At Marina Bay, there’s a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air. For the next 2 weekends, the place is going to be happening.
DBS Bank is bringing a slice of Bangkok to 50,000 square feet of Marina Bay real soon, as part of the bank’s ongoing drive to liven up the area.
Come two weekends in April, this vision of glory will be seen just a mere hop, skip and jump from Bayfront MRT station:
Artbox is Thailand’s biggest hipster market, featuring young entrepreneurs trying to market their craft, talents and out-of-the-box concepts.
Well, DBS is bringing the market out of Thailand for the first time, and we’re proud that Singapore’s young entrepreneurs will be the first to showcase their work at this mega event that involves over 500 vendors and partners.
It’s not just a place to eat and buy stuff — these local entrepreneurs have bravely waded into the business world after coming up with new concepts, and it’s only natural that Singaporeans should support them.
As such, the event serves a double purpose — it fits in exactly with the aim of DBS, as a Singapore bank, to support the next generation of entrepreneurs, and make Marina Bay the most happening destination in Singapore with events that we’ve never experienced yet.
And for young people who aren’t entrepreneurs, well it’s the perfect place to chill out during the Easter long weekend, with an encore the weekend after with a totally different line-up of vendors. #Workhardbayhard
“Well known for being the biggest hipster creative market in Bangkok, Artbox is a refreshing and exciting concept that brings together young entrepreneurs, giving them a platform to showcase their work. This being Artbox’s inaugural offshore foray, we’re thrilled as title sponsor to bring Artbox to the iconic Marina Bay for the first time. We hope that the activities in store will present to the public new and unique experiences that will enable them to participate in the endless possibilities of the bay,” said Ms Karen Ngui, managing director and head of group strategic marketing and communications at DBS.
Alright, less talk, and more visuals. Here’s a glimpse of how popular this flea market really is:
Artbox is a “cooler” and more “hip” version of our humble pasar malam that takes place under 5,000 fairy lights.
Prepare to make your wallet cry as you lose yourself in the an electric mix of stalls comprising a whopping 128 booths just for food and drinks, plus 192 retail booths — and that’s just for one weekend. Come back the next weekend for more!
If you’re eating, (and face it, if you go to Artbox, you’re gonna eat), you can choose to dine either on wooden pallets on artificial turf with beach umbrellas, chill out in freestanding hammocks and designer outdoor furniture. Visitors can also booze up at a beer garden by Thailand’s Chang Beer.
From fashionable clothes to outlandish lifestyle products and lip-smacking delicacies, you’re sure to find something that will appeal to you. Here are some of the vendors that will be at Artbox Singapore:
Loco Loco Churros (Singapore)
Tio Smoke (Singapore)
Pindemic (Singapore)
Kei Collective (Singapore)
Madoo Madoo (Thailand)
Phonetic Symbol (Thailand)
I Wish (Thailand)
It doesn’t matter if you’re short on cash — admission to the event is free, and you can make your own decisions as to which stalls will make part with your cash. You can buy as little or as much as you want.
Don’t forget, Artbox’s title sponsor is a bank, so you don’t even have to bring any physical cash to the market — contactless and cashless payments are welcome, with the support of DBS and official payment partner Nets.
In fact, university or polytechnic students should definitely not forget their DBS or POSB debit or credit cards. The bank is giving out free Artbox tote bags to the first 50 students at the DBS Live Fresh Zone, a lounge where cardholders can get a respite from the humidity. Don’t forget to bring your student pass to claim the presents.
Non-students can purchase the tote bags and other limited edition Artbox Singapore merchandise at the Artbox black container store.
If for some reason you don’t want to shop or eat (what’s wrong with you?) it’s okay, there’s other things to do.
There will be “live” shows from local musicans, and Thai dance and cultural performances. And if you fancy a free karaoke session, there will also be an open mic session for aspiring crooners.
Visitors can also get a free tattoo (chosen by a tattoo artist) and try out personal mobility devices like segways.
If you’re into causes, visit the booths of social enterprises supported by DBS Foundation and non-profit organisations like Feiyue Family Service Centre and Guide Dogs Association of the Blind to take part in their charity drives and activities.
For those who just like to make your friends and followers jealous with pretty photos of your life, there are Instagram-worthy photo opportunities with vintage cars and a double-stacked container for a great view of the market.
Now, to whet your appetite even further, let’s look at some things that were available at the recent Artbox in Bangkok:
To start off, how about a rainbow drink to quench your thirst, and brighten up your Instagram feed?
Or premium beef steak that is served in cubes?
Hopefully this flaming red burger tastes as good as it looks.
If not, these cheesy fries should hit the spot.
And finish it off with this quirky princess-like ice cream cone.
Of course, when you’re in Thailand, you can’t not drink Thai Milk Tea.
If you’re trying to watch your weight, you can immortalise your slim cartoon self in a portrait.
And get cute and quirky kitchenware to make food preparation that little bit more fun.
Cool and trendy clothes are aplenty here.
As well as all sorts of stuff to light up your life.
But seriously, if you aren’t there to eat, what’s the point of going? You will miss out on things like this:
Location: Bayfront Event Space next to the Marina Bay Sands
Nearest MRT: Bayfront MRT Station
Date: April 14 to 16 and April 21 to 23
Time: 3pm to 11pm
Block those dates out, gather your friends and family and prepare to join an expected 400,000 visitors in raiding Artbox Market. See you there!
Check out some other ways that DBS has livened up Marina Bay at http://www.dbsbythebay.com/
Featured Image from Flyhoneystars.
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