Slow Boat is tucked away on the second floor of 45A Craig Road, sharing the building with Fotomat Studios. Billed as Singapore’s first vinyl listening cafe, it’s a spot built around one simple idea: pick a record, put on a pair of headphones, and let an hour pass slower than usual.
Upon entering, the space leans into a moody, low-lit charm, with turntables set up at every table and shelves of records lining the walls. It feels less like a cafe and more like stepping into someone’s well-loved record collection.
Each table (good for 2 pax) comes with its own turntable and two sets of headphones, and a $30 listening ticket gets you an hour of playtime plus one free drink. We went with the Iced Chai Latte, warm and well-spiced, a good drink for slow afternoons.
Browsing the library is half the fun. With over 500 records from around the world on the shelves, there’s no strict curation to speak of – the collection spans old-school classics and newer releases alike, including a small but notable stash of Cantonese and Chinese records that are said to be harder to come by. Records also aren’t sorted by genre, so finding a specific artist takes some digging, but that’s part of the charm, you end up stumbling onto records you’d never have thought to pull out otherwise.
Slow Boat also offers alcoholic drinks like wine and whiskies on the menu for anyone who wants something stronger to sip.The whole setup rewards lingering: there’s no rush to finish a coffee and go, just a record spinning and an hour to fill however you like.
For those who are keen to purchase anything, Slow Boat also sells vinyl on-site and online, alongside turntables and accessories for anyone looking to start their own collection at home.
Slow Boat brings together good coffee, a genuinely great record library, and a quiet time to just wind down and listen. For anyone in the Tanjong Pagar area looking for a quiet, unhurried afternoon, it’s well worth a visit.
If you’re after another quiet coffee spot, Vernacular Coffee at Mountbatten is a great follow-up for good coffee and pastries.
Address: 2F, 45A Craig Road, Singapore 089683
Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 9pm (Last order 8pm – 8.20pm)
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