This week we get off our soapbox and hand the reins over to you—the readers. Now, now don’t worry; this isn’t a case of the lunatics taking over the asylum. It’s something we do every year for our aptly titled Readers’ Choice Awards.

And as much as we love the rush and the thrill (and the fame) of letting our readers in on the cool new things we find while pointing out the duds, we also believe that you too should have your two cents’ worth on what sucks and what doesn’t.

While we did not agree on all of the picks, we’ve let it slide, because for this issue, you’re in charge. So read on to see what unusual things you’re wearing, what makes you excited as a gaggle of fangirls and what turns you red with fury.

NIGHTLIFE

Outdoor party of the year: ZoukOut
Forget jolly santas, underwhelming pressies and insane office bonk-on-the-copier Christmas parties, this mother of all outdoor dance shindigs is still the best way to end the year. Groove that moneymaker, baby!

Local DJ that actually gets you onto the dance floor: George Leong
Whenever the “King of Sundays” places the wax on the platter at Zirca, a mass of sweaty bodies move along in unison to his progressive house sounds. He knows how to chase away our “aiyoh weekend over oredi” blues.
Runners Up: Andrew Chow and Adrian Wee
We couldn’t separate Phuture jock Andrew Chow’s bum-grinding block parties and Butter Factory’s Adrian Wee’s indie-pop mash-ups.

Most happening theme party: Mambo Jambo
What staying power, this. Like where else wouldn’t you mind listening to dross like “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go,” “Chiquitita” and “We Built This City.” It’s still the best bang-for-your-buck way to spend a Wednesday night.

Best ladies night: It’s a Girlie Affair
Price to get in, free. Price of five standard drinks, free. Price for getting on the dance floor and boogeying down to the booty shaking tunes of DJs Bobos and Kzee at the Powerhouse, free. Sound of your boss’s voice when you call him the next morning to say you can’t be f**ked to come to work because you had a mighty fab time the night before and now have a hangover the size of Kazakhstan, PRICELESS!

Best new bar: A971 Café
For a heady combo of Jap-chic, happy vibes, superb pub grub, Wasted on Wednesdays’ drink deals and power cocktails, this place is hard to beat. Good views of the river too, that’s if you’re not in it.

Best cover band: Shirlyn & The UnXpected
Pocket dynamo Shirlyn Ho is so good, and so … what’s the word … vivacious, that you’ll put up with the crowds just to hang out at Balaclava and Wala Wala to watch her and her sidekicks, The UnXpected, play.

Clubbing trend that you’d rather see less of: Youngsters and kids dominating the scene
The place is infested with them; kids with no dress sense, no sense of rhythm and no sense, period. If the country’s future is in the hands of this sorry lot, then best to get your migration papers in order.

TECH

Best new handphone: iPhone
Apple keeps wowing its fans with better upgrades and tons of apps that appear out of ether. If only they’d work on improving its battery-sucking system—that would make it purr-fect.

Best networking site: Facebook
Our readers, like us, would go mental if access was denied for a day.
Absolutely mental.

Best new netbook: iPad
Okay, so the jury has yet to deliver their verdict on whether this falls under the netbook family or the tablet family. Whatever it is, the people have spoken and they dig the pad.

Most overhyped gadget: iPad
The iPad has its drawbacks alright. Its biggest fans are also its harshest critics, and together they’ve pooled brickbats with the right-from-start iPad haters. Their grouses: No flash, no camera, no USB slots, no multi-tasking, no VoIP (read: Skype won’t work) and storage (64GB max in the age of 1TB).

SHOPPING

Best new fashion trend: Eyewear in all shapes and forms
With a slew (yes, slew) of bad ass sunnies, from big and small to angular and pop-outish, even aunties and tai tais are wearing Lenny Kravitz-retro-rock style shades these days. Like hellooo … how and when did we get all so out-of-the-box cool? Wonky weather, probably.

Best new mall: ION Orchard
We like it when our readers agree with us.
Runner up: 313@somerset
It’s nice to have the MRT deliver us straight to labels like Forever 21 (four levels) and Zara (three levels) and Uniqlo.

Best new indie boutique: ActuallyActually
Handing up offbeat offerings from labels such as Christophe Lemair, Complex Geometries and Song Zio, this indie-style den can do no wrong.

Brand that you will actually splurge on: ck Calvin Klein
Looks like nothing still comes between you and your Calvins, eh?

High street label that still rocks: Topshop
We’re not really sure why we used the word “still” in this category … Topshop rocks, full stop. Its threads continue to be plugged by the world’s trendiest stylists and trendsetters.

Fashion trend that you’d rather see less of: Leggings
All those who play out their lives as though on the set of Flashdance ought to be booked for crimes against humanity! Newsflash; those who still sport this eyesore, they’re not pants, FFS!

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Favorite work-out of the year: Cycling
Okay, so we’re not that lazy after all. Sure, although we like a bit of a sit-down while exercising doesn’t mean that we’re not out there doing revs; coz we are. And with the government building us some phat park connectors and cycle paths, more will definitely go on two wheels.

Gym worth sweating out for: Fitness First
The facilities here are top notch and the instructors know their shit. Plus we love the cardio theatre system at Fitness First; we’d hate to miss The Biggest Loser while we’re pounding the treadmill.

Best new spa: Four Seasons Spa
With up to 20 different treatments, including the vigorous back-walking (ouch!) massage and 45 minutes of floatation tank therapy, this über luxurious spa of all spas is definitely the best of its kind around.

Best aesthetician: Dr. Georgia Lee
Are we surprised? No, not really. With skin like that, who wouldn’t trust the good doctor with their hide.

Best yoga studio: True Yoga and Pure Yoga
A tie! Not only are these places achingly cool in appearances, you’re almost certain to shape up when you’re through with one or several of their classes on offer.

Belly-dancing or pole-dancing—which is worse? Belly-dancing
Seems dancing becomes less of a chore when it’s done on a long, slick pole. We agree—nothing like our very own disco stick.

TRAVEL

Budget airline of the year: AirAsia
What’s not to like about AirAsia? The prices are oh-so-low, the flight attendants look ravagingly fab in their fire engine-red ass hugging uniforms and the food … wow … the food—we’ve never wanted to pay for airplane food so badly. No surprise from our readers, this.
Runners-up: Tiger Airways, Jetstar Airways
Worthy mentions to two of AirAsia’s closest competitors in Singapore, who have both upped their game by adding new routes. Kudos.

Airline of the year: Singapore Airlines
The Old Lady of the skies may have had a turbulent couple of years balancing the books, but that hasn’t stopped it from innovating; offering attractive deals and packages, while improving on service, food and entertainment. It may have scooped this award, but it’s holding its breath for the slightly bigger award of world’s best airline at the Skytrax World Airline Awards on May 20.

Holiday destination du jour: Hong Kong
They have cooler celebs, cooler weather and cheap airfares. So our readers have realized—correctly, we hasten to add—that they’d be silly not to do a fly-up, to have a look-see and a walk-around.
Runners-up: Paris, Japan
It seems like the rest of our readers are evenly split. There are those who like sourpuss café service, and those who love lapping up bento boxes on bullet trains.

Favorite local budget hotel: Hotel 81
Our readers absolutely love this place. Where else can they escape the madding crowds and read classics like William Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom! for an hour or so without being disturbed.

Luxe hotel that actually delivers: Ritz-Carlton
Have you checked out this place? It’s grand, luxurious and the food’s great. It also has killer views of the spectacular Marina Bay. With the new Promenade MRT in operation, the Ritz is the perfect place to park yourself during September’s F1 night race.

Worst staycation idea: Watching local TV
Readers preferred having cereal soaked in paint thinner for breakfast while on staycation. Oh dear.

DINING

Best new restaurant: Hiroki88@Infusion
Helmed by 29-year old Hiroki Yoshitake, a veteran of various Michelin restaurants in Paris, it offers bistro fare with a polished edge. The emphasis here is on serving top-notch fare at prices that won’t break the bank. And with prices starting at $58+ for a three-course dinner, you’ll get just that.   

Hottest new chef: Andre Chiang
Okay, so Andre Chiang has been here since 2008 but considering the impact he’s made on the dining scene in such a short space of time and that under him, Jaan par Andre made its debut on Restaurant magazine’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants List at 39, it’s hard not to acknowledge that Chiang is on the cusp of stardom. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that he’s hot either.

Best brunch: PS Café
While there’s no shortage of places offering brunch these days, it’s still hard to beat PS Café at Harding Road if you’re looking for a reason to wake up early on a weekend. This one has it all: Good looks, fabulous surroundings and great food. What more can you ask for?

Trendiest café: A971 Café
Also the winner for best new bar, A971 gets the nod for its inventive modern Japanese-Asian menu. Often times, it’s hard to find a chillout spot that serves both good food and drinks.

Best dining concept: Tippling Club
In the hands of less accomplished mortals, Tippling Club would probably have been lucky to last a year, especially in the face of the recent financial crisis. Thankfully, Ryan Clift and Matthew Bax are no amateurs; pairing the latter’s cocktails with the former’s avant-garde cuisine, this is one of the most exciting restaurants to have emerged in recent years.

Best new restaurant: Hiroki88@Infusion
Helmed by 29-year old Hiroki Yoshitake, a veteran of various Michelin restaurants in Paris, it offers bistro fare with a polished edge. The emphasis here is on serving top-notch fare at prices that won’t break the bank. And with prices starting at $58+ for a three-course dinner, you’ll get just that.

Hottest new chef: Andre Chiang
Okay, so Andre Chiang has been here since 2008 but considering the impact he’s made on the dining scene in such a short space of time and that under him, Jaan par Andre made its debut on Restaurant magazine’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants List at 39, it’s hard not to acknowledge that Chiang is on the cusp of stardom. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that he’s hot either.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Local film director of the year: Royston Tan
We’re so sick of directors making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Royston deserves this big up for all the good work he’s been doing including films Little Note and Anniversary made last year.

Famous local arts/film/music/design festival: Singapore Arts Festival & Mosaic Music Festival
Yeah man, we couldn’t decide ourselves! A glance at the line-up for both events from last year will tell you the following: We’ve stopped bringing in crap for our festivals and are going for cooler, newfangled acts and performers.

Best Local Art Venue: Singapore Art Museum
With tons of art galleries opening these days, this was a close call. In the end, SAM probably won—knowing our readers—because of its newly installed “Flirting Point.” Looks like the art gallery which comes up with a “Shagging Corner” will probably win in this category next year.

Music trend we can’t get enough of: Pop music and Lady Gaga
Part toe-curling, part mesmerizing, we can’t seem to switch the channel whenever this wigtastic Miss Fantastic comes on and starts pulling shapes.

Play/music/concert worth paying top dollar for: Chicago
Chicago makes lady murderesses look so good and their crimes so forgiving. Looks like we’re “badder” than we think. Yikes. Someone please dial 9-9-9.

Most disappointing blockbuster film: Clash of the Titans
Sitting through this was more painful than a clashing of heads at a roller derby. What utter garbage this was. Lousy acting, messy plot and … forget it … we’re not wasting anymore time lamenting over this.