The ultimate guide to Singapore’s best cocktail bars for 2019
The Gatsby era is alive and well in Singapore, which has become a world-class destination for both gastronomy and libations. Now containing five of the world’s 50 best cocktail bars, the “Red Dot” provides more mind-blowing mixology per square mile than almost any other city, not to mention a lux speakeasy vibe that will transport you into “crazy rich” fantasies. Budget at least $100 USD for a night out because prices at Singapore’s best cocktail bars range from $20-30 per drink (unless you start early for happy hour).
27 unbelievable cocktail bars in Singapore
1-Altitude – 1 Raffles Place
Afraid of heights? Then you’ll need to take a deep breath and close your eyes while riding the two elevators almost 1000 feet up to the tippy top of One Raffles Place, where one of the world’s highest rooftop bars sits. Unlike the other establishments on this list, the drinks aren’t the star — it’s the jaw-dropping view of 360° of unobstructed cityscape.
Go before sunset and watch Singapore transition from day to night. The cost of entry is steep ($35) but Wednesdays are ladies nights, so women get in free and also receive a free drink. If you happen to visit on the 4th of July, as we did, all Americans receive free entry! It’s likely the same for other countries’ independence days, but it’s well worth the cost even if you aren’t able to swing complimentary access.
28 HongKong Street – 28 Hongkong St
Behind an inconspicuous beige door, you’ll find 28 HongKong Street — a plush speakeasy that pioneered the craft cocktail scene in 2011. You can order on-or-off the menu, depending on whether you’d like to try one of their classics or have a drink customized just for you. For food, they offer elevated American staples like burgers and mac n’ cheese.
Artemis – 138 Market St, #40-01 CapitaGreen
A Mediterranean restaurant and bar with a fantastic view of the Marina Bay Sands, Artemis draws the special occasion crowd. You can sit inside or outside as you sip your gin and tonic. Come for happy hour from 3-7 PM for $15 drinks (usually $22 each).
ATLAS – 600 North Bridge Rd, Parkview Square
There’s a reason why ATLAS made the list for TIME magazine’s world’s greatest places in 2018. With over 1000 different bottles of gin and 7400 square feet of Gatsby-inspired Art Deco, you’ll feel like you just fell through a time portal into the roaring twenties (but with more gin).
Bar Stories – 55-57A Haji Ln
Bespoke is the magic work at Bar Stories — every cocktail comes tailored to your desires. It’s a bit of a hidden gem and a more minimalist experience that some of the other swank establishments in Singapore, but that’s to its benefit. You feel welcome and relaxed as the expert bartender whips up your unique drink.
Bitters & Love – 118 Telok Ayer St
Bitters & Love is a cozy speakeasy with great music (all the favorites you probably know the words to). Patrons describe the cocktails as “magic” and rave about the friendly bar dog the patrols the premises, looking for pets and errant truffle fries.
D.Bespoke – 2 Bukit Pasoh Rd
The dapper mixologists at D.Bespoke create cocktails that are “the real deal,” meaning booze-forward. You get what you pay for at this high-class establishment. It’s pricey, but the drinks are perfection and the record player runs classic tracks that will make you want to stay all night.
The ExciseMan Whiskey Bar – 8 Raffles Ave, #02-27 Esplanade Mall
A new addition to the cocktail scene, The ExciseMan is already gaining accolades, including a 5-star Google rating. As its name implies, the focus of this bar is whiskey, whiskey, and more whiskey. However, they also offer a great wine list and full selection of other spirits.
Fat Prince – 48 Peck Seah St #01-01
Kebabs and cocktails pair surprisingly well at Fat Prince, where drinks come with a Turkish flair. The anise-flavored spirit raki plays a role in a few of its libations, including the Phoenician Dream — also containing Gran Classico, berries, lemon, egg white, and bitters.>
Flagship – 20 Bukit Pasoh Rd
You’ll find a mean Old Fashioned and a rock n’ roll atmosphere at Flagship, where whiskey reins supreme. It’s more AC/DC than Art Deco, so if that’s your scene, you’ll feel right at home. Happy hour is from 6-8 pm nightly and includes $14 drinks like the Umeshu Cooler (Umeshu, Sloe Gin, grapefruit, prosecco, soda).
Gibson – 20 Bukit Pasoh Rd, 2nd Floor
Under the same ownership as Jigger & Pony, the Gibson aims for “the classiest classics” — serving high-quality, unusual cocktails in a meticulously designed space. It’s consistently on many of the “best” lists, but still holds happy hours from 6-8 pm.
The Horse’s Mouth – 583 Orchard Road, Forum the Shopping Mall, #B1-39
Considered the “most secret” of all the secret bars in Singapore, this Japanese drinking den has three discreet entrances for those seeking a bowl of ramen with their craft cocktail. The funky, geometric decor only adds to the mysterious ambiance.
Idlewild – Lobby Level, 80, Middle Rd, InterContinental Hotel
Hotel bars don’t typically do it for me, but things are different in Singapore. The InterContintental’s Idlewild is among the newest and most exciting cocktail destinations in the country, providing drinks inspired by different cities around the world. And unlike smaller speakeasies, there’s plenty of elbow room.
Jigger & Pony – 165 Tg Pagar Rd, Amara Hotel
Inside the Amara Hotel, Jigger & Pony serves 27 inventive cocktails, with five on happy hour from 5-8 pm. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and you can make advance reservations to secure your seats.
Junior “The Pocket Bar” – 43 Tg Pagar Rd
People can’t seem to get enough of The Pocket Bar — reviews are off the charts. You may trouble finding a spot to sit, though, as there are only 10 seats inside this “bar within a bar.” Part of Junior’s caché is its rotational concept, changing themes every six months…from tequila to rum and beyond!
Kult Kafe – 11 Upper Wilkie Rd
Hike up Emily Hill to this mostly outdoor cocktail bar, which is surrounded by booths, vendors, and gardens. The goal of Kult Kafe is to promote sustainability through refreshing drinks containing local ingredients. Vegan food is also available and all waste goes into the compost bin.
Manhattan – 1 Cuscaden Rd, Level 2 Regent Singapore
Referred to as “the best bar in Asia” by some sources, Manhattan has topped the list of Singapore’s cocktail haunts for years. It operates inside the swank Regent Hotel in a Prohibition-style setting — sleek, classy, and sure to please!
Neon Pigeon – 1 Keong Saik Rd
Described as “modern-urban izakaya,” this restaurant creates Japanese street food-inspired drinks and cuisine. Many cocktails contain sake, sometimes infused with interesting ingredients ranging from coffee to pineapple.
Native – 52a Amoy St
At Native, you know exactly where all the ingredients in your cocktail came from. Local flavors, locally sourced — sometimes even from within the bar itself! There’s an herb garden and plant waste is used to paint a mural going along the stairs. Order a Grasshopper with actual grasshoppers in it. It’s delish!
Nutmeg & Clove – 10 Ann Siang Hill
Not far from Native on Ann Siang Hill, Nutmeg & Clove serves up artisanal drinks with a dose of Singaporean history. It’s a chill environment, but the bartenders don’t kid around with their cocktails, as the 48-page menu with 477 flora and fauna illustrations implies.
The Old Man – 55 Keong Saik Rd, #01-04
As the Singapore sister to the Hemingway-inspired bar of the same name in Hong Kong, The Old Man is a sophisticated speakeasy with literary cocktails. From “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” to “The Sun Also Rises,” you’ll be waxing poetic as you toss back expertly-made drinks.
Operation Dagger – 7 Ann Siang Hill, #B1-01
One of many bars on this list that you could walk right past without ever knowing it existed, Operation Dagger is as stealthy as the government mission it’s named after. The mixologists are super friendly and love to put on a show, using fire and smoke and any number of unusual ingredients. The ambiance is subversive, just like the cocktails.
The Other Room – 320 Orchard Road, #01-05 Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
All 300 spirits are created in-house through “cask finishing” at this speakeasy-style bar hidden inside of the Marriot hotel — the only place in the world with such a claim. There’s no dress code, yet the drinks are black-tie exquisite.
Origin Bar – Lobby Level, Tower Wing, 22 Orange Grove Rd, Shangri-La Hotel
Recently, the Shangri-La Hotel underwent a major renovation — including its once-humble lobby bar. Now, Origin captures the ambiance of a chic train station, with drinks that are “inspired by Singapore’s illustrious history of bountiful trade, colonial charm, and tropical splendor.”
The Secret Mermaid – 10 Collyer Quay, B1-09, Ocean Financial Centre
Focused on American craft spirits, this newish bar draws in-the-know cocktail enthusiasts down to the basement of the Ocean Financial Center in Singapore’s business district. Word on the street is that happy hour deals are great and AMEX card owners get buy-one-get-one beverages.
The Spiffy Dapper – 3 Amoy St, Second Floor
Hip coffee shop by day, prohibition era speakeasy by night — this cheeky establishment serves drinks with a side of sardonic humor. There’s no menu so you’ll have to ask nicely for a special cocktail, made just for you.
Tippling Club – 38 Tg Pagar Rd
Tippling Club provides a high-class culinary and cocktail experience. Think pre-fixe menus and perfume-inspired drinks with ingredients like sandalwood, apricot blossom, and distilled clay. The shophouse location adds loads of charm to the playful, modern environment.
The hardest part of going out in Singapore is deciding where to go! But, really, any place on this list of Singapore’s best cocktail bars will knock your socks off. We weren’t able to try them all in-person, but we were consistently amazed by the service and quality at every establishment we did visit. Locals told us that bars and restaurants don’t last unless they’re really incredible because the competition is so fierce. Thus, I say hydrate and head to happy hour!
Let us know how it goes on Instagram or Twitter. We’d love to see pics and hear about your favorite drinks!
