The most iconic nightclubs in Singapore—from the ’80s to now

Ask anyone who’s partied in Singapore over the years, and they’ll probably have a strong opinion about where it all went down. Whether you were dancing under disco lights at Ministry of Sound, dressing up for a Butter Factory theme night, or queueing outside Zouk in your clubbing prime, nightlife in Singapore has always had its moments.

While the scene has evolved—from sweaty rooms with Top 40s remixes to glossy venues with indoor Ferris wheels—the energy stays the same. And now that the nightlife crowd spans Millennials, Gen Zs, and everyone in between, we’re taking a nostalgic (and very fun) walk through the clubs that shaped every generation.

Zouk (then and now)

Zouk has been a household name in Singapore’s nightlife scene since the Jiak Kim Street days. It introduced us to underground music, brought in international DJs, and gave us iconic rooms like Velvet and Phuture. Since moving to Clarke Quay in 2016, the new Zouk has kept that legacy alive with multiple spaces including Capital, a swanky room for those who prefer lounge vibes over thumping bass.

Marquee Singapore

If clubbing with an indoor Ferris wheel and slide sounds like your kind of night, Marquee’s the place. Known for flying in international DJs and staying open till 6am on weekends, this mega-club inside Marina Bay Sands is the go-to for big nights out and birthday blowouts.

Avenue

Hidden and more low-key than Marquee, Avenue is perfect if you want something more intimate. The vibe is a little New York lounge-meets-arcade—with a bowling alley, pool table, and a music mix that leans hip-hop and sing-alongs. It’s a favourite for after-parties or a nightcap with edge.

Drip

If you’ve been on TikTok recently, chances are you’ve seen at least one post about Drip. Located in the basement of Concorde Hotel, this club has become a Gen Z favourite and for good reason. It’s currently Singapore’s biggest underground club and the vibe honestly reminds us of those gritty Berlin-style spots: raw, packed, and buzzing with energy. Themed parties are pretty common here, and the queue? It starts forming way before midnight. It can get a little squeezy, but that just adds to the chaos (and fun).

Bae’s Cocktail Club

Tucked away in Tanjong Pagar, Bae’s is one of those places that feels like a private house party, just with better lighting and way better cocktails. It starts off as a Korean-inspired bar then transforms into a full-blown dance floor after 11pm.

Clubs we’ll never forget

The Butter Factory

If you partied in the 2000s to early 2010s, you probably have a Butter story. Whether you were dancing in Bump, people-watching in Fash, or showing up in a full outfit for a themed night, this club was the spot for fashion kids, creatives, and honestly, anyone looking for a fun night out. It was also one of the first clubs that felt truly queer-friendly, and that made a difference. Even though it shut in 2015, it’s still iconic.

Rootz Club

Housed in Hotel Grand Central, this club was a big deal in the late ’90s and early 2000s. It was known for bringing in both local and international DJs, and the energy inside was always next level. If you were clubbing back then, Rootz was probably one of your go-tos. Loud music, packed dance floors, and a crowd that really came to party.

Ministry of Sound (Singapore)

Before themed rooms were a thing, MOS gave us exactly that and more. From trippy disco floors to rooms that played everything from trance to R&B, this place was massive. It was one of the first big international clubs to land here, and it made an impact, even though it didn’t last beyond the mid-2000s.

Kilimanjaro

Before the age of polished superclubs, there was Kilimanjaro. This was the place to be in the ’80s and ’90s, especially if you were into dancing and not being seen on social media (because there wasn’t any yet). It drew a mix of locals and expats, and from what we’ve heard, it had a real retro charm—big hair, bold beats, and zero pretence.

Madam Wong’s

Located in Central Mall, Madam Wong’s had an Oriental theme and blasted Top 40s hits. It was chill, fun, and always a little kitschy, in a good way. Perfect for post-dinner drinks that accidentally turned into late-night dance-offs. The vibe was relaxed but rowdy, and that’s what made it such a standout.

St James Power Station

Yes, it’s now a heritage site. But in the early 2000s? St James was the party complex. With 11 different rooms playing everything from rock to Mandopop, it was where you went if your friend group couldn’t agree on a genre. The club closed in 2018, but the memories (and celeb sightings) still hit.

dbl-0

If Zouk was too polished for your taste, you probably ended up at dbl-0. It had a more artsy, alternative vibe—less velvet ropes, more raw energy. It wasn’t trying to be fancy, and that was exactly the point. It was the kind of place where anything could happen and often did.