When it comes to bars, the magnificent metropolis of Singapore has it all: hidden speakeasies, decadent drinking dens and buzzing rooftop escapes where unbeatable city views come standard.
From the swanky to the secret, you’ll never go thirsty in this glam city, where cocktails are curated, beers are crafted and spirits are swilled and sipped. Singapore combines the best aspects of drinking cities around the world with a unique approach to ingredients, techniques and experiences. The result: a bar scene like no other – reflected in the inclusion of five favourites listed in the World’s 50 Best Bars.
Take your next night out to new levels with our guide to the best bars in Singapore.
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ATLAS
Ranked #4 in the World’s 50 Best Bars in 2020 – the highest in Asia – there’s no wonder ATLAS continues to be a mainstay on Singapore’s best bars list. The high-ceilinged, art-deco cocktail bar is the epitome of luxury grandeur, taking inspiration from the Roaring Twenties to create a space that’s resplendent in metallic details and plush textures. The cocktail list is equally as detailed, with classics and innovative new creations both featuring alongside a strong selection of spirits, wines and beers. Best of all, it’s home to the largest collection of gin in the world, dazzlingly displayed in a tower at one end of the space.
Where to find it: In the opulent Parkview Square. 600 North Bridge Road, Parkview Square
Manhattan Bar
Take just a few steps into Manhattan Bar, perched on the second level of Regent Singapore, and you may feel yourself floating back to the sophistication of 19th-century New York City. The dimly lit spot is perfect for snuggling up against a loved one in an oversized leather Chesterfield, with a barrel-aged cocktail in hand. Warm and professional bartenders are happy to shake or stir whatever you fancy, but we suggest choosing something that utilises ingredients from the world-first in-hotel rickhouse – unique concoctions feature hand-cut ice and house-made ingredients.
Where to find it: The second floor of the luxury hotel, Regent Singapore. 1 Cuscaden Road, Level 2 Regent Singapore
The Old Man
Culinary cocktails are the order of the day at The Old Man, a hidden cocktail bar marked by a single pineapple lamp hanging above a shophouse façade. Techniques and traditions more commonly found in kitchens dot the menu here – expect fat-washed spirits, sous-vide infusions and clarified concoctions, resulting in drinks like The Torrents of Spring, made with glutinous-rice cooked mezcal, grain Wild Turkey whiskey, amaro nonino, Campari, pom-beet shrub and charcoal. If that name sounds familiar, there’s a reason why: just like the bar itself, cocktails share a title with the novels of Ernest Hemingway.
Where to find it: 55 Keong Saik Rd., #01-04, Singapore
Barbary Coast
You’ll feel like you’ve struck gold at Barbary Coast, long considered one of the best bars in Singapore. Taking inspiration from the Gold Rush era in San Francisco, the two-level venue features a downstairs casual bar – for those less-fortunate prospectors – and a discerning upstairs drinking den for those who may have found a nugget or two. Dead Fall is the more casual of the two, welcoming one and all for no-nonsense fun, while the upstairs Barbary Ballroom is an opulent interpretation of the American ballrooms of yesteryear, with finessed flavours appearing across an extensive cocktail list.
Where to find it: 16 North Canal Road, Levels 1 & 2, Singapore
Native
Native in both name and nature, this hidden cocktail bar pays homage to the regional flavours of Southeast Asia through a succinct and seasonal cocktail menu. Exotic fruits, herbs and vegetables, some foraged from the local area, are combined with spirits from the Philippines, Thailand, India and beyond to create curious combinations, like Peranakan (jackfruit rum, laksa leaves, goat’s milk, candlenut and gula melaka). The local focus is just one part of their sustainability ethos – they have a rooftop garden, coasters are made from lotus leaf and menus are printed on recycled paper.
Where to find it: On the second floor of an unmarked shophouse, 52A Amoy Street, Singapore 069878
28 HongKong Street
As one of the city’s first speakeasies, it’s impossible not to include 28 HongKong Street in a list of best bars in Singapore. Hidden in an old shophouse with no visible signage, this shrouded-in-secrecy drinking den is all about the classics: 90s hip-hop and soul form the soundtrack, while the cocktail list features creative spins on much-loved sours, juleps and martinis. Reservations are required and are snapped up quicker than you can say ‘shall we?’ so be sure to book ahead.
Where to find it: The clue is in the name – look for a door with a ‘28’ sign at 28 Hong Kong Street, Singapore
Atico Lounge
Sip amongst the stars at Atico Lounge, a hedonistic rooftop bar that’s landed on the list of Singapore’s best bars almost immediately after opening. With 360-degree views from its spot at the top of ION Orchard, the penthouse luxe lounge is bound to impress any date, with soft lighting, discreet service and plush couches and armchairs. Expert mixologists use top-shelf ingredients and cutting-edge techniques to create concoctions like Purple Rain (Japanese vodka, raspberry liqueur, Caribbean Blue Curacao, fresh citrus, fresh cranberries and homemade soda) and Cara (spiced rum, homemade salted caramel, hazelnut liqueur, fresh citrus and egg white).
Where to find it: At the very top of ION Orchard. Level 56 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore
The Dragon Chamber
No fridge door opening will ever be as exciting after a visit to The Dragon Chamber – an immersive restaurant and bar hidden behind a fridge door in a local kopitam (cafe). Cross the threshold to find a 93-seater space with a bar and two private dining rooms, inspired by old-time Chinatown gambling dens and secret society hangouts. The food menu celebrates unconventional Chinese dishes, while the drinks list starts with innovative takes on cocktails and ends with a comprehensive selection of wines and spirits, so you’ll never go thirsty.
Where to find it: Behind a fridge door at 2 Circular Rd, Singapore
Ce La Vi SkyBar
Dine and drink amongst the clouds at Ce La Vi SkyBar, a luxurious alfresco rooftop bar in the heart of Marina Bay Sands. Venture to the 57th floor to find an outdoor oasis with jaw-dropping views of the city beyond, offering the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of sipping and sampling. Cocktails are inspired by Asia’s diverse cultures and exotic ingredients: try the Golden Age for a contemporary Thai twist on a classic daiquiri, or order a Native Garden, inspired by the Nam Dok Anchan drink (Butterfly Pea Tea), popular in Thailand and Vietnam.
Where to find it: At the top of the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark. Level 57, Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, Hotel Tower 3, 1 Bayfront Avenue
Smoke & Mirrors
As an institution of Singapore’s rooftop bar scene, there’s no better place to soak up the lively city than Smoke & Mirrors. Perched on top of the National Gallery, this picture-perfect bar (a long-time inclusion on any list of the best bars in Singapore), delivers creative cocktails in a sophisticated space, with warm woods and metal accents throughout. Soak up views from The Padang to Marina Bay Sands whilst sipping on art-inspired cocktails, a homage to what lies beneath.
Where to find it: On top of the National Gallery. #06-01 National Gallery Singapore, 1 St. Andrew’s Road Singapore
