Eat to the beat of live music at restaurants and cafes

From jazz to reggae to folk music, Artistry is the place to be if you want to widen your musical repertoire. -- PHOTO: MARCEL HEIJNEN
From jazz to reggae to folk music, Artistry is the place to be if you want to widen your musical repertoire. -- PHOTO: MARCEL HEIJNEN

Want to turn up your dining experience up an octave?

From a Japanese charcoal grill restaurant to a bakery-cafe, a growing number of F&B joints are offering diners live music, a feature that was once exclusive to bars.

At least 10 restaurants and cafes that serve lunch or dinner have added musical treats in the last two years, giving singers and bands a new platform. All have to apply for a public entertainment licence from the police.

Life!Weekend singles out 10 restaurants and cafes that will have you bobbing your head while noshing with their live music offerings in the evenings.


Artistry

What: Up for a music experience beyond the usual radio-friendly hits? From jazz to reggae to folk music, this gallery-cafe is the place to be if you want to widen your musical repertoire. There are eight to 10 music events each month, ranging from monthly themed sessions such as Bluemonks Jazz Jam to gigs by either new bands or established artistes such as The Observatory.

Where: 17 Jalan Pinang

When: The schedule for music gigs is posted on Artistry's Facebook page two to three weeks in advance. Live music is from 8pm till late.

Info: Go to www.facebook.com/artistryspace


Ben & Jerry's at Dempsey

ST 20150116 GKLIVEB 984270e

What: Savour ice cream as you sway to your favourite English pop hits performed on Fridays by husband-and-wife duo Fatool Ayob and Ana Fazlina, who take requests. Mr Ayob performs solo on Saturdays. Singers are also invited to show off their vocal prowess during open mic sessions on alternate Wednesdays.

Where: 01-14, Block 8 Dempsey Road

When: 9 to 11pm on Friday and 8 to 10pm on Saturday. Open mic sessions are held every fortnight from 7.30 to 10pm.

Info: Call 6473-3231


CM-PB, short for Contemporary Melting-Pot & Bar

What: Set amid the lush greenery of Dempsey Hill, CM-PB offers the perfect getaway for a relaxing night of food and music. Be serenaded by the chill-out acoustic tunes of seasoned homegrown singer Jee Yon, bands 3AM and Amanda Tee And The Dugong Warriors, who each perform a night each week.

Where: 01-05, Block 7 Dempsey Road

When: 8.30pm till late on Thursday and 9.30pm till late on Friday and Saturday.

Info: Call 6475-0105


Fish & Co at the Glass House

ST 20150116 GKLIVEFRT0L 984285e

What: Besides its distinctive all-glass facade, this Fish & Co outlet also stands out from other restaurants in the area with its live music gigs. Customers can tuck into seafood platters while listening to English pop and rock tracks sung by local bands Wingmen and Advance Press four nights a week.

Where: 01-24 Park Mall, 9 Penang Road

When: 7.30 to 9.15pm on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Info: Call 6334-1858


Rocku Yakiniku

ST 20150116 GKLIVER 984279e

What: At Japanese charcoal grill joint Rocku Yakiniku, patrons are entertained by three resident bands that take the stage on separate nights. Mandarin music fans have cause for cheer as this is one of the few live music joints here that offers both English and Mandarin song performances.

Where: 04-06 Bugis Plus, 201 Victoria Street

When: 7 to 10pm from Thursday to Saturday

Info: Call 6634-3313


Shahi Maharani

ST 20150116 GKLIVES 984284e

What: Expect a dining experience fit for royalty when you enter North Indian restaurant Shahi Maharani. Just like the upper crust who enjoyed live music at dinner during the Mughal era in India, customers will be pampered by the soothing ghazal (an ancient form of poem and song) tunes artfully spun by Indian band SAAZ.

Where: 03-21B Raffles City Shopping Centre, 252 North Bridge Road

When: 8 to 11pm daily except on Tuesday

Info: Call 6235-8840


Spatula

What: If you are a cupcake or waffle fan and love acoustic live music, then Spatula is the place for you. Echoing the mellow, laid-back atmosphere of thel cafe, the radio-friendly anthems played by the owner's sister or friends arethe icing on the cake to an already sweet evening.

Where: 87 Frankel Avenue

When: Live music gigs are on 5.30pm or/and 8pm from Friday to Sunday. Not all slots feature performances each week. Check the cafe's Facebook page for updates.

Info: Call 6243-3208 or go to www.facebook.com/hello.spatula.bakery


Spruce at Fire Station

ST 20150116 GKLIVEF 984278e

What: Housed in the iconic former Bukit Timah Fire Station, modern American restaurant Spruce's outlet in Upper Bukit Timah sees three bands crooning a mix of classics, soul, R&B and pop hits on three weekday evenings. There are plans to introduce a live music experience at Spruce's other outlet in Phoenix Park this year.

Where: 01-01, 260 Upper Bukit Timah Road

When: 7.30 to 10.30pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

Info: Call 6466-5582


Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-Cafe

ST 20150116 GKLIVES28I3 984291e

What: The cafe might scream all things German with waiters dressed in traditional Swabian costumes and cuckoo clocks dotting the place. However, the music is anything but German, with bands playing English songs dating from the 1980s. One of the bands that frequently performs every Friday includes jazz duo Ernesto Valerio and Gregory Anderson.

Where: 01-01 GSM Building, 141 Middle Road

When: 7 to 10pm on Friday

Info: Call 6336-8675 or go to www.facebook.com/sbbscafe


The Queen & Mangosteen

ST 20150116 GKLIVEM 984368e

What: In line with the theme of the British restaurant-bar, eclectic homegrown band Trisno Bushmen Collabo belts out British radio hits as patrons chow down on English staples such as shepherd's pie or bangers and mash. Where: 01-106/107 VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk

When: 8pm till late from Tuesday to Thursday

Info: Call 6376-9380

gurveenk@sph.com.sg

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.