Swee Lee Clarke Quay

Here's the edited review: "We’ve only been here for guitar shopping and servicing, but the staff is always so great. They are approachable, patient, and helpful. When we were in the store yesterday to drop off a guitar for service, my son wanted to try some other guitars. The staff member who helped us was patient with my son and didn’t mind showing him multiple guitars and encouraged him to try out different types and styles. In the end, he told my son, “Don’t be shy, buddy, the store is here for you to try and see what you like.” We also dropped off an acoustic guitar for servicing, and the staff who helped us with that was great as well! Very thorough and very helpful. Thanks!"

Wow!!! Amazing spot for music lovers. You can pop on the headphones and play keyboard, play records, get a well-made drink, buy music gear, and just chill. Super lively spot.

The menu is small, consisting mostly of pastas and toasted sandwiches for food, waffles and ice cream for dessert, and a nice variety of teas, coffee, and alcoholic beverages, including their own original cocktails. The pasta and sandwiches are pretty good, even if the latter felt a little overpriced. All prices are inclusive of GST and have no service charge, which is a nice touch. The best part of this place is the atmosphere. It's a cozy vibe perfect for hanging out by yourself or with friends. They provide power points for charging your tablet/laptop if you plan on working the entire day, which is permitted. However, note that more people usually start coming in during the mid-afternoon on both weekends and weekdays.

Spacious cafe with retail space selling music instruments and vinyls. Coffee was okay. It's a good place to chill.

I recently visited Singapore and, as I was in the area, decided to take a quick trip to the Clarke Quay branch. Overall, I'd rate the experience 4 out of 5 stars, and here's why. **Perfect** - The store's decoration is very well thought out and visually appealing. The store is organized and easy to navigate, with a clear division between the cafe and retail area. **Very Good** - The service was good. When I first entered, I wasn't immediately approached by staff, which, as an introvert, meant a lot to me. When I initially approached a staff member, they were eager to help me find what I was looking for using their computer. Later during the visit, another staff member was very helpful with testing multiple guitars and providing many options to try without pressuring me. **Needs Improvement** - The guitars were not set up very well, and testing them was not a pleasant experience. The first guitar I tested was a Fender Player Jazzmaster, and the low E string was buzzing due to the nut being filed down too low. The staff tried fixing it, but the issue was not resolved. I ended up testing four guitars: a Fender Player Jazzmaster, a Fender Player Stratocaster, a Heritage Les Paul, and a Squier CV60s Telecaster Custom. A common issue among all four was dry fretboards and rusty strings. My overall feedback to the branch is: PLEASE set up your guitars properly. The guitars are set up so badly that the testing stations (which are amazing, by the way) are put to waste due to the inadequate care given to the guitars.

Here's the edited review: This is a unique cafe that gives you an hour of listening from a vinyl player with a minimum $10 purchase on a single receipt. I bought toast and kaya coffee on my visit on a Monday morning, and oh man, it was a pleasant surprise. In that hour, with my selected album, all my senses were engaged, transporting me to a short getaway. Totally worth a visit, but be prepared: after a visit, you might find yourself frequently thinking and talking about getting into the hobby of vinyl music.

I would like to say thank you to one of the retail staff, Kelvin, for helping to reserve the signed PRS SE Mark Holcomb signature guitar for me, and to Marcus for putting in the request to get it reserved. It was a very rare piece for me, as it was the last of three signed PRS SE Mark Holcomb guitars from when Mark Holcomb did his guitar clinic here. Additionally, the atmosphere of the cafe, lounge, and guitar section has a relaxing vibe along with approachable staff members.

Swee Lee Café is a perfect blend of music and coffee culture. With a cozy, stylish interior and a vibrant ambiance, it’s a haven for music lovers. Spend just $10 to access their vinyl listening stations and enjoy an immersive audio experience with a curated collection of records. Their chai latte is a must-try alongside other great drinks and pastries. The attached music store offers guitars, accessories, and more, making it a treasure trove for musicians. Whether you’re here to relax, explore vinyl, or shop, Swee Lee delivers a unique and inspiring experience. A must-visit for audiophiles and coffee enthusiasts!

Great vinyl choices to listen to. Melbourne iced coffee was fantastic; can’t wait to come back and try the waffles. Beautiful guitar selection and really helpful staff!

Love this place!! It's a good place to chill out and listen to music. You can freely use the lounge, but to listen to music (LPs), you need to spend a minimum of $10 on drinks. Not crowded during weekdays.

Had a dreamy experience at Swee Lee Clarke Quay! It's a unique music instrument shop and cafe, with good old turntables where diners can play the store's hand-picked collection of vinyl records. Having food and drinks next to turntables is perhaps a questionable practice, but I have no complaints. Played a couple of vocal ballads that came out perfectly, rich and warm with the subtle crackles from the vinyl. The imperfect analogue audio and the spinning vinyl gave a rather hypnotising experience, bringing one closer to the music. Of the drinks we ordered, my favourite was the gula melaka tonic. Gula melaka always brings out the best in coffee. I don't mind indulging in this sweetness from time to time. Would love to drop by again when I have time to spare.

Don’t miss this spot if you’re into music gear and a chill vibe! I popped into Swee Lee recently and was seriously impressed. The service? Super friendly and helpful. The staff really know their stuff and made it easy to browse without pressure. They’ve also been hosting some pretty cool events lately, which is a great way to bring the community together. And the place itself? Spotless. Everything’s neatly arranged, and it just feels good to walk around and take your time. Overall, Swee Lee nails it. Whether you’re picking up strings, scoping out guitars, or just soaking in the music shop energy, it’s worth a visit.

Here's the edited review: This store opened in 2024 to replace their Bras Basah location. This music store, vinyl store, cafe, and coffee shop offers a new concept that combines everything. You don't have to be a musician to visit, so everyone can enjoy the facilities. And when you are ready, you can enter their guitar vault, but it's protected with face recognition readers… 😉

Love love love this place!!! Awesome vibes! I’m a musician, so I enjoy the environment here. They allowed me to test the drums, and it was so solid!! There were many guitars too. Such a great place for musicians. I came over after lunch, so I just had a cup of coffee. Coffee was strong and to my liking! Will definitely be back here!

Had lunch nearby, chanced upon this spacious vinyl music and guitar cafe. Had a cup of long black, and enjoyed the rustic, laid-back vibe in the cafe seating/lounge area. Especially so with the sunlight lighting up the place through the high, partial glass roof. I totally felt relaxed on a weekday afternoon. And the coffee was surprisingly good! Will be back to try their other dishes.