The word's out: Cecil Street is Singapore's coolest street for 2024. It's also the 29th coolest street in the world, according to Time Out's annual Coolest Streets in the World ranking, which our global network of local editors and writers put together based on our insights of all the latest and greatest that is happening in our cities.
If this news raises your eyebrows, we don't blame you. After all, Cecil Street is located in the stuffy Central Business District, better known for its glass and steel skyscrapers and well-heeled corporate types. But look below the surface and you'll find plenty to eat, drink, and enjoy. Brave the office throngs by day to visit healthy eatery Hapi Café (which also doubles up as a co-working space with VR headsets to boot), or grab a coffee from 22 Grams Café and 6oz Espresso Bar. Deskbound nine-to-fivers are always on the lookout for sleek gyms to work up a sweat, so it's also no surprise that Cecil Street is home to some great fitness establishments – there's the 24-hour female-friendly gym called MsFit, indoor virtual golf simulation centre Five Iron Golf, and wellness sanctuary Sphere. The latter is particularly cool – besides small-group fitness classes, it offers private infrared saunas, cold plunges and sensory deprivation pools.
Post-work and weekend drinks are easily settled on Cecil Street. Hit up the relatively new Wine Meadow to enjoy a glass of red (or white) at its breezy alfresco venue. It's a spin-off of the modern Californian restaurant Rosemead, which we highly recommend that you book a table at the next time you have someone to impress. Have a taste for Japanese rice wines? Head to Tommys' Sake Bar for its impressive selection of sakes and reasonably priced sashimi sets to pair. Then there's Sugarhall, a cosy rum haven hidden behind a nondescript door with a menu of cocktails ingeniously inspired by local drinks like bandung and bubble tea.
Heading to the CBD late on weekend nights would be out of the question for many, but underground clubs on Cecil Street are drawing youths like moths to a flame. Join the revellers at MDLR, an event space where Thugshop (the brains behind stellar nightlife concepts like Tuff Club, Headquarters, Eat Sum Thing, and Sunny Side Up) hosts thumping electronic raves like its upsized XXL Series, which will soon feature the Japanese-born DJ Nobu. The venue has also been the site of alternative events like Pink Kiki Ball 2.0, a colourful celebration of kiki culture by Vogue In Progress.
Curious how we stacked up against other cool streets in the world? High Street in Melbourne takes the top spot thanks to a strong presence of unique, local businesses. Hollywood Road in Hong Kong, which heaves with top-tier restaurants, bars, art galleries and murals, is the second coolest street in the world and the coolest street in Asia.
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