Tanjong Pagar 
From Singapore Hotels & Singapore Lifestyle
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Tanjong Pagar, once a decrepit part of town on the southern fringe of Chinatown, has been restored into a haven for all kinds of arts and crafts, as well as cosy Restaurants and Pubs.
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History
Tanjong Pagar (Cape of Stakes) has a long and interesting history. Tanjong Pagar was a Malay fishing village in the early days. Legend has it that this part of the coast was afflicted by schools of sharp-toothed garfish which attacked people on shore. As a result, a barricade of plantain stems was erected along the coast to trap the garfish.
In the 1830s, the land around Tanjong Pagar was turned into a nutmeg plantation because of its fertile soil and the undulating ground. The area became a thriving commercial hub, but by the 1960s, the neighbourhood had fallen into disrepair and may have been knocked down if the government had not started its big conservation drive. As a result, Tanjong Pagar became both an archetype and a testing ground for how the remainder of historic Singapore would be restored.
Present-Day
The 200 Shophouses were gradually renovated for "adaptive re-use", in architectural-speak, as restaurants, shops and offices, including the old Jinrikisha Station at the eastern apex. The first units were put up for tender in 1987 and almost overnight, Tanjong Pagar becamse a drawcard for interior designers, architects, photographers and other creative people in search of office space.
Tanjong Pagar takes on a magical glow at night when the lights come on and people unwind in the numerous Pubs and Restaurants lining Tanjong Pagar, Craig Road, Neil Road and Duxton Road.
Tourist Attractions
Notable Streets
Craig Road, Duxton Road, Neil Road
Clubbing
Drinking
Eski, Mox Bar, Vincent's, Water Bar
Eating
The array of Restaurants is astounding for such a small area: from upscale European eateries like Pasta Brava to modest noodle and sandwich shops. The two-storey structures - narrow yet deep - lend themselves perfectly to romantic dining with their ornate plaster facades and wooden window shutters, pastel hues, teak floors, wooden stairways, high-beamed ceilings and red-tiled roofs.
Blue Ginger Restaurant, Buko Nero, Damenlou (Swee Kee) Restaurant, Pasta Brava, Siamese Fins Restaurant
Tea Houses
You will also find traditional tea houses in Tanjong Pagar, which goes along with a recent quest by local Chinese to discover their roots. Chinese films, literature and music have become more popular in recent years, and Confucian values are enjoying something of a renaissance. Moreover, the health properties of drinking Chinese Tea - believed to be a powerful antioxidant - have converted many.
Accommodation
Hotels
