11 Things To Do At Paya Lebar Quarter Mall (PLQ)

Ever since I moved out, the area around Paya Lebar MRT has continuously been developing, with Paya Lebar Square springing up, and the long-overdue rejuvenation of the stalwart of the area, SingPost. The latest addition to this now bustling area is Paya Lebar Quarter Mall, or PLQ Mall, which opened its doors to the public recently on 30th August.

I called the Tanjong Katong area home for the majority of my life. I remember a time when the nearest shopping mall was City Plaza and even my parents did not like to go there because of the crowd on the weekends. Things got a little bit more interesting when OneKm Mall (now called KINEX) opened.

Unlike the other malls in the vicinity, PLQ Mall is linked to Paya Lebar MRT Station, and you can access it easily via exit F.

Location aside, here are 11 reasons why every Singaporean should take a trip down to the new PLQ Mall. 

1. Catch A Movie At Shaw Theatres

Shaw Theatres at Paya Lebar Quarter marks the cineplex’s seventh outlet on our island. The outlet here at PLQ Mall comes with 12 theatres and one IMAX theatre. For people who live or work in the Paya Lebar area, this makes the second cinema theatre after Golden Village in Paya Lebar Mall, so you never have to worry about not getting seats to your favourite show.

The icing on the cake is that PLQ Mall also has a Value$, chock full of affordable snacks and drinks. Put two and two together and I think you can see where I’m going with this.

Shaw Theatres: #05-02 | Website

2. H&M (Opening Soon)

PLQ Mall will have its very own H&M outlet on the first floor of the mall for a dose of affordable shopping option. Keep a lookout for special in-store promotions when they open.

H&M: #01-01/01A/02 | Website | Tel: 6235 1459

3. Relax At #thepassiveshop

Boyfriends out there, this one is for you. Need a place to relax your aching legs while your girlfriend indulges in retail therapy? Welcome to #thepassiveshop.

#thepassiveshop is not a shop per se. It is a little “resting corner” which comes with all sorts of self-entertainment options such as a rotating kaleidoscope as well as a wire loop game based on iconic landmarks such as the Merlion and the Toa Payoh Dragon Playground. 

If you need space to use your phone in silence, you can come here as well.

4. Get New Kicks At Footlocker

To get your new kicks, you don’t have to travel to either end of the island—JEM and Century Square because Footlocker has opened its fifth outlet in Singapore in PLQ Mall, surely a must-visit for sneakerheads.

Footlocker: #02-05 | Website

5. Tokyu Hands

With its new opening at PLQ Mall, The Japanese megastore will finally have an outlet for all the Easties. If you don’t know, Tokyu Hands sells many beauty, stationery, travel and household items from the land of the rising sun that is aimed at making everyday life easier. 

Tokyu Hands: #B1-11 to 12 | Website

6. Sing My Song Family Karaoke (Opening Soon)

Step aside Manekineko and Teo Heng! Instead of these two familiar karaoke rooms, PLQ Mall will play host to Sing My Song Family Karaoke. According to their Jurong West outlet, Sing My Song will charge an hourly rate for their rooms instead of by headcount, making its price point on par with that of the competitors listed above. No further information can be found as of yet, but here’s to singing till the wee hours of the night. 

Sing My Song Family Karaoke: #04-05 | Facebook 

7. Buy gifts at H&L Life and PARADE by Maker’s Market

Instead of Miniso, H&L Life will be your go-to for gift items in PLQ Mall. Although its selection of items is quite similar to that of Miniso, H&L Life carries some things based on Marvel and Doraemon characters.

Another great place you can consider for gifts is PARADE by Maker’s Market. PARADE is located in a pushcart on Level 1, and it carries many locally inspired products that hit home, such as plates with recipes for local dishes, as well as Good Morning Towel products.

H&L Life: #B1-131

PARADE by Maker’s Market: near Levi’s, #01-32

8. Workout At VirginActive

VirginActive in PLQ Mall marks the fitness club’s first outlet in the East where you can enjoy over 100 classes a week such as Les Mill’s BodyPump, Stages Flight as well as Yoga, to name a few. There will also be the same state-of-the-art facilities such as a Pilates studio and a High Energy Studio. Sweaty after your workout? VirginActive promises luxurious shower rooms, with Panpuri toiletries and hair straighteners.

VirginActive: #04-06 | Website | Tel: 6911 0580

9. Pass On Old Books At The Book Exchange

Looking to pass on your old books? You can do so at PLQ Mall. Located right beside POPULAR, the book exchange area comes with wooden crates for you to sit on and indulge in a good book should you decide that you do not want to bring it home.

It was heartening to see that in spite of the mall opening just a few days ago, that there are already quite a few books up on the shelves. 

Book Exchange: beside POPULAR, #03-01-03

10. Fill Your Instagram With Picture Spots

Of all the malls I’ve ever visited, I’ve never seen a mall with as many picture spots as PLQ Mall. From neon lights, nostalgic locations, and rustic shopfronts, there are just too many places for you to snap that #OOTD—if you do not mind shoppers gawking at your spur-of-the-moment photo shoot. You can even print out the photos you’ve taken at the many booths located in the mall. 

11. Chill By The Fountain

In between PLQ Mall and PLQ1, is a water fountain surrounded by eateries and tables. The sound of water splashing and the alfresco seating may be just the ambience you need for dinner after a tiring day at work.

A Mall Full Of Quirks

My trip down to Paya Lebar has evoked a sense of nostalgia as I reminisced passing by this once barren land to eat with my family at SingPost in the week. It was refreshing to see that the area is now so highly developed, with malls being built or re-developed every which way you look.

However, what was more interesting to see was that PLQ Mall has opted for more unique tenants. PLQ Mall also plays well to its strength of being located at an MRT interchange in the East, bringing in stores for Eastsiders who are loathed to make the commute to town or the West. Compared to the other Malls in the vicinity, PLQ Mall brings something different to the table and is definitely worth the trip down.