FAQs & T&Cs
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FAQs
1. What can I do at The Sundowner?
We have created a nature-based experience centre unlike any other in Singapore, set just beside Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Choose from Farm Encounters (we are best known for our honeybees), or attend a Craft Workshop, like building a mini zen garden. F&B your thing? Make pasta or pizza with us, or even learn mixology. All that too much work? Just Chillout: get drinks at our bar. Dabao in food. Read a book. Smoke. Sing karaoke. Watch a movie. Propose. Anything legal! Please note we do not accept any walk-ins and all experiences are to be fully pre-paid.
2. I don't need any activities, just planning a proposal / party night
If you don't need any of our hosted activities, our Movie Screening is perfect. The package is 3.5 hrs (8:30 - 11:59 p.m.), available any day of the week. It includes 3 drinks per person, and complimentary Wifi, BBQ pit, projector system. Do Whatsapp us if you wish to plan a special occasion. Please note that for any activities you wish to have outside of our normal itineraries such as proposals, there will be a $150 - $200 surcharge. This will cover 2 in-person meetings prior, and other operational tasks we'll assist with before and during the event.
3. Is the area sheltered? What should I wear?
Yes, our new centre is all-weather. The only activity that may be affected is the outdoor movie screening, which will move indoors if rain. If it's heat you fear, we use many air-coolers, but recommend you wear breezy, light coloured clothing and covered footwear.
4. What's the F&B policy?
For our F&B experiences: You’ll eat / drink your own creations, e.g. pasta or pizza, or cocktails. You may bring more tidbits to snack on, but all drinks are to be served by us exclusively. Corkage is available.
Our non F&B experiences: (E.g. Bees Ants Worms) don’t have a window for makan before / after. If you wish to chill out or eat before or after your session, you may book an Extension, or Lounge Session (10% off!) and tabao food in.
5. What is the minimum booking size?
For group join-ins, you can sign up with any number (inc solo), and we will add participants to the group for that session. If we do not reach the minimum number for that session (usually 4 pax), you may either a) Reschedule the session, and we will inform you 2 days prior. You may then find a new date at your convenience. Or b) Find more friends to join or Top up to a private session, to ensure the session goes ahead.
6. Can I drop-off my kids / students and wait at the vicinity?
As our space and resources are limited, only paying participants are allowed into our premises. If you are not paying, you may go to nearby Decker BBQ, or use our lounge to wait and please be out of the participant zone during this time.
7. I'm scared of bees. How?
Foraging bees are peaceful as they focus on getting nectar and honey – not you. If you do not disturb their hive, they will generally not disturb you. We locate our apiary at the rear of the centre, to avoid accidental contact. If you are allergic to stings, it is best to avoid booking any of our Bee Encounters.
Recommended attire: For your Bee Encounter, we provide bee suits. Do wear loose-fitting long pants and covered shoes for best insect protection, and avoid showering just prior or use perfume, which can set them off.
8a. Child / Elderly-friendly?
Our activities are generally suitable for children aged 6 years and up, except our Pasta or Pizza Making which require higher motor skills. For our RFE, we have bee suits for kids.
For those with mobility issues, our centre is on the ground floor with wheelchair access, but only outside, and not into any of the rooms which have natural substrates. Please inform us in advance if you or your guests have any handicaps.
8b. Pet-friendly?
Yes, the external areas are dog-friendly. The inside rooms are not as we have natural substrates which would require deep cleaning if soiled. If there are other prior participants, we require their consensus, and dogs should be leashed so that accidents don't occur and tails are not stepped on. Please note we have chickens and bees in the area. Do let us know when making your booking that you plan to bring your pet.
9. Can I come visit anytime if I'm in the area?
We open by appointment only. Please don't turn up at our door to come visit! Contact us prior and we'll be happy to set an appointment time.
10. Usage of media
Our hosts don't just teach the technical stuff-- they'll help you create a memorable experience that we hope you'll keep for months to come. During your session, they'll also snap pics and vids of you in action, and send it to you after, FOC. We will not however upload these into a Google Drive for you. We reserve the right to use these pictures for our socials or other publicity, unless you expressly ask us not to do so.
11. The stuff you guys do is so cool, can I join The Sundowner?
Sure! We are always on the lookout for talented Hosts, Helps, and Bee Rescuers. Many of our part-timers are previous participants of our activities. More info on our Careers page.
Terms & Conditions
Cancellation Policy
1. For Join-in bookings, all payments are strictly not refundable. We can postpone your booking if you inform us as per below. We allow postponements one time only.
a. >3 days (72 hrs) before the event: This can be done, just let us know your new date. There will be no charge to reschedule, but we cannot do refunds.
b. <3 days (72 hrs) before the event: We are sorry but you are deemed to have missed your booking. A refund or reschedule is not possible. In such a case, you can either i) ask a friend to attend on your behalf, or ii) re-book your event for another date, paying again but with a goodwill 15% discount.
(PS: 72 hrs is 72 hrs, please don't fudge this cut-off. I.e. please don't say "it is now only 71 hours prior, how can you be so officious!", because a line needs to be drawn somewhere 🙏🏼)
2. For Private bookings, cancellations are not allowed.
a. 2 weeks (14 days) before the event: You may postpone at no cost. We allow postponements one time only. If less than 2 weeks notice, there will be a 50% charge to book a new date.
b. More than 3 days (>72 hrs) before the event: Refunds can be made only for those who drop out.
c. Less than 3 days (<72 hrs) to the event: Refunds can be made for up to 10% variation of the total number booked. E.g. if booking was for 20 pax, refund can be done for up to 2 pax only.
d. Only on the day (within 24 hrs): No refunds for any variations. As we would have already prepared our staffing and material accordingly.
Note: 24 hrs is 24 hrs, please don't fudge this cut-off. E.g."it is now 23 hrs prior; how can you be so officious!", because a line needs to be drawn somewhere 🙏🏼
When you sign up for or gift our activities, you freely agree to the above T&Cs. We are sorry if you fall ill or have other personal reasons to cancel, but do not contest our T&Cs, say it's "fine print" or didn't read them, or insist we make an exception. We keep our groups small for best vibes - your reserved slot means others could not sign up. With short notice we are unlikely to get replacement participants in time, while manpower (our largest cost) remains the same.
The situation is the same if you could not make a pop concert: Everyone has their personal reasons, but Taylor Swift will not postpone or refund you. A small business —and our livelihood— succeeds or fails by such guidelines. I.e. we will fail if we keep making exceptions. Please understand that The Sundowner is a business like any other and is not immune to shutting down.
TLDR: Please do not stress us to make exceptions to our rules. If you do not agree with our T&Cs, please do not purchase. If someone purchased for you and you do not agree, inform us at least 3 days before your session for a full refund. If you signed up or came to know this less than 3 days before your session, this refund does not apply.
Rain Policy
1. While our new centre is all-weather, in case of extreme rain, we reserve the right to to postpone the session before the start time -- for the safety / comfort of all participants and facilitators. We will usually make this call 1.5h prior. If you fear it will rain or dislike damp and choose not to attend despite us proceeding, you are deemed to have missed the session, and no rescheduling or refund is possible.
2. If rain comes mid-way through your session, we have shelters and can continue, unless it is really too heavy. No refunds / postponements will be made if the session can continue safely or if you choose to leave halfway.
3. If the session has to end prematurely after it has begun (at our sole discretion), you can reschedule another session at no extra cost. Our usual booking T&Cs apply (E.g. min 4 pax to start).
Gift Voucher
1. All vouchers have a validity of 6 months from the date of purchase.
2. All vouchers are strictly non-refundable.
3. Any unused balance cannot be exchanged for cash.
4. Private vouchers means the session will confirm happen at your chosen date and time.
5. Join-in vouchers follow our Join-in T&Cs as above. I.e. fixed days and time slots and start with min 4 pax.
6. If you choose a Join-in voucher and the min number of pax is not met, you may either postpone the session, or top up to make it a Private session to proceed. No refunds if you choose not to postpone or top-up to private.
7. We ask that while the purchaser of the voucher actively agrees to these conditions, the recipient of the voucher shall adhere to these conditions as well.
8. Any management's decision, while striving to be fair, is final.
Loyalty Voucher (Colony Card)
1. Credits last for 1 year from date of purchase and are governed by all T&Cs above.
2. Credits may be used on any of our experiences that are available online only.
3. Credits may be shared with anyone, using the unique Gift Card code provided upon purchase.
4. Balance credits not used within 1 year will be forfeited and may not be exchanged for cash.
5. House of Melissa farmstay is valid for off-peak nights (Mondays to Thursdays) only. Stays for Peak nights (Weekends and School holidays) and Super Peak nights (PH and weekends of School Holidays) must be purchased separately; top-up is not eligible. See room rates here.
6. Any management's decision, while striving to be fair, is final.