2 Best Bars in Singapore

Background Illustration for Nightlife

Singapore’s late-night options have expanded in recent years to include more highbrow lounges with million-dollar views, mixologists shaking up the trendiest ingredients, and bars tapping into some of the beers from all over. After work, professionals and expats typically congregate at watering holes on Club Street and pubs in Boat Quay, as well as at some of the cocktail bars that have been popping up around Chinatown and Haji Lane.

Nightclubs featuring electronic dance music have a massive following here, and that's been true since the opening of Zouk, back in 1996. Additional clubs can be found around Clarke Quay and throughout the CBD.

First-time visitors should be prepared for the exorbitantly expensive prices that clubs charge. Beer guzzlers on a budget are best off sipping on a few at the hawker centers, one of the only places to find reasonable rates.

Be aware that although the once-bawdy Bugis Street has been sanitized, a seedy underworld still exists elsewhere in town. Red-light districts, which are mostly found in parts of Geylang, have buildings that really are lit by red lanterns. Soliciting for prostitution is illegal, but the deed itself isn't; it's actually tolerated, monitored, and contained, with most prostitutes registered and subject to regular medical checks. If karaoke is what you seek, keep in mind that it is common for "KTV" lounges to be a cover for prostitution.

Crane

Joo Chiat Fodor's Choice

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.

Tanjong Beach Club

Sentosa Island Fodor's Choice

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.