Singapore’s Best No-Phone Zones to Unplug and Unwind

One of the most connected cities in the world, Singapore is embracing a countertrend. More restaurants, bars, and recreational spaces are encouraging guests to put their phones away and live in the moment. They are designed to help people reconnect with food, friends, and fun without the constant pull of notifications.

Also read: The Ultimate Digital Detox: How Banyan Tree Connections Helps You Unplug and Reset

Here are the top spots and events where you can intentionally unplug:

Singapore’s phone-free zones to check out

1. Unplug@Spectre: Singapore’s first phone-free bar experience

Spectre, a mental-wellness-themed bar in Tanjong Pagar, hosts screen-free social events. During these sessions, guests lock their phones in pouches at the entrance and spend the evening connecting through conversation and guided activities.

While the bar is not phone-free every day, its dedicated unplugged nights offer one of Singapore’s most intentional digital-detox experiences. Expect conversation cards, dim lights, and an atmosphere that encourages you to focus on people, not screens.

2. Mr Biryani: A phone-free meal reaps rewards

Mr. Biryani launched its No Phone Challenge in November 2025, offering diners 15 per cent off if they kept their devices away for the entire meal. Staff observe diners and once they have successfully finished eating without so much as a glance at their phones, the discount kicks in.

The idea came from a simple observation. Many groups were eating together but barely speaking, preferring to scroll instead. The challenge has since become a conversation starter in its own right, proving that a little incentive goes a long way in reviving face-to-face connections.

3. Unplug and Unfold: A phone-free retreat

Unplug and Unfold is a real phone-free retreat run by Tabletopics. The organisers clearly state that participants are asked to keep their phones out of sight throughout the session. This policy is part of the experience and is genuinely enforced, creating an environment that prioritises presence, calm, and meaningful interaction.

The programme features a mix of breathing rituals, light stretches, embroidery, and guided conversations that encourage people to slow down and connect without distractions. By actively removing phones from the experience, the retreat creates a rare pocket of stillness where participants can focus on creativity, reflection, and deeper interpersonal connection.

4. Sentosa’s ‘Digital-Detox Weekend’

Sentosa also leans into the growing appetite for screen-free downtime with its Digital-Detox Weekend, highlighted in a nature-focused guide aimed at young professionals. Rather than enforcing a strict no-phone rule, the programme curates activities that naturally draw people away from their screens, such as coastal trails, quiet beach corners, paddleboarding, and guided nature walks. 

The emphasis is on slowing the pace and rediscovering the island’s calmer side, which makes it easier for visitors to set their phones aside by choice. While guests are free to keep their devices with them, the overall mood and programming encourage a more mindful, less connected experience. As a result, Sentosa functions as a digital-detox friendly escape where people can reset without the pressure of formal phone restrictions.

5. ​​Screen-free Sunday by TRYVE at True Cost

One of the most concrete no-phone experiences listed on Eventbrite is Screen-Free Sunday, organised by TRYVE at True Cost in Suntec City. At check-in, participants hand over their phones to be locked securely in a “Phone Hotel” for the duration of the event. 

The afternoon is structured around intentional disconnection. There are periods of quiet personal reflection for journalling or sketching, followed by social time for low-pressure conversations or old-school games. This format helps attendees break free from their devices and reconnect with themselves and others more mindfully.

6. Digital detox meditation by SPACE2B

SPACE2B offers a Digital Detox Meditation session that focuses on helping participants reset from constant digital stimulation. The experience takes place in a quiet, softly lit studio at Stanley Street, where guests are encouraged to silence their devices and set them aside before entering the space. The atmosphere and instructions make it clear that this is a time for a complete mental and emotional pause.

The session is led by experienced mindfulness practitioners who guide participants through slow breathing exercises, grounding techniques, and moments of reflective stillness. These practices create an environment where the mind can settle and release the mental clutter that often builds up through continuous screen use. Many attendees describe the session as a chance to clear internal noise in the same way one might close multiple tabs on a browser.

Also read: Unplugged: A 3-Day Wellness Retreat for the Ultimate Digital Detox

Buzz-free bliss

People in Singapore are increasingly drawn to phone-free spaces because digital fatigue has become a real part of modern life, especially with constant notifications and hybrid work. These venues offer a refreshing return to genuine interaction, where conversations flow more naturally and experiences feel more memorable. 

The rise of wellness culture has also played a role, as people seek activities that help them slow down, reset, and be present. At the same time, travellers are seeking more meaningful and mindful experiences that go beyond taking photos for social media. Together, these shifts have created the perfect environment for no-phone recreation zones to thrive. These experiences remind us of the value of undistracted connection.