From clever cocktail bars to fancy speakeasies in town, it’s always exciting to check out new bars in Singapore. Whether you’re after a change of scene or keen to try an inventive new cocktail, bookmark this page and check back regularly for bar news and bar reviews by the EL team!
Other bar articles you should check out:
New bar review: Sky Bar
The Scene:
Sky Bar is an intimate pool bar on the rooftop of COMO Metropolitan Singapore, the first COMO hotel on the island. In keeping with the group’s design style, the bar is dressed in a neutral palette, and the vibe is welcoming and relaxed. The air-conditioned interiors can accommodate up to 20 indoors, with more seating on lounge chairs by the pool and balcony.
The highlight here is the expansive view of the city – it would be a great spot to watch the National Day or New Year’s Eve fireworks.
The Eats:
The casual all-day menu includes selections from a variety of cuisines. There are choices for grazers and those who want to fill up, plus sharing plates for friends – all in little paper cartons that also make them great for takeaways. While the menu includes well-known dishes such as chicken satay ($18), pad Thai ($34) and butter chicken masala curry ($36), there are more distinctive selections too, such as shelled crab salad ($32), Tuscan beef and Chianti ragu ($36) and tandoori cauliflower ($35).
Two standouts among the vegetarian options, meanwhile, are the chopped kale salad ($16) tossed with creamy yoghurt and vinaigrette, accompanied by green apple, grapes, cranberry and walnut; and the spring greens linguine ($32) covered in basil pesto and topped with green peas, asparagus, broccolini and pine nuts.
The Drinks:
Besides a selection of wines, beer, coffee, tea and sodas, there’s a curated menu of cocktails ($23-$24 each) that’s updated seasonally. Between us, we tried the Summertime Spritz, Strawberry Melon Daiquiri, Lychee Mojito and Lychee & Strawberry Bellini. For a non-alcoholic highlight, there are three signature juice blends ($18 each) curated by COMO’s dietitian at their wellness retreat in Bali. Each aims to restore or boost the body in different ways – a refreshing sip on warm days or in between cocktails!
What the EL team enjoyed most:
“I think it’s a great place for a casual get-together with a larger group. You get a lovely view of Orchard and the sunset.” – Rebecca
“The views of the rooftop pool and across the city skyline are stunning. I particularly enjoyed the spring greens linguine and tandoori cauliflower. There were some lovely juice blends and cocktail creations to choose from – my favourite was the frozen Strawberry Melon Daiquiri!” – Juliet
“I was pleasantly surprised by the food – every dish we ordered was delicious. I would also highly recommend their signature COMO fresh blended juices; I had the Lean and Clean.” – Cherry
“The bar is modern and inviting, with lovely drinks! A highlight of the food for me was the spring greens pasta – delicious!” – Melanie
“A quiet hideaway in the middle of the city to recalibrate over a fresh juice blend or signature cocktail while enjoying the view.” – Patricea
Sky Bar is at Level 19 COMO Orchard, 30 Bideford Road
comohotels.com/singapore/como-metropolitansingapore/dining/sky-bar
6233 3888 | metsin@comohotels.com
Another Bar
The Scene:
It took some time to locate Another Bar as both its location in the building annex of the Rendezvous Hotel Singapore and its entrance are nondescript. Perhaps this plays to its name, referencing the fact that it’s “just another bar” among the many drinking holes near to and along Prinsep Street.
Inside, though, it’s a different story where the design blends disco and retro elements. Colourful lights and neon signs – including one stating “Another Day, Another Drama”, a line from a Taylor Swift song, illuminate cosy nooks with comfortable seating.
The vibe is fun, playful and interactive. There’s an area for beer pong. A cluster of glittering disco balls hangs over a space that turns into a dance floor when a DJ spins live every night. There’s also a machine next to the bar that prints out free selfies.
All these call out for one more photo or video for Instagram, in line with the bar’s tagline, “Why not another friend or another drink?”
The Drinks:
The irreverent vibe is brought into the names of the drink and food menus, including cheeky monikers given to the cocktails. I Hate My Boss is made with bourbon, yuzu, lemon and foam; Too Pretty to Work combines vodka, lychee and lemon; and Solulu to Your Delulu mixes gin, shiso umeshu, lemon and bubbly.
If the reference to Tay-Tay wasn’t obvious in the neon sign, it pops up again in The Tortured Poet’s Drink that’s made with tequila, lemon and red wine, as well as Not So Cruel Summer that presents a strawberry popsicle swimming in bubbly.
If you’re looking for a more familiar tipple, there’s a selection of classic cocktails, wine, beer, sake and non-alcoholic beverages.
The Eats:
Whether you’re feeling peckish or ravenous, there are various options for your food fix, including Bar Bites, Small Plates and Mains, and Platters for sharing. Typical offerings such as chicken karaage, spicy drumlets and a wagyu beef burger are accompanied by less common flavours such as sour plum sweet potato fries, padron peppers, pork chicharon Indomie and an okonomiyaki quesadilla dressed with bonito, seaweed and okonomiyaki sauce. Finally, there are dessert options: a good tiramisu as well ice cream. If you’re feeling celebratory, grab a serve of That Ice Cream Thing, a combination of vanilla ice cream and brownie chunks topped with sea salt caramel, chocolate pearls and cinnamon crumble for a sweet ending to your night.
9 Bras Basah Road, #02-03
8857 5008 | hello@another-bar.com
another-bar.com
Thank You Come Again (TYCA)
For those who love cocktails and want a casual and affordable place to meet up for a bite and a drink near Novena: a new cocktail bar has opened its doors at sociable co-working space The Initial Residence. Whether you’re gravitating to the bar after a few hours at one of the hot desks, or looking for a new spot to catch up with friends or colleagues, the tipples and bar food at TYCA are guaranteed to get those creative juices flowing!
The vibe:
Retro-modern aesthetics make for a charming and inviting atmosphere (“a welcome retreat at the end of the day,” commented EL’s Melanie). The location in the Newton neighbourhood is a big perk as a central meeting point, too.
The cocktail menu:
Expect timeless favourites with a modern twist – Mojito, White Russian, Bloody Mary and coffee cocktails – along with more contemporary creations. The bartenders whipped up something original for Danielle on the spot, a personal touch that shows they’re keen for guests to have a good time. We liked that the herbs and spices used in the concoctions are freshly plucked from The Initial’s on-site edible garden terrace.
TYCA is open from 7.30am to 11.30pm daily except Sundays; the Cocktail Bar is open daily from 6pm to 11pm.
The Initial Residence, 355 Balestier Road
6797 9938 | tyca.com.sg
Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar
Twenty-nine storeys up in the air is Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar. With quaffable cocktails that’ll make you want to sample the whole list and a panoramic view of Singapore’s harbour, this Tanjong Pagar bar at the Carlton City Hotel is the ideal perch from which to soak up the sunset.
If you’re feeling peckish, graze on classic bar snacks, such as crispy pork belly, super nachos, mini wagyu sliders and a crudités platter. There’s a daily Happy Hour from 4pm to 8pm, too! The EL team headed sky-high to share our favourite things about this hotspot.
What we liked:
“The mocktails were delicious, especially the virgin mojito. Stunning views and good service make it the perfect spot for sundowners.” – Rebecca
“Such a beautiful breezy spot with a lovely view. It was great fun trying a few of the cocktails on the menu, my favourite being the Moscow Mule. The staff were friendly and helpful. I can’t wait to go back.” – Jacqui
“The best time to visit is just before dusk descends – it’s quite magical to watch the changing colours of the sky over a drink. The cocktails at this Tanjong Pagar bar are reasonably priced, too. I particularly enjoyed the Santorini, a combination of Prosecco, peach puree and bitters.” – Patricea
“I really enjoyed the gin-based Summer Bloom cocktail. Sweet yet sour, with the delicious addition of flower blossom syrup, it was right up my alley. The view of Keppel Harbour is awesome and the rooftop breeze added to the charm.” – Karin
“Located on the edge of the CBD in Tanjong Pagar, it’s got a more laidback vibe than your usual downtown bar, which is a plus for those looking to unwind after work. Even on a week night, it was buzzy and almost full. The unblocked panoramic views of the water were beautiful and I loved both of the cocktails I had – a classic gin-based Gimlet and a Moscow Mule. Both were zesty, refreshing and very nicely prepared.” – Cherry
“Cooling Tower is a great place to impress visitors or chill out with friends. This Tanjong Pagar bar has a relaxed vibe and open-air design that I especially liked, alongside an enticing cocktail list. I tried Last Memory – a blend of vodka, fruity syrups and soda water – and the vodka-based Moscow Mule with lime juice, ginger ale, ginger beer and mint leaves served in an ice-cold tankard. Delish!” – Juliet
“This Tanjong Pagar bar is a good spot for a post-work bevvie with friends. It’s breezy and offers a different panorama to the usual Singapore skyline. I enjoyed a thirst quenching Moscow Mule served in a traditional copper mug, followed by a crisp, dry French sav blanc. I loved the oversized moss wall and flower chandelier in reception, too!” – Georgina
Rooftop Level 29, Carlton City Hotel, 1 Gopeng Street, Tanjong Pagar
6632 8929 | carltoncity.sg/dining/cooling-tower-rooftop-bar
The Bar at 15 Stamford
Tucked into a corner of The Capitol Kempinski Hotel, The Bar at 15 Stamford exudes “nonchalant elegance” – you’d feel just as comfortable having a business chat here as you would after-work drinks or an all-girls night out.
The unique appeal is its offering of over 200 rum varieties – one of the largest collections in Singapore. You can taste them in a curated rum flight, neat, on ice or in one of 16 cocktails.
The Expat Living team homed in on the latter on our recent visit, starting with the Plantation 1840, a sweet and refreshing combination of spiced rum, sweet vermouth, pineapple and sugar cane syrup. Next came the Hoto Matua 1000 and Kabang Koman 1501 (the drinks are said to be inspired by the islands of the Pacific and Indian oceans), as well as The Bar’s take on some classics, the Peranakan Old Fashion and Darker Than Stormy.
Matching the creativeness of the drinks are the bar bites, including halloumi cheese sticks with sambal aioli, and truffle fries with wasabi mayonnaise. There’s also a charcuterie plate and artisan cheese plate on offer.
Our faves:
The team shares their favourite aspect of the night, below.
“A fantastic selection of rums and unique cocktails, a lot featuring local and Southeast Asian ingredients. If nothing grabs your fancy, the bartenders will create something based on your favourite flavours.” – Danielle
“A stylish bar with old world charm; I loved the décor and ambience – and one of the best selections of rum-based cocktails I’ve seen. The Darker Than Stormy, with rum, amontillado sherry, amaro, roasted coconuts and ginger beer, was full of flavour.” – Karin
“I loved the décor and the setup. It’s fairly small, perfectly lit and intimate enough for a date night or with a small group of friends. Food was great, especially the grilled cheese sticks. The cocktails have a kick and come in cool containers, from copper mugs to shots in little pineapples. My favourite was the Hoto Matua 1000 served in a champagne glass. It was sweet but the flavours were varied and unusual; every mouthful felt like something new!” – Rebecca
“Loved the ambience, the history behind the bar and why they focus on rum as the main cocktail ingredient. My favourite drink was the Plantation 1840 – and yummy bar snacks too.” – Jacqui
“I loved the sophisticated, seductive vibe. The mixologist whips up classic and bespoke cocktails, and there’s delicious snacks like charcuterie boards, grilled halloumi and truffle fries. It’s perfect for a ladies’ night or a date night.” – Georgina
“I’ve started looking at rum with new eyes! The Peranakan Old Fashioned reminds me of gently spiced mulled wine and the Hoto Matua 1000 was bursting with refreshing bubbles. I couldn’t get enough of the fried cauliflower, drizzled in a sauce made of shichimi togarashi, almonds and white miso.” – Patricea
15 Stamford Road
6715 6871 | kempinski.com/the-capitol-singapore
1-Altitude Coast
Following 1-Altitude’s tradition of operating cool rooftop bars in Singapore, they’ve opened a new one on top of The Outpost Hotel in Sentosa: 1-Altitude Coast. It’s an adults-only hangout with a pool and seating pods to chill out in, and some sun loungers. And it looks directly on to the sea and the sunset!
The EL team set off for some team bonding and to test the new venue – and we had a lovely time. The cocktails were excellent, as were the bar snacks, including divine edamame, truffle fries and calamari. If you want something more substantial, there are also pizzas, burgers, BLTs, satay platters and salads on the menu. The staff were lovely too!
Our faves:
We all had our favourite aspects of the night, so I asked the team to share theirs.
Patricea loved … “the cocktails! And with names like The Siren’s Elixir and The Islander, it’s hard to have only one for the evening – especially when your table has stunning views of the sunset. The highlight of the night for me was being able to see the lights and pyrotechnics of the Wings of Time show right from our table!”
Susan loved … “the Miami vibes – wonderful views, beautiful sunset, tasty and refreshing drinks and a great selection of food. I recommend bringing your swimmers so you can use the pool; this would be a top spot for your next event too.”
Rebecca loved … “the Altitude Attitude cocktail, and the sauce that came with the truffle fries, which I couldn’t stop eating. Also, just having the sea view and the music felt like I was on holiday.”
Georgina loved … “the light-up box seats and the gentle sea breeze – quite a glam spot for an evening beverage with friends. I’ll be back!”
Jacqui loved … “The Islander cocktail, the salmon tartare and the sea view. The music is fab too.”
The verdict:
The view is fantastic; a new light-show platform is being built to one side, but unless you look down, it doesn’t spoil the outlook. And, after enjoying a beautiful sunset, you get to enjoy the existing light show on Sentosa – for free!
We think it’s a great spot to take visitors to Singapore. There aren’t many places that have this kind of view or vibe – plus, the snacks were awesome, and everyone loved the cocktails! We scour the bar scene to bring you the new and noteworthy. It’s a tough job but somebody’s got to do it!
Level 7, The Outpost Hotel Sentosa
WhatsApp 8879 8765 | reservation@1-altitudecoast.sg
1-altitudecoast.sg
Saketoshi
The Scene:
This is a new izakaya opened by a group of friends who happen to be crypto investors – hence its witty name-play incorporating the name of Bitcoin’s elusive founder, Satoshi Nakamoto. Of course, payments in Bitcoin and other popular cryptocurrencies are accepted here, too!
That aside, Saketoshi is a welcoming space – the small interiors are filled with sofas and low wooden tables bathed in soft amber light. On one wall is décor that looks like a full moon, a nod to the catchphrase “to the moon” used within crypto communities to describe their strong faith that a certain cryptocurrency is going to rise significantly in price. Prefer to surround yourself with the hustle and bustle of the neighbourhood? There’s an alfresco dining area too.
One of Saketoshi’s owners is Jeff Ong, a serial restaurateur who ran a chain of izakayas across Singapore, Malaysia and Australia and also co-owned Only Gyu, Chiru and Torii. Saketoshi retains elements from his previous outings and continues his long-standing love of izakaya, from the wide range of sake to an extensive food selection.
The Drinks:
Jeff says that Saketoshi only focuses on premium sake, available in 720ml or 1,800ml bottles (traditional Japanese measurement standards). The range is sourced from regions all over Japan including Nagano, Hyogo, Aichi, Fukuoka and Miyagi prefectures.
Jeff’s personal favourite – and a recommendation for newcomers to sake – is Imanshiki Junmai Daiginjo ($188, 720ml). Through its medium sweetness, we could still taste the flavour of the rice. If your preference is for a fruity and floral aroma, opt for the Dassai Junmai Daiginjo ($118, 720ml; $299, 1,800ml). This sake paired especially well with the raw dishes.
We ended the night with Kotsuzumi Rojoh Hanah Ari Tohka Junmai Daiginjo ($158, 720ml), which we learnt is an award-winning sake. It had a citrus fragrance with a sweet and refreshing taste on the palate.
The Eats:
There’s a huge selection of bites including tacos and bar snacks such as chicken karaage ($15) and scallop ikura ($24). From the sashimi menu, we started with a serving of six very milky and fresh raw Japanese oysters ($24). Next was the Saketoshi cocktail ($39); it’s not a drink but rather a combination of uni, tobiko, truffle caviar and a homemade sauce presented in a martini glass. The uni seaweed tempura ($24 for two pieces) was served on wooden spoons sitting on pebbles in a shallow wooden bowl; the smokiness of the seaweed tempura tempered the bold flavours of raw sea urchin, otoro and truffle caviar.
For big eaters or bigger groups, there are sharing platters. Or opt for a donburi – the seafood ($38) and signature beef ($28) are chef recommendations. The latter features premium Australian beef Photos: Krispy C that’s tender to the bite.
– Patricea Chow
#01-14 UE Square Shopping Mall, 81 Clemenceau Avenue
Sugarhall
The Scene:
For rum lovers in Singapore, Sugarhall was the go-to bar for rare rums and impeccably crafted rum-based cocktails. After shuttering its doors four years ago, Sugarhall has made a triumphant return – just in time to take advantage of looser restrictions!
The bar’s new digs are tucked away in an alley beside Rosemead. Enter through the unmarked door, ascend the stairs and you’ll be greeted by the bar’s charming, softly lit space. Fairy lights dot the ceilings, giving the impression of alfresco dining. The chipped walls and dark wood furniture bring to mind Cuban cantinas. There are also booths for more intimate seating arrangements (or perhaps for planning revolutions?).
The Drinks:
Rather than using a single house-pour rum for its cocktails, Sugarhall leans into its rum repository (over 100 labels!) for inspiration. Each cocktail features a rum base chosen to complement its flavours. We started off with the Dark & Stormy ($24), a light and refreshing highball. Taking the cocktail up a notch was the addition of the bar’s own specially brewed ginger beer made with young ginger, old ginger and galangal – delightfully spicy! Next, we moved on to the Daiquiri ($22). Featuring a mix of Bacardi Superior 1909 rum and Veritas rum, this is a crisp classic with just a touch of sugar.
While the earlier drinks might have been (deceptively) light, it’s instantly clear just how spirit-forward the IL-Presidente ($28) is. Here, the usual vermouth is replaced by sherry vermouth, Amaro Montenegro and Marsala. The rum content is provided by an oaky Appleton cask rum that’s been aged 15 years. You’ll need a couple of bar bites at hand by the time this drink is done!
The Eats:
Like most cocktail bars today, the food options at Sugarhall aren’t a mere afterthought. If you’ve got a hankering for something substantial, sink your teeth into the wagyu cheeseburger with bacon ($35). While not the most unique thing on the menu, it’s a brilliant example of a steakhouse-style burger done right – course ground beef served medium rare, with thick-cut bacon and a side of shoestring fries. Another noteworthy item is the chicken liver toast ($8) – thick slices of toasted rustic bread topped with chicken liver paste and caramelised onions. It’s a polarising dish for sure, but one of my favourite bar bites at Sugarhall.
– Dinesh Ajith
19 Cecil Street
Want to hear about more new bars in Singapore? See our Bar section (of course!)
This article first appeared in Expat Living magazine. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue.
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