If you’re looking for a drinking spot with an awesome live band, look no further. Apart from the better-known local acts like The Sam Willows and 53A, our little red dot actually has a ton of undiscovered talent playing live at some of the best bars and cafes in town. Read on for our list of must-try bars with excellent food, drinks and eargasmic music!
1-Altitude Gallery & Bar
For stunning, sky-high views, check out 1-Altitude Gallery & Bar, the world’s highest alfresco bar, standing at 282 metres above ground level. Drop by in the evening to unwind with a couple of sundowners, or visit post-dinner for performances by local bands and internationally renowned DJs. Enjoy a much-needed mid-week respite here with high-end cocktails and a fab music lineup; on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8pm to 10pm, there are acoustic performances by 1-Altitude’s resident band One Avenue, who belt out familiar pop tunes from the top 40s. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8pm, the music is amped up with the full band taking centre stage.
Feeling peckish? Tuck into recent additions to the menu, including freshly shucked oysters ($36), Tajima wagyu cheese sliders ($32) and a variety of pizzas. Wash it all down with a signature cocktail ($20 each); our tip is to try the Altitude Affair – a refreshing mix of vodka, passionfruit, lime juice and basil leaves – or the Roses are Meant to be Red – a sweeter rose nectar and strawberry concoction.
Rooftop, One Raffles Place
6438 0410 | 1-altitude.com
McGettigan’s Clarke Quay
Located in the always-buzzing hotspot of Clarke Quay, this Irish pub offers a great live music line-up from Wednesday to Sunday, on top of attractive drink promotions. Ladies, listen up: on Wednesdays you get to enjoy four free drinks plus 25 percent off food items from 7pm! Until the end of December, Mike Spinks and Khalis Jalil will be taking the stage from 9pm, and from next year on you can look forward to Latin music by Cuban band Havana Social Club. On Thursday nights from 9pm, local cover band Slingshot will impress with their high-energy rock n’ roll tunes. Feeling thirsty? Sip on two-for- one cocktails, only on Thursdays! Don’t miss the live performances on Saturdays, too; solo act Gerry Cox plays an acoustic set at 7.30pm, while party band Jukuleles will keep you entertained with dance-worthy melodies from 11pm onwards.
3A River Valley Road
#01-01 Merchant’s Court
6837 0577 | mcgettigans.com
Hood Bar & Café
Immerse yourself in stunning street art on the walls of this café bar, centrally located in Bugis. Known for featuring prominent local acts like The Sam Willows, Shigga Shay and Tay Kewei, this spot is a perfect space for catching up on local music or getting a glimpse of up and coming musicians in town.
Food at Hood is equally impressive – think Asian-inspired bar grub like char siew pizza, Mala deep fried frog legs and Hainanese pork chop with pesto pasta. Best yet- happy hours happen on weekdays from 5pm to 8pm, when drinks are one-for-one. Apart from weekday resident bands like Rush Hour and Smells like Last Friday, the Saturday Original Sessions offer newer bands the chance to take centre-stage. Check Facebook for updates!
#05-07, Bugis+, 201 Victoria Street
6221 8846 | hoodbarandcafe.com
Blujaz
An oldie but goodie, Blujaz has been serving up great live entertainment for the past 12 years. A three-level events space and music enclave in one, this spot offers a mix of international and local bands on Fridays and Saturdays, when you’ll be treated to genres of jazz, latin, funk, swing, soul and pop! Feeling peckish?
The café bar offers Mediterenan bites like the Mix Dips Platter ($22.90), a combination of avocado, hummus, cacik, ezme and baba ghanoush dips, served with pita. If you’re there on a Wednesday or Thursday, jive along to the jam session, and don’t leave without popping by Level 3 where the Talk Cock Comedy by Comedy Club Asia is on too.
Time to grab your friends for a Friday night drinking sesh!
11 Bali Lane, Historic Kampong Glam
6292 3800 | blujazcafe.net
Photo credit: Ambry NurHayati
Hard Rock Café
For a night of good music without breaking the bank, check out the music-centric programmes at the popular Hard Rock Café (Cuscaden Road). After undergoing a facelift, this classic watering hole is now sporting a sleek and contemporary look that still retains its iconic rock vibes.
Wednesday nights are Bandwagon Nights, where up and rising musicians take centre stage with their originals from 8.30pm on Thursdays and Fridays see veteran band Jive Talkin’ taking up the stage at 9pm and 10.30pm respectively. Entry and a drink only costs $10, which will leave you plenty to order a bite from the signature Hard Rock Café menu.
Psst… Playing next on 22 November is instrumental post progressive rock band 7nightsatsea. Expect intense melodies with powerful rock riffs during their set!
50 Cuscaden Rd,
#02/03-01, HPL House
6235 5232 | hardrock.com/cafes/singapore/
Wala Wala
Casual yet sophisticated is how we’d describe this popular bar at Holland Village. The kind of watering hole we’d all love to have in the neighbourhood, Wala Wala is the place for a drink or two on a weeknight. An upbeat venue with an intimate setting, the second level is where all the action happens.
Your ears will be treated to a melting pot of performance genres including pop, rock, soul, acoustic, folk and even grunge if you’re lucky. Look out for Tabula, Reverie and Jack and Rai, who play at 9.30pm on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday respectively. Don’t forget to order a few bar bites – we recommend the tapas and pizza!
31 Lorong Mambong, Holland Village
6462 4288 | walawala.sg
BRIX Singapore
One of the trendliest nightspots in town, BRIX at Grand Hyatt Singapore offers a classy spot to unwind. This classy bar offers three different sections to chill out and party at all night long, namely the Wine Bar, Whisky Bar and Music Bar. Look forward to regular international bands performing a wide repertoire of music like jazz funk, R&B, soul and even disco.
Kick back and enjoy melodies from Wave, an international seven-piece band led by Texan drummer Delbert Mack. While a cover charge of $30 applies for all days (except Sundays) from 10pm, it includes a drink and night-long live music, so we’re not complaining!
Basement Level, Grand Wing,
Grand Hyatt Singapore
10 Scotts Road
6738 1234 | singapore.grand.hyatt.com
Timbre+
Newly opened earlier this year at One North, Timbre+ is a hotspot for providing delicious grub and nightly live music to tourists, office-goers and café hoppers alike. This hidden gem hosts a total of 35 food and beverage stalls, serving up a variety of cusines from traditional hawker fare to modern fusion food.
A unique, container-like, gastropark concept, the urban food hall offers a diversity of cuisines from restaurant-grade food to traditional hawker fare at pocket-friendly prices. Paired with good company and live music performances starting at 7.30pm from Mondays to Saturdays, you’ll have yourself a well-satisfied and happy-bellied experience.
73A Ayer Rajah Crescent,
JTC LaunchPad @ one-north
6252 2545 | timbreplus.sg
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