Bras Basah Complex

I’m surprised at the lack of reviews for this place. I’m also surprised that I have a list called «Bras Basah Complex» and it doesn’t even include a review on Bras Basah Complex!
I come here for various reasons– either I need to get business done, or I’m just waiting for someone in the City Hall area and I need a place to browse (that isn’t Raffles City Mall.) The location is prime– it’s near City Hall MRT, Bras Basah MRT, landmarks like Raffles Hotel and the National Library, along with Seah Street and Purvis Street for food.
Since there are a lot of print shops, I’ve come here to get name cards done (when I was still a tai tai and networking like crazy to find a job… ah, those were the days) and most recently, to get some signage made for work.
There are also a lot of arts and crafts shops here. Art Friend on the 3^rd floor is probably the biggest one, though I’m not too much a fan of that outlet. There’s Popular bookstore, but for something a little less mainstream, Basheer Graphic Books on the 4^th floor is the way to go.
Also check out the super cute Cat Socrates if you have a chance– a great spot to get gifts and Singapore souvenirs that aren’t tacky!

This old building is THE place for Arts students cos here is where you can get endless supplies of material needed for school work etc at Art Friend and also the multiple print shops that can help to print out your posters, sign board etc within an hr or so.
Besides stationery supplies, as one explores the various shops, there’s a mixture of really old retro shops like Kai Ming Entreprises to the ever amazing Basheer Book Store and new hippie shops like Cat Socretes. Music fans can also check out the music and instrument stores while Tecman offers one of the widest variety of christian literature and merchandises. There’s something for everyone!
Every now and then there’ll be book fairs, stationery fairs or even antique fairs with vendors displaying a wide array of merchandises that you cannot miss checking out. Bras Basah Complex may be very old but it somehow never goes out of trend.

If you’re searching for books, art supplies, sports equipments and even guitars, then Bras Basah is the place to check out.
The biggest Art Friend is located here and they carry an astounding range of art and craft supplies, from easel’s to canvas, and even styrene sheets that hobbyists use for model making. There’s also a five-​storey Popular outlet here that carrys textbooks, assessment books and cheap stationeries.
There’s a Swee Lee here as well, so after you’re done with looking for art supplies, you can check out violins, guitars, and even drums.
Once you’re done shopping, you can head down to the food court to grab a bite and drink and the food on offer here is your standard local fare, albeit a tad pricer, but taste wise is pretty okay.

Bras Basah Complex is an old building, very near the National Library.
The main things people go here for are:
1. Photocopying /​printing services: there are a number of shops mainly on the ground floor offering printing services for reasonable prices (IF you print in bulk) and photocopying as well. There are also a few photo development shops.
2. Opticians: a lot of optical shops on the first floor, and always quite a few sales for contact lenses, so go hunting.
3. Second-​hand books: This complex is known for its second-​hand bookstores and I’ve patronised them since I was a student. There are also past –year exam papers from different schools — convenient if you give tuition — hunt around the 2^nd and 3^rd floors, also one on the ground floor.
The second-​hand book deals aren’t terribly great though, and you aren’t saving very much for a used book. One good thing however is, if you buy a lot in one go, the they might give you a substantial discount.
4. Cat Socrates /​Art Friend /​Basheer Graphic: Several stores for the creative crowd and lots of art students go to the huge Art Friend… it’s awesome for craft work!