Prism Club
Photograph: Prism Club/Facebook
Photograph: Prism Club/Facebook

Where to find the best hip hop parties in Singapore

Throw your hands in the air, wave ‘em like you just don’t care at these parties for hip hops heads in Singapore

Simran Panaech
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Hip hop hooray, we’ve been waiting for this genre to make a comeback in Singapore. The nightclubs are back in full force. It’s like the pandemic didn’t happen. It did and we stopped clubbing for a while but we’re back. And for those especially into hip hop, like us, here are the places to get down with it and feel the vibes once again. Get your sneakers on, your two-step ready and your fly self available for these nights we recommend.

RECOMMENDED: The best supper spots in Singapore for late-night dining and the best under-the-radar clubs in Singapore

Hip hop hooray

  • Music
  • Music venues
  • Rochor

Another monthly affair of hip hop, dancehall, R’n’B and reggaeton on level two at good ol’ reliable Blu Jaz at Bali Lane. Blu Jaz has always been a supporter for local DJ collectives promising a satisfying and unique night for everyone who attends. With a rotation of new skool and old skool DJs such as DJ K and DJ Piratheeb, Blasé provides a casual and affordable atmosphere for those wanting their hip hop fix.

  • Burgers
  • Chinatown
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

This is a weekly Wednesday night groove session with hip hop, R’n’B, neo soul and a little bit of jungle. If you need a midweek pick-me-up without hurting your sleep cycle too badly, Flava is held at Studio 1939, the third floor of Potato Head from 8pm till midnight. With DJs on rotation like Ollie Des and Ash Le Tigre, enjoy big beats, great burgers and, ladies, bottomless drinks for you.

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  • Nightlife
  • Nightlife venues
  • Raffles Place

Every Friday, head to this relatively new establishment at Sky Garden in Suntec City. Dirty Blonde offers Instagrammable cocktails, bites, live bands and hip hop on Fridays with resident head deejay The Iceman. Other local DJs on rotation include DJ Shai and DJ Jose. On June 9, Dirty Blonde teams up with local hip hop collective, Plus 65 Crew, to have a block party that will also include throwback 90s hip hop tracks. Expect raunchy hip hop anthems, sultry R’n’B, feet-stomping dancehall and booming Afrobeats.

  • Nightlife
  • Raffles Place
  • price 1 of 4

Located at Circular Road, Limelight is something like a secret through the grapevine – like you’ve heard of it but you’re not sure. Now, you can be sure as it’s a nightclub that keeps on giving with the hip hop vibes. For those of you, ahem, mature enough, Limelight is reminiscent of former Boat Quay days of hip hopping. Expect daily drink promotions, free flow drinks for ladies on Wednesdays and plenty of hip hop, funk, soul, Latin and Afrobeats by local deejays on rotation including DJ Sky and DJ Sixfaez.

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  • Clubs
  • Raffles Place

Zouk’s little funky brother, Phuture, opens three nights a week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Playing strictly hip hop, urban and R’n’B, you know you’ll be in for a treat with their state of the art sound system, up-to-date music and friendly community vibes.

  • Nightlife
  • Nightlife venues
  • Marina Bay

If you prefer bougie and exclusive, Avenue is the place to be seen. When the night gets heavy, patrons dance on the sofas and pop bottles like they have a sponge-stomach. Their resident DJs play a range of old skool to current hip hop, latin beats and funky grooves. Entry is by doorman discretion or table reservation.

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  • Nightlife
  • Clubs
  • Raffles Place

Aptly named Gucci Nights, every Thursday night has hip hop, reggaeton, Afrobeats and Latin music at this new nightclub located in Marina Square. There’s no cover charge and there’s one-for-one bottle promotions all night long. Dress up in your freshest gear.

More parties to check out

  • Nightlife
  • Raffles Place

Housed in a dingy space that’s set with laser lights and a cage behind which the likes of Eric Duncan, Kaiser Souzai and Mat.Joe have spun, Headquarters by The Council plays host to its signature parties from Wednesdays to Sundays. Get your booze fix in the standing bar tucked in one corner of the venue while grooving to all manner of techno, house and disco, whether from guest DJs or residents Julien Brochard, KFC, Yadin and Eileen Chan (Cats on Crack) – who also happens to be one half of The Council.

  • Nightlife
  • Clubs
  • Raffles Place
Tuff Club
Tuff Club

By the same folks behind Headquarters and Eat Sum Thing, Tuff Club has emerged as the place to be for cutting-edge music and epic rave fests. Cheekily paying homage to the good ol' days of primary school TAF club, this venue has been bringing in exciting regional and international acts, counting the likes of SOEL, Marcell Dettman and Myle. That's not to mention regular showings by Singapore-based talents like Sivanesh, Aman Anand, and Cats on Crack. 

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  • Clubs
  • Raffles Place

Singapore’s longest-running, icon of a nightclub first opened its doors to revellers back in 1991, famously championing and propelling the dance music movement throughout Asia. Loved by generations, it continues to stand the test of time and stay ahead of trends. Zouk has evolved from funky upstart to an institution attracting some of the biggest names in dance music including Avicii, Paul Oakenfold, Hardwell and The Chemical Brothers. Anyone who’s anyone on the Southeast Asian clubbing circuit has passed through its doors, so if that doesn’t include you... then what are you waiting for?

  • Nightlife
  • Raffles Place

The Riverhouse is a 150-year-old Chinese mansion in Clarke Quay that began as a house for secret societies. Today, it's the venue for a different kind of vice – if you want to call it that. It houses Yang Club (and sister Yin Bar), a chic and upmarket club that spins anything fromhip hop to electro pop, future bass and throwback hits, keeping you going till the wee hours of the morn. Swing by from Tuesdays to Saturdays for regular club nights – ladies enter free on Wednesdays. 

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  • Nightlife
  • Clubs
  • Raffles Place

A cool kid's cave, Cherry Discotheque is the epitome of underground parties. It first opened doors in 2016 beneath York Hotel before relocating to Cecil Street. Nonetheless, the only-opened-on-Fridays-and-Saturdays club continues to promise a wild and fun night every time. Flex your streetwear drip and get wavy with the sleek spins of new and old-school hip-hop, techno, and more.

  • Nightlife
  • Clubs
  • Raffles Place

Opened just last November, Prism is one of the newest clubs in town located within Marina Square. Get ready for an unforgettable night filled with electrifying beats, stunning visuals, and occasional themed parties – peek at their pyjama party and matchmaking events. So if you’re looking for some themed fun, let loose and purchase tickets to their parties here

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  • Nightlife
  • Clubs
  • Raffles Place

Headquarters by The Council beefed up with a second room back in 2017, opening up the loft above its infamous cage to cater for a more chilled out vibe and greater range of house, techno and disco. When you've had quite enough of raving under the signature blood-red laser lights at Headquarters, head to Upstairs for mellower tunes, fresh air and sweeping views of the CBD from the cosy balcony. 

  • Nightlife
  • Clubs
  • Marina Bay

Welcome the weekend with a memorable nocturnal carnival experience at this nightlife superstar. Priding itself as the biggest nightclub in the city, the indoor adult playground stretches over 2,300-square-metres across three floors with sky-high ceilings that tower up to 30 metres, and features a giant indoor Ferris wheel that offers revellers an unparalleled view of the nightclub. Beyond highly talented resident spinners, heavyweight entertainers and DJs from the dance music spectrum are also invited to helm its state-of-the-art Funktion One DJ console.

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  • Nightlife
  • Clubs
  • Orchard

Singapore's nightlife scene has got some fresh blood, and it's Drip Singapore. Billed as the country's largest underground club, Drip has two storeys worth of themed dancefloors for you to party the night away. You'll first enter the Drips Main Room through a popsicle-lit corridor, a cavernous space tiled like the bottom of a swimming pool. Here's where you can dance to Top 40 EDM radio hits. Consider yourself a cool kid? Head down to the steamy Salt Room to bump and grind to hip hop tunes and experimental tracks. Maybe take a photo with the massive 600kg Albert Einstein statue by the bar too – something to remember your night by. 

  • Sentosa

Remember 1-Altitude Bar? This popular rooftop bar and lounge has reopened as 1-Altitude Coast, a new rooftop bar and day club concept that's right by the beach. This adults-only club even has a swimming pool, where you can chill out in to tropical house music – and of course, with tropical-inspired cocktails in hand.  Afro beats will fill the air in the evening and house and electro-pop will take over once the sun sinks below the horizon. Go often enough and you'll start to recognise 1-Altitude Coast's resident DJs Tony Tay, Erica Kay and more. Keep your eyes peeled for its themed events like sundown parties and Ladies' Day Out too. 

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  • Marina Bay
Cé La Vi
Cé La Vi

Cé La Vi is one of the top (geddit?) ones – and its climb to the 67th spot in the DJMag’s Top 100 Clubs of 2018 list is a testament to that. Boasting 360-degree views over the lion city, Cé La Vi is a hot spot to be seen. If you want to fit in with its A-list frequenters then be sure to dress the part. The club is known for throwing some incredible parties DJ’d by local and international names including Armin van Buuren, Fedde le Grand, Bob Sinclar, Roger Sanchez and Jazzy Jeff. Music genres range from nu disco to house, and dance hip-hop to afro-Latin.

  • Clubs
  • Sentosa
Tanjong Beach Club
Tanjong Beach Club

Did you know that one of the worlds’ best beach clubs lies on sunny Sentosa? Lucky, lucky us! Besides serving refined plates inspired by coastal cuisines from around the world and innovative cocktails, the beach club also hosts epic Barefoot Tiki Nights and Smack My Beach Up raves where local and international guest DJs are invited to helm the decks for an Ibiza-esque shindig. Boogie down on the sandy dancefloor to a mix of sunshine soul, Balearic house, beach boogie and horizontal disco. Of course, beachwear is recommended.

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  • Italian
  • Marina Bay
Lavo
Lavo

Go from dining to dancing the night away at this swanky New York vibe-dining concept. Roped in by Tao Group – the party masterminds behind the hangouts of A-list celebs like New York, Las Vegas and Sydney's Marquee – Lavo is an Italian restaurant, rooftop bar and swish party venue all under one roof at Marina Bay Sands. Did we mention that Jamie Foxx and Jermaine Dupri have helmed the decks here?

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