Singapore’s nightlife is one of the most colorful you will ever see in the world, especially if you know what to look for. Once the sun goes down and the work day ends, the streets of Garden City come alive with pubs, bars, and clubs. 

The cherry on top of Singapore’s nightlife is live music where indie bands and upcoming artists showcase their talent as they serenade the crowd with their covers and original compositions. 

What’s great about Singapore is that it never falls short when it comes to live performances. You can catch one in almost every pub and bar with little to no extra cost. 

1. Timbre @ The Substation 

Timbre @ The Substation is one of the best places to catch live performances in Singapore, especially if you are a fan of acoustic music and chill cafe vibes. This place offers open-air entertainment for a relaxing after-work experience. 

The bands that perform in this cafe bar are mostly amateurs but they can bring a fresh feel to your night with their captivating music. The chill music and the ambient nature of Timbre make it the perfect spot for a hangout. 

Aside from the melodious performances by the bands, Timbre also offers a delicious selection of snacks and drinks. Anyone above the minimum age of 18 years old is allowed to order a drink and enjoy the bar’s cocktail selection. 

2. Blu Jaz Cafe 

Blu Jaz Cafe will welcome you with its colorful and bright designs that will instantly bring joy to your after-work hangout. This cafe offers nothing short of the best foods, drinks, and entertainment in Pekin. 

If you are a fan of jazz music, this cafe is the perfect place for you to visit. Every night, a band will perform live jazz as you sit around with your friends and drink the night away. 

The vibe of the cafe resembles a jungle with bright colors and ambient lighting. It creates a fun and vibrant atmosphere that will instantly lift your spirits. 

3. Hood Bar and Cafe

If you are looking for a place where you can dance and sing your lungs out with rock music, the Hood Bar and Cafe is the perfect spot for you to visit. This bar can get you dancing with its rock, pop, and metal live performances. 

With the genre of music offered by Hood Bar and Cafe, a lot of students pick it as the perfect hangout spot to have fun with their friends. The performers in this cafe are mostly locals who sometimes perform original compositions you wouldn’t want to miss. 

4. Cuba Libre Cafe and Bar 

Cuba Libre Cafe and Bar is an underrated cafe mostly because it offers music that is different from the ‘Singaporean’ vibe that most people are expecting. The songs performed here are Cuban and Latino. 

Due to the nature of the music, the atmosphere around the cafe is always vibrant and fun. The performances are something you can easily dance to, and the crowd is lively so you can easily get hooked to the music. 

5. The Crazy Elephant 

Just as its name suggests, this bar is crazy in the best way possible. The music is mostly rock, so you can bang your head to the songs and sing to your heart’s content as you dance to the music with your friends. 

The Crazy Elephant is one of the most sought-after bars for rock music fans since plenty of underground artists play here. 

The design of the bar even resembles a rebellious atmosphere with the graffiti on the walls as well as the general ruggedness of the place. Finally, the food in The Crazy Elephant is also worth every penny you’ll spend. 

6. Wala Wala Cafe Bar 

Wala Wala Cafe is one of the pioneers of live music in Singapore and it remains one of the most sought-after places by those looking to have fun. If you are on the hunt for good acoustic and pop music, this is the perfect pub for you to visit. 

The first floor of this bar features the restaurant where an array of delicious meals are laid out before you. And on the second floor, you will find the bar and entertainment area where professional and rookie bands play. 

7. The Acid Bar 

The Acid Bar is a haven for everyone looking for the perfect place to chill and relax as acoustic music plays in the background. This bar, located by Orchard road, offers an exquisite selection of food and of course, live music. 

Plenty of artists, seasoned or new, come to test their talent and impress the crowd with their music in The Acid Bar. The best part is that there are always new performers to bring something fresh to the table. 

8. Rookery 

The Rookery presents a charming atmosphere perfect for a relaxing drink after a long day of work. It offers a selection of mouthwatering but delicious cocktails and craft beers paired with the sound of jazz and pop music from local bands. 

Here, you can catch live performances from the band Sandz & Gideon. As you let the band serenade you with their music, you can also order the bar’s special chicken wings and crispy pork belly.

9.  Le Noir

Le Noir presents a very chic and modern aesthetic with its sleek black and gold interior. Adding to the elegant aura of the place are the rich lights and chandeliers and the elegant music choice of the live band playing in the background. 

The fun thing about visiting Le Noir is that sometimes, you can catch a performance from international and regional artists like Syltra, Camille & Mox, Randolph, and Abby & Vish. These talented musicians play jazz, acoustic, pop, and even classical pieces. 

10. Maduro

Maduro has a unique design that resembles a Victorian noble’s living room, creating the perfect vibe for those looking to relax while jazz music plays in the background. 

What attracts the crowd to this bar is its cozy interior, good music, and a fine selection of food. 

You can find local and imported top-shelf liquors from Maduro, including cocktails, scotch, whiskey, wine, and more. Once you find the perfect drink for you, you can chill by the lounge and listen to musicians like Kanji Nakano and Aaron James Lee. 

11. Cool Cats 

Cools Cats was created to pay homage to local and international jazz bands, thus, you can expect classical and jazz music performances in this old school bar. Some of the performers you will encounter here are Tricia Evy and Anita Spring. 

Aside from the music, Cool Cats is also popular for its selection of at least 14 signature cocktails inspired by the golden age of music and jazz. 

This bar is the perfect place to visit if you consider yourself an eclectic lover of jazz music. The fancy yet relaxing atmosphere also brings a sense of tranquility that you will only find in a place like this. 

12. Esplanade 

The Esplanade is one of the most popular places to catch live performances from award-winning artists in Singapore. The best part is that the events held in its Annex Theatre are mostly free for the public. 

As a music enthusiast, the Esplanade is a must on your bucket list. The range of genres that are performed in this theater ensures that you can witness a performance that you would love regardless of your musical taste. 

13. Monti

Monti is an upscale Italian restaurant that transforms into a fancy bar featuring live jazz performances at night. Some of the artists you will find in this treasure cove of music are Melissa Tham, Jeremy Monteiro, and Stephan Francis. 

As you enjoy the scintillating tunes played by talented artists, you can order delicious finger foods and cocktails while gazing out at the view of Marina Bay. 

14. Singapore Botanic Gardens 

The view of an open garden paired with a performance from the best artists Singapore has to offer will never fail to make you feel breathless. That’s why we recommend visiting Singapore Botanic Gardens. 

Every night, a live performance from Singapore’s most talented musicians is performed on the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage. Hundreds of visitors come by every night to set up their picnic blankets and listen to good music. 

15. *SCAPE

*SCAPE is the perfect escape for the bougie youth of the city. This lifestyle hub is created for young people to express themselves through music, which is why a lot of indie bands perform in this venue. 

As the haven for young artists, this place is the ideal location to spot budding talents and enjoy local and original compositions. Some of the artists that perform here include Cashew Chemists, Linying, and Stopgap. 

16. Hard Rock Cafe 

Hard Rock Cafe is a popular all-American pub that can be found all over the world. However, despite being available in different countries, there is just something different with Singapore’s Hard Rock Cafe performer lineup. 

The singers and bands that you can find here include Jive Talkin, Bushmen, and The Marisol. Oftentimes, some local performers will bring you refreshingly new music. 

17. Hero’s 

Hero’s has a unique and fun wild west theme complete with wooden saloon bars and bootstrapping music performed every night. Some of the bands that perform here are About Tomorrow, The Souls, Indy Laville, and more. 

This bar is popular with a lot of rock and pop music fans since Hero’s resident band, Joined Tracks, is one of the hit performers in the golden age of Singapore rock music. Not only that, but this place also offers the widest variety of bourbons and whiskeys. 

18. Astor Bar 

Astor Bar combines elegance and comfort in its luxurious bar located at the St. Regis Hotel. This bar is the picture-perfect representation of luxury complete with curtained walls and plush leather seats. 

As you enter Astor Bar, you can order high-shelf drinks and enjoy the ambiance of the place while the voice of Ron Sinclair and Astor’s resident artists serenade you into having a good time. 

19. LuLu’s Lounge  

LuLu’s Lounge has a uniquely beautiful speakeasy bar look, creating an intimate atmosphere for the guests. The bare brick and UV light installed make this establishment a place of comfort for office workers in Singapore. 

To accompany the cozy and chic vibe of LuLu’s Lounge bar, the musicians play R&B and jazz performances that will make you feel relaxed as soon as you hear them. If you are feeling quirky enough, there is also a dancefloor open for guests to enjoy.

20. Going Om 

If you are not one for bougie cafes and pubs, this hippie bar will be the perfect place for you to visit. It’s set up in the streets to create a surreal and harmonic atmosphere as the band performs melodious original compositions. 

Without a doubt, this place is the picture of simplicity and relaxation; a place that will make you feel like coming home. What completes the peaceful atmosphere is the selection of beers and snacks. 

Witness the talent of Singapore’s artists in our top picks for the best places to catch live performances. End your night in relaxation and fun as you hang out with your friends in the selection of pubs and bars all over Singapore. 

Check the schedule of the bar nearest to you and don’t miss out on the amazing performances being dished out by the bands.