Gay Singapore Singapore City Guide

The world’s most expensive city might just be worth it. A tropical island city-state, high-tech Singapore is known for its Draconian chewing gum laws, but more noteworthy are its over-the-top theme parks, hip heritage neighbourhoods and luxurious lodgings. As for the gay thing (sigh), anti-gay laws are still on the books, however, Singapore's got a gay pride parade, a vibrant gay scene and you can hold your partner’s hand and feel welcome everywhere you go (unless you’re chewing gum, of course). Singapore is not for everyone but everyone should visit at least once. Before we go into why let’s clear up a few things. Is Singapore an island? A city? A state? Yes, yes and yes. Is it illegal to chew gum and engage in same-sex nooky there? Yes and yes. Now let’s dive into what’s actually interesting about this place since as a gay traveller you will feel gladly received everywhere you go despite the antiquated laws. Singapore’s home to both Michelin-rated hawker stands and five-star French restaurants. A centre of global finance and trade, Singapore is as international as international gets. Referred to as City of the Future, it’s got robot trees and the world’s highest smartphone penetration rates. Yes, it’s a nanny state with disturbingly clean streets, weird theme parks and too many malls. For your definitive Singapore gay guide, in all its glory, you’ve come to the right place.

Sultry and mischievous, the motto of the Vagabond Club is “If you must get in trouble, do it at The Vagabond Club”

The best hotels in Singapore

Let’s start this gay Singapore travel guide with a roundup of the best places to stay in Singapore. Six Senses Duxton is a gloriously restored boutique hotel that combines 19th-century elegance with playfulness. The décor is modern chinoiserie and the location is ideal. While there are no real amenities, guests can use the pool and gym at its sister property, Six Senses Maxwell.

Sultry and mischievous, the motto of the Vagabond Club is “If you must get in trouble, do it at The Vagabond Club”. The 1950s heritage Art Deco building with its original red shutters had past lives as a workers dormitory and a brothel. The 42 rooms, which have a flirty Parisian vibe, are a little pokey, but the hotel’s uniqueness is worth the trade-off.