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22 Reasons Why This F1 Weekend Will Be Awesome www.sgnow.sg
22Reasons Why
This F1 WeekendWill Be Awesome
w w w . s g n o w . s g
3 SINGAPORE NIGHT RACE 2015 SINGAPORE NIGHT RACE 2015 3
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One of the most talked-about events of the
year is back for the seventh time and if
you haven’t already made plans for the F1
weekend (Sep 18-20), we’ve come up with a list of
exciting ideas on where to eat, shop, party and chill.
There are a couple of rockin’ parties (with free-flow
champagne, A-list DJs and even diamond giveaways)
if you want to be seen hob-nobbing with the creme
de la creme, and also headlining concerts, shopping
deals and happy hour promotions to check out. But
if you’re not quite into the hype of it all, gather your
friends and head to alternative events like fancy
gourmet dinners, art shows and heritage walks. Or
you could even dive right into your own adrenaline-
pumping sporting activities that will get your heart
racing.
With so much to do and explore, read on for 22
reasons why you should be in the thick of the action
this weekend (if you still need convincing, that is).
Start your engines
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2 CELEBRITY SIGHTINGSIf you’re crazy enough to splash on the $900 price tag for a single ticket, or
$31,000 for a Methusalem Table, Amber Lounge (Sep 19-20, Temasek Reflection, 1 Temasek Ave., www.amber-lounge.com) is yours for the taking. It’s the official after party of the F1 Grand Prix, and it’s going to have the highest concentration of star power per square meter over the weekend, with names like Gordon Ramsay, Lewis Hamilton and David Beckham. There’s even a fashion show by Ted Baker and Chi Chi von Tang, a new label by Lisa Crosswhite, the founder of local online store Gnossem.
NEED FOR SPEED From glitzy after parties to heritage walking tours to champagne galore, here are 22 reasons why this is the most exciting weekend of the year.
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1 AMAZING CONCERTSWith official off-track highlight concerts comprising Pharrell Williams (Sep 18),
Maroon 5 (Sep 19), Spandau Ballet (Sep 19) and Bon Jovi (Sep 20), the line-up is looking pretty saucy. Spread over the weekend (Sep 18-20), these headliners will be taking over The Padang and Village Stage. And you don’t even need additional tickets—other than race tickets, that is, which start at $68 for a Friday Zone 4 Walkabout from www.singaporegp.sg.
Pharrell Williams
Amber Lounge
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WORLD-CLASS DJSWith no less than 15 different after parties, you can bet that every major club in town is going to be hosting some sort of lavish post-race bash. 1-Altitude (Sep 18-20; 62/F One Raffles Place, 1 Raffles Place, 6438-0410, www.1-altitude.com) has three nights of festivities, starting with the Johnnie Walker Circuit Party (Sep 18, 10pm), with views of the tracks no less. (See page 2 for ad.) There’s also Ce La Vi’s Night Race Weekend (Sep 18-20; 57/F Marina Bay Sands, 1 Bayfront Ave., www.celavi.com, which has tons of DJs like Samantha Ronson, Cassidy and Jose Padilla spinning 57 floors up. (See page 15 for ad.) And if you haven’t snagged tickets to Amber Lounge, head to Podium Lounge (Sep 18-20, 10pm; 1/F The Ritz-Carlton Millenia, 7 Raffles Ave., www.podiumlounge.com/sg), an equally ritzy post-race party with DJs like Kristian Nairn, better known as Hodor from Game of Thrones.
4 CRAZY RAVESMiami’s famous EDM heavyweight festival
comes to Singapore for the first time ever this year. It may be held in a slightly unsexy venue, but Road to Ultra (Sep 19, 8pm. Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, 10 Bayfront Ave., www.ultrasingapore.com) has roped in DJs that EDM fans are sure to freak out over. First off, there’s dubstep darling Skrillex, and then there’s EDM-electro DJ Nicky Romero, as well as Swedish DJ Alesso. And don’t forget to wear your neon best, funky headgear and country flags. Tickets start at $168 for General Admission.
5 MBS’S LATEST CELEB RESTAURANTS
If raving isn’t your thing, then maybe being a glutton is. There’s no shortage of celeb chef star power in the bay area and some of the restaurants have views of the tracks. Head to enfant terrible Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen (L1-81 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-5665) for some elevated British food and alfresco tipples before heading to the races. Or check out David Thompson’s Thai street food joint Long Chim (#02-02 Atrium 2, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-7299)—it’s secluded and super sexy. And don’t forget David Myers’ California-meets-Asia small plates restaurant Adrift (Hotel Lobby Tower 2, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-5657), which has great locally-inspired cocktails and uni sandwiches.
6 NEW REASONS TO LOVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD
F1 weekend always reminds us how much cool stuff there is to do around Marina Bay and City Hall. For example, at Suntec City, gourmet marketplace Pasarbella is set to open any day and the gargantuan mall has stepped up its food game. There’s also a seven-in-one Japanese enclave Eat at Seven (#01-310-316/206, 6238-1630, www.facebook.com/eatat7), a huge space with seven different restaurants serving sushi and sashimi, straw-grilled skewers, izakaya fare and more. Or head to affordable and homey Italian restaurant Bottura (#02-472/473/474, www.facebook.com/botturasg), dishing out Bolognese favorites like pizzas and lasagne. (See page 13 for ad.)
3Ce La Vi Night Race Weekend
Bread Street Kitchen
Eat at Seven
Sponsored—Or just relax by the pool at Hotel Jen Orchardgateway (277 Orchard Rd., 6708-8832, www.hoteljen.com) on Sep 19, 3pm onwards. BayWatch@Jen will feature tunes by UK DJs Kid Fiesta and $$Roberto$$ and a live screening of the F1 qualifying round. $25 gets you entry and a free drink. See page 5 for ad.
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FREE-FLOW CHAMPAGNE EVERYWHERECatch five glamorous nights of fashion shows, a line-up of 50 DJs, a luxurious ladies night with diamond giveaways over bubbly and a panoramic view of the race track at Sky Grande Prix 2015 (www.skygrandeprix.sg) held at Angie’s Oyster Bar, Empire, Patio and Sear Sep 16-20, 6:00pm-3:00am. If party-hopping is on your agenda, pop over to Dom Perignon Presents Luminous FT Dirty Vegas at Attica (#01-03 3A River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, 6333 9973, www.attica.com.sg) on Sep 18. There’ll be a neon green light show, a bubble display, dance performances and a showcase by Grammy award-winning DJ Paul Harris of Dirty Vegas—tickets start at $30 including two drinks.
WATER-BASED FUNIf you didn’t already know, the greater Marina Bay waters are home to some cool sports centers that allow you to row, sail and paddle board your way out. Passion Wave @ Marina Bay (11 Rhu Cross, 6296-6683, www.facebook.com/WaterVenture)
has kayaking, canoeing and bell boating in a double-hulled canoe. Renting the facilities starts at $15 for two hours. Unfortunately, you’ll only be allowed to row up to the ECP bridge. If you want to sidle in on the action in Marina Bay, opt for some sailing sessions with DBS Marina Bay Sailing (www.marinabaysailing.sg), where you can do two-and-a-half hours of sailing and instruction for $350.
8 THEMED DINNERS GALORE
If you’re more interested in the food and less so the fast cars, there are a few pop-up dinners happening around town, too. For a hearty meal, head to Artichoke’s Dude! Where’s My Food (Artichoke, 161 Middle Rd., 6336-6949, www.facebook.com/artichokesg) until Sep 20, where Chef Bjorn Shen is whipping up a meat lovers’ meal of bacon cheeseburger gyozas and five-cheese grilled cheese sandwiches. On the more traditional front, Candlenut (#01-03 Dorsett Residences, 331 New Bridge Rd., 8121-4107, www.candlenut.com), is serving a special menu of their best Peranakan dishes like satay, itek tim and ayam buah keluak until Sep 20.
9 AND FANCY DEGUSTATIONSGastronomic modern European restaurant
Stellar (61/F One Raffles Place, 1 Raffles Place, 6438-0410, www.1-altitude.com) rolls out a special F1 Sunday brunch ($110 without alcohol) that involves a seafood spread and lots of Champagne. You’ll get a killer bird’s eye view of the city while sipping on free- flow Champagne (additional $38). There’s also a free-flow Italian buffet happening at L’Operetta (38 Circular Rd., 6438-4792, www.operetta.sg) for $88. No track views here, though.
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Chef Bjorn Shen
L’Operetta
Passion Wave @ Marina Bay
DJ Paul Harris
PASTA FRESCA offers a wide selection of homemade fresh pasta and sauces because we believe in catering to individual’s taste. Everyone should be able to enjoy our pasta!
Create your own combination from over 16 types of homemade fresh pasta
and 21 delightful sauces.
We offer the widest range of fresh pasta in Singapore!
The True Heaay Italian Restaurant
PASTA FRESCA DA SALVATORE
Boat Quay | Bukit Timah | Siglapwww.pastafresca.com
EST. SINCE 1988
WE ARE AT:
18, 19, 20 SEPT 2015
Zone 4, Padang, Stall No. 3834
FORMULA 1SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
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GREAT HAPPY HOURSF1 weekend is famous for pre-race happy hours. Watering holes like District 10 Bar & Restaurant (#01-15 UE Square Shopping Mall, 81 Clemenceau Ave., 6738-4788, www.district10.com.sg) offer daily 1-for-1 happy hour specials. Refuge (#02-01/03-01 79 Circular Rd., 9772-3953, www.refuge.sg) has $5 happy hour drinks from 5-9pm (Wed-Fri) and 7-9pm (Sat) and Loof (#03-07, Odeon Towers, 331 North Bridge Rd., 9773-9304, www.loof.com.sg) is doing 1-for-1 Asian Sensation cocktails Sep 18-19 for F1 lanyard holders. Civilians can enjoy their regular happy hours 5-8pm. (See facing page for ad.)11 SHOTS AND
ARCADE GAMESRedDot BrewHouse (33/34 Boat Quay, 6535-4500, www.reddotbrewhouse.com.sg) is doing a multi-colored shooter tray special inspired by the colors of race cars, and involving a mix of Blue Curacao, Peppermint, Campari, Jagermeister, Vaccari and Barcardi 151. The special is $35 every evening from Sep 18-20. Speed devils may want to head over to The Mogambo/Hero’s GPSS Competition (Mogambo, #01-01 3 Canton St., www.mogambo.sg; Hero’s, #01-01 69 Circular Rd., www.heros.sg) until Sep 26 for a chance to win a $500 bar tab. It’s a virtual race competition and you’ll have to hold the fastest record at 8pm on Sep 20 to claim the top prize. Need liquid courage? Down the evening’s shot, The Pit Stop, at $10 each.
13 AND BREEZY ROOFTOP BARS
If you’ve missed snagging a spot at the track, you can still catch a bird’s-eye glimpse of the action at rooftop bars like prel.ude (#04-01 The Waterboat House, 3 Fullerton Rd., 6538-9038, www.boathouse.com.sg) and The Lighthouse (8/F The Fullerton Hotel, 1 Fullerton Square, 6877-8140, www.fullertonhotel.com). Call ahead.
INDIE PARTIES AND FLEA MARKETSIt’s not all glitz, glam and bubbly over F1 weekend. Our favorite grungy rooftop party is back at People’s Park Complex. Lepark presents SAAAPPP!! Vol. 1 An Indoor Carpark Party (Sep 19, 4pm, www.facebook.com/leparksg), which combines a flea market, urban art by the infamous SKL0 and other artists, live music by Weish and Tim de Cotta and a roster of local DJs. We’re told there will be another one in October. 14
12RedDot BrewHouse
pre.lude
Lepark
Loof
Sponsored—Start the party early with delicious Japanese craft beers from JiBiru Craft Beer & Yakitori Bar (#01-26 313@Somerset, 313 Orchard Rd., 6732-6884, www.jibiru.com). Their happy hour starts at noon and runs till 8pm. See page 7 for ad.
Sponsored—Get away from the crowds at craft brewery LeVeL33 (#33-01 Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1, 8 Marina Blvd., 6834-3133, www.level33.com.sg), where the cover is $33 over F1 weekend, though you can get a six-person terrace table for $333. Sep 18-20. See page 16 for ad.
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HERITAGE WALKS AND SHOPPINGF1 weekend is a great time to shop, too, with at least four major shopping events happening concurrently. At Choo Yilin Presents Joo Chiat’s Secrets (331 Joo Chiat Rd., 6348-1017, www.chooyilin.com), you can go on a self-guided walkabout of local businesses around the district which includes a gourmet Peranakan afternoon tea session and a tour of a heritage Peranakan house at The Intan or participate in leather crafting and floral arrangement workshops—simply download the Secret Joo Chiat map via the website.
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16 HIGH STREET FASHION
For more unique finds by Asian designers, go to the Fashion & Jewellery Pitstop pop-up by online retailer Shopthemag (Sofitel So Singapore, 35 Robinson Rd., www.shopthemag.com). There, you can browse race-inspired clothing and jewelry by local label Madly Gems. It’s also when you can enjoy special deals. E-commerce fashion retailer Zalora (www.zalora.sg) is also offering a 20% off storewide until Sep 20 with no minimum spend with the promo code: ZALGPSS20.
17 CUTTING-EDGE ARTDon’t miss the last week of the
Singapore International Festival of Arts (www.sifa.sg). Highlights include It Won’t Be Too Long: The Cemetery (Sep 18-19), which explores the consequences of the loss of Bukit Brown Cemetary, the six hour-long Incredible Adventures of Border Crossers (Sep 17-19), a Singaporean production that premiered in Paris in March, and a performance by local classical group T’ang Quartet (Sep 19).
AND FREE ART, TOOLocal (and free!) arts festival Noise Singapore (www.noisesingapore.com), is back with a two-month event featuring art, photography, design and music. The festival runs from Sep 16-Nov 8 at places like Ion Orchard and The Esplanade,
and includes events like a pop-up photography showcase Collective Dreams: Images from a New Generation and poetry event 5 Under
25 by emerging writers under the age of 25. What’s also exciting are collaborations like the Young Talent Programme by The Affordable Art Fair and ION Art, showcasing pieces by artists between 18-35.
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Joo Chiat Choo Yilin Presents Joo Chiat’s Secrets
Shopthemag
T’ang Quartet
Noise Singapore
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20 A PERSISTING NEED FOR SPEED
Get your own dose of high-speed action around Singapore. Book a slot at Kartright Speedway in Jurong (511 Upper Jurong Rd., 6265-3303, www.kartright.com), where you only need a driving licence if you’re going to be going more than 30km an hour. Over on Sentosa, there’s the Skyline Luge (45 Siloso Beach Walk, 6274-0472, www.skylineluge.com), where you speed down 650 meters on two separate trails in your personal ride.
21 LAST-MINUTE STAYCATION DEALS
If you haven’t booked an F1 staycation already, you’ve really pushed it to the last minute. Good luck scoring one at the fancy hotels with views of the tracks, such as The Fullerton, Marina Mandarin, Pan Pacific and Swisshotel The Stamford. (But hey, who knows). And if you live downtown and just want to get away from all the speed and roaring, check into one of the boutique staycations we went on recently that have special deals for SG50. See the full story at bit.ly/1JvTZBr.
22 LATE-NIGHT SUPPERSNothing like a night race to rev you
up for hours out on the town, particularly if you’re participating in the crazy after parties. Line that stomach at one of the city’s fun supper spots. For something classy near the race, there’s The Black Swan (19 Cecil St., 8181-3305, www.theblackswan.com.sg), which has extended its champagne and oyster deal. A bit further but open till 4am are local joint Old House (25 Neil Rd., 6223-1633, www.oldhousefood.com) and Kko Kko Nara Fried Chicken (68 Tanjong Pagar rd., 6225-9282, www.kkokkonara.com). Scottish bar Highlander (#B1-05 Chijmes, 30 Victoria St., www.highlanderasia.com) and good ol’ dim sum joint Swee Choon (191 Jln. Basar, 6225-7788, www.sweechoon.com) are both open till 6am. For more ideas, visit bit.ly/1h023F4.
Jean-Georges
Pan Pacific
Skyline Luge
The Black Swan
GOURMET FOOD KIOSKS AT THE PADDOCKTicket holders, fill your tummy with epicurean bites from Michelin starred Chef Jean-Georges Vongeritchen, COMO Cusine, Marina Bay Seafood Co., and Marina Bay Creamery. The highlight of the bunch has to be the spread by Vongeritchen, which comprises elevated nibbles like Oscietra Cavia with Blinis and Crème Fraiche from Crudo & Caviar Bar and charred beef tenderloin with smashed herbs, olive oil and lime from Steakhouse Grill, among other delicious things.
Sponsored—Have a hearty Italian dinner by the river at Pasta Fresca Da Salvatore (30 Boat Quay, 6532-6283, www.pastafresca.com). Or check out their booth at Zone 4 of the Padang, where they’re doing lasagna, pastas, pizzas and beers. See page 9 for ad.
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IN THE WORLD'S HIGHEST
URBAN CRAFT-BREWERY
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CIRCUIT.
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