Holland Village at a crossroads: Can the indie enclave reclaim its lost vibe?

[SINGAPORE] Once a magnet for nightlife and alfresco dining, Holland Village teemed with diners and bar-goers on weekends. Today, the once-bustling indie enclave faces thinning crowds and shuttered storefronts, in a neighbourhood struggling to find its rhythm.

“Holland Village is a forgotten gem,” said Dasmond Gan, owner of V Lounge Bar, which occupies a second-storey unit along Lorong Mambong. “On long weekends, the streets are quiet, with very few customers around. Every business is struggling – there’s no footfall anywhere.”

The 60-seat bar reaches full occupancy once or twice weekly but serves just 20 to 30 customers most nights, with Sundays as low as 10.