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The Moon Cafe
Cafes these days do much more than just serve a regular cup of joe. A growing number of cafes in Singapore today are hosts to revolving exhibitions, artworks, or workshops alongside their food and drinks, providing a space for emerging talent not limited to the confines of a white cube. Here, we list a couple of cafes that will be sure to placate the taste buds of every art enthusiast.
1. Telok Ayer Arts Club
Telok Ayer Arts Club is a relatively new multi-concept space along McCallum and Stanley Street with an ever-evolving collection of art, music, food, and drinks. Inspired by local community centers, this accessible art spaces lets you dine alongside local and regional artists, whether it be local music performances or one of their revolving exhibitions. Their menu also rotates according to the exhibition.
Telok Ayer Arts Club, 2 McCallum St
2. The Moon
Bookstore, cafe, and cool event space all in one, The Moon is a cosy retreat fit for any bookworm. Situated in the heart of bustling Chinatown, the café features a curated collection of literary texts, with at least half of the books written by female authors. They also hold various events, such as on the spot poetry writing, movie screenings, meditations, and more. And with inclusivity the central theme here, menu items also cater to a variety of dietary restrictions, from non-dairy milks to gluten-free cakes.
The Moon, 37 Mosque Street
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3. Grids & Circles
With its minimal décor and pastel hues, this café in Chinatown certainly stands out amongst the other shophouses in its vicinity. The café and lifestyle space is three storeys tall, with a main events and gallery space on the second floor. Paintings by local emerging artists line their café walls. Dishes also come with a welcome twist -- try their Asian fusion inspired menu, such as their popular Tamago Sando ($12), or the matcha affogato ($11).
Grids & Circles, 200 South Bridge Road
4. Kult Kafe
By the same owners of Kult Studio and Gallery comes Kult Kafe, a bar that hosts its own regular art and music events, which includes outdoor screenings, live bands, poetry performances and more. Come the first Sunday of every month, the gardens of Emily Hill will come alive in communal activities, making it for a unique experience perfect for a laidback weekend. They also serve an impressive array of finger food and cocktails that changes with each event.
Kult Kafe, 11 Upper Wilkie Road
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5. Flor Patisserie
As if the delectable cakes at Flor Patisserie are not enough, the café’s new space at Duxton Hill houses an exciting rotating exhibition and retail space featuring emerging local artists, and organize workshops with local artisans, such as most recently, a doodling workshop by Melissa Tan. You can savour all these while enjoying the light Japanese French pastries, which are made fresh daily using only premium ingredients.
Flor Patisserie, 2 Duxton Hill
6. SPRMRKT
This elegant restaurant-cum-café doesn’t just serve flavoursome European-style bistro fare, but is a supermarket, café, and gallery space rolled in one. The founders of SPRMRKT are passionate about showcasing emerging local talent and hold a new exhibition every quarter.
SPRMRKT at Cluny Court and STPI
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