64 Best Bars in Singapore

Truly one of a kind, this grandiose bar with a high, ornate ceiling is mesmerizing—and one of the most buzzed-about lounges in Singapore. It holds more than 1,000 gins and 250 Champagnes, including a rare bubbly that was served on the Titanic (yes, the actual Titanic). The revolving, themed menus are inspired by the 1930s with a strong focus on (you guessed it) gin and Champagne. For a splurge, any cocktail can be made with your Champagne of choice, and there's also a dining and high tea menu. 

What most people see of this beautiful 1920 corner lot shophouse is through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Japanese-inspired café Natsu, but like a hushed secret, what really happens at Crane is hidden both inside and on the charming rooftop. Part co-working space, part hipster café, and part community space (including a podcast recording studio) it's become a place to share urban experiences and transform them into real-life projects. On weekdays, people come for pizza nights on the terrace, interest groups' meet-ups, and private dining. On weekends, the East Comedy Club and a Farmer's Market bring the space's three delightfully retro floors to full-scale life.

Dedicated to the blues, with occasional forays into R&B and rock, this popular, laid-back bar in a heritage shophouse by the river hosts jam sessions that draw gifted musicians.

Conceived in downtown New York City back in 2004, Employees Only has become one of the most iconic cocktail bars in Singapore since it opened here in 2016. Describing itself as a "neo-speakeasy restaurant and bar," this slice of the Big Apple has been ranked among Asia's best bars in the annual "Best Bars" awards every year since its inception. Enjoy classic small plates like steak tartare and shrimp cocktail as you drink the innovative NYC creations.

If the only Singapore beer you’re acquainted with is Tiger, you’re in luck—quite literally—at this bar offering nine different local brews on tap. The offerings range from pilsners to IPAs and even a stout; ask the bar staff to decode each to match your preferred beer profile. Their menu of local bites like XO Carrot Cake and a ramly burger with all the trimmings does a good job of lining your stomach so you can drink well into the night. 

Recalling the golden age of New York, with a menu that takes you on a journey of cocktail history, this dark and sultry cocktail bar in the Conrad Singapore Orchard offers more than 220 whiskeys. It's also the first in the world to craft negronis with ingredients that have been solera-aged—and right in the hotel’s own 100-barrel rickhouse. No wonder it often ranks in the World's 50 Best Bars.

For a night you will (or possibly won’t) remember, party at this glittering club kid hotspot with Vegas vibes. Also Singapore’s largest nightclub, it goes big with eight private dance pods suspended 20 meters in the air as well as a massive Ferris wheel you can board for a spin.

At this sophisticated cocktail lounge and restaurant, the drinks are designed around stories and cultures from around southeast Asia. Many drinks are made using ingredients foraged from nearby areas and include local alcohols such as jackfruit rum; there's a strong focus on in-house, seasonal fermentation. Enjoy bespoke cocktails with a full restaurant menu on level one, or head upstairs for a more intimate drinking experience.

Pretty red lanterns hang above you at this chic cocktail bar inside a restored two-story Paranakan terraced house, reflecting the design style of the early-20th-century Straits-Chinese shophouses. There are a variety of enticing cocktails on offer (sampling the signature chilli-infused vodka is a must) plus an impressive selection of spirits, shooters, beers, and mocktails. You can enjoy regular live music and performances; sample the bar snacks, which include pizza and chicken wings; or just sit back and enjoy the ambiance.

Recognized as one of Asia's 50 best bars, The Other Room is a moodily-lit speakeasy where mixologists sling cocktails until the early hours. The allure is its location: hidden behind a largely unmarked black door inside the Marriott Hotel. It’s small and snug inside, so it’s better to reserve ahead if you want to secure a table, especially if you want to try their version of the classic Reuben sandwich. The cocktails are the real stars, though, made using the 100 different cask-finished spirits blended in-house.

Opened in 2019, this Hemingway-inspired bar was formerly an outpost of Hong Kong's Old Man bar (the Singapore outpost also used to share its name), which was deemed "Best Bar in Asia" by the World's 50 Best Bars. The cocktails live up to the hype, with high-quality takes on classics like old fashioned and sazerac, alongside inventive, delicious signatures.

This five-floor film, food, and bar complex is part of a cluster of trendy shophouse bars and restaurants. A lounge area takes up the basement and first floor, but the biggest draw is on the third floor, where there's a small, funky theater with its own bar. Classic films from around the world are shown, and menus are created to match the theme. (The film schedule is online, and reservations can be made via email or phone.) The rooftop bar attracts a cool after-work crowd.

Occupying a space on Level 2 of the Chinatown Complex Food Centre, this tiny bar is a hidden gem. It would be easy to mistake it as just one of the hundreds of food vendors that occupy the center if it weren't for the number of people drinking the excellent craft drafts at the tables that surround it. The friendly, knowledgeable staff will happily talk you through the tasting notes of each beer, many of which are brewed in Singapore. Grab some food from one of the many excellent hawker stalls around the bar and spend an evening watching the crowds throng through Chinatown below.

For those looking to lounge in the sun among the palms or play outdoor games, this trendy beach bar often tops world's-best lists and has pretty good food as well. Daybeds are available (they can also be reserved) as well as lounge chairs, a swimming pool, and DJs that are often on deck. The weekend crowd is typically young professionals looking to let loose over a game of beach volleyball or beer pong. This stretch of sand, shaped like a numeral three from above, is also popular with dog owners and their water-trained pooches. To avoid the crowds; come on a weekday, then linger for the sunset, which is especially pretty here.

Walk through the bespoke tailor shop in front, built in collaboration with Meiko Tailor, to get to this hidden, charming speakeasy. As you may expect, cocktails can be "tailored" to taste and preference, alongside a regularly changing menu of signature creations.

This outstanding mixology bar doubles as an award-winning restaurant where the cocktails are inspired by the food. There are two ways to experience it: the bar, which requires no reservations, or the restaurant, which does. Get a dinner reservation if you can so you can try the innovative cocktails with their excellent modern cooking.

Moodily lit and uniquely designed, this lively bar is a great choice for an evening drink. Choose from one of the whiskeys or agaves of the month, or from the regular cocktail menu, which offers a twist on the classics. There’s also a rotating menu of draft beers, and a specials board centered around nose-to-tail dining.

The long-running Zouk always manages to reinvent itself. The huge dance club, carved out of renovated riverside warehouses, is four venues in one: Zouk, the main dance room that specializes in all genres of electronic music; the more sophisticated and intimate Capital; and Phuture for hip hop lovers; and Red Tail Bar for cocktails and sharing bites. Visiting international DJs take the decks weekly, and the club consistently gets rave reviews overseas.

To get to the top level of this bar on the 71st and 72nd floors of the Stamford, you'll need advance reservations; the striking views there are enhanced by the way the floors are at a 20-degree slant. There are Asian food options in the grill section, as well as shellfish and sushi stations. The vibrant decor features strong colors and unusual designer furnishings. A DJ pushes up the beat with disco music on the weekend.

This bustling bar alongside Emerald Hill has been rocking for more than 15 years. It has a nice outside seating area—great for people-watching—and a cozy interior where live bands play every evening. The artists tend to be up-and-coming, so the music can sometimes be hit or miss, but it's a good place for a few drinks and dancing. It tends to be quite noisy, so don't come if you're looking for a quiet conversation.

Tucked between two heritage Peranakan shophouses on Emerald Hill, this low-key cocktail bar has atmospheric lanterns hanging from its ceiling and gold and copper decorations dotting its 15m-long brass bar. The excellent daily happy hour (5 pm to 8 pm) makes it a popular after-work haunt with locals. Prices are very reasonable given the Orchard Road locale. On Wednesday, women can enjoy free-flowing bubbly from 7 pm to 9 pm during the Singaporean tradition of Ladies Night.

One of the first mixology bars in Singapore, this hole-in-the-wall still turns out some of the more surprising concoctions on the island. While there’s no formal menu—a bespoke cocktail is created based on your flavor profile—you can rest assured that your drink will be to your liking. Reservations are highly recommended as it is a small space. There's also a full food menu and omakase offering

An institution of the Kampong Glam area and Singapore's live music scene, this lounge-bar fills three floors and has a spacious outdoor seating area. Known as a hub for stand-up comedy acts, live music (especially jazz), and international DJs, it always has a lively vibe. The bar menu is a mix of Eastern and Western dishes. The owners also own the nearby Mexican restaurant Piedra Niegra, on the corner of Beach Road and Haji Lane, and have a second outpost on Pekin Street. 

Sentosa’s resident blue-and-green peafowls are regularly sighted at this unforgettable spot—the perfect place for sunset drinks. The cocktail menu is extensive with libations like the tropical rum-based Palawan Fizz and the gin and prosecco-based Pandan Spritz. To try something uniquely theirs, order a drink containing Navegante, a rum made exclusively for the bar. Time your session to coincide with the daily "Bosum’s Call" at 6 pm, when the staff hand out tasting portions of rum and canapes.

Renowned for being one of the hottest nightlife destinations in Singapore, this hotel bar often has a line outside. Drinks are fairly standard—expect whiskey, wine, and beer—but the music is great, featuring everything from disco and soul to R&B and jazz. A live band usually begins playing around 10 pm each night, and the dance floor can get busy.

At this stunning restaurant-bar 57 stories above ground, you can take in Singapore’s late-night vistas while vibing to resident and celeb DJs. To make a full night of it, you can start with a mod-Asian dinner at Cé La Vi Restaurant, before enjoying a tipple at the Skybar and then hitting the dance floor at the Club Lounge.

The Chinese Theatre Circle (CTC) is a nonprofit organization that's been cultivating an appreciation of Cantonese opera since 1981. Check out one of their dinner performances every Friday and Saturday night from 7 to 9 pm and gain some insight into this particular art form (translations are provided). For S$40, you can dine on a set Chinese dinner with special-brewed tea while you watch, or for S$25 you can simply sit back and enjoy the show. There are daily karaoke singing concerts held in the afternoons, as well. The Theatre Circle is set up along a stretch of Smith Street that transforms into a pedestrian zone nightly and brings to mind the hustle and bustle of the street hawkers from the 1970s.