Brothels and sex workers once thrived in Singapore's red-light district. But the pandemic has turned it into a sleepy enclave that's yet to be resurrected.

Marielle DescalsotaMay 11, 2022, 09:12 IST

Geylang's main road.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Geylang is home to Singapore's only legal red-light district.
Brothels were once bustling businesses, but have remained closed for over two years.

Singapore's only legal red-light district is located in its Geylang neighborhood, an area with more than a hundred brothels.

A brothel in Lorong 20 in Geylang.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

The once-bustling red-light district has been a shadow of its former self since shuttering during the pandemic.

Brothels in Geylang at night.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Many of these brothels are set up "fish tank"-style where sex workers line up behind a glass panel to be selected by customers.

Fish tank brothels in Geylang.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Many of the brothels are segregated based on nationality. For example, Cygon (pronounced "Saigon") is a cyber-themed brothel where Vietnamese sex workers work, said Cai.

Brothels with Thai and Vietnamese sex workers.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Many of the brothels are segregated based on nationality. For example, Cygon (pronounced "Saigon") is a cyber-themed brothel where Vietnamese sex workers work, said Cai.

There are many rules for being a legal sex worker in the city-state. Women may incur a S$500 fine for leaving a brothel without permission, for example.

Men entering a brothel.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Sex workers who do not work in brothels often solicit on the streets. But it was quiet on the weekday night I visited, with only a handful of sex workers waiting for customers.

A freelance prostitute in Geylang.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Sex workers who do not work in brothels often solicit on the streets. But it was quiet on the weekday night I visited, with only a handful of sex workers waiting for customers.

Despite brothels remaining mostly quiet, the area was busy with patrons drinking and carousing at the local beer gardens.

A beer garden in Geylang.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Illegal sex enhancement drugs were also sold openly on the streets. On both visits to the district, I saw men, likely in their 50s and 60s, perusing the many drugs on offer.

Illegal sex drugs in Geylang.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Illegal sex enhancement drugs were also sold openly on the streets. On both visits to the district, I saw men, likely in their 50s and 60s, perusing the many drugs on offer.

Illegal sex enhancement drugs weren't the only things being sold in the neighborhood — everything from syringes to pill packs were strewn about in the back alleys.

Discarded drug bottles, syringes, and pill packs.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Illegal sex enhancement drugs weren't the only things being sold in the neighborhood — everything from syringes to pill packs were strewn about in the back alleys.

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Brothels and sex workers once thrived in Singapore's red-light district. But the pandemic has turned it into a sleepy enclave that's yet to be resurrected.

Singapore's only legal red-light district is located in its Geylang neighborhood, an area with more than a hundred brothels.

The once-bustling red-light district has been a shadow of its former self since shuttering during the pandemic.

Many of these brothels are set up "fish tank"-style where sex workers line up behind a glass panel to be selected by customers.

Many of the brothels are segregated based on nationality. For example, Cygon (pronounced "Saigon") is a cyber-themed brothel where Vietnamese sex workers work, said Cai.

There are many rules for being a legal sex worker in the city-state. Women may incur a S$500 fine for leaving a brothel without permission, for example.

Sex workers who do not work in brothels often solicit on the streets. But it was quiet on the weekday night I visited, with only a handful of sex workers waiting for customers.

Despite brothels remaining mostly quiet, the area was busy with patrons drinking and carousing at the local beer gardens.

Illegal sex enhancement drugs were also sold openly on the streets. On both visits to the district, I saw men, likely in their 50s and 60s, perusing the many drugs on offer.

Illegal sex enhancement drugs weren't the only things being sold in the neighborhood — everything from syringes to pill packs were strewn about in the back alleys.