Music instrument institution Swee Lee is a homegrown brand that began their humble operations in 1946 by supplying brass and woodwind instruments to the British military band. Today, Swee Lee owns several showrooms and lifestyle stores that can be found all over Singapore and they offer a range of contemporary musical instruments such as drums and guitars.

Their flagship store at The Star Vista recently underwent renovation works and the original store has expanded to cater for a new retail space that stores just about everything a musician will ever need. Expect to be greeted by musical instruments, audio and DJ equipment, fashion apparels, a music academy and the best part for coffee enthusiasts—an in-house cafe called Swee Lee Social Club.

Upon first look, the cosy cafe immediately appealed to us with its intimate setting that allows for heartfelt conversations with your friends over coffee, yet with enough space for patrons to walk around comfortably.

In addition to their stellar brews, Swee Lee Social Club also carries juices and bottled drinks that are kept in a chiller.

Boasting an aromatic selection of freshly brewed coffee brewed with beans that are roasted by local speciality coffee roaster Common Man Coffee Roasters and various types of tea, Swee Lee Social Club is the latest hangout spot in the west that you should know about.

Be sure to approach the baristas behind the bar for the secret menu that features some light bites and smoothie options. Swee Lee Social Club’s secret menu is concise and there were only 5 items on it—a small selection of smoothies and some sweet offerings.

If you are ever craving for something sweet, their Waffle & Co (S$10) off the secret menu will do the trick. It comprises a crispy buttermilk waffle topped with a scoop of ice cream as well as a myriad of sprinkles from rainbow rice to crushed peanuts.

Simple as it was, this waffle dish is bound to satisfy those with a sweet tooth—no doubts about that.

For something a little more filling, diners can opt for the Sweet Toast (S$7) that features fresh blueberries, bananas, muesli, honey and dried fruit scattered over a toasted piece of sourdough toast.

Despite the dish having lots of interesting textures, we felt that the dish was lacking a certain wow factor. It was literally just a variety of fruits scattered over bread which basically anyone could whip up at home.

Overall, we would say that although the food was not the most fantastic around, we still give props to Swee Lee for adopting such a refreshing concept to revitalise what used to be a plain old music instrument store.

Swee Lee Social Club
1 Vista Exchange Green
#01-01-07/10, The Star Vista
Singapore 138617
Tel: +65 6334 7703
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

Who said eateries can’t have split personalities? Two-in-one eateries exhibit one theme during the day and switches to a completely different one as soon as the sun sets. We’re not solely talking about a mere transformation in ambience or design; these eateries switch up their entire menu as well.

If you are baffled by the possibility of a yong tau foo stall morphing into a spunky tapas bar, don’t be. These eateries with dual personalities are meant to astound. No one will blame you if you think you’ve strolled into an entirely new dimension.

In this post, we’ve compiled a list of two-in-one eateries in Singapore you’ll definitely find yourself either immersed or lost in.

#1 BINCHO AT HUABEE

Step into Huabee Kopitiam during the day and you’ll think to yourself, “Ah, just another traditional mee pok stall.”

It disappears as soon as the clock strikes 6, the interiors shift and Huabee transforms into Bincho—a Japanese Yakitori Bar for night owls to chill and unwind.

#01-19, 78 Moh Guan Terrace
Singapore 162078
Tel: +65 6438 4567
(Hua Bee) Tue to Sun: 12pm – 3pm
(Bincho) Tue to Sun: 6pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

Photo Credit: Crack & Press

#2 CRACK & PRESS / COPPER ON STANLEY

Begin your day with filling protein breakfast at Crack & Press, a Japanese-inspired eatery for your Japanese cuisine cravings. Wait until the sun’s down, we bet you’ll be happier to learn how it morphs into Copper on Stanley—a sake bar and a place for you to relish ricey goodness.

3 Stanley St
Singapore 068722
Tel: +65 6221 3639
(Crack & Press) Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 3pm
(Copper on Stanley) Mon to Sat: 5pm – late
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

Photo Credit: koreanrestaurants

#3 DA BANG / DON’T TELL MAMA

Among the numerous bars lined along the Tanjong Pagar district sits Da Bang, a quaint Australian brunch and dessert coffeehouse with a Korean twist. And then, Da Bang’s transformation into Don’t Tell Mama—a Korean-Mexican Fusion Bistro at night—will be another reason to visit.

52 Tg Pagar Rd
Singapore 088473
Tel: +65 6221 3639
(Dabang) Daily: 7.30am – 5pm
(Don’t Tell Mama) Daily: 5pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#4 DAPPER COFFEE CAFE / THE SPIFFY DAPPER

Dapper Coffee Cafe’s ‘Unicorn’s Tears’ is what got it famous. The coffeehouse may otherwise seem regular, but as soon as the clock strikes 6, the Spiffy Dapper takes its place with flashy ambience, vintage music and cocktails.

73 Amoy St, Second Floor
Singapore 069892
Tel: +65 8742 8908
(Dapper Coffee Café) Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
(The Spiffy Dapper) Mon to Thu: 5pm – 1am
Fri: 5pm – 2am
Sat: 6pm – 2am
Sun: 6pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

Photo Credit: asiastyle

#5 FU LIN BAR & KITCHEN

Drop by Fu Lin Bar & Kitchen during lunch time and treat yourself to the eatery’s signature yong tau foo. What you probably don’t know is how the yong tau foo stations morph into a tapas bar at night to draw the after-office crowd.

127 Telok Ayer St
Singapore 068596
Tel: +65 6423 0311
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm
Sat: 5pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

#6 SHINKANSEN SALAD BAR / THE SECRET MERMAID

Popular among working adults, Shinkansen Salad Bar offers a healthy dose of protein and greens for a weekday brunch boost. Arrive at night and you’ll witness its transformation into The Secret Mermaid with alcohol and independent whisky on their tables.

10 Collyer Quay,
B1-08 Ocean Financial Centre,
Singapore 049315
Tel: +65 8722 4953
(Shinkansen Salad Bar) Mon to Fri: 11am – 6pm
Sat: 11am – 3pm
(The Secret Mermaid) Mon to Fri: 5pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place