Categories > Guides and Tips
Top 9 Cocktail Bars in Singapore to Elevate Your Nightlife
I still remember my first night out in Singapore, when I stumbled into a dimly lit bar in Chinatown and took my first sip of a pandan-infused cocktail. The combination of flavors was unlike anything I’d ever tasted before.
As the bartender expertly muddled fresh pandan leaves and poured a precise measure of rum, I couldn’t help but marvel at how Singapore’s cocktail scene had so effortlessly blended local ingredients with international techniques.
That one drink sparked a curiosity that led me on a cocktail crawl through the city, where I uncovered hidden speakeasies, stunning hotel bars, and innovative mixologists who weren’t afraid to push the boundaries.
And what makes Singapore’s bar scene so compelling isn’t just the cocktails themselves–it’s the story they tell.
From world-class hotels offering breathtaking views and classic cocktails to underground bars where every drink is a twist on tradition, the city offers a nightlife experience that’s as diverse as its people.
Ready for a sip of adventure? Let me take you through the top bars I discovered that’ll elevate your Singapore nightlife, one cocktail at a time.
1. ATLAS
Media credit: @atlasbarsg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atlasbarsg/?hl=en
Website: http://www.atlasbar.sg/
Address: Ground floor, 600 N Bridge Rd, Parkview Square
Phone: +6563964466
Hours:
- Monday – 3PM to 12 AM
- Tuesday to Thursday – 12PM to 12AM
- Friday and Saturday – 12PM to 2AM
- Sunday – Closed
Must-have: Atlas Martini
Back in Atlas Bar at Parkview Square, I was immediately struck by the grandeur of the place. The 15-meter gin tower, with its stunning display of bottles dating back to the 1910s, is a centerpiece that truly sets the tone for this Art Deco-inspired bar.
The lavish interiors, which evoke the glamour of the Gilded Age, manage to feel both extravagant and welcoming, offering a sense of luxury that’s not intimidating, but rather inviting.
What makes Atlas Bar unique is its passion for gin and champagne, two iconic drinks of the 1920s. The gin collection is one of the largest I’ve seen, with an impressive selection of vintage bottles, and their Champagne list which features over 250 labels.
As far as gin goes, I couldn’t resist trying the Atlas Martini–a satisfying drink with a surprising twist of champagne vinegar.
And their divine Louis Roederer “Brut Premier” Magnum? Amazing. Its elegant floral notes made it a refreshing choice that added a special touch to the evening.
| Pro Tip: Take your time to explore their extensive gin collection and ask the bartender to recommend a gin from their rare selection. |
2. Native
Media credit: @nativebarsg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nativebarsg/?hl=en
Website: http://tribenative.com/
Address: 52A Amoy Street
Phone: +6588696520
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 6PM to 12AM
- Friday and Saturday – 6PM to 1AM
- Sunday – Closed
Must-have: Pineapple Arrack
Native is a bar consistently ranked among the world’s top spots for innovative cocktails. It’s also a proud member of Asia’s 50 Best Bars.
Founder Vijay Mudaliar takes sustainability seriously with the bar itself being a mix of modern comfort and rustic charm, with elements that showed their commitment to using local produce in every drink.
Mudaliar’s vision was at the heart of everything here–from the handcrafted drinking vessels to the in-house lab where they create their own distillates, kombuchas, and bitters.
The cocktails here are some of the most creative I’ve ever had. The Pineapple Arrack immediately grabbed my attention, with its bright, earthy notes of pineapple skin paired with aromatic Sri Lankan spices.
Another cocktail I loved was the Peranakan, which incorporated Indian single malt whisky, adding an unmistakable Asian influence to the mix.
By the end of the evening, I may have had a few too many. But thanks to their exceptional hospitality, I felt welcomed and taken care of.
| Pro Tip: Try the coconut ice cream with gula melaka caramel and a whiskey shot together for an extra kick! |
3. Cat Bite Club
Media credit: @catbiteclub
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catbiteclub/?hl=en
Website: http://catbiteclub.com/
Address: 75 Duxton Road
Phone: +6581906597
Hours: Daily – 5PM to 12AM
Must-have: Cat Bite Margarita
Hidden behind a retail shop on Duxton Hill, Cat Bite Club is one of those places you only discover if you know where to look. I ventured there during the summer, intrigued by its reputation as a hidden speakeasy specializing in agave and rice-based spirits.
The only clue to its existence is a glowing neon Cheshire cat sign, inviting you to step behind heavy curtains into a minimalist, secretive space that feels like something straight out of the Prohibition era.
Once inside, it’s clear that Cat Bite Club takes its spirits seriously. The bar boasts over 200 bottles of agave-based spirits, including rare mezcals cocktails and tequilas.
I had to try their signature drink, the Cat Bite Margarita, which did not disappoint. It’s refreshingly light with layers of citrus and sherry, perfectly balanced to highlight the smooth agave flavors.
As the bar celebrated its anniversary, the menu has doubled in size, with new concoctions like the Mango Potato Boom–made with sweet potato spirit, a tangy mango-lime leaf syrup, and a hint of cold brew coffee–forming an exciting, complex profile.
| Pro Tip: For groups of five or more, it’s best to make a reservation. For smaller groups, the owners strongly encourage walk-ins whenever possible |
4. 28 HongKong Street
Media credit: @28hongkongstreet
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/28hongkongstreet/?hl=en
Website: https://www.28hks.com/
Address: 28 Hongkong Street
Phone: +6583180328
Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday – 6PM to 1AM
- Thursday to Saturday – 6PM to 2AM
Must-have: Brenda’s Breakfast
28 Hong Kong Street is a hidden speakeasy that has become a staple in Singapore’s bar community, known for its rum-based concoctions and chill vibes.
When you walk through the unmarked door, you’re greeted by a cozy space with a lively 90s hip-hop soundtrack.
This notable bar features four distinct drink themes, each offering its own authentic taste.
Brenda’s Bad Hand Bar draws from the gritty charm of American dive bars, focusing on whiskey-driven drinks and classic boilermaker combos. Sin and Misery offers a more refined vibe, featuring elegant cocktails with light spirits and champagne, reminiscent of a luxe hotel bar.
Over at Halogen, the vibe shifts to a playful beachside escape, where you’ll find creative riffs on familiar cocktails. Finally, 28 HKS pays homage to the early 2000s New York speakeasy scene with its own vintage-inspired flair.
In the end, I couldn’t resist Brenda’s Breakfast, a mix of brown butter and whiskey–unexpected yet undeniably delicious. But with so many more drinks on the menu, I’ll definitely be back to explore the rest of it.
| Pro Tip: Try out the Mac & Cheese Balls with the strong rum cocktails. The cheese brings out the deep flavor of the drinks. |
5. Smoke & Mirrors
Media credit: @smokeandmirrorsbarsg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokeandmirrorsbarsg/?hl=en
Website: https://www.smokeandmirrors.com.sg/
Address: 1 St. Andrew’s Road, #06-01 National Gallery Singapore
Phone: +6583806811
Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 6PM to 12AM
- Thursday to Saturday – 6PM to 1AM
- Sunday – 5PM to 12AM
Must-have: Moves Like Jigger
On the sixth floor of the National Gallery Singapore, Smoke & Mirrors is a rooftop bar that combines art-inspired cocktails with stunning views of the Marina Bay skyline. They offer a great spot to unwind and enjoy a drink or two (or more).
The bar’s most recently launched cocktail menu, Volume II: The Real Art of Drinking, is a tribute to the gallery’s artistic treasures. This collection of 16 drinks is inspired by the gallery’s artworks.
A good choice is the Moves Like Jigger. This drink delivers a tropical sweetness with a nutty finish–it’s a mix of Bacardi Reserva Ocho rum, longan, pineapple, and coconut rum.
Another great option is Nakajima’s Dansu, a cocktail with cherry blossom tea bourbon, apricot brandy, and orange bitters, which was equally flavorful.
Known for cocktails with experimental techniques, including fat-washing, Smoke & Mirrors elevates traditional mixology to an art form. With a constantly evolving menu, there’s always something new to try.
| Pro Tip: Order the Magic Queen, a pandan and coconut-infused drink that comes with a magic trick by the bartender. |
6. The Elephant Room
Media credit: @elephantroomsg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elephantroomsg/?hl=en
Website: http://www.theelephantroom.sg/
Address: 33 Tanjong Pagar Road, #01-02
Phone: +6591115131
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 5PM to 1AM
- Friday and Saturday – 5PM to 2AM
Must-have: Champa Fizz
If you’re walking along Keong Saik Road, be sure to stop by The Elephant Room. Here, the vibrant flavors of Singapore’s Little India are brought to life in its Indian-inspired cocktails, which use unique ingredients like ghee sake and basmati rice.
The most popular cocktail here is the Champa Fizz–a signature drink that evokes the sweet, floral fragrance of frangipani flowers. Made with bourbon, chamomile, and fermented apple, it’s a drink that transports you straight to the streets of Little India.
Other drinks on the menu, like the Biryani and Buffalo Road, use local ingredients such as basmati makgeolli and pink guava gin, offering a fresh twist on classic Middle Eastern flavors.
The Elephant Room also provides a food menu, featuring local snacks like Desker Road pani puri made with coconut and moringa avail, which effortlessly complement the flavors of the cocktails.
| Pro Tip: Opt for the Laddooooo–it blends Two Indies Rum, saffron, and coconut marshmallow into a refined drink that’s as exotic as it is sweet. |
7. Tippling Club
Media credit: @tipplingclub
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tipplingclub/?hl=en
Website: http://www.tipplingclub.com/
Address: 38 Tanjong Pagar Road
Phone: +6564752217
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 12PM to 2AM
- Friday and Saturday – 12PM to 2AM
- Wednesday and Sunday – Closed
Must-have: Sonic Negroni
Tippling Club is a destination bar renowned for its experimental cocktails and creative approach to food and drink pairing as they push the boundaries of mixology.
In the most recent menu, A Guide to Modern Drinking Vol III: Six Decades of Music, Tippling Club pays tribute to legendary musicians by preparing concoctions inspired by their songs.
Take for example the Sonic Negroni–a playful variation on the classic Negroni that’s aged using an ultrasonic homogenizer for a smooth, unadulterated flavor.
For something truly different, try the Bombe Glacée–a complex cocktail made with tequila, fig leaf, bee pollen, and citrus, served with a matcha meringue. This brings about unexpected flavor combinations you won’t regret trying.
While the cocktails are the star, the food and drink pairings elevate the experience. The wagyu pastrami sandwiches are crafted to match the drinks, creating enhanced flavors that bounce off of the other.
| Pro Tip: If you’re not going to try the full meals but still want to nibble on something, don’t miss out on the small snack menu in the bar area. |
8. Live Twice
Media credit: @livetwicesg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livetwicesg/?hl=en
Website: http://livetwice.sg/
Address: 18-20 Bukit Pasoh Road
Phone: +6590118304
Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 6PM to 12AM
- Thursday – 6PM to 1AM
- Friday – 6PM to 2AM
- Sunday – Closed
Must-have: Vesper Martini
Live Twice in Bukit Pasoh is a Japanese-inspired mid-century modern bar with a comfortable setting. Opened in 2019 by the Jigger & Pony group, this intimate bar transports you to post-war Ginza with its sleek decor and mood lighting.
Their cocktail menu is divided into two sections: one dedicated to contemporary takes on classic drinks and the other to their own signature mixes. Both are made with precision with which they craft each cocktail, using only the best ingredients.
Their Vesper Martini, a twist on the iconic James Bond drink, combines Ki Tempus Fugit Kina L’Aero D’Or, No Bi Sei Navy Strength Gin, and Ketel One Vodka. There’s a sense of craftsmanship in its selection of liquor base–fusing some of the best spirits available.
Another suggestion is the Mizuwari, where Nikka whisky is aged with water from Hokkaido using the Solera method for a mellow, refined taste.
The bar’s food menu is just as thoughtful, with tasty bites like the wagyu katsu sando and the addictive smoked daikon dip with trout roe.
| Pro Tip: Try the Solaris for a refreshing summer sip that has savory, sweet, and tart flavors. |
9. Burnt Ends Bar
Media credit: @burntends.bar.sg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burntends.bar.sg/?hl=en
Website: https://burntends.com.sg/
Address: 7 Dempsey Road, #01-04
Email: [email protected]
Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 5PM to 1AM
- Saturday – 5PM to 2AM
- Sunday and Monday – Closed
Must-have: Screaming Tomatoes
Located next door to the acclaimed Burnt Ends restaurant, this bar offers an inviting space with rich leather sofas and a rustic, industrial design that blends wood with metal.
The bar is renowned for its smoked cocktails, such as the Massaman Curry–a mix of vodka, coconut rum, kaffir lime, and chili padi that evokes the flavors of the classic Thai curry.
Also popular is the Screaming Tomatoes, a twist on the Bloody Mary featuring sweet, juicy cherry tomatoes enhancing the drink’s richness, while the Sarawak black pepper introduces a subtle heat and earthy spice.
The menu also includes barrel-aged cocktails, like the Negroni and Old Fashioned, which highlight the spirit of Burnt Ends Bar’s industrial theme. This infuses the classic drinks with subtle flavors from the wood aging process.
For food, the Burnt Ends Sanger (a barbecue pork sandwich) is a must-try, along with the steak frites and smoked quail egg with caviar. And of course, don’t forget their One-Michelin-Star barbecue which consists of expertly smoked meats.
| Pro Tip: Don’t miss the Burnt Ends Sanger. It’s the perfect pairing with their smoked cocktails, like the Massaman Curry. |
