You book the pitch for the boys. The rest of the family waits by the car park with nothing to do.
At ARFC in Woodleigh, they wait with cold drinks and a good plate of heart-warming food instead.
ARFC, short for Arena FC, is the restaurant and bar at The Arena inside the PUB Recreation Club. It is now a partner on FIS SULIT! Rewards, with a member deal coming soon.
Inside ARFC, with the stage lights above the bar.
The food
The food is great, and the menu runs longer than you expect from a sports bar. Western plates sit next to local favourites.
Start with the Team Mates Platter (S$25): chicken wings, chicken skewers, crispy chicken skin and chicken sausage, made for the table to share.
The Team Mates Platter, S$25.
The Lamb Shank (S$21) comes braised in a seasonal vegetable broth with mashed potato. Diners on Chope rate it and the Chicken Satay (S$14) as the two best things on the menu.
Lamb Shank, S$21.
Hawaiian and Margherita pizza
One of ARFC's sourdough pizzas.
More from the menu:
Salmon Mentaiko: S$20
Wagyu Beef Burger: S$21
Mala Pasta (chicken cutlet, mala, fettuccine): S$18
Char Kway Teow: S$20
Egg Fried Rice with Chicken Cutlet: S$15
For the kids, the Small Munchies sets cost S$11 for under-12s and come with a drink: nuggets and fries, a small cheeseburger, or meatballs with tater tots and pasta.
Cold beer, big screens
The beer is cold, which counts for a lot in Singapore. Heineken, Guinness and Erdinger cost S$13.50 a pint, and a 3-litre tower of Heineken or Tiger costs S$70. A bucket of five Sapporo, Tiger or Carlsberg bottles costs S$45.
Happy hour runs from 4-7 pm Mon to Friday and non-public holidays, on draught beer and house wine.
A big LED screen shows the Premier League on weekend nights. You can check the schedules here
Live music
The music is good, and it leans towards singalongs.
Wednesday: EastWest Band with singer Tricia, from 7.30pm. Think Whitney Houston and Bon Jovi.
Thursday: Mice & Friends, with Mandopop and Cantopop classics.
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ARFC throws bigger nights too. Its ChugFest They just hosted one of their biggest party - which happen yearly ChugFest (Oktoberfest in their own way) They invited Maia Lee, with Rock Revival to bring the house to live. party this month brought rock band Rock Revival to the stage.
Great kababayan service
The Filipino crew are attentive and hospitable. Dinner here feels like eating at a kababayan's house, with better beers 🫢
Good for the family
You can bring the family while you play. The Arena runs football pitches for 5-, 7- and 11-a-side games, and Gaulois Aerion Academy holds youth football training and trials there.
The Arena's pitches at dusk.
The club also has pickleball and padel courts, so the rest of the barkada can play too.
Pickleball at night, with the padel courts behind.
The kids can try Fish @ Woodleigh at the same address. Prawning costs S$22 per rod for an hour, longkang fishing S$23 an hour and fish feeding S$2. You can grill your catch on site. You can also join a free football trial session just book here https://www.gauloisacademy.com/trial-session
Parking is free, which helps when you are carrying boots, a cooler and a sleepy toddler.
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Around Woodleigh
Bidadari Park: 13 hectares, with Alkaff Lake, walking trails and the Adventure Playwoods playground, which has a 5m tower and a zip line. A bridge links the park to The Woodleigh Mall.
Woodleigh Village Hawker Centre: near the park's Heritage Walk, with a playground next to it.
What diners say
ARFC scores 4.5 out of 5 from 55 ratings on Grab Dine Out, and 4.4 from 46 reviews on Chope, where service gets 4.2. A few reviewers found it loud on busy nights, so pick your night to match your mood.
Best time to go
For the music: Wednesday or Thursday, from 7.30pm.
With the kids: weekend mornings. ARFC opens at 9.30am on Saturday and Sunday for coffee, before the crowds.
For cheaper beer: 4-7pm, during happy hour.
For football: weekend match nights. Book ahead, as tables fill fast and it gets loud.
ARFC opens Monday to Friday from 11am to midnight, and Saturday and Sunday from 9.30am to midnight. Reserve at 8820 8814.
How to get there
The nearest MRT is Woodleigh (NE11) on the North East Line, about a 9-minute walk away. Buses 13, 28, 93, 153 and 155 stop at PUB Recreation Club. Parking is free.
Follow @arfc.sg on Instagram for band line-ups and match nights.
At The Arena, PUB Recreation Club, 48 Woodleigh Park, Singapore 357844.
What is the nearest MRT to ARFC Woodleigh?+
Woodleigh MRT (NE11) on the North East Line, about a 9-minute walk. Buses 13, 28, 93, 153 and 155 stop at PUB Recreation Club, and parking is free.
What are ARFC Woodleigh opening hours?+
Monday to Friday from 11am to midnight, and Saturday and Sunday from 9.30am to midnight. Reservations: 8820 8814.
Does ARFC Woodleigh have live music?+
Yes. EastWest Band plays on Wednesdays from 7.30pm, and Mice & Friends sing Mandopop and Cantopop classics on Thursdays.
Is ARFC Woodleigh good for families?+
Yes. Kids sets cost S$11 with a drink, parking is free, The Arena football pitches and pickleball courts are at the club, and Fish @ Woodleigh offers prawning and longkang fishing at the same address.
Does ARFC show Premier League football?+
Yes. Matches play on a big LED screen, mostly on weekend nights. Book ahead for big games.
Does ARFC Woodleigh have happy hour?+
Yes. Happy hour runs from opening until 7pm daily on draught beer and house wine, except on public holidays.
