Over The (Ann Siang) Hill

Ann Siang Hill is an area on the fringe of Chinatown and the CBD. It is a fusion of old businesses and clan houses still thriving next to new, hip joints such as design businesses, book stores, cafes and bars. I fear in due course the older, more traditional businesses will be completely displaced by the new businesses as rents continue to climb sky-high.

The lovely architecture of traditional Peranakan or Straits Chinese shophouses co-exist with the other more functional-looking 60s architecture.

Of particular interest to us is the Shots cafe cum photo gallery which serves pretty good coffee, pizza and they also serve shots of sake which we have not tried. The Screening Room has a roof-top bar terrace which overlooks the other shophouses and the interesting mix of skyscrapers and low-rise buildings.

We return to Ann Siang Hill over and over again to wander around this cool area, potter around the book stores, handle the vintage wares and admire cool Scandinavian designs.