The approaching end of lease agreements at Gillman Barracks has cast uncertainty over one of the precinct’s longest-running establishments. Handlebars bar, owned by Ms Pek, 57, has operated on the site for nearly three decades, outlasting multiple transformations of the area.
But with the lease set to expire around 2030, the bar’s future is now in question. Ms Pek stated that the bar will stay as long as it can, and she hopes for support to continue the business after 2030.
A Changing Landscape at Gillman Barracks
Gillman Barracks began as a military camp, housing army barracks and administrative buildings for the Singapore Armed Forces. The government later repurposed the site, transforming it into a contemporary arts cluster dedicated to galleries and studios. This shift converted a restricted military zone into a public destination for the creative industry.
Over time, the precinct attracted a mix of tenants, including commercial businesses and art collectors. The transition reflected broader urban planning goals aimed at balancing heritage preservation with modern economic needs.
Handlebars first opened during the precinct’s earlier days, before the glossy redevelopment and the influx of galleries. The bar’s motorcycle-themed decor and relaxed atmosphere made it a fixture in the local arts and nightlife scene. Among the original tenants from that period, only a few remain, and Ms Pek’s establishment is one of the last links to Gillman Barracks’ past. The current lease structures determine how long businesses can operate within the precinct.
The status of these leases directly affects the stability of the local arts and nightlife scene. When long-term tenants face expiry, it threatens the continuity of community spaces that grew alongside the galleries.
This creates uncertainty for businesses that provided early support to the district.
Handlebars as a Community Anchor
For Ms Pek, Handlebars is more than a business — it is a community hub that has weathered decades of change. The bar has built a loyal customer base spanning art lovers, nightlife seekers, and bikers.
Its reputation as a gathering spot where motorcycles park outside and stories are shared over drinks has sustained it through economic ups and downs. Ms Pek has watched generations of customers come and go, celebrating milestones and marking time. The bar’s longevity is a testament to the owner’s dedication.
She has kept the doors open through shifts in Singapore’s nightlife landscape, adapting while staying true to the bar’s character. The regulars who have made Handlebars their second home see its uncertain future as carrying real weight.
It is a space where the motorcycle theme is not just decor but a reflection of the community that built it.
The Road Ahead to 2030
With 2030 drawing nearer, the question of Handlebars’ future becomes more pressing. The lease expiry presents an existential challenge for one of the few original tenants remaining at Gillman Barracks.
Ms Pek’s hope is clear: she wants to continue the business, and she believes it is possible with enough backing from the community that has sustained it for nearly three decades. She is asking for the same support that has carried Handlebars this far. For now, the bar remains open, the motorcycles still parked outside, the drinks still flowing.
Ms Pek’s message is simple: Handlebars will stay as long as it can. What happens after 2030 depends on the support that materializes in the years ahead.
The bar’s uncertain fate is a reminder of how lease structures can impact the continuity of spaces that have become integral to a district’s identity. The precinct itself faces another evolution as lease agreements approach their end, and the loss of a longtime anchor could reshape the character of Gillman Barracks once again.
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