BUGIS STREET SINGAPORE

BUGIS STREET SINGAPORE 

Bugis Street Market is one of the biggest, cheapest, and probably hottest places to come shopping in the whole of Singapore. Half a century ago, this now famous shopping district was better known for being a centre of seedy nightlife.

Bugis has long shaken off its ‘naughty’ side and become a lively hub of shopping, fine dining, and trendy cafés and bars which stay open long into the night. Bugis Street Market lies at the epicentre of it all – you can easily find it right next to the malls near Bugis MRT Station.

Bugis Street market has now been transformed into a mecca for shoppers and bargain-hunters. This market has just about everything you could want – CDs, souvenirs, t-shirts, shoes, jewellery, knick knacks and other fashion items.

Popular with both locals and tourists, Bugis Street Market is well-known for being one of the cheapest places in Singapore for sourcing your souvenirs, accessories, clothes, electronics, houseware, and cosmetics. Many of the little trinkets here such as keychains, postcards, and stationery are available from as little as S$1.

There’s a whole range of clothes on offer, too. Although not exactly Singapore’s most cutting-edge fashion hotspot, quality items for all tastes can be found at the market if you look hard enough. A pair of jeans can set you back just S$15, shirts and T-shirts from S$10, sunglasses and hats from S$5, and shoes from S$20.

Recently revamped, the sprawling market is now all covered, allowing shoppers to enjoy the bargains – come rain or shine. Over 800 shops of all shapes and sizes also make this the biggest market in Singapore. Most of the stalls open early (around 11am), and stay open until the crowds leave, which usually is around 10pm or 11pm on the weekends.

As with any popular retail spot in Singapore, Bugis Street Market has plenty of eating options to keep hungry shoppers satisfied. Look out for the excellent fresh juice bar towards the centre (banana, coconut, pineapple, or melon from S$2) and there are a few other stalls selling fried snacks, satays as well as the odd noodle stall. 

If you’re looking for something more substantial, head to Albert Centre market and food centre at the back – a large separate hawker centre that serves full meals from around S$3.50. Bugis Street Market is just a short walk from Bugis MRT Station. Look for the red-roofed entrance or just follow the crowds if you’re not sure. For when the market gets too hot, there is also the cooler (but more expensive) Bugis+ mall next door as well as Bugis Junction opposite.

Places to Shop at Bugis Street 

1. Street shopping:

Being one of the largest cheap markets of Singapore, Bugis Street is a street shopper’s paradise. Make sure to bring in a lot of carry bags, as the place has much more to offer than you can ever imagine. Clothes, accessories, electronics, shoes, and other souvenirs are surely going to make you fall in love with them. Bugis Street houses around 800 different stalls where you can find every new arrival in the world of fashion and accessories. Amongst other items, clothes of Bugis Street deserve a special place in your buyer’s list. 

2. Bugis:

This swanky urban mall at Bugis Street Singapore is around 10 floors tall. You could find all the leading fashion and food brands and other accessories here. As this place is directly linked with the Bugis junction, it is quite easily accessible by almost all modes of transport.

3. Bugis Junction:

This mall is situated over the Bugis MRT station. It features all the leading global stores and pushcart stalls. Souvenirs and other knick-knacks are the main things to buy here. You can expect Singapore’s first-ever city lit shopping adventure here. This junction is more popular amongst young people or teenagers. Although things are a bit expensive here as compared to the Bugis Street; however, when it comes to popularity, both are equal.

Things to do in Bugis Street Singapore 

1. A great shopping adventure:

To begin with, Bugis Street is a real shopper’s paradise in Singapore. Every person visiting here leaves with a broad smile. You have accessories, shoes, clothes, electronics, and other souvenirs distributed amongst 800 different stalls. In addition to this street shopping adventure, Bugis Street also has two urban malls, namely Bugis + and Bugis Junction. These two places are mostly crowded with teenagers. 

2. Taste the flavors of Singapore:

Eateries of Bugis Street are no less than a heaven for all the food lovers. You have a plethora of local and international cuisines to try here. Thai, Vietnamese, Asian, Chinese, and Indonesian are some varieties to explore. Amongst signature dishes, you have chicken chops, pancakes, crepes, Kaya balls, noodle soup, and Hakka Yam Cake. Eat anything, and you are surely going to crave for some more mouth-watering delicacies. Amongst drinks, Thai Ice Lemon Grass and Ice Milk Tea are important ones. For some Chinese flavors, blindly head towards Wing Seong Fatty’s. 

3. Seek blessings at Kuan Yin Thong Hood Cho Temple:

There’s a Buddhist temple located close to Bugis Street Singapore. If you are highly spiritual, you must surely spare some time here. Dating back to 1884, this place exhibits beautiful Chinese architecture. Cundi Bodhisattva is the central deity here. On the occasion of Chinese New Year, you will find this temple to be open for 24 hours.

4. Visit a South-Indian Temple in Singapore:

Sri Krishnan Temple at Bugis will give you a reminder of the South-Indian temple décor. This temple is located at a small walkable distance from the Kuan Yin Thong Hood Cho Temple. Tourists are allowed to move through the courtyard as the main temple is protected.

5. Enjoy Loof’s cocktails:

This is amongst the best premier rooftop bars in Singapore. You can club your cocktails with local cuisines. Ramly Burger is their signature delicacy. The atmosphere here is vibrant as the hotel offers some stunning views of Singapore’s skyline.

Tips while visiting:

• You will find a lot of the latest trendiest things in the fashion world to shop at Bugis Street. 

• All the shops here are affordable. 

• Tops, office wear, bottoms, menswear, sportswear, shoes, watches, lingerie are some items from the fashion world. 

• While most of them follow a fixed pricing policy, others occasionally accept bargaining.