Time Out Singapore - Guide To Nightclubs & Bars In Singapore - Oct 2007

Blu Jaz Café
Category: Bars

Events at Blu Jaz Café

Greg Lyons Omniform: Mondays *Critics' choice*

Sax king Lyons has gathered a group of nine (yup, we said nine) jazz fiends and formed Omniform to play a set of contemporary original songs each week. Just imagine the layers of sound going on here.

Ayaschool: Saturdays

After a two-month break, the Singapore-based Japanese pianist Aya Sekine returns to her regular Saturday gig, starting 20 October. Her brand of jazz is unique, in that she incorporates other musical styles picked up during her extensive stints tickling the ivories in different parts of the world.

The World's Greatest Party Hotspots

The world's greatest party hotspots

1 October 2007

Many holidaymakers head overseas in search of culture, relaxation or quality time with their loved ones, but sometimes all you want to do once away from the daily stress of life at home is have plenty of good old-fashioned fun. So where on earth do you start? Here are a few recommendations to begin your quest for a good time with...

The classics If your idea of a good time is sunbathing by day and clubbing by night, then your best bet is probably Spain and its buzzing islands. The Costa del Sol offers the likes of Torremolinos and Fuengirola for night owls, while the island of Ibiza is world famous for being crammed with clubs in which renowned DJs seem to live throughout the summer. However, if you're more of a bar than a club person, why not head to somewhere like laidback Malaga or upmarket Marbella?

Elsewhere, Cyprus is famous for its Ayia Napa resort, which is also a haven for those who love golden beaches, sparkling blue waters and a plethora of clubs and bars to choose from. The resort is ideal for those who like to have somewhere peaceful to escape to on the odd night that they are not out on the town, with Harbour Beach and Cape Greco offering places in which to enjoy some respite from the constant partying.

Closer to home, Dublin is becoming increasingly popular with those looking for a week of bar-hopping, particular among stag and hen party groups.

Similarly, Prague has perhaps become more famous for its cheap beer than its historical and cultural attractions among younger travellers.Long-haul fun If you want to escape the confines of Europe, you'll find that the party options get much more interesting.

Rio de Janeiro is the place to be if you're heading to Brazil in February. The Rio Carnival is one of the biggest parties in the world and attracts more than half a million visitors to the city every year. However, even if you fly over at other times of the year, you'll find that there is plenty to occupy even the most demanding clubber or bar-goer, particularly along the Copacabana.

Hopping north, the USA offers plenty of party hotspots that buzz year-round. If you fancy a bit of Hollywood glamour, you could fly to Los Angeles and try to mingle with some of the biggest film stars in the world at the city's exclusive nightspots. Just a few of these include the Sky Bar, the Conga Room, Area and the Viper Room. If star-spotting isn't your thing, why not check out the cream of the current crop of up and coming bands instead? Young hopefuls regularly head to the city in the hope of catching the attention of music moguls, with the result that rarely a week passes by without another hyped up sold-out gig taking place in one of Los Angeles' many live music venues.

On the opposite coast, New York is another classic hotspot that is home to a wide range of clubs ideal for those from all walks of life. According to New York Magazine, some of the best nightspots in the city include Plan B at the St Regis Hotel, which makes some of the best Bloody Marys to be had, SOB's for salsa dancing, celebrity favourite Bungalow 8, trendy Marquee and Bemelmans Bar for some well-made classic cocktails.

Go east On the other side of the world, the Asia Pacific has much to offer when it comes to a good night out. There's a good reason that backpackers flock to Australia in their droves every year - and it isn't just for the sunshine. For Sydney, Time Out recommends moogbar in Surry Hills for tapas and cocktails, while the Icebergs Bar overlooks Bondi Beach and also offers an upmarket cocktail menu. Elsewhere in Australia, Melbourne is another destination packed with enough high quality bars and clubs to prompt many to declare it the best in the country for nightlife. There's the Heat Nightclub and Cocktail Bar, Revolver for those into alternative music, the massive Metro and celebrity haunt the Prince of Wales.

Meanwhile, Asia is home to a host of intriguing destinations for that memorable wild night out. Thailand is perhaps the obvious choice, considering that, like Australia, it is one of the most backpacker-friendly countries in the world. Pattaya and Phuket are regularly recommended by travellers for diverse beer bars, parties and clubs serving up all kinds of music, while Bangkok should not be overlooked as the classic option.

Travellers heading to Singapore will also find most tastes catered for. Attica is a club that offers hip hop on one floor and Eurotrash on another, while the quirkier Blu Jaz Cafe is likely to appeal to those looking for a more laidback night out. A Ministry of Sound club is also located close to the centre of Singapore, while Zouk is widely considered to be one of the foremost nightspots in the region.

If you really want to push the boat out and jump right out of your comfort zone, why not fly to Tokyo and sample an altogether different world? Clubs here are known to remain fully packed until the crack of dawn and are populated by people from every social stratum. Try the traditional Japanese nomiya bars, or if you're after something slightly stranger check out Mother, if only to gawp at its giant hanging lizard, or Lovenet, a karaoke bar where singers belt out the hits in a Jacuzzi.Everywhere you go...Of course, while these are just a few of the most well-known party spots, you can bet that pretty much every destination around the globe has its own type of nightlife that may be just as fun as the bars and clubs you're used to back at home, if you were to give it a chance. Even the most innocuous towns have to provide some form of entertainment for the locals - all you have to do is go forth and explore.

Silver Kris - The Travel Magazine Of Singapore Airlines

Silver Kris Oct 2007 Issue.

Touchdown Singapore - Bohemian Rhapsody.

If you are looking for a unique "village" experience in Singapore, over the glitzy city feel of Orchard Road, look no further. Tracy Lee-Elrick follows the trails to the island's most colourful lifestyle enclaves. Photographs by AGRON DRAGAJ.

Just as Parisians, Londoners and New Yorkers have their idiosyncratic 'hoods' such as Marias, Portobello and Tribeca, so too, do Singapore denizens, who are eschewing Orchard Road with its mix of international high street and designer labels, in favour of quirkier playgrounds with more breathing space.

The most well-known of these is Holland Village located an eight minute cab ride from Orchard Road. A cluster of low rises, it offers an eclectically cosmopolitan array of goods, services and F&B options. Travel magazines have also been touting nearby Rochester Park as Singapore's latest chichi dining and entertainment hot spot, with its colonial black and white bungalows. Once the homes of British officers some 70 years ago, they are now breathtakingly beautiful galleries, studios, spas and speciality retail shops.

Here are some other charming areas to check out:

Kampong Glam
In 1819, a treaty was signed between the de jure and de facto rulers of Singapore, and the British trading firm, East India Company, giving the company the right to set up a trading post in Singapore. In 1823, the British came into possession of the entire island, except for the residences of the rulers. Kampong Glam was designated for use by one of them.

Anchored by two impressive mosques, this are has, over the centuries, retained its strong Muslim identity. A visit to the Malay Heritage Centre and Sultan Mosque will give you a feel of the history of this place. There are a range of traditional fabric shops and halal restaurants (serving food in accordance with Islamic dietary law) catering to their Muslim regulars. In recent years, students from nearby art schools have joined in, browsing the stalls along Arab Street for trinkets, before heading to North Bridge Road for a spicy meal washed down with teh tarik (or pulled tea) so called because of the way the tea is poured from a height into another cup.

Then, in 2005, Singapore media maven Theseus Chan chose a narrow side street called Haji Lane as the temporarty location of his travelling Comme Des Garcons guerrilla store, and the are took on a whole new look.

Today, the vibe is grungy and bohemian, with funkily dressed teenagers trawling boutiques like Pluck, White Room, Billet Doux and Salad for indie designer threads and retro home furnishings before heading off to House of Japan to scour racks of affordable imported secondhand apparel.

For a breather, head to Egyptian eatery Al Tazzag and relax over kebas and tea. This is a favour spot with rocker dudes who like to lounge on carpets placed along the building outdoor alleys.

Another entertaining way to pass the time is to buy $5 worth of snacks from Pitch Black which gains you admission into their tiny indie theatre on the second floor. Screening schedules features a different focus each week - it could be musicals one week and Fashion the week after.

Down the next alley, in Bali Lane, find indie/hip hop music store Straits Records and Blu Jaz Cafe where you can have a drink (it is one of the few places here that serve alcohol) and listen to a live jazz performance....

WHERE SINGAPORE - October 2007

Kampong Glam
By Terry Ong and Michele Koh


Blu Jaz Cafe
11 Bali Lane Singapore 6292 3800


Tucked away in a cozy spot on Bali Lane, Blu Jaz Cafe is becoming one the coolest places to hang out if you want a night out but don't want to dress to the nines for it. The place is packed on weekends with a good looking crowd who come here for the live jazz music and guest DJs.

They serve mostly western dishes and their burgers are value for money and delicious too. The alfresco area is ideal for large groups or for those who just want to have a beer and watch the world go by.

Review By Female Magazine Oct 2007 Issue

Jazz Do It

The popularity of Blu Jaz has resurged over the past few months and we know exactly why –

Bebop. With its exciting line up of live performances by both local and regional guests artistes Greg Lyons and chanteuses Angelita Li and Aya Sekine, Blu Jaz is an essential stop for those who love all things jazz. The upper deck of this quaint two storey joint acts as a mini clubs that hosts regular parties and theme nights with music by local DJs Nomsta and KoFlow and regional favourite MC Garuda.

Bites. Choose from salad and bar snacks like prawn and mango salad, thai tofu, mozarella cheese sticks. For a more filling meal, take your pick from the main course menu that offers both local and western fare. Our favourites include Grilled Creole Chicken, Seafood Aglio Olio and Black Pepper Beef with Rice.

Booze. How can anyone resist the superbly priced housepours. Liquor housepours with mixers are priced at $9.50 while a bottle of wine is just $38.00!

Blu Jaz Cafe is located at 11 Bali Lane Singapore 189848. Tel: 6292 3800. Opening Hours 12noon to 12midnight from Mondays to Thursdays, 12 noon to 2am on Fridays and 4pm to 2am on Saturdays. Close on Sundays.

The Business Times Fri 13 Jul 2007

Announcement: We will be closed on National Day 9 Aug & Monday 13th August
Amanda de Guzman
Fri, Jul 13, 2007
The Business Times : Far from the madding crowd

AFTER a while, a night out in Singapore can get quite monotonous as clubbers take their pick of the likes of St James Power Station, Ministry of Sound (MOS), Zouk or wherever the latest hot spot happens to be. But those in the know are more likely to go beyond the tried and tested to the more eclectic charms of smaller, lesser-known and privately owned bars and clubs that are refreshing for their independence and uniqueness.

A cozy locale that has a very musical focus is the Blu Jaz Cafe, a two-storey establishment on Bali Lane in Arab Street that houses a restaurant on the first floor and a lounge area on the second floor. One of its main concerns is supporting and enriching the local scene, with several renowned international and local soul, Latin and experimental jazz acts having graced its stage.

'Blu Jaz has a great feel,' says jazz musician Dave D'aranjo. 'Great musicians always pass through.' One of them will be Fabio Morgera, a famous one-handed jazz trumpeter from New York, who will be playing exclusively at Blu Jaz on July 27.

Another interesting feature is the 10-piece jazz band that plays every Monday.

Usually found off the beaten track in areas better known for karaoke bars and shady hostels, these places combine chic, innovative interiors with a fashionable, music-savvy and closely-knit crowd. 'They actually come for the music,' says Justin Noreikis, a regional IT project manager by day and a drum and bass DJ by night.

'Let's be realistic. Most people who go to the Cannery or MOS are looking for action. As long as it's loud and reasonably tinged with house and R&B, they're happy.

Not so for the demographic that frequents places like Home Club and the recently closed Bar Baa Black Chic, two places where Noreikis has played. 'You can't stereotype the people that used to come here,' says the single-monikered Hae, proprietor of Bar Baa Black Chic. 'But they are all well versed in the knowledge of music. They know who is playing and what is playing.'

The launch of Bar Baa Black Chic, a multi-level nightspot that boasted a rooftop with beds and a barbecue, nestled among hostels and small cafes in Little India, was motivated by Hae's passion for music.
Not a cash cow

'It was definitely not a cash cow,' says Hae. The sound system, which Noreikis refers to as 'killer', came from Hae's own home, and he also built all the furniture for the club's interior. And, since the DJs who spun at the bar usually played lesser-known artists, Bar Baa Black Chic attracted a far smaller crowd.
'Drum and bass is a very niche thing,' says Noreikis. 'They also have to venture all the way to Little India,' a place that is not known for its nightlife.
Hae also professes to be devoted to the cultivation of the local music scene, and Bar Baa Black Chic became a home for fledgling and up-and-coming DJs and musicians, as well as Singaporeans 'who are serious about production'.
Home Club, which opened in June 2005, is another venue that is dedicated to the development of Singapore's music scene.

'Every month, we have live music,' says Brad Gardner, Home's business director. 'We then record these live sessions and distribute them to the media and radio stations.' Local bands that have benefited from those events have included Plain Sunset and the Great Spy Experiment, with the latter in the midst of releasing a record.

Gardner likens Home to places like The Hacienda, the famous Manchester nightclub from the 80s and early 90s that provided a platform for legends such as the Sex Pistols, and more recently, The Stone Roses. Fans of indie rock bands such as the Klaxons and the Cure fill the club on their extremely popular Friday Beat! Nights, an event that is in constant innovative flux.
Personal touch

'It's grown organically, from its start to now, from something very personal into something that has been very successful, but has not lost its personal touch,' says Gardner. This personal touch is another commonality among these smaller bars and clubs.

'Home is not like the standard Singapore bar or club, which is very sterile,' says Sal Fernando, the chief technical architect for EMC, an American technology corporation. 'You feel like you are going into someone's house. Everyone is really nice and the music is really good.'
Hae echoes this sentiment, saying that nights at Bar Baa Black Chic were like 'family gatherings'.

Unfortunately, due to the ethos of keeping the prices low and the music special, smaller bars usually have a short shelf life; Bar Baa Black Chic closed down due to a monetary issue with Compass, a watchdog organisation for music labels. Still, it expects to re-open at another location. In fact, another attraction of these clubs is that many of them constantly change locations, adding to their underground vibe - one that is both fleeting and exciting. And certainly a lot more edgy than the plain vanilla bars most clubbers are used to.

Straits Times: ST Lifestyle Sunday 17 June 2007

Chill-Out-Street
Kampong Glam has come alive with new shops and cafes to rival Holland Village in the hip quotient
By Lee Sze Yong

Faces of Glam
Click here for AsiaOne Wine, Dine & Unwind
Blu Jaz Cafe 11 Bali Lane; Open: Mondays to Thursdays, noon to midnight; Fridays: noon to 2am; Saturdays: 4pm to 2am; closed on Sundays; Tel: 6292-3800

Live jazz band lovers will adore this psychedelic-coloured restaurant-bar frequented by office workers in the area. Local musicians perform in the evenings, while customers enjoy their dinner amid quirky decor, which includes a giant palm-shaped chair. Its bubbly owner, Ms Aileen Tan, is
a raconteur who provides perfect company. She says: 'There is a magical kampung charm here that you just can't find anywhere else. I think that alone will attract people to come.
CALL it the Kampong that has gone Glam.

Come to Kampong Glam on a warm Sunday afternoon and you can chill out at an alfresco cafe such as Kampong Glam Cafe in Bali Lane or Sleepy Sam's in Bussorah Street, watch tourists rummage through wares in souvenir shops and backpackers check into a hostel.

The 8.9ha historical site is bounded by Ophir Road, Victoria Street, Jalan Sultan and Beach Road, with the golden dome of Sultan Mosque serving as a prominent landmark.
After you have drunk your $6 iced karkadeh or hibiscus tea, you head to a nearby alley where small, quaint boutiques line both sides. You window-shop a bit before popping into a small cinema to catch an indie film for free if you spend $5 on food and drinks.

Night falls. You join the nocturnal creatures at a bar where a band plays jazz.
All of it sounds like a lot of fun, and it is. In the last two years, Kampong Glam has shed its sleepy, low-profile image to rival Holland Village and Siglap in the cool sweepstakes, attracting teens, yuppies and tourists.

It's a far cry from the 1800s when it was designated as the Islamic quarter. It was a residential area for many Malays and Arabs during the British colonial years. Fast-forward to today and you meet a new crowd, like British tourist, graphic designer Anju Kathuria, 27, whom LifeStyle spotted window-shopping.

He says: 'It's the coolest part of Singapore. There are many individual shops, each has its identity and is very design-driven, unlike the run-of-the-mill shops in the malls.'

From minimalist fashion boutiques and kitsch antique shops to Arabic restaurants and cosy bistros, the mainly low-rise area of two-storey shophouses has become a vibrant village.
Dr Ameen Talib, president of the Kampong Glam Business Association, says many of the more than 200 shops in the area have seen a 20 to 50 per cent increase in revenue since 2004, when the economy started to recover from Sept 11 and Sars.

The road to its present hipness can be traced back to 2001 when Dr Ameen, a business consultant, opened Cafe le Caire @ AlMajlis in Arab Street.

It spawned at least five other Arabic restaurants. Expats and young office workers began to take notice and came in droves at night.

Another boost came in 2004 when retailers worked with the Singapore Tourism Board to organise an Arab Heritage Week to ride on the area's historical and cultural lineage.
The opening of the Malay Heritage Centre in November that year complemented the grand Sultan Mosque, attracting more tourists.

In 2005, the area also popped up on fashionistas' radar when Mr Theseus Chan opened his second Comme des Garcons Guerilla Store in Haji Lane. The store, known for its hit-and-run tactics - it has been opening and closing unadvertised, temporary outlets in obscure locations - retails edgy designs from the Paris-based label Commes des Garcons.

Mr Chan, who is also the founder of Work Advertising, recalls: 'I saw the area having an atmosphere not like any other in Singapore. Its laid-back bohemian feel was what I was after at that time. More importantly, it wasn't trendy then.'

Although the store has since moved to its present Bukit Merah premises, many start-ups like Barong and Lola have since sprung up and transformed Haji Lane into a designer street.
Arty venues like the indie film gallery Pitch Black have also moved in in the past three months.
Full-time national serviceman Timothy Koh, 22, who comes at least once a month with friends to shop, says: 'The brands offered are different from what you can get in the department stores and the range is getting better.'

Certainly, the retail mix has changed in the area gazetted in 1989 by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), then the Urban Renewal Authority, as a conservation site.

By 1997, 48 shophouses had been restored by the URA and sold to landlords and retailers.
Mr Jamal Kazura is one of them. His perfume shop in Bussorah Street has been around since 1995.

He says that in the first few years, the new shopowners were mainly textile wholesalers who needed a storefront to showcase their goods. 'People who came here were businessmen from the region and Muslims who had just finished their prayers at Sultan Mosque,' he recalls.

Shopowners are keeping their fingers crossed that the boom will last for rent has skyrocketed as the human traffic increased. Mr Jamal says a 2,000 sq ft space costs about $6,000 a month now, whereas three years ago, it was only $2,500 at most.

Some shopowners say that prime lots in Haji Lane and Bussorah Lane are going for $8,000 a month. Mr Anilkant, a textile exporter in Haji Lane, says he has seen at least six shops come and go over the past two years.

Ms Eileen Fam of Lola says if the rent continues to rise, entrepreneurs like herself will be forced to pull out. She declines to say how much she is paying for the 750 sq ft space in Haji Lane, although she has about a year more of her lease to run. She laments that while there are more people coming into her shop in the past year, most are browsers.

Mr Anilkant concurs: 'If you count the number of customers going out of the shop on one hand and the number of shopping bags they have on the other, the latter will not move at all.' The increased traffic ironically could also put off potential customers. Says student Michael Toh, 23: 'The appeal of Kampong Glam is that it is a place to chill. If it becomes too crowded, the charm is lost.'

Former property agent Aileen Tan, who opened Blu Jaz Cafe about two years ago, is optimistic, though. She expects to break even by next year. She usually sees a full-house crowd on Friday nights in the 100-seater, mostly from the offices nearby.

by szeyong@sph.com.sg

REVIEWS

TIME OUT SINGAPORE - MAIDEN ISSUE MAR 2007
Critics' Choice - Blu Jaz The funk and soul collective aims to fill a void in the club scene. There is a lack of nights in Singapore dedicated to funk and soul. While there are a lot of established nights in Europe and in the US with packed audience floors and live bands, in AsIa, its perceived as start of the night chilled out background music. See if they can change that when they play at Blu Jaz Cafe ....

http://www.timeout.com/sg/en/clubs/venues/Bars/blu-jaz-cafe

VISITORS' GUIDE TO SINGAPORE 2007 EDITION

ANYWHERE ELSEOutside the city, entertainment, like a flicking fire, draws the eyes of party animals wherever they may be.Blu Jaz Café 11 Bali Lane. Call 6292 3800. Jazz music is part of a wider phenomenon, but keeping it chilled and real is what Blue Jaz Cafe is all about. The two-storied unit has a beautiful garden area for beers, cocktails and meals, while the inside is upholstered with comfortable sofas. Live jazz music soaks into the walls on Friday and Saturday evenings.http://www.visitorsguide.com.sg/anywhere.htm

ARABIAN NIGHTS BY EXPAT MAGAZINE FEB 2006
Arabian NightsSabina-Leah Fernandez explores one of Singapore’s hippest districts, Kampong GlamCollectively known as Kampong Glam, Arab Street and its surrounding areas have recently emerged as one of Singapore’s hippest enclaves. Designated by Raffles as the Islamic quarter in the early 19th century, the area roughly bound by Bali Lane, North Bridge Road, Jalan Sultan and Beach Road was (and to an extent still is) the meeting point for Muslims of all races. The in crowd’s recent predilection for heritage-protected areas has led them here and in the last couple of years, Kampong Glam has developed into an ultra-cool locale while retaining its community spirit.Kampong Glam is rarely deserted. There’s a constant stream of traffic, both human and vehicular. In the morning a smattering of tourists is present, as well as some serious fabric shoppers.

The stronghold of Kampong Glam is Sultan Mosque on North Bridge Road. The stunning gold-domed structure was built in 1928 and is a blend of Persian, Moorish and Turkish architecture. The striking mosque with its pastel-coloured balustrades and minarets does much more than add to the skyline. It is what makes the vicinity unique.All day, worshippers stream in and out of Sultan Mosque, stopping afterward for a meal, colourful kueh kueh (cake) or a chat with friends. At the specified times (five daily) the sounds of the muezzin singing the call to prayer (azan) waft through the neighbourhood. The call is taken very seriously. Music must be turned down during the five daily azan out of respect. Never lasting more than a minute or two, the singing is hauntingly beautiful. Despite the area’s growing café culture, alcohol cannot be served anywhere in the mosque’s vicinity. Although alcohol is frowned upon, tobacco and cigarette smoking is for some reason quite acceptable. Shisha, the Arab world’s shared tobacco pipe, is available almost everywhere in Kampong Glam. Shisha haunts are packed with crowds of cool young, twenty-somethings. Typically, these shisha cafés are split-level, with low tables and on-the-floor seating upstairs. In line with Islamic customs, they often require you to remove your shoes before entering, and they are (with a few exceptions) completely halal – so no pork or booze is served.

Despite a conservative disposition, Kampong Glam is thriving among muslims and non-muslims alike, with cosy shisha cafés bursting at their incense-scented seams. One of the first of these to open was Samar, a gorgeous café on the corner of Kandahar Street and Baghdad Street. Styled after one of Cairo’s hottest coffee shops, El Fishawy, Samar is one of the area’s venues. Intricately-carved wooden lanterns spin in the draught from the ceiling fans, casting patterned shadows on the interiors and black and white checkered flooring. “The ambience of Samar, and by extension the whole district, is special. Life slows down here. It’s a pocket of Singapore that’s serene but at the same time it’s lively,” says Harasha Bafana, Samar’s General Manager. “When we first started at our previous premises on Baghdad Street, we were the only ones open at night. Then we became so popular that we had to move into a bigger space!” she says. Ambrosia, which moved into Samar’s previous location, is now so crowded that on some nights they are forced to turn people away. Even after opening a satellite outlet a couple of doors away Ambrosia still packs in a full house on weekends – so reservations are strongly recommended. It could be the fantastic Mediterranean-inspired food or it could be the café’s chilled out atmosphere (sometimes a little too chilled out in the service department) that’s made it so successful. Ambrosia’s latest foray is a couple of doors down in the same block of shophouses. The satellite outlet, known only by its street number, 25A, is upstairs and offers diners Ambrosia’s usual ambience and menu with the option to bring your own booze. Also, there’s a private function area called mezzanine, where you can custom select a menu for two to 15 persons.On the other side of Sultan mosque is trendy newcomer, Baladi. Baladi’s authentic Lebanese food is combined with chic, contemporary décor and personalised service. Director, Sham Almushaiyah, says: “Lebanese food is fun eating. There’s lots of variety and small portions of everything so you never get bored.

”Funky, back alley café, Kaki5, is an Expat favourite. Eclectic, dark, and unconventional, the hole-in-the-wall haunt on narrow Haji Lane is the epitome of Kampong Glam’s friendly, laid-back culture. Owned and run by two filmmakers, being in Kaki5 is like hanging out at a bohemian friend’s house. Many customers spend the day here playing board games or watching DVDs. The menu, filled with novel reinventions of old-school Malay dishes, is a continuous work in progress and a collaboration between customers and the café’s friendly owners, Wahyu and Adi. Opening hours are equally bohemian though, so call before you drop by just to be sure.

B. Bakery is well-hidden behind its heritage-protected façade, so follow the aroma of fresh bread if you can’t find it. The bakery’s signature items include Manjari chocolate cake, apple sage cake and sticky date pudding, all of which are delicious and pleasantly light-textured. They also serve lunch items like sandwiches and shepherd’s pie.

Defying the alcohol-free convention in the area are Om Café and Blu Jaz Café – newly-opened bistros on charming Bali Lane. Om Café incorporates an Indian theme into its décor and menu. Called a “sensual dining chill out space,” Om was born out of the owners’ desire for a café that combines funky atmosphere with affordable pricing. Shisha goes for only $12 here, while bottled beers, spirits and wine are priced at a pocket-friendly $7.50.

A couple of doors away is another Expat favourite, Blu Jaz Café. With its psychedelic colour scheme and larger than life décor (including an oversized chair in the shape of a hand) Blu Jaz is unmistakable. The café’s quirky, vibrant energy is the handiwork of owner, Aileen Tan, a self-confessed Kampong Glam fan. “When I first came to Bali Lane, I fell for it. I love old buildings, and the trees on Bali Lane create a lovely boulevard,” Aileen told Expat over an extra thick chocolate milkshake.

Long before the funky café culture arrived, Kampong Glam was the dwelling place of Malay dignitaries. As part of the treaty relinquishing Singapore to the East India Company in 1819, Sultan Hussein was granted the land rights to Istana Kampong Glam (Kampong Glam Palace) where he and his descendants lived until recently. Gedung Kuning, meaning yellow mansion, was also known as the home of the Bendahara or prime minister, but records indicate it was more likely home to one of Sultan Hussein’s sons. When the area came under heritage-protected development recently, the residents were (ahem) politely asked to leave.

Today, the Istana has been converted into the Malay Heritage Centre, a museum that includes the history of the settlement, entertainment and art of Singapore’s Malay community. Gedung Kuning, has kept its trademark yellow paintwork and has been converted into a successful banquet restaurant called Tepak Sireh. The two-level restaurant can accommodate over 500 and is a popular venue for weddings (ceremonies are held in a garish yellow and gold room) and diplomatic functions. The affordable daily buffet may look average, but the rendang (a spicy, dry mutton or beef curry) and house speciality soto madura (a delicious chicken soup made with tamarind, vegetable crackers and a touch of coconut milk) are quite extraordinary.Long-time

Kampong Glam stalwart, Bumbu, serves tasty Indonesian and Thai food. Not to be mistaken for fusion food, Bumbu serves Indonesian dishes like mouth-watering tauhu telor (beancurd deep-fried in egg) alongside Thai dishes like a delicate pomelo salad. Dishes are not overly spicy and chefs will customise food for special requests without a problem. The décor is termed “nostalgic” but with its gilded antique screen doors and marble-topped coffee shop tables it has a definite Peranakan flavour.

Naturally, there’s lots of Middle Eastern cuisine in the Kampong Glam area. Menus may start to look similar after a while, but tastes differ to quite a large extent. Our picks are Egyptian Al Tazzag and Turkish Alaturka. Al Tazzag’s quaint alley location is popular with couples. Try the tasty babaganoush here and have a sweet “Egyptian Healthy Drink” to wash it down. Apart from the usual meats and cold mezzes, you’ll love Alaturka’s Turkish coffee, which is boiled with sugar for a rich sweet flavour. Enjoy the coffee (with a shisha pipe, naturally) in the Turkish corner, a miniature courtyard with comfortable seating and plush carpets. After a couple of shishas and a hearty meal of grilled meat, flatbread and dips, there really is nothing better than a cold beer. (any excuse for a beer, really…)

While the bar scene in Kampong Glam is small, and quiet, there are a few (well, two) bars to speak of.Just Wine, true to its name, serves French, Australian and other New World wines, but not beer or liquor. A popular venue for business meetings, Just Wine serves finger food like German sausages, and marinated beef. But feel free to bring a packed meal from somewhere else and owner Phillip Goh will gladly recommend a suitable wine pairing for whatever you’re having.If wine bars are too stuffy for your tastes, you could try The Wrench Saloon. Don’t be turned off by Wrench’s biker-bar identity. The owners are members of a biker’s club called the War Pigs – but don’t hold that against them. Clientele is not leather-jacket-wearing, moustachioed bikers, and incidentally, neither are the owners. Wrench is a laid-back, corner pub with a welcoming atmosphere and an innovative drinks list. Apart from draught Fosters there are unique offerings like mango margaritas, liquor-soaked fruit (deceivingly sweet) and bourbon jellies (best kept far away from the kids.)

And when you’re through with eating, drinking and puffing on shisha, linger over some of the area’s curio shops, where antiques, trinkets and other baubles wait to be found. Or the second-hand clothing and record stores on Haji Lane, not to mention Comme des Garçons’ boarded up guerrilla store. Then there are the perfumeries, where exotic top notes and base notes like sandalwood, vetiver and freesia wait in dazzling glass bottles to be custom-blended into your perfect fragrance. Once suitably scented, wander into the hip interior design places, marvel at the collection of fancy dress costume shops and then unwind with an unbeatable no-frills Javanese or Boyanese massage. Maybe give yourself a couple of days in Kampong Glam... You’ll probably need it.

KAMPONG GLAM AT A GLANCE

Alaturka16 Bussorah StTel: 6294-0304www.alaturka.com.sg

Altazzag24 Haji LaneTel: 6295-5024

Ambrosia19/25A Baghdad StTel: 6292-7313www.ambrosiacafesingapore.com

B Bakery15 Bussorah StTel: 6293-9010

Baladi709 North Bridge RdTel: 6396-6451

Blu Jaz Cafe11 Bali LaneTel: 6292-3800

Bumbu Restaurant 44 Kandahar StTel: 6392-8626

Just Wine23/24 Pahang StTel: 6297-1218www.justwine.com.sg

Kaki 59 Haji LaneTel: 9755-4709www.kaki5.net

Om Café27 Bali LaneTel: 6299-4518www.omcafesingapore.com

Samar 60 Kandahar StTel: 6398-0530

Tepak Sireh73 Sultan GateTel: 6396-4373www.tepaksireh.com.sg

The Wrench Saloon17 Jalan KlapaTel: 6296-9003www.thewrenchsaloon.com

THINK MAGAZINE 18TH ISSUE 2006

Singapore have the intelligencia required to supporta thriving coffee house scene?

Liz Bennett explores…

The steam, the somewhat disconcerting violent explosive noises, that smell. Like passive smokers, we inhale deeply and let the little caffeinated molecules trip up to our brains and play with our pleasure. The coffee house is a place to sit and be for a bit, meet friends to relive the weekend’s antics, be inspired, watch various worlds go by. It’s a place of gesticulated debates, the first relaxing moment of the weekend. A place to muse on print or do the hangover breakfast. The coffee is only a part of it; the culture’s what you’re after. So where can you find your niche, the place to fit your kinks and preferences? We headed out across the city to see what’s on offer.

Blu Jaz Café, 11 Bali Lane, +65 62923800

Even without the coffee this is a sensory experience. Bali lane itself is striking – sitting low across the green below the fantasy of Parkview Square. This particular joint is next to what looks like an artists studio spilling out into the street. The cafe itself is open and inviting. A mixture of furniture provides a variety of options for your weary butt. There’s even a sculpted velour chaise lounge whose fingers stretch up drawing attention to the ceiling and it’s menagerie of decorative lampshade cum mobiles.

This place is boho with a little psycadelia: reds, pinks, feathers, shiny – mixed in with some classic design and ethnic pieces.

There’s a variety of drinks and eats to add to the seduction of the senses. Menu highlights include Affogato, involving espresso shot and ice cream, as well as premium Belgium export Duval at only 10 dollars. You can get your basics here too: lattes, iced teas and fruit juices. Food wise we’ve got cakes to go with coffee, as well as more substantial offerings.Even without the coffee this is a sensory experience.