A Guide To Boat Quay: Cool Off With Riverside Activities, Dining & More
Welcome to Boat Quay
Boat Quay is steeped in history and boasts an electric riverside vibe that we locals absolutely adore, which we’ll explore in this guide.
Psst, just a heads up: Clarke Quay and Boat Quay might seem like two peas in a pod, but they’re more like siblings with their own quirky personalities.
Clarke Quay struts its stuff with vibrant nightlife, while Boat Quay has that laid-back charm perfect for a chill evening by the water.
Where is Boat Quay?
Boat Quay stretches from the shophouses near UOB Plaza to Elgin Bridge. It’s located in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District (CBD), along the southern bank of the Singapore River.
What is the main street in Boat Quay?
The main street in Boat Quay is simply called “Boat Quay.” It runs parallel to the Singapore River and is lined with restaurants, bars, and historic shophouses.
How to Get to Boat Quay
Closest bus: The closest bus stops to Boat Quay in Singapore are Hill St – Grand Pk City Hall (04149), Hill St – Old Hill St Police Stn (04223), and Eu Tong Sen St – Clarke Quay Stn Exit E (04222), with the nearest stop just a 3-minute walk away.
Bus lines 147, 166, 197, 33, and 61 serve Boat Quay with stops nearby.
Closest train station: The East-West Line and North-East Line metro stop near Boat Quay, with Clarke Quay (NE5) being the nearest station, just a 6-minute walk away.
Closest ferry: Boat Quay Jetty is the closest ferry station to Boat Quay in Singapore, just a 5-minute walk away. The first ferry, the Singapore River Experience, arrives nearby at 9 AM.
By taxi/taxi alternative: Hail a taxi or rideshare anywhere in Singapore, or pre-book through 6-DIAL-CAB at least 30 minutes before your trip.
For more details on getting around Singapore like a local, check this out.
What to Do and See in Boat Quay
Go on a Singapore river cruise
Address: Clarke Quay Jetty Singapore 058282 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6563366111
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 1–9 PM; Friday to Sunday, 10 AM–9 PM
Fees: Adult: S$28, child (312 years old): S$18
Here’s how to experience Singapore from a new perspective: take a serene cruise on an electric-powered boat around the neighbouring areas!
The calm waters ensure a comfortable ride for those prone to seasickness. The informative cruise offers insights into the passing sights and helps plan visits to nearby attractions.
Don’t miss the chance to enjoy Singapore’s nighttime scenery from the water, especially at night when buildings and shops are all lit up.
Get familiar with early Asian civilisation
Address: Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Pl, Singapore 179555 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6563327798
Hours: Daily, 10 AM–7 PM
Fees: Free for Singaporeans; for tourists/permanent residents: S$15 for adults, S$10 for students and seniors, free for children
Visit the Asian Civilisations Museum near Boat Quay to explore its extensive collection showcasing the diverse cultures and rich heritage of Asia. Permanent collections are free for Singaporeans but charge a small fee for foreigners.
The real gems are the artefacts in the collection. They cover every nook and cranny of Asian culture, serving as a mirror to our very own Singaporean melting pot of heritage with pieces reflecting our Chinese, Malay, and Tamil roots.
Laugh your heart out at a comedy bar
Address: Comedy Masala, 69 Circular Rd, Singapore 049423 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6585257414
Hours: By reservation
Fees: S$25 entry
Comedy Masala has been a local gem for ages, and it’s even scored a spot in the Top 10 Comedy Nights in the World by Traveler, Australia. So grab your pals, head over there, and get ready for a night of non-stop giggles.
It’s the city’s largest and most popular weekly stand-up comedy show, showcasing top international, regional, and local comedians. It’s a fantastic after-work stress reliever, guaranteed!
Where to Eat and Drink in Boat Quay
Wild Child Pizzette
Address: 50 Circular Rd, Singapore 049405 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6569706592
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11.45 AM–2.15 PM and 6–9.45 PM; Friday to Saturday, 11.45 AM–2.15 PM and 6–10 PM; Sundays, 11.45 AM–2.15 PM and 6–9.30 PM
Price: $$
Sometimes, yummy things come in small packages. Wild Child Pizzette serves petite-sized 10-inch pizzas with big flavours, perfect for riverside snacking.
Here, you can enjoy unconventional and playful creations paired perfectly with cold beer or cocktails.
The Dragon Chamber
Address: 2 Circular Rd, Singapore 049358 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6569500015
Hours: Mondays, 5–10.30 PM; Tuesday to Sunday, 11 AM–3 PM and 5–10.30 PM
Price: $$
Tucked behind a kopitiam’s beer fridge, The Dragon Chamber boasts a roomy dining area with an unconventional menu featuring unique Chinese cuisine. It’s a bit challenging to find but it’s worth it (trust us!).
Its head chef, Wong Meng Vooi, likes taking familiar things and doing innovations on them. He turns Chinese dishes into delightful canapés, matching the uniqueness of the beverage menu.
Dallas Bar and Restaurant
Address: 31 Boat Quay, Singapore 049820 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6565322131
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11.30 AM–midnight; Friday to Saturday, 11.30 AM–1 AM
Price: $$
Dallas is a modern bar-bistro with a full bar and a diverse wine selection. It’s great for some riverside snacking and tippling.
My friends and I enjoy well-executed dishes here like the black pepper calamari, served with a delightful black pepper and curry leaf dipping sauce that complements the protein with its sweet and savoury flavours.
Eat Sum Thing
Address: 66 Boat Quay, Singapore 049854 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6596679424
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 5 PM-midnight
Price: $$
Now here’s a dining spot that reminds us to pause in the middle of sight-seeing and nourish ourselves (“eat something lah!”).
But seriously, Eat Sum Thing is an eclectic restaurant and bar that offers modern fusion tapas and hearty mains for sharing. You can watch your food being prepared in the open kitchen while admiring some seriously good artwork inside.
Kinara
Address: 55 Boat Quay, Singapore 049844 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6565330412
Hours: Monday to Friday, 11.30 AM–2.30 PM and 5.30 PM-midnight; Saturday to Sunday, noon–2.30 PM and 5.30–10.30 PM
Price: $$
Kinara is a charming riverside dinner spot serving North Indian cuisine with an extensive menu of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. We like that its assortment of curries allows for spice level adjustments.
Our faves here include kadhai (stewed) chicken and vegetable biryani. We typically pair our meals with delicious lassis (yoghurt drink) for a perfect match.
The Mask Restaurant and Bar
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Address: Circular Rd, #23-24, Singapore 049379 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6582233786
Hours: Monday to Friday, 11 AM–3 AM; Saturday to Sunday, 4 PM–3 AM
Price: $$
At The Mask, we often enjoy a range of food and drinks, including mocktails and alcoholic beverages. The restaurant offers a unique service where they hold unfinished bottles for 30 days, and you can return to finish them.
But do expect lively music, as it’s not a quiet place for relaxation.
Ballroom By Barbary Coast
Address: 16 N Canal Rd, #02-01, Singapore 048828 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6588694798
Hours: Mondays, 6 PM-midnight; Tuesdays, 6 PM–1 AM; Wednesdays, 6 PM–2 AM; Thursday to Saturday, 6 PM–3 AM
Price: $$$
The Barbary Coast Ballroom in Singapore, named after the opulent ballrooms of gold-mining days, features ornate décor, an extensive cocktail menu, and elaborate cheese boards. But don’t worry, you don’t need to wear tails or a ball gown here!
With 13 cocktails on offer, each intelligently crafted for deliciousness, the menu caters to diverse tastes, blending flavours with chemistry to create magical drinks.
Where to Shop in Boat Quay
Great World
Address: 1 Kim Seng Promenade, Singapore 237994 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6567373855
Hours: Daily, 10 AM–9 PM
Price: $$
The basement of Great World offers diverse food options, including the Meidi-Ya supermarket. The mall is of average size, yet it still provides lots of shopping, dining, and grocery options.
The neighbourhood vibe adds to the charm. Additionally, there is a kids’ playground on the second level for little ones to enjoy.
Riverside Point
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Address: 30 Merchant Rd, Singapore 058282 (Google Maps)
Contact: +656535 0383
Hours: Daily, 11 AM–10 PM
Price: $$
Riverside Point is marked by a bright red light along the river, so it’s hard to miss. It beckons shoppers with a mix of renowned brands and independent stores.
Here, you can explore a wide range of apparel, homeware, souvenirs, and accessories.
This shopping mall also features diverse eateries for a meal during your retail therapy.
Funan DigitaLife Mall
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Address: 107 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 179105 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6569701668
Hours: Daily, 10 AM–10 PM
Price: $$
Funan Mall is a popular and comprehensive destination for electronics, offering a vast array of computers, TVs, smartphones, cameras, and accessories at reasonable prices.
With amenities like a cinema, supermarket, electronics stores, gym, garden, and urban farm, it caters to the needs of all ages.
Additionally, the mall hosts stores selling homeware, beauty products, and fashion items. Visitors can also enjoy a quick snack in the food court.