Smith Street, Singapore

Smith Street, Singapore (1 August 2017)

Smith Street is a street in Singapore's Chinatown. It connects New Bridge Road to South Bridge Road. The section from the junction of Trengganu Street to South Bridge Road is today pedestrianised with an overhead canopy, and food stalls have been set up on the street itself.

Smith Street wears a festive feel as you walk down this street. The shophouses along the way are occupied by coffee shops, medical halls, groceries and restaurants. Along the road itself, food stalls have been set up to hawk various food items. The closer you get to the intersection with Trengganu Street, the livelier the atmosphere. One side of Smith Street between Trengganu Street and South Bridge Road is lined with canopies for outdoor dining. The street is closed to traffic on weekends and in the evenings.

Smith Street is believed to have been named after Sir Cecil Clementi Smith, the Governor of the Straits Settlements between 1887 and 1893. As with the surrounding areas, Smith Street was part of a lively red-light district at the turn of the 20th century.

The three-storey shophouses on both sides of Smith Street are some of the finest examples of Straits Eclectic architecture in Singapore. These have been restored and are now occupied by bistros.