Singapore's Joo Chiat has quietly become one of the city's most rewarding neighbourhoods to wander — Peranakan shophouses, heritage eateries, even a Samoyed dog cafe. Its newest addition is Side Quest, an art studio occupying the second floor of a shophouse above a 7-Eleven, directly opposite i12 Katong and a short walk from Marine Parade MRT.
The studio is the brainchild of 23-year-old Jessica Tay, who started out in 2025 running mobile craft workshops at private birthdays and events across Singapore before settling into a permanent space. It reopened on 13th October 2026 with a refreshed lineup of beginner-friendly activities. The concept is deliberately low-pressure: instead of a food menu, you order a craft from the menu, materials are included, and there are no formal instructors hovering over you. The idea is to make something imperfect and enjoy the process rather than chase a flawless result.
Painting is the main draw, with six options. Canvas Painting runs $38 for two hours, while easier entry points include Figurine Painting at $28 and the popular Trinket Tray Painting at $20 per hour, where you pick a hand-cast piece and decorate it your way. There's also Colour Stories Coaster Painting ($35 for two hours), with pre-drawn designs inspired by the Peranakan tiles that define the neighbourhood — a nice souvenir angle for visitors. Tote Bag Painting and Plant Pot Painting (both $35 and $32 respectively for two hours) give you something usable to take home.
Beyond brushes, two DIY stations round out the menu. The Ling Long Loop Charm Bar ($18 for 30 minutes) gives unlimited access to beads and charms for making your own accessories, and the Snail Mail Postcard Bar ($25 per hour) lets you write and decorate up to two postcards per session — with the studio posting them out for free, which is a charming touch if you want to send something home mid-trip.
Side Quest also doubles as a party venue. Birthday packages start at $60 per person for a two-hour private session with a painting activity of your choice, or $90 per person for an extra 30 minutes, charm bar access and goodie bags. The team handles the cleanup, and can host at the studio or bring the party to your own venue at no extra charge. Off-site team bonding sessions are bookable too.
One caveat: no food or drinks are served yet, though you're welcome to bring non-alcoholic beverages from nearby cafes in the area — and given the density of good coffee and kueh along Joo Chiat and Katong, pairing a craft session with a neighbourhood stroll is an easy afternoon.
For travellers, this is the kind of spot that shows a different side of Singapore beyond the malls and Marina Bay: a small local business in a heritage district where you can spend an hour making something for under $20. Walk-ins are welcome, or reserve up to two weeks ahead for larger groups. Whether you're travelling solo, on a low-key date, or herding kids on a rainy afternoon, it's an affordable and genuinely local way to slow down.
