Travel

Hattie Lloyd 08/06/18


The Best Bars In Singapore

The Best Bars In Singapore

Main image: Atlas | Last Updated: 7th October 2019

It can be hard to find a good bar in Singapore…

…because so many of them are hidden underground, behind seemingly padlocked doors, or on the other side of a tattered old Muhammad Ali poster at the back of a barbershop.

So we’ve taken the grave task upon ourselves of hunting them down; whether they’re a hidden speakeasy, or rooftop bar perched over the city’s twinkling skyline. There are bars with drinks made into gummy bears, bars that practically have an entire extra building filled with gin, and bars that serve cocktails made with wild garlic. Which all make great date spots… depending which number date you’re on.

So without further ado, the best bars in Singapore…


PS You can explore all of our favourite restaurants, bars, hotels, and things to do in our full Singapore City Guide


Atlas | Bugis

Easily the most downright impressive-looking of Singapore’s bars, Atlas is inspired by the spectacular grandeur of hotels past. Besides all the usual trappings of Art Deco decadence – elegant bas-reliefs covering every patch of ceiling; geometric wrought iron balustrades; beaten metal murals above the doors; elegant retro chandeliers, etc. – the space is dominated by a huge three storey tower of gin, housed in what looks like Gatsby’s old elevator shaft. It says a lot that the decor still doesn’t outshine the drinks though, which are given a vintage twist by former Artesian bartender Roman Foltán, and have earned the bar a top ten ranking on the World’s 50 Best Bars list.

Details: Open Mon-Thurs 10am-1am, Fri 10am-2am, Sat 3pm-2am | Parkview Square, 600 North Bridge Road, Singapore, 188778 | $$$

Tippling Club | Chinatown

A longstanding entry on the World’s Best Bars list, Tippling Club recently came up with a pretty sweet idea for their new menu. Literally. They’re now continuing to one-up everyone by offering you a preview of every single drink on the list, in the form of gummy bears. Taste them all, order your favourites, and they’ll arrive in full drink form – presented in anything from a baby’s bottle, to an elegant champagne flute with an edible lipstick on the side.

Details: Open M-F 12pm-12am, Sat 6pm-12am | 38 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088461 | $$$

Manhattan | Orchard Road

Manhattan - best bars in Singapore

If you want a good drink in Singapore… go to Manhattan. Because the languid, gentlemen’s club-style bar in the Regent Hotel was crowned Asia’s Best Bar in the 2018 list. Take a seat on the welcoming Chesterfield sofas and you’ll soon see why – the drinks are mixed with an unrivalled panache here, ranging from new creations to old, forgotten recipes. And in a move that can’t be entirely unrelated to its success, it’s also the only place where you can get a bottomless cocktail brunch; feat. oysters and a build-your-own boozy milkshake bar using whiskies aged in-house.

Details: Open 5pm-1am daily (2am Fri/Sat) | Regent Hotel (Second Floor), 1 Cuscaden Rd, Singapore 249715 | $$$

Blu Jaz | Kampong Glam

Blu Jaz is a jazz bar so perfectly eccentric that it could be lifted straight out of an indie romcom. Follow the mellifluous sax notes floating through the backstreets of Kampong Glam and you’ll find it, taking up residence in a traditional shophouse. The interiors are eclectic to say the least, filled with roaring 20s murals, light fittings made from old trombones, and, of course, the stage – onto which regulars in the crowd frequently step up to join the band for a song or two. The drinks may not be winning any awards here, but the vibe’s unlike anything else in the city.

Details: Open daily 9am-late (12pm-12am Sun) | 11 Bali Lane, Singapore 189848 | $

Spiffy Dapper | Chinatown

Self-described as “a monstrosity of a monument to bad taste”, S.D. is a deeply irreverent temple to cocktail-making. Laid-back coffee shop (serving glittery cold brew) by day, raucous mixologist’s lair by night, the barkeeps here sling together ingredients to make a hot mess of a cocktail, like the Cake Eater – which sees a herbal liqueur and bitters flung together with liquid chocolate. The team are great craic, and make it feel like the kind of place that’ll stay open as long as people are still drinking.

Details: Open daily 5pm-late (from 6pm weekends) | 73 Amoy Street (Second Floor), Singapore 069892 | $$

Potato Head Singapore | Chinatown

Potato Head - best bars in Singapore

Set in one of Chinatown’s most striking art deco buildings, Potato Head is a one-stop party shop. Because like their tuberous namesake, you can put together exactly the kind of evening you want: there’s a colourful burger restaurant-meets-hawker stall on the first and second floors, while the third is home to Studio 1939 – a serious sort of cocktail bar with elegant vintage furnishings and a backbar that means business. Glug one of their Buffalo Soldiers (made with pandan-infused bourbon) before finally heading up to the fairy-lit, tropical-themed roof bar to drink in the view.

Details: Open Tues-Sun 11am-midnight | 36 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089143 | $$

28 HongKong Street | Downtown

This bar is closed – to anyone who doesn’t know to give the apparently padlocked shop door a little push. It doesn’t really even have a website to speak of. But persevere in tracking it down, and you’ll be rewarded with sleek, contemporary speakeasy interiors; some of the best bartenders in the biz; and the cocktails to match. Try their delicious take on the 19th century Sherry Flip – or just tell the highly-skilled barkeeps your tastes and let them choose for you.

Details: Open Mon-Sat 6pm-‘very late’ | 28 Hong Kong Street, Singapore, 059667 | $$$

The Secret Mermaid | Downtown Core

The Secret Mermaid - best bars in Singapore

You might pass the Secret Mermaid on the way to the MRT (Singaporean tube) without realising – because by day, it operates as a Japanese salad and sushi bar. When 5pm rolls around, however, the Mermaid takes residence, specialising in American craft spirits, like Indigenous (vodka made with apples from the big apple) and a smoked-salmon vodka from Alaska. The bar’s as much a tasting room as it is a cocktail den, so ask the team for a sample of whichever bottle catches your eye – they’ll be more than happy to oblige.

Details: Open weekdays only, 5-11pm | 10 Collyer Quay, B1-09, Ocean Financial Centre, 049315 | $$

Native | Chinatown

Native was founded with the idea of making cocktails using the best of Singapore’s local ingredients. Which isn’t a terrible concept, considering that includes ingredients like tumeric, cinnamon and pandan. Oh, and crispy ants. 27 year-old founder (…we know) Vijay Mudaliar cut his teeth at Operation Dagger, and has been shaking things up at Native ever since – a move that’s won him piles of awards and critical acclaim for his troubles.

Details: Open Mon-Sat 6pm-midnight | 52a Amoy Street, Singapore 069878 | $$$

Lantern | Downtown

Lantern - best bars in Singapore

Besides providing you with an excuse to make puns about getting lit all night, Lantern is a suave rooftop bar with regular DJs, a sweeping view of the marina skyline, and a covered pergola area in case one of Singapore’s flash thunderstorms turns up to the party. The infinity pool is sadly only for hotel guests, but you’ll be more occupied with the liquid in your cup, anyway – they do two takes on the Singapore Sling here, and they’re both highly commended. It’s also worth noting that they drop their cocktail prices after 11pm, so it’s a good spot to hit later in the evening.

Details: Open for cocktails daily 5pm-1am (2am Fri/Sat) | 80 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049326 | $$$

Jekyll & Hyde | Tanjong Pagar

This bar operates on the philosophy that everything contains both good and bad. Which is all well and good, unless its applied to cocktails. Happily the only naughty parts of the drinks are their themes, based on the seven deadly sins – the flavours, on the other hand, are quite heavenly. Dare yourself to order the Mr. Bean, which unexpectedly combines Frangelico and vodka with strained beancurd.

It’s worth it – unless, of course, you’re tofu-ll.

Details: Open Mon-Thurs 6pm-1am, Fri-Sat 6pm-2am | 49 Tras Street, Singapore 078988 | $$$


PS Planning a night out? Follow up with our guide to the best restaurants in Singapore