13 South Bridge Rd (opposite the Riverwalk Apartments, above 7-11), 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

114 Middle Rd #01-00, 6337-1967, FAX 6336-6302, email. A gay and lesbian-friendly California style music bar set up by two guys from San Francisco. The place is really funky with lots of comfortable leather couches and very friendly staff. The Gashaus is a place for the live music underground in Singapore, but they also have DJ parties and progressive social event nights. Cosplay is big here, plus Goth and J-Rock bands play regularly. Occasional cabaret performances and gay or lesbian nights. They also have music jamming studios for rent. Utopia Member Discount

"Stanley's Pub at 14 Jln Klapa (off North Bridge Rd/Victoria St between Bugis and Lavendar MRT Stations), 6396-0026, is a chill-out space with darts, pool, and karaoke. It's a good gathering place for GLBT, especially on weekends as it is not so crowded." -- crystalmaya, Oct 1, 2007

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.

Comments from Utopians:

"Woo hoo, I had forgotten what fun Singapore is. I met up with my posse and we trawled Tantric and Backstage Bar. We loved all three bars." -- singslave, Nov 1, 2007

"Backstage Bar is for the early crowd, then proceed to Tantric followed by Taboo or Play for the last stop." -- bbox, Apr 6, 2007

Backstage Bar 13A Trenggannu St (see map, corner of Temple and Trenggannu St), Chinatown, 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.

Comments from Utopians:

"Finally made it to Singapore and tried Backstage on my first evening. Not very crowded, but I felt quite comfortable with the guys sitting around. Drinks are cheap and the barman is talkative." -- luchenotte, Feb 4, 2008

145 Telok Ayer St (see map), 6323-4642, FAX 6836-0266, email. Just near ShoGun and walking distance to many other bars and saunas. Oso has the most spectacular setting of any gay bar in Singapore (perhaps in all of Asia), directly across the quiet lane from the magnificent Thiam Hock Kheng Temple. Gay-owned and managed, serving fusion cuisine, beer, wine, and cocktails, Oso (which means "bear" in Spanish) offers an especially warm welcome to chubs and their admirers. Outdoor patio with fountain provides a cool chill-out space for people-watching in this very cruisy locale, while the inside bar is swinging with music and karaoke. Super friendly staff managed by Melvin. A superb setting to spend quality time with friends old and new. Utopia Member Discount

65/67 Neil Rd (see map, opposite Tantric), 6225-6256, email. 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. Crowd is primarily gay, but also 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:

"Taboo is happening on weekends with their theme nights!" -- bbox, Sep 26, 2007

Tantric Bar 78 Neil Rd (see map, opposite side of the street from Taboo), 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:

"It's in Tantric Bar that you know what 'crowded' really means. The garden is really nice, full of beautiful guys of different origins. The interior is much darker and more noisy." -- luchenotte, Feb 4, 2008

"Prefer Tantric Bar for the friendly environment, especially the way the manager makes you feel welcome. Busy on weekends. They have extended their operating hours to 4am on Sat and the eve of holidays. The courtyard is still the main attraction. Friendly environment with smiling staff." -- bbox, Sep 26, 2007

"Visited a couple bars and I preferred Tantric because there is a nice terrace outside." -- peterbxl1, Jan 3, 2006

95 Club St (see map). Small and cozy bar primarily for lesbians, but great for lounge lizards.

Comments from Utopians:

"Try the peach magaritas. Prices of drinks range from S$10-13." -- singslave, Jan 12, 2008

73 Tras St 01-01, 6220-2493, email. A cozy, non-pretentious, gay-owned wine bar. Perfect for chilling out. Eclectic range of wines at affordable prices. Retail, wholesale and events. Utopia Member Discount

Orchard Parade (opposite the Hilton), 6235-7170. Cabaret show with sassy "Singlish" humor from resident diva, Kumar.

21 Tanjong Pagar Rd (see map).

Comments from Utopians:

"Play is a new club in town. It opened three weeks ago. It took over the old Happy club." -- bbox, Apr 6, 2007

OTHER AREAS

#01-05 The Gallery Hotel, 76 Robertson Quay, 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), 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, 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).

"St. James Power Station, opposite Harbour Font, is another cruising place for PLUs, especially on Sun Gay Night. Entry is at the management's discretion. Have fun." -- gsmgay1997, Mar 29, 2007

57 Neil Rd, 6324-2802, email. Classy gay karaoke bar with nice crowd and friendly staff. Beverages are reasonably priced. On the eve of public holidays the bar sometimes converts to a disco with cool house music after midnight. Open Mon-Sat, holidays and the eve of public holidays, 8pm to 3am. Free shot for birthday guys or gals with proof of date of birth. Utopia Member Discount

208 South Bridge Rd (see map), 9842-7849, email. A gay-owned, karaoke club that is especially welcoming to bears, chubs and their admirers. Great sound system to accompany your crooning (dining area is separated from the karaoke room to ensure a quieter space for chatting). Friendly and helpful service. They serve cocktails, "mocktails" (non-alcoholic), beer and wine. Pub and karaoke after 8:30pm until closing.