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Kampong Glam
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.
600 North Bridge Rd., Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Joo Chiat
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.
285 Joo Chiat Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 427535, Singapore
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Chinatown
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.
112 Amoy St., Singapore, Singapore, 069932, Singapore
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Kampong Glam
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.
9 Haji Lane, Singapore, Singapore, 189202, Singapore
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Chinatown
Yet another of the city's establishments to make the list of the "World's 50 Best Bars," Jigger & Pony serves up exceptional classic cocktails such as negronis, martinis, and Old Fashioneds, as well as signature cocktails with a local twist (think gin fizz with orange flower bubbles or whiskey sour with a touch of yuzu marmalade). Located in the Amara hotel, the dimly lit space is cozy and inviting.
165 Tanjong Pagar Rd., Singapore, Central Singapore, 088539, Singapore
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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Orchard
This tiny six-seater bar is very easy to miss, tucked away as it is at the back of Isetan's supermarket near the alcohol section. It's almost always busy, so you usually have to wait for a seat. Once you've settled in, though, you can enjoy premium sake by the glass or bottle as the knowledgeable bartender talks you through the tasting notes. If you've been here for a while, and it's quiet, the staff will sometimes allow you to buy a bottle of sake from the supermarket to drink at the bar instead.
350 Orchard Rd., Singapore, Central Singapore, 238868, Singapore
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Orchard
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.
1 Cuscaden Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 249715, Singapore
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Marina Bay
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.
2 Bayfront Ave., Singapore, Singapore, 018972, Singapore
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Chinatown
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.
52A Amoy St., Singapore, Singapore, 069878, Singapore
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CBD | Bars/Pubs
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.
Swissôtel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Rd., Singapore, Central Singapore, 178882, Singapore
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Orchard
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.
5 Emerald Hill Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 229289, Singapore
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Chinatown
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.
55 Keong Saik Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 089158, Singapore
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Chinatown
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.
12 Ann Siang Rd., Singapore, Central Singapore, 069692, Singapore
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Chinatown
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.
335 Smith St., Singapore, Singapore, 050335, Singapore
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Sentosa Island
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.
120 Tanjong Beach Walk, Singapore, Singapore, 098942, Singapore
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CBD
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.
1 Raffles Place, Singapore, Singapore, 048616, Singapore
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Orchard
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.
320 Orchard Rd. #01–05, Singapore, Singapore, 238865, Singapore
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Chinatown
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.
115 Amoy St., Singapore, Singapore, 069935, Singapore
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Orchard
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.
180 Orchard Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 238846, Singapore
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Orchard
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.
2 Emerald Hill Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 229287, Singapore
