neil Rd, Utopia Map, 6224-2865, email. Gay-owned day and night venue in a Chinatown shophouse. This Buddha-inspired outlet offers a relaxed atmosphere. Bistro/bar menu offering a wide selection of food and drinks at very reasonable prices. Try their "happiest happy hour" drinks at great prices - including 1-for-1 housepour from 4-9pm Mon-Sat. Gather after work with colleagues, or drop by with your friends and stay late for the entertainment on offer. Open noon-midnight (Mon), noon-1am (Tues-Fri) and until 2am on Sat and public holidays.

21 Tanjong Pagar Rd, Utopia Map.

65/67 Neil Rd (opposite Tantric), Utopia Map, 6225-6256. New location, 50 meters from the old place. Management and waiters are very friendly. Cruising in the facilities happens, but be discreet -- it's a good place to pick up and head home or to a sauna. Mixed crowd also has some lesbians. All races party here, so it's extra fun. Busiest on Fri and Sat nights (many clubbers come both days).

Comments from Utopians:

"Another long standing bar, Taboo has changed with the times. Still good music, interesting spins by the DJs. I still say that all the guys are cute, but they're all straight. Gets busy on Fri and Sat night. Check out their special events, e.g. Handbag night." -- happy_cat, May 25, 2011

78 Neil Rd (opposite side of the street from Taboo), Utopia Map, 6423-9232, email. Gay-owned and managed bar (same owner as Backstage Bar). Located in a beautiful heritage building with an open-air garden courtyard in front and a sophisticated lounge atmosphere inside done up in orange and red accents against velvety black. The music is a bit hotter here, definitely getting the crowd primed for later dance beats at the discos. Weekends groove to the deepest "deep house". The staff are cute as well as friendly and the courtyard has its own bar to keep the good times rolling outside as well as in. Double shots all night, every night. Premium liqueurs at very reasonable prices. Crowd is gay, but gay-friendly straights are also welcome.

Comments from Utopians:

"One of the long standing bars, Tantric Bar still boasts a fun environment for a night out. Drinks are good with double shots for house pour. Try a 'Blue Spin'...only if you can carry your alcohol well. Friendly staff and awesome music." -- happy_cat, May 25, 2011

"Check out Tantric Bar. Fun, happy, raging bar. Good inside or out in the front courtyard. Great friendly people. Try drinking Blue Spin- then later on Maxwell hawker center for munchies." -- afalang, Apr 16, 2011

95 Club St, Utopia Map. Small and cozy bar primarily for lesbians, but great for lounge lizards.

"May Wong's café, owned by Tantric Bar, is a new place to chill out. It's located on 2/F of Tantric. It is a good hang-out during weekends to avoid crowds at Tantric Bar when busy." -- bbox, Apr 6, 2011

#01-05 The Gallery Hotel, 76 Robertson Quay, Utopia Map, 6333-8117, email. Great music in the bar area. Mixed crowd, some gays, predominantly caucasian/Chinese crowd.

719/21 Jiak Kim St (part of the Zouk disco complex), Utopia Map, 6738-2988. Best to go by taxi. Trendy hybrid of high and low design. Great music. More mature crowd than Zouk, flashy and upmarket, mixed ethnically, mixed sexually. Often Thu nights is very happening since it’s Crew Night (air crew can bring in a guest for free)! Admission varies, but you also get into adjoining Zouk for free. Best to come here with a friend.

17 Jiak Kim St, Utopia Map, 6738-2988, email. Great music mix of progressive and techno most times. Often very organized about who's spinning on which dates. If you are interested in meeting gay folks Zouk it's best when there are guest DJs spinning, so check the schedule on their website and plan accordingly. Upscale, mixed crowd (be discreet). The fave dance club for many gays. Crowded on Fri and Sat. If you like Retro, Wed is the day (though not really that gay). Useful tip: when guest DJs perform, arrive between 7-9pm to get cheaper tickets (prices rise after 9pm).

"Two new discos with a mixed crowd are very popular for gays nowadays, especially when they organize gay events: Butter Factory and Sun nights at Avalon the disco at the Marina Bay Sands." -- Thomas I., Oct 18, 2011