8 third spaces in Singapore that are redefining where we hang out

Singapore isn’t short on beautiful places. In fact, more recently, there’s a different kind of space getting all the love. It’s not one that only buzzes when there’s an opening-week queue. It’s just somewhere people keep going back to, again and again, for no reason other than it feels good to be there.

Some people call these “third spaces”. They’re not home, not work, but just the in-between spot you end up in without really planning to. Since cost poses no obstacle, they provide a pressure-free environment to unwind and connect without any expectation of spending.

And honestly, we probably need them more than ever. As everything moves online, there’s been a quiet return to something like kampung spirit — a casual, no-agenda neighbourliness that’s gotten harder to find. For instance, a void deck library run entirely by residents; a shophouse wellness space where you don’t have to buy anything, just sit and be; or a community of strangers who show up week after week purely to talk.

For me, I still think about these places every now and then. Pearl’s Hill Terrace is one of them. So many memories were made there. New friendships, late-night conversations with people I’m now close to, and honestly, some I’ve since drifted from too. There were also a few goodbyes said in that same spot, which makes it bittersweet in a way I didn’t expect a building to be. That’s the thing about spaces like this. They’re not just pretty backdrops for a photo; as a matter of fact, they hold something more. For a lot of us, they’re tied to memories we didn’t know we were making at the time.

And while Pearl’s Hill Terrace had its lease officially extended by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) until March 2028, other locations deserve some attention and love too, before they’re gone. As we look back over the years at how our nation has transformed, here are a few third spaces that are worth checking out now.

Ahimsa Sanctuary

Tucked in a cosy shophouse on Neil Road, Ahimsa Sanctuary doesn’t look like much from the outside, until you step in and suddenly you’re somewhere between a wellness retreat and someone’s most beautifully put-together living room. It’s run by Ayshwariya Shri, also known as Ash Shri, who built the space around Ayurvedic principles, and intentionally incorporated the five elements. Think candles for fire, water features, plants for the earth element, all deliberately placed.

What to expect: You can expect a wide range of dishes for lunch including burritos, wraps, bagels and smoothies, plus yoga, sound baths and meditation sessions upstairs. It’s not your typical yoga flow class either, it leans more mindfulness-based, so go in with an open mind rather than expecting a sweaty workout. Community events pop up regularly too, from acoustic Sunday sessions to women’s circles. It’s a little pricier than your average cafe, and the wellness offerings won’t be for everyone, but if you’re after a slower, more intentional third space, this one delivers.

Ahimsa Sanctuary is located at 76 Neil Rd, Singapore 088840

HV Little Library

This one’s proof that a third space doesn’t need a big budget. What started as one shelf of donated books at a Holland Avenue void deck has grown into a full community library. The space is not fully funded, but it runs on donations – and that includes the books and wall decoration. 

What to expect: people of all ages, many of them seniors from the estate, and on Tuesday nights, Veggie Nights, where free produce donated by local social enterprises gets given out, along with plenty of chatter. It’s open 24 hours, which is rare for a community space, and there’s genuinely no pressure to buy or borrow anything; you can just sit and relax. Do note it’s a very grassroots, DIY kind of space, so don’t expect polish. The charm here is entirely in its lived-in, kampung-like feel.

HV Little Library is located at 2 Holland Avenue

Casual Poet Library

Hidden in the void deck of a Bukit Merah HDB block, Casual Poet Library is a shared library where almost 200 people rent a shelf each to stock with their own books, zines, and handwritten notes.

What to expect: an eclectic mix, everything from Chinese literature to old comics, and a genuinely cosy, slightly chaotic charm, since every shelf reflects a different person’s taste. They regularly host writing circles, book clubs, and poetry gatherings. Entry is free and there’s no obligation to spend, though becoming a shelf owner comes with a monthly rental fee if that’s something you’re keen to try. It’s a small space, about the size of a living room, so it suits a quiet solo visit or catching up with one friend more than a big group hangout.

Casual Poet Library is located at 123 Bukit Merah Lane 1 (Alexandra Village)

Softerfields

If the others lean communal and open-door, Softerfields sits at the more intimate, curated end of the spectrum. It’s a culture house built around vinyl listening sessions, alongside small gatherings and writing on music, film, and fashion.

What to expect: a slower pace here, think sitting in near silence as a record plays through, rather than mingling loudly over drinks. Sessions are usually small and often need registration in advance, so it’s less of a walk-in-anytime spot and more something you plan around, which might not suit those looking for spontaneity. This one’s for people who want a third space built around genuine, unhurried appreciation of something, rather than just a nice backdrop. Locations vary depending on the event, so we recommend checking their socials for the latest updates. 

Softerfields is located at various locations (depending on the event).

Playces

Playces isn’t a single fixed venue, it’s a network that turns underused public spaces, like *SCAPE or a climbing gym, into pop-up third spaces for a night.

What to expect: the unexpected. Past events have included a bouldering session with a live DJ and projected art, as well as community meet-ups that appear one weekend and disappear the next. Because it’s about opening up spaces that already exist rather than building new ones, the vibe changes depending on the venue and the community running that particular session, so what you get really depends on which event you catch. This makes it a little less predictable than the others on this list, and you’ll need to follow their socials closely to catch upcoming events, but it’s a great one to include if you want to make the point that a third space doesn’t have to be a fixed address. 

Playces is located at various locations (depending on the event).

Joo Chiat Social Club

Set along one of Singapore’s most heritage-dense streets, Joo Chiat Social Club is a community space that pulls together a genuinely wide mix of people, from aunties and uncles who’ve lived in the area for decades, to twenty-somethings looking for a place to belong.

What to expect: a shophouse setting that leans into the neighbourhood’s Peranakan roots, alongside a real intergenerational crowd rather than a curated one. Programming here tends to be community-first. Think workshops, conversations, and gatherings that bring different age groups into the same room, rather than a slick events calendar. It’s less about the aesthetics and more about who you’ll meet, so go in expecting genuine connection over a picture-perfect setting. 

Joo Chiat Social Club is located at 254 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427508

Stranger Conversations

Housed on the second floor of Pearl’s Hill Terrace, Stranger Conversations is exactly what it sounds like: a space built to help people have real conversations with people they’ve never met.

What to expect: carpets, throw pillows, and upcycled decor that make the whole thing feel more like a living room than an event space, and a packed calendar of fireside chats, potlucks, panel discussions, film screenings, and the occasional improv night. Events draw a genuinely mixed crowd, since attendees often bring friends from their own circles too. Some sessions ask for a small fee to help cover running costs, and because the format leans into deeper conversation, it might feel a little intense if you’re just looking for a quiet coffee. But if you’re craving connection beyond small talk, this is one of the more sincere third spaces on this list. 

Stranger Conversations is located at 195 Pearl’s Hill Ter, #02-38D, Singapore 168976

Temasek Shophouse

For a more polished take on the same idea, Temasek Shophouse reimagines four conserved heritage shophouses along Orchard Road into a social impact and co-working hub.

What to expect: a more institutional, well-resourced feel compared to the grassroots spaces on this list, with co-working facilities, event spaces like the airy Tembusu Canopy, and a steady lineup of workshops and community initiatives run by social enterprises and charities. It’s a good pick if you want the heritage shophouse charm without the DIY rough edges. 

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