Mohamed Sultan And Robertson Walk

November 13, 2011

Mohamed Sultan Road stretches from Saiboo Street, Martin Road to River Valley Road which also accesses the Robertson Quay area. At its peak one time, it was the most happening place to let your hair down where you can easily find 30 or so watering holes.

It was a historical place where the street was given its name harking back to 1898 where many warehouses, factories and shop-houses lined the entire street. Mostly were homes in pre-war Singapore. It all began in 1992 when former journalist Peter Wong opened the Front Page and later the Next Page pubs. Others soon followed such as dbl-O, Wong-san, Siam Supperclub, En Lounge and many others and then there was Madam Wong's. There was rumour that it was haunted or are people seeing things in their drunken stupor.I bet you could even see live Merlions at the washroom cubicles. I am sure you people who have been there can testify that you have seen a few things and rub your eyes not knowing if they were alcohol effects.

People would throng the streets as the crowd spill over the from the five foot way into the streets. If there was a most convenient way for bar hopping, this was it! One hop and you are onto the next pub. Ah time. Time changes everything. People change and places change. Today as you walk through the street, you can't help but feel a kind of eeriness as the place has been turned into a food place. It's like watching a movie where a soldier goes to war and came back later and found that everything has changed.

Here's England Dan and John Ford Coley with Solider In The Rain:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMNLX5wyXQc

"Years have gone since I was here and I wonder how I differ.....Time has brought me here, with empty hands." "And the streets are full of reflection, a traffic light and a moon still bright,people going in different directions."

"I have thought about why I am here but it is just too hard to explain".

"And here I stand, a soldier in the rain".

Where are some of those people I have met here? What has happened to them? Where are they now?

Well, you can still get your drinks but they are mostly at food outlets and restaurants. The last time I was there with a few friends we did not walk beyond Harry's Bar. It was a mistake.

The courtyard is beautiful.

You can get Belgium food and beers here.

I like this place (below). It reminds me of European lifestyle and just like in Europe.

The colourful bridge here marks the end of th walkway. DJ Chris Ho of Zircon Lounge, Punk, Monk, Hunk, music reviewer and radio personality used to helm the the lounge at the corner here.

The Quayside

This near the Gallery Hotel. Would you like this sofa for your home? It's going to last a lifetime.

This is why Westerners love al fresco. Waterways always give serenity to a place.

There are plenty of Japanese food outlets here but we wanted to do Italian. So here we go.

Among all kinds of European food, I think the French and the Italians are really good. The specially baked bread when dipped in olive oil is fabulous.