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.

The Chinatown neighborhood is easy to navigate using our Utopia maps:

145 Telok Ayer St, Utopia Map, 6323-4642, email. Just near ShoGun and walking distance to many other bars and saunas. Directly across the quiet lane from the magnificent Thiam Hock Kheng Temple in a large, old style Chinese house. The bar is equipped with a modern KTV system with reasonable selection, plush black leather sofas, and a pool table. Reasonably priced drinks.

Comments from Utopians:

"For younger cubs/chubs/bears/muscular guys who dont mind the mixed crowd. Lots of theme activities during the holiday seasons. Nice young crowd and a great karaoke system (very current music)." -- genewilly, Oct 27, 2009

Backstage Bar 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.

Comments from Utopians:

"Backstage Bar is a terrific place for cruising. The balcony has great views of the street in both directions since Backstage is on the corner. Very friendly staff!" -- BillyBudd, Apr 18, 2009

"Friendly staff and service." -- eastwest, Mar 9, 2009

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.

21 Tanjong Pagar Rd, Utopia Map. Taking over the old Happy club.

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. 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:

"The music is execellent. Good crowd and a lovely manager." -- eastwest, Mar 9, 2009

Tantric Bar 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.

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

"Play and Taboo are the happening gay clubs in Singapore. Play is a place for younger crowds and Taboo is a place for mature crowds. Both clubs have absolutely fabulous music with their in-house and guest DJs. Normally, these clubs are full from midnight onwards. " -- bbox, Mar 11, 2009

#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).

57 Neil Rd, Utopia Map, 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, Utopia Map, 9842-7849. 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.

Comments from Utopians:

"Same Café Bar is packed on Fri and Sat nites. Lots of cubs/chubs/bears and even beefy guys, but most of them will come with their groups so, if you are alone, sit at the bar counter and some of them may approach you and make you part of the gang." -- genewilly, Oct 25, 2009