The Jewel Box at Mount Faber

Very few places have lavatories that are both clean and pleasing to all the senses. The "cream of the crop" of toilets in Singapore has got to be the one at the Jewel Box, which is located at the peak of Mount Faber.

Decked in mirrors, glass and steel, its "Under the sea" theme is apparent. Each cubicle has a mirror that allows you to adjust your crowing glory while you do your business! Morton Brown toiletries and fanned out paper towels are at your disposal.

The glass windows at the washbasin area offer a breathtaking panoramic view of Harbourfront, Sentosa, and its environs.

The only downside is that others can peep into the toilet through the same glass windows from the other side. Perfect for those with an exhibitionistic streak!

If you like to dine high up and with a great view, visit The Jewel Box on Mount Faber, that now boasts two new contemporary Chinese restaurants - Sapphire and Empress Jade, housed in an impressive new building atop the hill that features an Angsana tree that pierces through the structure. (The National Parks Board had a hand in integrating the restaurant with its natural surroundings so as to preserve the environment).

Roof Bar

32A Pagoda Street in Chinatown, Tel: (65) 9329 0360,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Why They Won: Located on the roof of a three storey building in the Chinatown district, this small bar offers a nice view of the city skyline, especially after sunset. It's the perfect place to just chill out with friends after the long climb up! It's an open air bar with Ice cold beer, wine and Spirits for all and is cosy and ideal for those looking to romance under the stars and candlelight.

Acceptance Speech: "The Roof Bar Sundeck Terrace has got to thank all of you who voted for us as the best.( add category).. and also to Think magazine for liking us too. Those of you who don't know the place are really missing out on our 360 degree open air bar. Cheapest prices in chinatown. Locals, tourist and expats every night can't be wrong. Actually it was suppose to be a secret, but looks like we can't keep everyone form telling others about us. Well it's been a great year and we hope to see all old and new faces next year. Hopefully you and Think will make us win again next time. CHEERS!!" - Jeff, Owner

House Specialty: Happy hour all day long. Prices are cheap with beer going at $6 a mug and $20 a jug only. Housespirits at $7 all night.

Brewerkz

30 Merchant Road #01-05/06 Riverside Point, Tel: (65) 6438 7438, www.brewerkz.com, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Why They Won: BEEEER! In 1997, two persons decided they had enough of really lousy beers in Singapore, so they decided to make their own. Sweet story. But it's a true story, and this is how Brewerkz came about. Located at Riverside Point, Brewerkz's factory layout will have you thinking brewery in no time, and it has its own 18-hectoliter brewery, whatever that is.

But good ol' homemade beer is not only the offering in the werkz. American food served by Dutch milkmaids that don't speak a word of English is also on the menu. I'm pissing with ya. If there were milkmaids, I'd be there every night. And every October, Brewerkz heartily participates in Oktoberfest, so be sure to check out their annual October promos!

And be sure to check out their own special beers! Golden Ale, India Pale Ale, Wheat Ale, Pilsner Lager are all popular with the customers. And most fascinating, Brewerkz even has a Homebrew Club for fans of homemade beer to meet up and discuss how to go about setting up a brewery in their apartments. Amazing, huh? 

Brewerkz even opened an outlet for Westsiders!

Brewerkz will be expanding its operations to other parts of the nation, which started with the opening of their Bukit Timah branch. With a holding capacity of 80 people, the new Brewerkz caters to the population of expatriates living in the Bukit Timah area. It features a pub-type concept, and although the selection on the menu caters to a more easy-dining experience, beer-lovers will not be disappointed.

The Brewerkz management is thrilled with the response received for its American cuisine over the years and is fortunate enough to be able to expand and cater to a larger group of people. With Sixth Avenue at Bukit Timah as the first location in its expansion, Brewerkz plans to open up even more outlets for beer and American cuisine lovers out there!

House Specialty: Brewerkz Burger; using house-made sour-dough buns and beef that's never frozen to make a juicy, flame grilled burger.

Bet You Didn't Know: Brewerkz recently claimed a gold medal in the Association of Brewers (AOB) World Beer Cup 2004, a global beer competition that evaluates beers from around the globe and recognises the most outstanding beers being produced in the world today!

Balaclava

1 Raffles Boulevard #01-01B Suntec City Mall Tel: (65) 6339 1600, Fax (65) 6339 1101

Why he Won: Located on the first floor of Suntec City, Balaclava has always been the representation of elegance for clubs. It's the true meaning of the idea "Poser". You dress up to go to Balaclava. If you don't, you have to risk putting up with strange looks from people all around you. In Balaclava, you walk around and mix. Very ideal for networking. It's probably the best place to go for that kind of thing. Balaclava is an excellent relaxing-after-a-hard-day's-work kind of place to go to. And if you don't do any hard day's work, it's still a great place to go to.

House Specialty: Nice armchairs, sexy leather combined with silk and timber, cool bar setup, seats are not too close together, good live band, very well-mixed drinks.

Bet You Didn't Know: The name "balaclava" comes from Balaklava in the Crimea. During the Crimean War, knitted balaclavas were sent over to the British troops to help protect them from the bitter cold weather. They are traditionally knitted from wool, and can be rolled up into a hat to cover just the crown of the head.

Ice Cold Beer

9 Emerald Hill, Tel: (65) 6735 9929, and 50 Stamford Rd #01-01 Singapore 178899, LEE KONG CHIAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS SMU, Tel: (65) 6837 3585, www.emeraldhillgroup.com/icb.htm

Why They Won: Ice Cold Beer, means literally that: you get your beer served ice cold because they have special ice tanks the first of their kind in Singapore, making this he only pub in Singapore with dozens of brands from around the globe. Hotspots.com cheekly called it a "United Nations of beer" which is not too far off when you consider that they have a "passport" listing all the beers they carry, and if you taste all beers within the 3-month period you become a "graduate of the University of ICB", with an accreditation for "Master of Beer Addiction"

House Specialty: It's the beer, duh.

Bet You Didn't Know: Ice Cold Beer was the first and still is the only bar in Singapore to provide glass frosters to chill the beer glasses to the maximum. Cooling beer glasses down to -3°C definitely helps keep the beer icy-cold for a long time.

KM8 on Sunday afternoon

120 Tanjong Beach Walk, Sentosa, Tel: (65) 6274 2288, Fax: (65) 6274 7278, www.km8.com.sg

Why They Won: If you've had a taste of Ibiza or Thailand's fool moon parties, then you know why they won... KM8 is the closest this island state comes to a throbbing house-music paradise. Mix a swimming pool and a bar on the beach, throw in some experienced promoters (The Liquid Room), some bikini babes and bottles of hooch and you can't go wrong. Opened for a year now, Sundays have now become a mandatory part of the beautiful crowd's social calendar.

House Specialty: Try the Sarong Fly, a vodka-based drink made with a secret recipe. Sold by the bottle at $48.

Bet You Didn't Know: KM8 was not the first beach bar on Sentosa, nor the last. There was Coastes (famous for it's pizza) and Bikini Bar, famous for you know what.