No weekend plans? Here’s how you can spend a full day at New Bahru 

As its brick-red letters painted across a cream-coloured block come into view, you’ll find one of Singapore’s buzziest lifestyle enclaves, New Bahru, perched on a hill along Kim Yam Road, on the former site of Nan Chiau High School.

Home to a slew of home-grown creative brands, New Bahru first opened to the public in May 2024 and is now complete after nearly two years of development. It’s easy to get lost among its mix of experiences, lifestyle stores and standout eateries, from Huevos and Bar Bon Funk to PPP Coffee and plenty more.

To celebrate its completion, New Bahru will also be hosting a block party over the weekend of 29 and 30 August, with live music and performances by GrooveTop, Wild Pearl, Sing Song Social Club and more, alongside an art and design exhibition-marketplace and workshops by brands across the space.

So, whether you’ve been meaning to check out the space or are looking for a place you can call your second home, here’s how you can spend the whole day at Singapore’s newest – and coolest – lifestyle and creative hub.

Play table tennis over drinks at TopTable 

Walk past TopTable and you’ll probably find yourself peeking in, wishing you were the one ping-ponging with friends. Singapore’s first bar with a professional table tennis setup, it’s an easy weekend hangout for friends – or a cheeky place for parents to supervise the kids while enjoying Neapolitan pizzas and craft cocktails at the bar.

You can even turn the table into a game of beer pong – albeit with water for hygiene purposes – with all the same excitement. And if table tennis isn’t your thing, there’s also foosball, darts and an F1 simulator, so we won’t be surprised if you spend half of the day here with your friends and family.

Sculpt your own ceramic at The Potter’s Guilt 

Bored of doing the same activities over the weekend? Switch up your usual date with a pottery session at The Potter’s Guilt. Choose from a variety of sessions based on your experience level and take home a little ceramic creation of your own. Unique to its New Bahru branch are basic hand-building lessons, where you’ll learn techniques such as pinching and coiling across different clay bodies, put your own creative spin on your creations and take home four to five pieces. There are also children’s workshops, where little ones can create their own pieces or make something together with their parents. 

Immerse yourself in a sound bath at Future Resonance 

Had a rough week at work and need to unwind? Future Resonance’s sound therapy experiences might just be the cure – even for sceptics like me. A form of meditation, sound baths typically involve participants lying down and relaxing while a practitioner plays instruments such as singing bowls, gongs and chimes. At Future Resonance, you can also opt for the Light Sound Vibration session, a multisensory experience where you lie on waterbeds while being immersed in sound, light and vibrations. A great activity to try if you’re looking for something relaxing to do over the weekend.

Get your sweat on at Mobilus 

With weekday opening hours starting as early as 6am, Mobilus is a fitness concept offering CrossFit- and HYROX-affiliated training, functional classes for kids, bodybuilding sessions and personal training programmes, making it a one-stop destination whether you’re training for an upcoming race or just looking to feel stronger and fitter.

Boost your recovery at Hideaway 

At this wellness sanctuary, you can experience semi-private and private ice baths and saunas – particularly appealing if you’re new to contrast therapy and would rather skip the social anxiety that can come with public bathhouses. If sitting in an ice bath sounds like too much of a challenge, you can also opt for a massage, where you can choose from a variety of different massages ranging from sports to deep-tissue as well as head and scalp treatments and gua sha massages. 

Shop quirky homegoods at Stacked Store 

If you like conversation-starting home decor with plenty of personality, Stacked Store is a quirky furniture and lifestyle store worth visiting. From bread- and tomato-shaped lamps to minimalist bookshelves with bowling-ball stoppers and incense holders shaped like receipts, its pieces are anything but ordinary. 

Take on a cooking masterclass at Somma Lab

An extension of Italian fine-dining concept Somma, Somma Lab offers hands-on masterclasses and food-making experiences ranging from focaccia, pizza, gnocchi and pastry-making to wine tastings and fermentation workshops. Sessions are led by professional chefs, including Fico’s sous chef Fercie and pastry director Jeanette Ow, giving you the chance to pick up new culinary skills while getting a taste of the restaurant world. 

Hang out with your furry friends at Pop Pop Pets 

Looking for somewhere to treat your furry friends? Pop Pop Pets stocks a range of adorable accessories, apparel and toys for your pets, alongside a community playground where they can roam, socialise and play.

Expand your child’s creativity at PeiPer Arts School

Among New Bahru’s slew of concepts are several unique arts and crafts schools for children. One of them is PeiPer Arts School, founded by paper artist Pei Li. Its craft programmes are conducted in an 80 per cent Mandarin and 20 per cent English format, combining bilingual learning with creative expression while developing fine motor skills in children aged four to 12. 

Dine to your heart’s content at the Factory Block

New Bahru’s Factory Block got an upgrade in May, with new food options added to its dining hall – essentially an atas take on a food court. You’ll find a large Sushiro outlet alongside Orh Gao Pei Gao, which serves Asian favourites such as kopi and kaya toast, as well as craft beer, handmade pasta from famed Italian restaurant Fico, and Laifaba Wanton Noodles & Roasted Meats. 

Pick up an illustrated book at Woods in the Books 

This independent bookstore specialises in picture and illustrated books from both homegrown and international authors. Beyond books, you’ll also find postcards, posters and art prints, making it a lovely place to pick up a thoughtful gift for children – or simply browse if you’re a fan of beautifully illustrated books yourself. 

Shop till you drop at Beyond the Vines Design House 

The largest Beyond the Vines store in Singapore can be found at New Bahru. Alongside its signature bags, you’ll find ready-to-wear pieces, accessories and lifestyle goods, as well as customisation services and curated product lines exclusive to the branch.

Sip in style with Chanel cafe pop-up (till 13 September) 

From now until 13 September, Chanel has transformed Alma House at New Bahru into a Parisian-inspired cafe to celebrate the launch of its new fragrance, Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolu. Guests can also explore the accompanying Coco Mademoiselle Makeup Collection and order from a menu of nine complimentary drinks, including coffee and fizzy options. There’s also an adorable themed photobooth for those looking to capture the experience. Spots are available by registration here.