Somewhere between your fourth Aperol spritz (thank you Happy Hour) and you trying to find the nearest landmark to take a taxi home, it hits you: it’s Thursday night, and you’re out. Not in a lazy pint-after-work kind of way, but in a “maybe we can hit a club after this?” sorta way. So what’s going on? Is Thursday… the new Friday?
According to some of those in-the-know in Singapore’s bar and club scene, the answer is a growing yes. The midweek night, once reserved for quiet beers and breath-holding-till-it’s-Friday vibe has evolved into a legit social playground, and some bars and clubs are leading the charge.
The rise of ‘Little Friday’
Singaporeans are no stranger to midweek parties. Wednesdays, apart from wearing pink, is also when bars and restaurants in Singapore offer up Ladies’ Night promotions. It started as a way to draw crowds in on a usually quiet weekday, and quickly turn into a night when clubs’ dancefloors are filled. But the wind seems to have shifted, and Thursdays are riding on the crest of it.
“Ever since circuit breaker times, a lot of people, especially office workers, started going out more on Thursdays,” says Adonis from Baia, a breezy rooftop bar perched above the Esplanade with a Marina Bay skyline. “Mostly because Friday became a work-from-home day, so people feel more free to enjoy a night out without worrying about the early morning rush.”
Image credit: Your thursday evening can come with a view at Baia | Stephanie Zheng
It checks out: with hybrid schedules and casual Fridays now the norm, that sleepy Friday morning commute has turned into a slow shuffle to your laptop in pyjamas. So why not go out on Thursday when there’s zero judgment for rolling into a Zoom call with last night’s glitter still on your cheek?
"I head out on Thursday nights once a month, and usually stays out till around 2am," says lawyer Janani Nair, 35, whose latest Thursday jaunt was at Behind The Green Door, where ladies get free-flow from 10 to 11pm on Thursdays.
But don’t confuse Thursday energy with Friday chaos. “It’s like a little bit of midweek chill and weekend vibes at the same time,” Adonis explains. Baia’s crowd leans laid-back; think post-work cocktails and city views over chest-thumping beats.
“No dress code pressure, no guest list drama. Just a great space to unwind.”
Thursdays with a twist of Italy
Image credit: Fortuna | Supplied
For spots like FORTUNA, a spritz-slinging Italian joint with great pizzas, DJ sets and seductive lighting, Thursday has become its own beast. “It used to be the awkward in-between, not quite the weekend, not quite the middle of the week,” says founder Egon Marzaioli. “But people want a midweek pick-me-up. We spotted the gap and leaned in.”
His clientele? Young professionals, foodies, and the Thursday-curious looking for “buzz without the hangover.” Thursdays at FORTUNA start chill with shared plates, wine chats, but often spiral into mini-weekend ragers. “The music kicks in, the spritzes flow, and suddenly someone’s singing along.”
“It’s not full-on chaos, but it’s exactly what people want: a warm-up, not a blowout.”
Closing before midnight is a deliberate move. “It’s all about balance. People want a proper night out, but still feel fresh enough to show face at work the next day. Or, y’know, semi-fresh.”
Over at Casper, the shift is impossible to ignore. “While Thursdays didn’t traditionally have much happening, they’re slowly becoming like a new Friday, or pre-Friday,” the team shares. “More people are starting to go out then, while Saturdays feel quieter, as many prefer to be proactive on Sundays with friends and family.”
“It’s not about a huge shift in work routines,” they explain. “But a lot of our guests who have a big night on Thursday usually don’t have much the next day, or they start work later, so it fits their lifestyle.”
For some, Thursday isn’t about squeezing in one more round before the weekend chaos but about creating space. “Sometimes the people who come out on Thursday nights are a bit more introverted, or they prefer having their own space and a safe environment. They choose Thursday to avoid the bigger Friday and Saturday crowds.” Pair that with music, good vibes, and prices that don’t decimate your savings, and you’ve got a sweet spot that feels like a clever workaround to Singapore’s rising costs.
Not everyone’s jumping on the bandwagon
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Cindy from RASA, who runs one of Singapore’s longest-running Afro nights, isn’t convinced Thursdays are blowing up the way we think.
“Pre-pandemic, Thursdays were popular even though people had work the next day. But now, with inflation and changing habits, people just don’t go out as often,” she says. “The economy and rising cost of living has made everyone tighten their belts.”
She also notes that people who do work from home on Fridays often don’t go out the night before, so the whole “remote work equals wild Thursdays” thing? Might not be quite so simple. “At the end of the day, it’s not about the day of the week, it’s about the vibe. Afro music is trending, and that’s what fills the dance floor, not the calendar.”
So, is Thursday really the new Friday?
Depends who you ask. For Adonis, it’s a no-brainer: “It’s the calm before the storm. People are watching their wallets, avoiding weekend cab surges, and just want to chill without the pressure.”
For Casper, it’s a growing trend, but one that attracts a slightly different vibe: “Thursday appeals to people who want their own space and safe environment, without the intensity of weekends.”
For Cindy, it’s more nuanced: “Vibes aren’t tied to days. What’s trending, who’s playing, what music’s in—that’s what decides the crowd.”
And Egon? “Our guests love it. It’s social, stylish, and just wild enough to feel like you’re living a little. Plus, Thursdays feel like your night. No massive crowds, no chaos—just good people and good energy.”
And as for Sunday? “It’s a state of mind,” Egon says. Adonis swears it’s got the best sunshine, Casper swears it’s brunch o’clock, and Cindy won’t even entertain a replacement. Long live lazy Sundays.
So if you’re eyeing the calendar and wondering when to let loose, maybe don’t wait till Friday. The new night out might just be sneaking up one day early, and it’s looking damn good in that Thursday glow.
Where to spend your next Thursday out
Ready to lean into your Little Friday era for a "chill drink?" Whether you're chasing dollar oysters, half-priced cocktails, or a DJ set that won't wreck your Friday morning, we've rounded up the best bars, restaurants and clubs in Singapore making Thursday nights worth dressing up for. Bookmark this space: we’ll be updating it with the hottest Thursday deals and events as they drop.
Ahmeising
3 Temasek Blvd, #01-512
Thursday Ladies Night: Free-flow limited to first 30 ladies.
Baia
8 Raffles Ave, Level 4 Esplanade Mall
Thursday deals: Happy Hour between 5-8pm with discounted drinks.
Behind The Green Door
97 Duxton Road
Thursday Ladies Night: Free entry to club and freeflow between 10-11pm.
FORTUNA
7 Craig Road, Tanjong Pagar
Thursday Ladies Night: @$30 for 1.5 hours of sparkling Free Flow or All-You-Can-Eat @$80.
RASA
9 Raffles Place #02-01
Thursday drink deals: 1 for 1drinks between 5pm-12am.
Main Image: Fortuna | Supplied