& Why...

& Why… is more than the mysterious complexity its name implies. Bringing a much-needed taste of New York to Singapore’s Bugis, this Bali Street café-bistro-restaurant is nothing short of a neighbourhood hub. Bringing together food, fashion, art and drinks has assured the permanence of & Why… in this eternally cool Singaporean district. Frequented by the young, the fashionable and the famous, & Why… is the answer to its own question.

Bugis in Singapore has long enjoyed a reputation as a progressive, fashionable district in the city. From the 1950s right through until the 1980s, Bugis Street was the city’s stomping ground for transwomen, something that went on to become something of a tourist attraction. From this progressive history comes & Why… and its bold American flavours. It would do the place an injustice to simply deem it a café – there is some much more going on here.

Of course, there’s plenty of good food in the offing here too. Guests inevitably end up gushing about the buttery soft croissants and pastries and USA-OK-sized sandwiches. Although Singapore and Bugis have plenty of great places for coffee and light bites, what sets & Why... apart is that it manages to blend so many elements together so smoothly. You’re as likely to find fashion and art bloggers kicking back (and snapping photos on the sly, no doubt) as you are to find some studious types hunched over their French literature. The fun of Bali Street’s & Why… is that these elements can sit together so comfortably. There are few places as welcoming as this place in Bugis – come and meet your new favourite café.