Another beloved food and beverage name is coming to Singapore. Mary Grace Cafe, a household favorite in the Philippines known for its heartwarming bakes and homestyle meals, will open its first outlet here in 2026. This marks the brand’s first overseas venture since it began more than two decades ago.
Although the exact opening date and location remain under wraps, fans can follow updates on the cafe’s Singapore Instagram page. Singaporeans have already had a taste of what is to come. Just last month, Mary Grace held a three day online pop up from September 11 to 13, delivering its cult favorite ensaymadas and cheese rolls. The ensaymada, a Filipino pastry with Spanish roots, is typically topped with butter, sugar and grated cheese, while the cheese roll offers a rich and pillowy bite of indulgence.
Image Credits: facebook.com/CafeMaryGrace/photos
Mary Grace prides itself on using fresh, local ingredients with no artificial colorings, additives, preservatives or pork lard. According to the brand, every pastry is made with one hundred per cent real butter and eggs, staying true to the recipes that have made them so loved in the Philippines.
The story of Mary Grace Cafe is as heartwarming as its food. What began in 2002 as a small bakery kiosk grew from the kitchen of Mary Grace, a mother of five with an entrepreneurial spirit and strong family support. By 2006, the brand expanded into a full service cafe serving hot meals alongside its signature bakes. Today, it has around 140 outlets across the Philippines, from kiosk stalls to full cafes, with a strong presence in Metro Manila at malls such as Alabang Town Center, Ayala Malls Circuit, Century City Mall and Bonifacio High Street.
Image Credits: facebook.com/CafeMaryGrace/photos
For fans of Filipino cuisine and those curious to try, the upcoming Singapore debut promises more than just pastries. It is a chance to savor the warmth, comfort and community that Mary Grace has built its name on. Keep an eye on their Singapore Instagram for updates on the opening date and location.
Calling all Labubu fans! You only have 16 days left to experience the Labubu Mini Market Pop-Up Store at VivoCity’s East Court. Until October 19, Pop Mart is inviting you into a world where groceries are playful props, plush pendants grin from the shelves, and even a shopping basket is big enough to climb into. It is a whimsical showcase of Pop Mart’s “The Monsters Wacky Mart Series,” which first launched in June, and it has been drawing both collectors and first timers eager to see what the fuss is about.
Image Credits: facebook.com/vivocity.sg& Pop Mart
Labubu, the cheeky character with mischievous eyes and a cult following, is once again stealing the spotlight. The Mini Market presents him in the middle of a quirky convenience store where food turns into art and everyday products feel like treasures. Picture a giant shopping basket called Basket of Mischief or a retro style food truck known as Quick Bites.
Inside the mart, there are storage bag blind boxes, sandwich shaped mini bags, seafood ball plush pendants and more. The fun is in the surprise as much as the purchase. Some visitors come for the quirky home essentials and kitchenware, others are after the thrill of securing a limited item. Those who spend S$68 in a single receipt will earn a spinning fan from the series, while shoppers who spend S$138 walk away with a puffer keychain. Both exclusives are only available here (T&Cs apply and while stocks last).
Image Credits: facebook.com/vivocity.sg& Pop Mart
The exclusivity extends beyond the merchandise. Entry to the retail zone requires advance registration, and each shopper is given only 20 minutes to browse and buy. Even without a slot, visitors can still roam the installations outside and marvel at how the space has been transformed into a market of cuteness.
Image Credits: facebook.com/vivocity.sg& Pop Mart
What are you waiting for? Step inside, snap a picture, and maybe pick up a sandwich-shaped pillow on the way out. After all, this is one market where the real currency is playfulness.
From speakeasies hidden behind coffee counters to vintage-inspired lounges filled with curiosities, the country’s bartenders are embracing both artistry and playfulness in equal measure. On that note, here are 5 standout destinations redefining what it means to go out for a drink in the Lion City.
Tucked inside Vibe Hotel Singapore Orchard, is the whimsical Dragonfly Bar. It’s a jewel-box lounge inspired by its Hong Kong counterpart. Walking in feels like stepping into a fairytale, complete with an iconic glass dragonfly centerpiece that glows under moody lights. The menu draws from the principle of cause and effect, beginning with timeless classics before progressing to the team’s own original creations that showcase the skill and imagination of its bartenders. With a focus on low ABV cocktails and an atmosphere that blends elegance with intimacy, Dragonfly Bar is quickly becoming a favorite for those seeking artistry in a glass. Visit its location at 24 Mount Elizabeth, #01-05, Singapore 228518.
Image Credits: facebook.com/dragonflysingapore
Down by Clarke Quay, Level Up takes nightlife in a more playful direction. Since opening in 2017, this bistro bar has doubled as an arcade, outfitted with billiard tables, glow-in-the-dark air hockey, foosball, claw machines and retro arcade games that bring out friendly competition among guests. Game tokens come with every drink ordered, which makes ordering another round feel like a ticket to nostalgia. Beyond the games, graffiti-covered walls and neon photo spots make it as much an Instagram playground as it is a social hub. With promotions nearly every day and a Sunday special offering free-flow alcohol and unlimited games for three hours, it has cemented itself as a lifestyle destination rather than just another bar. Drink and play at 3A River Valley Road, #02-04, Singapore 179020.
Image Credits: facebook.com/1levelupsg
For those who prefer their evenings with a dose of mystery, Cat Bite Club offers a hidden experience in the heart of Duxton. By day, the small shopfront functions as a coffee bar, but come nightfall, it transforms into a moody speakeasy with a rebellious streak. Award-winning bartenders curate a selection that places heavy emphasis on agave and Asian rice spirits, boasting the largest collection of its kind in Singapore with more than 200 bottles. The space has already developed a cult following, complete with its own merchandise. Signature cocktails such as the Cat Bite Margarita, made with Código 1530 Blanco Tequila, Siete Misterios Espadín Mezcal and agave nectar, capture the depth of the bar’s expertise. Head to 75 Duxton Road, Singapore 089534 to experience Cat Bite Club yourself.
Image Credits: catbiteclub.com
At Oriental Elixir, hidden inside Spiffy Dapper on River Valley Road, the line between curiosity shop and cocktail lounge blurs. This unconventional speakeasy is filled with vintage oddities, antiques and jars of house-infused gin flavored with everything from shrimp and laksa leaf to goreng pisang. Guests can opt for bespoke cocktails tailored to their preferences or join workshops that teach the art of mixology. Together with Culturally x Oriental Elixir, visitors can even taste the first gin produced in Singapore and learn to craft their own spirit-forward experiments. Their address is 294 River Valley Road, Singapore 238335.
Image Credits: instagram.com/oriental.elixir
No list of Singapore’s leading bars would be complete without Jigger & Pony. It’s consistently recognized as one of the best in Asia and recently crowned the very best. With an atmosphere that evokes the glamour of the Prohibition era, this nine-year-old institution delivers cocktails that are both inventive and deeply rooted in tradition. Signatures include the Yuzu Whiskey Sour and Journey of the West, an Old Fashioned-style drink aged with oak spirals previously used for Japanese whisky. What sets Jigger & Pony apart, however, is its menu-zine, a 54-page publication designed like a vintage propaganda booklet, filled with thoughtful essays on the cocktail world across Asia. Take your friends to Amara Singapore,165 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088539.
Image Credits: jiggerandpony.com
From whimsical lounges to arcade-powered nights out, each bar offers its own distinctive take on what nightlife can be. Which one do you want to visit first?
Singapore’s book community has reason to celebrate as the National Library Board (NLB) prepares for its biggest-ever Big Book Giveaway. In honor of its 30th anniversary, NLB is releasing 60,000 pre-loved books on September 13 and 14 at the Plaza of the National Library Building. This also marks the 10th year of the initiative, which began as a way to extend the life of books and share the joy of reading with more Singaporeans.
The event runs from 10 am to 4 pm on both days, where visitors can pick up to 10 books each. Participation is simple: attendees just need to scan their library-compliant ID, NLB eCard, or request a QR code day pass on-site. Adding to the excitement, 60 lucky participants will also walk away with special prizes through a lucky draw, though details remain under wraps.
The collection on offer spans a wide range of genres, from fantasy and science fiction to mystery, non-fiction, and children’s titles in both English and Mother Tongue languages. This year, a dedicated section will spotlight works about Singapore, in celebration of SG60. For many, the highlight will be the chance to discover older editions and hidden gems that once lined the shelves of Singapore’s libraries.
Image Credits: unsplash.com
Unlike previous years, which saw smaller events spread across multiple branches, the 2025 edition consolidates everything into one large-scale gathering at the National Library Building. Last year’s giveaway drew 6,000 participants, and attendance this weekend is expected to be significantly higher.
The Big Book Giveaway also reflects a growing focus on sustainability. Visitors are encouraged to donate their own pre-loved books during the event, with a cap of 50 titles per person. These donations, along with leftover books from the giveaway, will be redistributed to community partners and international institutions. To date, NLB has shared books with more than 130 organizations worldwide, ensuring that stories continue to find new readers.
For NLB, the event is about more than just giving away books. It is part of the wider Love Our Libraries & Archives (LOLA) initiative, a month-long series of community programs under the Libraries & Archives Blueprint 2025. This five-year roadmap aims to reimagine libraries as hubs of learning, creativity, and connection.
Image Credits: instagram.com/publiclibrarysg/
As NLB’s Chief Executive Officer Ng Cher Pong puts it, the event is “eagerly anticipated by many” because physical books remain a source of comfort and joy. I, for one, love the smell of physical books and still make it a point to purchase at least two every month. This initiative not only touches on the heart of sustainability but also encourages book lovers like me to donate pre-loved titles or breathe new life into old ones, rediscovering them as fresh stories.
McDonald’s is once again teaming up with global superstars BTS, and this time the collaboration goes beyond sauces and nuggets. The fast-food giant announced a new wave of BTS-themed Happy Meals that will come with exclusive TinyTAN toys modeled after the members of the K-pop sensation.
The collaboration officially launched in the United States on September 3, 2025, before expanding to more than 60 international markets including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. Exact launch dates will vary by country, but one thing is certain: McDonald’s is betting big on the enduring power of BTS.
Image Credits: mcdonalds.com
The original BTS Meal, launched in 2021, became a cultural phenomenon. It included a ten piece order of Chicken McNuggets, medium fries and a Coke, paired with two limited edition dipping sauces. The Sweet Chili Sauce added a subtle balance of sweetness and heat while the Cajun Sauce brought a bold mix of mustard and peppers. Together, the combination became a viral sensation that connected fast food with global pop culture in a way few partnerships had before.
This year, the spotlight shifts to TinyTAN, the animated alter egos of BTS, with all seven members represented in collectible figurine form. Fans can take home Jungkook, V, Jimin, Suga, Jin, RM and J-Hope, each packaged as part of the new Happy Meal campaign.
Image Credits: mcdonalds.com
According to McDonald’s, fans will be able to collect two distinct TinyTAN sets. The Throwback Edition features Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook dressed in the outfits from their blockbuster 2021 collaboration with McDonald’s. The Encore Edition offers a new lineup of figures styled in new looks.
McDonald’s is also adding a digital layer to the experience. By scanning the Happy Meal box, customers can unlock TinyTAN Power Up, an exclusive rhythm game that allows players to tap along to their favorite BTS tracks. The interactive feature can be accessed through happymeal.com and offers fans a playful way to extend the experience beyond the meal itself.
Image Credits: providencejournal.com
Are you as excited as I am? With BTS commanding one of the most dedicated fandoms in the world, this renewed collaboration is expected to spark another wave of viral excitement and global buzz.
