demonick.tv™

I was in Singapore last week for Ad:Tech, a digital marketing conference. The event was on Thursday and Friday, but I decided to extend it over the weekend. So as you can tell, the trip was a mixture of business and pleasure. I took the time to also meet up with my brother, cousins and aunts plus also to go shopping since it was the Great Singapore Sale happening when I’m there.

The first 2 nights, I stayed at the Carlton Hotel which is just within walking distance to Suntec Convention Centre where Ad:Tech was held. The hotel was excellent and situated in a very strategic location where SMRT (City Hall and Esplanade) stations are accessible just within walking distance.

My room @ The Carlton Hotel, Singapore

The 2 days I was there was spent attending the conference of course. But the first 2 nights were spent together with the media owners who sponsored my trip there. I tell you, they are one bunch of party animals. Or maybe because I haven’t been partying as much as I used to, so seeing how they do it 3 straight nights in a row is really something even too much for me. I joined them only on the first 2 nights where on the first night we went to a bar in Chijmes which is just across the street from our where my hotel is. Not going into details, but lets just say there was a bottle of single malt + 6-7 rounds of Jägerbomb involved.

The second night, I met up with a friend in Orchard for dinner and then went to Jolene’s “house warming” party at LeVel33 @ Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1. The concept was the World’s Highest Urban Craft-brewery with a unique dining experience complete with one of the best views of Singapore’s Marina Bay and city skyline. I must say, while the view was nice, I didn’t really enjoy the outdoor dining area as it can get a little hot and stuffy if there isn’t any breeze, especially on a warm night. Didn’t try the food though, but I heard it’s decent but rather pricey, so maybe next time.

View of Marina Bay Sands from LeVel33

After the “pre-party” drinks, I met back up with my fellow sponsors to a club called Stereo Lounge in Pan Pacific hotel. Apparently, the place is newly renovated so everything looked kinda new. It had 2 rooms with one playing R&B and the other playing House music. One thing I like about the clubs in Singapore is that all clubs are “smoke free”…meaning, you cannot smoke in the club while you’re inside, instead you either have to go outside or go to a designated smoker’s area if you want to light up. Good way to avoid breathing second hand smoke and you don’t have to worry about going back home smelling like burnt rubbish.

Alice, Shi Yin, Eileen, Jaclyn and Ivy @ Stereo Lounge

The next day, I checked out the hotel to spend the night at my brother’s place. I had an early check out from the hotel and then left my luggage at my brother’s place before meeting up with my aunts, uncle and cousins for lunch at VivoCity. It was really nice meeting up with them again. I guess I will make an attempt to visit them more since I technically have “free accommodation” each time I’m down in Singapore :)

After lunch, we shopped around VivoCity a bit before heading to Queensway Shopping Centre where it’s a shoe collector’s paradise. If you’re a shoe lover/collector, this is the place to be. It consists of rows after rows of shoe shops which also includes a few shops that carry limited edition shoes. I was actually looking for a new pair of shoe for awhile back in KL, but I thought I would check the prices and variety in Singapore since I’m there.

A limited edition shop at Queensway Shopping Centre

In the end, my brother bought me this pair as an upcoming birthday present! :) Thanks bro!

My new kicks! Puma Faas-300…endorsed by Usain Bolt, world’s fastest man!

Later on that night, we headed to NEX Serangoon to meet up my aunt for dinner who flew in from KL to spend the weekend. After dinner, my bro, sis-in-law and I decided to try our luck at the casino tables at Marina Bay Sands Casino. Well, luck wasn’t on our side that night as all 3 of us lost…and it’s even more painful to the person earning Malaysian Ringgits instead of Singaporean Dollars..oh well.

The next morning, the 3 of us went for brunch at Jones The Grocer @ Dempsey Hill. It is really something you should try on a Sunday morning. The place serves premium Australian gourmet foods as well as premium off the shelve products like roasted coffee beans, chocolates, cookies, home made sauces, just to name a few. The food was really good, but the place comes with a warning….go there early as there is always a long queue for breakfast especially on Sundays.

Coconut pancakes with mangoes topped with ice cream

Black Forest Coffee…nice but a tad too sweet

Jones’ Breakfast – meat and eggs..can’t really go wrong here

After a hearty brunch, we went over to 313@Somerset for some last minute shopping. Initially, I was suppose to meet up with Sonia, Reyhan and Yi Lane over lunch, but seeing how full I was after brunch, I just had soup while we caught up. I must say, time really flies when you’re with good company. Before you know it, we spent about 3 hours just sitting and talking. Nevertheless, it was really great seeing my ex-colleagues and drinking buddies again. Hey you guys, if you’re reading this, I will be down in Singapore more often now…so be prepared! Haha!

Reyhan, Sonia and Yi Lane

After saying our goodbyes, I headed back to my brother’s place to pack up and head to the airport for my evening flight back to KL. The trip overall was great, as it had a little something of everything…work, party, catching up with family and friends, shopping and of course relaxation to certain extend. What a great way to spend the weekend. Looking forward to another weekend like that down in Singapore for sure.

Last Friday, I went for a launch of a new place called Craft Brews in Mutiara Damasara. The place is owned and run by a client of mine, so I was there to support him…and also to check out the place (and free-flow beers of course). This place is has a “micro brewery” concept. Meaning, it looks like a mini brewery, but since brewing is not allowed (unless you’re a big international brewer), most of their beers are imported from US and possibly Singapore too.

these 3 glasses are mine…believe it or not.. :P

Some of their imported range of beers includes Rogue beers from the US, Hoegaarden, and also a whole range of award winning lagers and ales. Notice the green coloured drink above?….no that’s not apple juice! That’s called the “Monster Green Lager”, which is apparently a blend of beer and spirulina. I think this drink was the most interesting of all…and it was finished before the free-flow ended. I guess everyone was curious to try “green beer” for a change instead. In fact, the “green beer” was the “weakest” drink in the range of beers. I feel it’s more of a novelty drink. The best that I tasted that night was their English Ale, which is a dark beer, and quite strong. There were 5 drinks up during the free-flow period which started from 6PM to 8PM: Hoegaarden, Monster Green Lager, Weizen (wheat beer), The Czech Pilsner and of course the English Ale.

Being “kiasu” Malaysians, there was a long line at the place for the beers and food. Oh yes, they also serve barbequed pork ribs that is quite yummy as well. So as I was saying, there was a long line…

look at the long line for beers!

When free-flow ended, the crowd obviously dispersed and got less. Overall, I think the whole “micro brewery” concept is something different. The “green beer” is definitely something worth trying if you’re curious, although I wouldn’t recommend it if you like stronger beers. The place and ambiance is good too if you want to chill out. My only gripe is the price of their beers…it’s a bit over priced if you ask me (RM25 for a pint of Carlsberg on non happy hours is expensive!).

Craft Brews

Location: G3 Podium, Ground Floor, Menara Batu Kawan, 1 Jalan PJU7/6, Mutiara Damansara Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, 47810

Phone: 03-7722-3000