Bugis Street. Back Alley. Part 1. Most unknown hidden gem. Saw Freddy Mercury, Beatles, Abba, etc.

Bugis Street. Back Alley. Part 1. Most hidden gem in Singapore. Saw Freddy Mercury, Beatles, Eric Clapton and even Mary Monroy.

In this video, the back quiet alley of Bugis Street, just next to the main shops thorough fare, exists with life of its own, to those who noticed. The quiet Haji Lane perhaps, without the crowds and noises.

Bugis (Kampong Bugis in Malay) is an area in Singapore that covers Bugis Street, now located within the Bugis Junction shopping mall.[1][2] Bugis Street was renowned internationally from the 1950s to the 1980s for its nightly gathering of transvestites and transsexuals, a phenomenon which made it one of Singapore's most notable attractions for foreign visitors at the time.

In the mid-1980s, Bugis Street underwent major urban redevelopment into a retail complex of modern shopping malls, restaurants and nightspots mixed with regulated back-alley roadside vendors.

Underground digging to construct the Bugis MRT station prior to that also caused the upheaval and termination of the nightly transgender sex bazaar culture, marking the end of a colourful and unique era in Singapore's history.

Today, the original Bugis Street is now a cobblestoned, relatively wide avenue sandwiched between the buildings of the Bugis Junction shopping complex. On the other hand, the lane presently touted as "Bugis Street" by the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board is actually developed from New Bugis Street, formerly Albert Street, and is billed as "the largest street-shopping location in Singapore.

Bugis Street Market is one of the biggest, cheapest, and probably hottest places to come shopping in the whole of Singapore. Half a century ago, this now famous shopping district was better known for being a center of seedy nightlife, attracting transvestites and workers of the night who would flock into town to entertain visiting military men.

Bugis has long shaken off its ‘naughty’ side and become a lively hub of shopping, fine dining, and trendy cafés and bars which stay open long into the night. Bugis Street Market lies at the epicenter of it all – you can easily find it right next to the malls near Bugis MRT Station.

Popular with both locals and tourists, Bugis Street Market is well-known for being one of the cheapest places in Singapore for sourcing your souvenirs, accessories, clothes, electronics, houseware, and cosmetics. Many of the little trinkets here such as keychains, postcards, and stationary are available from as little as S$1.

There’s a whole range of clothes on offer, too. Though not exactly Singapore’s most cutting-edge fashion hotspot, quality items for all tastes can be found at the market if you look hard enough. A pair of jeans can set you back just S$15, shirts and T-shirts from S$10, sunglasses and hats from S$5, and shoes from S$20.

Recently revamped, the sprawling market is now all covered, allowing shoppers to enjoy the bargains – come rain or shine. Over 800 shops of all shapes and sizes also make this the biggest market in Singapore. Most of the stalls open early (around 11am), and stay open until the crowds leave, which usually is around 10pm or 11pm on the weekends.

As with any popular retail spot in Singapore, Bugis Street Market has plenty of eating options to keep hungry shoppers satisfied. Look out for the excellent fresh juice bar towards the center (banana, coconut, pineapple, or melon from S$2) and there are a few other stalls selling fried snacks, satays as well as the odd noodle stall. If you’re looking for something more substantial, head to Albert Center market and food center at the back – a large separate hawker center that serves full meals from around S$3.50.

Bugis Street Market is just a short walk from Bugis MRT Station. Look for the red-roofed entrance or just follow the crowds if you’re not sure. For when the market gets too hot, there is also the cooler (but more expensive) Bugis+ mall next door as well as Bugis Junction opposite.

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