We’ve all been there: you’ve arrived far too early for class, your friend is running late, or you’ve got an awkward gap between lessons and no idea what to do with yourself. Heading home barely seems worth the effort, but staring at your phone for the next hour or two isn’t particularly appealing either.
As such, you’ll be glad to know that Sunshine Plaza makes for a surprisingly handy place to kill some time. Beyond its familiar food and printing options, the mall has a collection of niche shops and useful spaces where students can study, browse, eat, work on projects or simply switch off for a while. So the next time you find yourself with nowhere to be just yet, here are a few ways to make that spare time a little more worthwhile.
Find Some Peace and Quiet at Our Music Room
When you need somewhere calm to gather your thoughts, Our Music Room offers a rather unusual solution. Primarily a private piano room, the space is designed for activities including music lessons, piano practice and small ensemble rehearsals, with a regularly tuned Yamaha U1 and other equipment available for use.
The rooms are bookable online and come with self-access entry, making them convenient for students who want a focused environment without the distractions of a busy café or library. Duo, trio and small-group sessions are also possible, while the furniture can be rearranged to suit different needs.
And although music is its main purpose, students can potentially put the quiet setting to other uses too. If you’re looking for somewhere peaceful to review and prepare for an exam or work through a particularly demanding assignment, a reserved session here could offer the sort of silence that’s increasingly hard to find in crowded public spaces.
Do note that this isn’t a walk-in study lounge, so you’ll need to book ahead.
Our Music Room
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-87 Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Open Daily 7 AM – 10 PM
Browse Tomica Collectibles at Let’s Play
Got more of a collector’s mindset? You could easily burn through a good chunk of your free time at Let’s Play. The shop has been around for more than a decade and is particularly well known for its extensive selection of Tomica diecast cars and Tomy Plarail trains. If you’re already a collector, there’s plenty to browse, from different releases and models to pieces that may be harder to come across elsewhere.
Part of the fun is that the shop is compact but packed with stock. Rather than scanning a couple of shelves and leaving, you’ll want to take your time looking around, especially if you’re hoping to uncover a particular model.
The staff are friendly and happy to share their knowledge without making you feel pressured to buy anything. Regular collectors can also consider signing up for a membership, which comes with sizeable discounts for a small fee. Before heading over, it’s worth checking the shop’s Facebook page for updates on new arrivals.
Let’s Play
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-34 sunshine plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday: 12 PM – 7:30 PM | Closed on Sundays
See What’s New at Toynado Collectibles
For students who’d rather spend their free time chasing their next Pokémon pull, Toynado Collectibles is another easy place to lose track of time.
The shop is best known for Pokémon TCG products, with sealed packs, graded slabs and newer releases making up much of the selection. While its range of individual singles may be smaller than some specialist retailers, the abundance of sealed products makes it a tempting stop for collectors who enjoy opening packs and seeing what turns up.
There are other collectibles to browse too, including Ichiban Kuji products and blind-box-style finds. The store itself is tidy and easy to navigate, while the owners are approachable and transparent about the origins of the products they sell.
Even if you don’t end up buying anything, a quick browse can easily become a longer look once you start checking out the latest releases.
Toynado Collectibles
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-43, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Wednesday-Friday, Saturday: 12 PM – 8 PM | Saturday: 11 AM – 9 PM | Sunday: 11 AM – 8 PM | Monday: 6 PM – 8 PM
Grab a Bite While You’re Waiting
Often, the best way to kill time is to simply eat something. Sunshine Plaza has enough variety to suit different kinds of breaks, whether you’re after something substantial or just want a quick treat before your next class.
For a lighter meal, J Smile Cafe by Souper Salad offers generously portioned salads with a drink, along with the option to customise your own with different greens, proteins, toppings and dressings. There are also pastry sets if you’re more interested in a coffee break than a full meal.
At the other end of the spectrum, Freshio is an easy pick when you want something sweet. The gelato shop is known for its generous tastings, so you can sample flavours before settling on one. French Vanilla, Bourbon Dark Chocolate, and Pancake are among the more memorable options, while waffles make a classic accompaniment if you have more time to sit down.
Just bear in mind that both cafés have relatively limited seating, so timing your visit around peak periods can make for a more comfortable experience.
J Smile Cafe by Souper Salad
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-58 Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM | Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays
Freshio
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-60 Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Thursday-Tuesday: 12 PM – 10 PM | Closed on Wednesdays
Turn Your Free Time Into Productive Time
Not every spare hour needs to disappear into scrolling. Sunshine Plaza is also useful when you have something practical to get done.
The mall has several printing and visual services, including Eazy Printz, Colour Connect, Touch & Print, and VisualHUB, just to name a few. If you’ve been putting off printing lecture notes, preparing presentation materials or sorting out school project requirements, a gap between lessons could be the perfect excuse to finally tackle them.
It may not sound especially exciting, but there’s something satisfying about returning to class with one less thing on your to-do list.
Eazy Printz
Location: 91, #01-70 Bencoolen St, sunshine plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday: 10 AM – 7 PM | Closed on Saturdays & Sundays
Colour Connect
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-10, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday: 9 AM – 6 PM | Saturday: 9:30 AM – 1 PM | Closed on Sundays
Touch & Print
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-04, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday: 11 AM – 7 PM | Saturday: 10 AM – 2 PM | Closed on Sundays
VisualHUB
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-45 Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday: 10:30 AM – 5 PM | Closed on Saturdays & Sundays
Or Just Wander Without a Plan
And then there are days when you don’t really want to accomplish anything at all.
In that case, let yourself browse. Check out the displays at Eileen Town Gift Shop, look through the offerings of various boutique shops, or simply wander around until something catches your eye. One of the nicer things about Sunshine Plaza is that its smaller specialist shops reward a slower pace, so you don’t necessarily need a shopping list to enjoy a visit.
You might discover a new interest, stumble upon something you’ve been looking for or simply spend an hour somewhere other than your usual classroom or café.
Eileen Town Gift Shop
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-42 Sunshine Plaza Car Park, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday: 11 AM – 8 PM | Closed on Sundays
Final Thoughts
Having time to kill doesn’t have to mean finding another place to sit and wait. At Sunshine Plaza, that awkward gap between classes can become a chance to catch up on work, explore a hobby, grab something to eat or simply enjoy a change of scenery.
The mall may not be the first place that comes to mind when students think about where to spend their spare time, but that’s part of its appeal. It offers enough variety to suit whatever mood you’re in without requiring an entire day or a complicated itinerary. So the next time you’ve got some time to spare in the area, you may as well see where it takes you.