New Bahru's Latest Wave: 15 New Tenants Worth Knowing About

New Bahru's newest tenants arrived in May 2025, and Singapore's most-watched adaptive reuse precinct just got a lot more interesting. The former Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus compound on New Bridge Road has been steadily filling its shophouse units since its 2023 launch, but this latest cohort of 15 new operators is arguably the most eclectic yet — spanning Japanese retail, Minangkabau heritage cooking, and a craft beer taproom that puts local breweries front and centre. If you've been waiting for a reason to revisit, or visit for the first time, this is it.

What's Actually Opening and Why It Matters

The headline arrival is Beams, the Tokyo-based fashion and lifestyle retailer that has been dressing Japan's creative class since 1976. This is the brand's first Southeast Asian outpost, and it lands in Singapore with a curated edit of its house labels alongside a selection of Japanese and international designers. The store occupies one of New Bahru's larger heritage shophouse units, and the fit-out reportedly respects the original architecture while delivering the kind of considered retail environment Beams is known for back home. For regional fashion followers who've been ordering from Beams' online store or picking things up on Tokyo trips, having a physical address in Singapore changes things considerably.

Equally compelling is the arrival of a nasi Padang operator with four decades of history behind it. The name carries real weight in the Minangkabau food community — this is not a trend-chasing concept but a family-run institution that has been serving West Sumatran dishes in Singapore since the mid-1980s. Expect the full canon: rendang that has been slow-cooked for hours, gulai ayam with a coconut gravy that's properly turmeric-forward, and a rotating selection of vegetable dishes that change daily. Heritage operators of this kind rarely open new locations, which makes this expansion genuinely noteworthy.

What to Eat, Drink, and Buy

The craft beer taproom rounds out the trio of standout openings. Rather than importing a single brewery's lineup, the taproom operates as a rotating showcase for Singapore's independent craft beer scene, with taps dedicated to local producers. Think labels like Brewlander, Niang Brewery, and Red Dot Brewhouse appearing alongside smaller outfits that rarely get dedicated tap space. It's a format that rewards repeat visits, since the lineup shifts as kegs run out and new collaborations come online.

• Beams Singapore: Japanese and international fashion, lifestyle accessories, and exclusive in-store drops
• Nasi Padang heritage stall: Rendang, gulai, and rotating daily specials — budget around SGD 10–15 per person
• Craft beer taproom: Rotating local taps, expect SGD 12–18 per pint depending on the brewery
• Price range across the precinct: SGD 10 (hawker-style) to SGD 80+ (sit-down dining)

New Bahru
📍 46 Kim Yam Road, Singapore 239351
🗓 Opened: May 2025 (latest tenant wave)
🌐 Website | 🗺 Google Maps

The Wider Context: Why New Bahru Keeps Delivering

New Bahru has succeeded where other heritage precincts have stumbled because its curation team has consistently prioritised operators with genuine credentials over those chasing aesthetic clout. The precinct's management, under the stewardship of the Low family's Low Keng Huat group, has been deliberate about mixing price points and categories so that the compound feels like a neighbourhood rather than a curated Instagram backdrop. The addition of a 40-year nasi Padang name alongside a first-in-SEA retail flagship illustrates that philosophy in action — high and low, local and international, sitting within metres of each other.

Singapore's F&B and retail scene has seen a wave of new precinct openings over the past two years, from Dempsey's ongoing evolution to the emerging cluster around Queenstown, but New Bahru remains the benchmark for how to activate a heritage site without sanitising it. The craft beer taproom, in particular, addresses a gap that has existed in the precinct since opening — there was no dedicated drinking destination that celebrated local brewing, and this new operator fills it with a format that gives smaller producers visibility they'd struggle to achieve independently.

The Verdict

Go now if Beams or the nasi Padang heritage name is on your radar — both are likely to draw queues once word spreads fully. The craft beer taproom is worth an evening visit on its own, especially mid-week when the precinct is quieter and you can actually hold a conversation at the bar. New Bahru continues to be one of the most consistently rewarding places to spend a few hours in Singapore, and this latest tenant wave raises the bar again. The precinct is open daily; individual operator hours vary, so check ahead before making a special trip for a specific vendor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Beams Singapore the brand's first store in Southeast Asia?

Yes. The New Bahru location marks Beams' first physical retail presence in Southeast Asia. The Tokyo-based retailer has operated in Japan since 1976 and has been available online internationally, but this Singapore outpost is the brand's first bricks-and-mortar store in the region.

What kind of food does the nasi Padang heritage operator serve?

The operator serves traditional West Sumatran dishes in the nasi Padang style — a selection of pre-cooked dishes served with rice. Signature items include slow-cooked rendang, coconut-based gulai ayam, and daily-rotating vegetable sides. The family behind the stall has been operating in Singapore for approximately 40 years.

How does the craft beer taproom work?

The taproom operates a rotating tap system dedicated to Singapore's independent craft breweries. Rather than committing to a single brewery's lineup, the venue cycles through local producers, meaning the selection changes regularly. It's designed to give smaller local brewers tap access they wouldn't typically have at mainstream bars.

Where exactly is New Bahru located in Singapore?

New Bahru is located at 46 Kim Yam Road in the Robertson Quay area of Singapore, close to the Singapore River. It occupies a cluster of conserved shophouses and is accessible from Fort Canning MRT station on the Downtown Line.

Do all 15 new tenants open at the same time?

Not necessarily. In phased precinct rollouts like this, individual operators often open on staggered schedules depending on fit-out completion and licensing. It's worth checking New Bahru's official website or social channels for confirmed opening dates for specific vendors before visiting.