This week, we switched things up and moved our usual Wednesday date night to Tuesday. Why? Because Russell Howard (a British comedian) was in town! And while we love our Wednesday night tradition, any night is better than none. To kick off the evening, we grabbed dinner at Papi’s Tacos before heading to Capitol Theatre for a night of laughs.
Where?
- Papi’s Tacos – 39 Seah St, Singapore 188395
- Capitol Theatre – 17 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178907
What?
We chose Papi’s Tacos mainly for its convenience—just a short walk from Capitol Theatre—and because I’ve passed by before and noticed it was always full and buzzing. It has that cool, hole-in-the-wall vibe, complete with graffiti-covered walls, hanging bulb lights, and bar stools lining the open window shutters.
We sat outside, right across from Raffles Hotel, and for once in Singapore, there was an actual breeze! It was a great spot to soak in the city while enjoying a casual meal.
By 6:30 PM, the place was packed—good thing we booked ahead! If you’re planning to go, definitely make a reservation.
For food, we ordered:
- Tacos Al Pastor (exclusive to Seah Street – they also have outlets in Tanjong Pagar and Katong) – Pork and grilled pineapple combo sounded amazing, but in reality, it was overly salty, and the flavours didn’t quite blend as well as expected.
- Papi’s Nachos – Layered well (there were no sad, dry chips at the bottom!), but incredibly salty—clearly designed to keep you ordering drinks!
- Churros – Needed something sweet to balance all that salt. Thankfully, these delivered! Crispy, warm, and just the right amount of sweetness.
Happy hour runs from 12–7 PM daily, offering deals on selected beers, wine, and frozen margaritas. So of course, we took advantage. I had the Strawberry Margarita, which although delicious, was unexpectedly rimmed with salt instead of sugar, adding to the salt overload of the night. Papi’s IPA was husband-approved. He said it was light, crisp, and a great balance to the (salty) food.
Service was great despite the rush. One staff member was running the show, and she handled everything with a smile—super friendly and efficient!
It was my first time at Capitol Theatre and made me wonder, “How have I never been here before?” Tucked within the colonial-style Capitol Kempinski Hotel and mall, it’s a stunning venue — intimate yet grand.
The night started with Deepak Chandran, an Indian comedian based in Singapore. He balanced local and international humor well but seemed a bit out of place on such a big stage. His jokes would probably land better in a smaller comedy club setting.
After a short break (which felt a bit unnecessary), it was time for Russell Howard. If you don’t know him, he’s a British comedian (and now a new dad) known for his quick wit and sharp observational humor. He delivered as expected—hilarious and relatable, especially with his Singapore-specific jokes. It was fun seeing someone from home bring a fresh take on life here.
There’s something special about going to a live show—it turns date night into more than just a meal and creates a whole shared experience. And laughter? That’s one of the best ways to connect. Whether it’s a comedy show, an amusing activity, or just cracking up over your own inside jokes, adding humour to date night keeps things fun. It’s a reminder not to take life too seriously and to enjoy the silly, lighthearted moments together. Because at the end of the day, the best dates aren’t just about where you go — they’re about who you’re laughing with.
WOW tips:
- Book ahead for Papi’s Tacos – It gets busy, even on a Tuesday!
- Go for happy hour – The frozen margaritas are worth it.
- Try the churros – It was the yummiest part of our meal
- Check out Capitol Theatre’s event lineup – It’s a great venue for live shows.
- Want a comedy night without the big-ticket price? Singapore has plenty of smaller comedy clubs that deliver big laughs without breaking the bank. Spots like The Lemon Stand comedy club feature local and international acts.
Worth it?
For me, 7/10.
Papi’s wasn’t my favourite—too much salt, not enough balance—but the show was fantastic. Next time, I’d eat elsewhere first (maybe even Hongbo from last week—just down the road at CHIJMES – see my previous blog: Date Night #4: Burgers, beers & bright lights)
What He said…
My husband agreed about the salty food but still enjoyed it anyway, and says that he would return.
“Nice to see live comedy—we haven’t been in ages. Russell Howard was as good as I expected.”
His rating? 9/10—but mostly for the comedy!
Wanna see?
For more photos, check out Instagram.
Wrap-up
Injecting laughter into date night is always a win—whether through stand-up comedy or just laughing at yourselves. The food might have been a bit of a miss (at least for me), but the experience of seeing live comedy made the date night a success.
Where would you eat around the Capitol Theatre? Drop your recommendations in the comments!
And with Valentine’s Day on Friday, it’s my husband’s turn to take the lead and surprise me with a special date. Stay tuned on my blog this weekend to see what he planned!
Still looking for the perfect place to celebrate? Check out 14 unique dining ideas for Feb 14: Love that’s anything but ordinary! for some last-minute inspiration!
