Slow Boat Cafe Review: Vinyl Listening Cafe With Coffee @ Craig Road
Slow Boat is tucked away in a second-floor shophouse along Craig Road. To get there, you climb a narrow flight of stairs leading to a small landing area, where Fotomat sits on the left and Slow Boat on the right.
Slow Boat is run by a sibling duo, Kathy and Kevin, who wanted to create a welcoming space for both vinyl enthusiasts and complete beginners. Beyond just being a listening lounge, Slow Boat is also an authorised reseller for Audio Technica!
For S$30, you get an hour of listening time and a drink of your choice. Slow Boat has an extensive collection of nearly 600 vinyl records spanning different genres—pop, rock, jazz, blues, hip-hop, and even a small selection of Cantonese, Japanese, and Chinese records. There’s no specific curation, so you’re free to explore and discover something new. And if you’ve never used a turntable before, don’t worry—the owners will guide you through the process.
Step inside, and you're greeted by a mid-century-inspired space that feels like a warm, intimate study—dark wood tones, brown leather couches, and dim overhead lighting. Each plush two-seater couch comes with a turntable and two pairs of headphones, creating a personal and immersive listening experience.
If you prefer a brighter atmosphere, the second listening room offers a sunlit space with full-length glass windows, white walls, and a more open feel. There's also a cassette listening section here if you want to take a trip down memory lane.
Currently, the cafe serves a small selection of coffees from a well-known local brand. Their most popular choice is the iced white coffee—which I got, cos I'm basic, duh. The owners suggest either a hot black coffee or a whisky—though the latter requires a top-up.
I managed to snag the last listening session of the night and had the whole place to myself. Just me, a cup of coffee, and the music. There was something incredibly moving about it—sitting in a dimly lit room, lost in the sound of a spinning record, feeling nostalgic even for things I hadn’t personally experienced. Maybe it was the vinyl magic, or maybe it was just Laufey’s music making me emotional. Either way, it was an experience I won’t forget.
Slow Boat accepts walk-ins, but I’d recommend reserving a time slot to secure your spot. Whether you’re a vinyl newbie like me or a seasoned collector, it’s worth stopping by for an hour (or more) of pure musical immersion. Who knows? You might just walk out wanting a turntable of your own!
Thanks for reading, and see you next post!
Slow Boat Cafe @ Craig Road
Address: 45A Craig Road, Singapore 089683
Address: 45A Craig Road, Singapore 089683
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
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