Lantern, perched atop the Fullerton Bay Hotel
(Picture: Lantern)Singapore now has one of the best bar scenes in the world, with a crop of acclaimed bars that rub shoulders with New York’s and London’s finest on the World’s 50 Best List.
This wasn’t always the case. “Eleven years ago, some amazing bars such as 28 Hongkong St and Jigger & Pony opened their doors for the first time and really raised Singapore in the eyes of the international bar community,” explains drinks consultant Bobby Carey.
In the following decade, Singapore has become a world leader, consistently creating some of the world’s best and most progressive bars. And there’s no sign of things slowing down.
“Singaporeans love trying new and exciting things from food through to cocktails”, says Bobby, and this appetite has seen the bar scene go from strength to strength, with an increasingly local, unique flavour to the latest openings. “Every time I’m out now, I hear of new spaces opening on a weekly basis – there is an amazing amount of ideas and energy floating about.”
Jigger & Pony
An ordinary, brightly lit lobby at the Amara Hotel is the slightly incongruous gateway to Jigger & Pony, one of Singapore’s – and the world’s – best bars. Currently riding high at No.12 on the World’s 50 Best list and No.2 on Asia’s 50 Best, Jigger and Pony is accessed through a small door at the end of the lobby, leading to a swanky, dimly lit room that’s the epitome of the chic modern cocktail lounge. The drinks menu is presented as a proper magazine complete with editorial articles in between run downs of each drink on offer. The cocktail list runs the gamut of pitch-perfect twists on the classics such as the Yuzu Whisky Sour to elegant creations such as the Jasmine and Rice – Havana club 3yo rum with jasmine, rice, and Louis Roederer. With a buzzy vibe, faultless service, and fantastic bar snacks, this really is a must visit for any Singapore bar crawl.
165 Tg Pagar Rd, Amara Hotel, Singapore 088539; jiggerandpony.com
Live Twice
Proving that they’re no one trick ponies, the team behind Jigger & Pony now have several bars across the city – and their latest, Live Twice, might just be their best yet. Channelling mid-century Japan through the achingly cool interiors that features wall to wall (and ceiling) light wood panelling, expensive designer armchairs, and a cute stripped-back bar that could be straight out of Accidentally Wes Anderson, Live Twice feels like a true original. In keeping with the theme, drinks lean towards Japanese spirits and ingredients, such as the excellent Golden Leaf made from roku gin, high mountain tea and orange Riesling, and the food menu offers up light snacks and sandos, including a deluxe wagyu version. With a low-key vibe and soundtrack that favours The Beatles and Rolling Stones over anything even approaching raucous, Live Twice is a place to savour the drinks and surroundings rather than party.
18-20 Bukit Pasoh Rd, Singapore 089834; livetwice.sg
28 Hongkong Street
Having opened back in 2011, 28 Hongkong Street was at the forefront of Singapore’s burgeoning cocktail scene and it’s still one of the best around. Hidden behind an unassuming 1960s shophouse façade, 28 Hongkong Street is a cool, intimate spot that can either be relaxed or rowdy depending on the day of the week and time of night you visit. Impeccably made yet playful cocktails such as the Black Forest Negroni, pimped up with rum, Port and cherry or the Spinebreaker (a smoky mescal and pineapple number) are complemented by a menu of comfort food classics and a 90s hip hop soundtrack. A Singapore institution that’s a lynchpin of the bar scene and always a fun night out.
28 HongKong Street, Boat Quay, Singapore; 28hks.com
The Long Bar
Open at the iconic Raffles Hotel for over 100 years, The Long Bar is decidedly not part of the current wave of trendy new bars in Singapore – but no round up of city’s best bars would be complete without it. It was here in 1915 that head bartender Ngiam Tong Boon invented the Singapore Sling, a punchy concoction of gin, pineapple juice, lime juice, curaçao and Bénédictin cleverly disguised as a pink plain fruit juice – women weren’t allowed to drink in public back then, so Ngiam came up with the innocent-looking Sling to get round that party-pooping rule. The Long Bar still draws huge crowds (be prepared to queue) of people who come to try the original Sling and to experience one of the only places in Singapore where you can freely litter. Each table has its own sack of peanuts which, owing to tradition, guests are allowed to eat and just sweep the shells on to the floor. It’s crunchy underfoot.
#02-01, Raffles Arcade, 328 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 188719; raffles.com
Employees Only
The original Employees Only in New York is one of the city’s premier cocktail bars and, if you’ve ever been, you’ll feel right at home at the Singapore outpost which opened in 2016. There’s the same hidden entrance through a faux tarot reader shop and inside the design is near enough a copy of the original. Crucially, it also offers the same lively, party atmosphere of its New York sister, something which isn’t found all too often in the generally more genteel Singapore bar scene. The soundtrack is loud, staff will happily join in downing a few shots, and there’s dancing and raucous vibes until late. We also like the mystery “Staff Drink” a regularly-changing cocktail that’s just $20SGD, something of a bargain in this town. If you want to let loose and party, Employees Only is the place to come.
112 Amoy St, Singapore 069932; employeesonlysg.com
Analogue
From the team behind Native, another of Singapore’s top bars, Analogue is one of the newest arrivals on the scene, having opened in late 2021, and has already secured 37th spot on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list. A quick glance at the menu tells you this is no regular cocktail bar however – spirulina, dandelion root, and carob distillate are just a few of the unusual ingredients which go into these super sustainable tipples. Even more striking than the drinks is the stunning 3D-printed undulating bar which rises and falls around the room and is made from recycled plastic bottles. Coasters are made from recycled plastic and even the tabletops are made from mycelium spores, a self-growing fungus. There’s also an entirely plant-based food menu featuring extremely convincing soy-based ‘nuggetz’ with a killer ‘curry crack sauce’.
30 Victoria St, #01-31 Chijmes, Singapore 187996; analogueinitiative.com
No Sleep Club
Only a couple of years old but already a darling of the Singapore bar scene, No Sleep Club scored 15th place on the 2022 Asia’s Best Bars list. A relaxed neighbourhood joint that serves coffee and doughnuts by day, the light and airy space then transforms to a vibey cocktail bar by night. As well as top-notch cocktails there’s a fun selection of snacks on offer, a banging list of natural wines, regular pop-ups, and Sunday sessions with visiting chefs and bartenders from around the world. With a firmly local crowd, it doesn’t take itself too seriously and it’s all the better for it.
Keong Saik Rd., Singapore 089127; nosleepclub.sg
Le Bon Funk
Singapore does cocktail bars very well indeed, but there’s also a great selection of modern wine bars across the city now too. One of the best is Le Bon Funk, a haven of natural wines and tasty small plates on the otherwise tacky Club Street. The Insta-worthy interiors are gorgeous, a classy combination of stripped back modern furniture, terracotta floor tiles and splashes of muted greens and reds on the walls. At the back of the venue is a casual dining area but the best seats in the house are up at the bar in the front. Perch here with a glass of pet nat and a couple of snacks from chef-owner Keirin Buck’s unfussy yet enticing menu – do not miss the house made charcuterie; the tapioca and parmesan fritters; or the crisps, caviar, and French onion dip.
29 Club St, Singapore 069414; lebonfunk.com
Corduroy Palace
With an entrance through a pizza slice shop, which itself is found down the end of a slightly dingey back alley, Corduroy Palace is surprisingly opulent once you’re inside. The back room is small and dimly lit but oversized corduroy booths, artworks (there’s an original Picasso in the bathroom), flashes of gold, and vintage rugs add some bling. Better as a late-night spot when it’s full and the soundtrack is pumping, Corduroy Palace offers a short classic cocktail list and a food menu that leans heavily on caviar (even the soup dumplings are topped with the stuff) but it’s the huge, refrigerated wine wall that’s the main event. There are 300 bottles from all around the world on display including top shelf champagnes and interesting natural wines, so you can grab a bottle and settle down for a bump of caviar. It’s not cheap, but if you’re looking for a swanky night out, a visit to the Palace is in order.
10 Amoy Street, Gemmill Ln, #01-02 (Entrance behind off, Singapore 069930; corduroypalace.com
Lantern
While many of Singapore’s best bars are dark rooms hidden away down little alleys or behind unmarked doors, sometimes you just want to enjoy the outdoors. Lantern, perched atop the Fullerton Bay Hotel, has one of the Singapore’s prime locations, overlooking the Marina Bay waterfront and the city’s ever-changing skyline – come around 7pm to catch the famous MBS light show. The rooftop bar offers plenty to drink along with the views, including all the classics and several original creations. A menu of Singapore Sling varieties includes the Sydney Sling, created to honour the opening of The Fullerton Sydney, comprising Australian Dry Gin, Hibiscus, Ginger, Blood Orange, and Grenadine.
80 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049326; fullertonhotels.com
Atlas
Nothing can quite prepare you for the first time you walk into Atlas – it’s easily one of the best-looking bars in the world, with frankly jaw-dropping interiors. This is no snug, dark cubbyhole of a bar; the place positively glitters with 1920s art deco roaring twenties energy. Painted murals adorn the 45-foot-high ceilings; a gold curved staircase wraps around the central bar, which towers high into the air; huge brass patterned light fixtures swoop down from above; and the carpets and armchairs are as plush as they come. Some may call it OTT but boy is it pretty. Behind the bar, there’s one of the biggest gin collections in the world and more than 250 different champagnes, which feels about right given the opulent surroundings. There might be better cocktails elsewhere in Singapore, but Atlas is a must visit for the interiors alone.
Ground floor, 600 North Bridge Rd, Parkview Square, Singapore 188778; atlasbar.sg
Wine RVLT
Bringing a party vibe to a cool industrial space, Wine RVLT is the place to come if you want to drink great natural wines but also have a bit of a night out. High tables and stools dotted around the room keep things super casual and there’s a pumping soundtrack to dial up the fun. The space is filled with colourful wine bottles from around the world on every wall and decorated with modern artworks – a Che Guevera image gives a hint to the “RVLT” in the name. The two owner-sommeliers Alvin Gho and Ian Lim have curated a superb list of wines and it’s a brilliant place to end the night with a glass and a snack such as such as the chili crab ragout "cheong fun". Or if you do want to make a full night of it there’s the chef’s choice eight course “Go Big or Go Home” menu which sums up the vibe of the place nicely.
38 Carpenter St, #01-01, Singapore 059917; winervlt.sg
