An iconic name in Holland Village nightlife
For more than three decades, Wala Wala Café Bar has been a landmark of Singapore’s Holland Village. Known for its relaxed alfresco setting, hearty grub and long-running ties to the local music scene, it has drawn generations of regulars since opening in 1993.
What began as a casual neighbourhood watering hole grew into a stage for local talent while also becoming a go-to spot for beer, whiskey and late-night conversation.
But earlier this year, the future of Wala Wala appeared bleak.
Closure plans announced in June
On 13 June, 2025, owner Stanley Yeo told sources that Wala Wala would likely close by the end of August. Costs in the F&B industry — from staffing to operating overheads — had mounted, and the business was struggling to stay afloat after years of losses.
Customer numbers had also declined, particularly after pandemic restrictions forced the closure of its famed second-floor live music venue in 2021.
Yeo admitted then that Wala Wala had been losing money for four straight years, and a farewell to Holland Village seemed inevitable.
A surge of nostalgia and support
The closure news, however, sparked an unexpected reaction. Regulars, friends and longtime patrons flocked back to the bar in the weeks that followed, packing the familiar yellow-fronted shophouse along Lorong Mambong.
In a July 5 Instagram post, the Wala Wala team thanked customers for their overwhelming support, wondering aloud if it was nostalgia or simply the bar’s place in Singapore’s collective memory that had drawn the crowds.
That renewed energy gave the team a reason to pause and rethink the final chapter.
A turnaround announced in August
On 26 August, Wala Wala announced on Instagram that it would remain open in Holland Village after all. The decision came after its landlord offered revised terms, making it viable for the business to continue.
In a statement titled “An Important Update: Wala Wala to Stay in Holland Village”, the team expressed gratitude to both the landlord and its community of supporters.
Comments and community hopes
The update drew exclamations of relief and celebration across social media.
Many welcomed the reprieve, congratulating one of Singapore’s most beloved bars.
Some commenters urged the team to consider reviving its second-floor live music space, which closed during the pandemic. The space had once been a launchpad for countless local acts.
Others shared memories formed within Wala Wala’s walls.
From humble café to live-music institution
Wala Wala first opened its doors in 1993 as a modest café in Holland Village. Over the years, it evolved into a beloved pub known for its laid-back vibe, hearty food, and live music that became its signature.
For more than two decades, the pub has drawn a mix of locals, expatriates and music lovers, earning a reputation as a launchpad for homegrown bands. For many Singaporeans, nights out at Wala Wala were a rite of passage, cementing its place as an icon in the country’s nightlife scene.
More than just a bar
For 32 years, Wala Wala has been a cultural fixture, a community space and an enduring symbol of Holland Village nightlife. Its survival, against the odds, is a reminder of the challenges facing Singapore’s F&B sector — but also of the power of community to keep an institution alive.
For now, at least, the story continues.
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