Things To Do In Singapore: HighHouse, Singapore's Tallest Dining And Nightlife Joint, Is Now Open
Our weekly edit of things to check out.
By Keng Yang Shuen & Hidzir Junaini,
You may have caught a glimpse on social media of the stylish interiors of HighHouse, the new nightlife space that sits atop One Raffles Place and is filled with major artworks - might it signal a return of fancy club culture? We take you through the details below.
Singapore's bustling nightlife scene has seen plenty of raves and pop-up parties in recent years but if you like your fancy marquee names, the new HighHouse looks set to be a prominent contender. At 10,300 sq ft and occupying levels 61 and 62 of One Raffles Place (replacing the former 1-Altitude), HighHouse is reportedly the largest nightspot to open since the Covid-19 pandemic. For the uninitiated, Highhouse is a dining and lounge venue that transforms into a club later in the night - there are also private rooms that offer karaoke amenities (said to be Singapore's first sky karaoke space), and lunch options are in the works for 2024.
Operated by homegrown powerhouse OUE Restaurants, HighHouse is also a platform for some major art (and we mean it). Take Malaysian light artist Jun Ong's massive 10 metre-tall installation (pictured) - titled Astra (Latin for "star"), it's the artist's monumental interpretation of the celestial phenomenon known as the supernova, the most brilliant explosion of a star that radiates more energy than the Sun will in its entire lifetime. The Astra installation can be found at Nova, the tallest rooftop bar in Singapore located right above HighHouse, and is run by the same group.
HighHouse opens Dec 15 - more details here.
1 Raffles Place, Level 61 and 62
Neighbor - the retail arm of Singapore creative studio Tell Your Children (which produces visual content for the likes of Nike, Apple and Prada) - is putting on an extra-special Christmas market this weekend. The third edition of their market features a wide variety of exciting activities including a day of live performances (by local acts like Sun Cell, Benny's and Krunkle), a silkscreen workshop, delectable coffee and bakes, and an excellent curation of merchandise from emerging local bands, artists and designers (such as Zarer Lim). Here's your last chance to scoop up something quirky and one-of-a-kind, don't miss out.
Dec 15 (4pm - 8pm), Dec 16 (12pm - 8pm) and Dec 17 (2-9pm) at #03-02A Ruby Industrial Complex (Genting Block), 80 Genting Lane
If there were an award for the best rave of 2023, most of the nominees would probably go to Bussy Temple. But the year’s still not done, and the queer collective is set to close its sensational 2023 run with yet another cutting-edge event. Combining performance art with strains of techno, noise, and experimental music, Xenoflesh will be a multidisciplinary collaboration that explores “the concept of queer posthumanism, blurring boundaries between machine-nature and mutant-human.” Hosted at MDLR, the night features a variety of innovative artists, performers, and DJs such as Los Angeles’ FITNESSS, LUηG, Jas Lin, and Hearthealer; Singapore’s ila/madamdata, Baben Shin, and howrøng; and Vietnam’s Chaulichi.
Get your tickets here.
Dec 16, 10pm - 4am, at MDLR, #02-00 TPI Building, 62 Cecil Street
The stylish teahouse Antea Social is putting on its popular annual series Mellow Nights once again, where you can drop by for a cosy night of tea-inspired cocktails and mocktails, alongside soul, pop and rock classics by 10.seconds band, with live vocals by Kalliope alongside keyboardist extraordinaire, Euntaek Kim. For the foodies, there's the aforementioned tea-infused drinks (such as a chamomile gin & tonic), as well as craft beer, Japanese curry rice and spicy dumplings.
Dec 16, 7.30pm till late, at Antea Social, 9 Tyrhwitt Road
Good news, fans of homegrown fashion darlings Youths In Balaclava: the label is holding a sale for archival pieces, and discounts are pretty generous at up to 80 per cent off for selected designs. And while you're at it, the first pieces of their Fall Winter 2023 collection will also be available for viewing at the brand's newly opened showroom.
Dec 16 - 17, 12pm - 8pm, at #05-01A Halcyon Building, 39A Jalan Pemimpin
Indie gig and party organisers North East Social Club commemorate their fourth birthday with a cool little celebration at Wild Pearl! Fittingly, its anniversary party will feature some familiar local favourites from their illustrious past and present, including a live performance from Singapore rap’s bitter god BGourd, followed by DJ sets from Jenn Chunes, Guided Meditation b2b LEMAK, and co-founder TASHASAN b2b Dexter Colt. If you’ve been a friend, fan, or follower of their dynamic shows over the past few years, why not come through this (inevitably) rowdy soiree to wish the hardworking collective many happy returns?
Get your tickets here.
Dec 16, 9pm - 3am, at Wild Pearl, #03-72, Pearl's Hill Terrace