Dear readers,
There was a time when packed bars, thumping clubs and riverside crowds defined Singapore's nightlife.
A night out by default meant heading over to Clarke Quay to hit the clubs until 4am, followed by supper elsewhere.
Meanwhile, tourists thronged Boat Quay and Robertson Quay for breezy riverside dining and drinks.
Today, the scene looks very different. As Singaporeans drink less and head home earlier, the riverfront has gone quiet.
Touts along Boat Quay are also a turn-off for locals, as well as tourists increasingly seeking authentic local experiences.
At Clarke Quay, a transformation is already underway. Pet-friendly cafés and gyms sit alongside cocktail bars and nightclubs.
Even iconic nightclub Zouk has reinvented itself, launching a new clubhouse that will offer daytime activities before turning into a club after dark.
Experts say it may be time for Boat Quay and Robertson Quay to rethink their identities and tenant mix too, though the hurdles are high.
In this week's Big Read, we explore why Singapore's iconic nightlife districts have lost some of their spark, what's being done to reinvent them, and whether the future of the quays depends less on extending drinking hours than on giving locals new reasons to return.
Yours faithfully,
Yasmine Yahya
Deputy Chief Editor, CNA Digital (TODAY, Lifestyle & Luxury)
