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 – Las Palmas
The Scene
Perched on the 33rd-floor rooftop of Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena, Las Palmas is inspired by colourful 1960s Palm Springs, California and Downtown Los Angeles Americana. It’s a vibe that invites you to leave your cares behind while you’re there.
Stepping out onto the pool deck, we were greeted by an expansive view of the city, just beyond the infinity pool. Walking into the main room, bright sorbet hues of pink, green and yellow with gold accents instantly lift the mood. Displayed on an oaktimber wall are iconic photographs by Slim Aarons, while plush sofa seats and padded chairs are paired with tropical-print cushions. The floor-to-ceiling windows gave us more great views as we enjoyed watching the sunset with a sundowner.
The Drinks
The team at the rose-quartz bar counter is led by awardwinning mixologist Roy Aransay, whose menu includes four different narratives. “Modernist” cocktails celebrate design and architecture, reflected in the Tokyo Cowboy ($21), a shochu and gin-based beverage inspired by Hiroshi Nagai’s city pop album covers. The “Vinyl” section includes That’s Amore ($20), a vermouth, bitters and Sonic Fizz combination inspired by the Dean Martin hit. “Hollywood” cocktails pay homage to cinema icons, from The Don ($20), a rum-and-coffee-liqueur nod to Mad Men’s Don Draper, to Film Noir ($22), a highball riff on a Casablanca-inspired Martini. And the “Getaway” cocktails reflect travel and destinations; the Rose Bowl ($28), named after the California stadium, includes gin, framboise and rose flavours.
There’s also a selection of classic cocktails, mocktails, beer, cider, non-alcoholic beverages and wines.
The Eats
The menu reflects the easy charm of beachside stalls and open-air food markets. There are shareable plates, sandwiches, tacos and wokfried dishes.
The Mezza Mix ($25) sharing platter featured six Mediterranean selections including baby artichoke, hummus and pearl barley tabbouleh; it was so good, we ordered a second! We also cleared out Say Cheese ($28), a selection of soft, semi-hard and hard cheeses accompanied by fruit, chutney and assorted nuts.
There are two choices of easy-bite sandwiches. We particularly liked Juicy Kiss ($28), which reinterprets the Los Angeles-born French dip sandwich with wagyu beef cheek, caramelised onions and scallion chimichurri dip in crusty bread.
A small selection of wok-fried dishes includes Release the Kraken (battered baby squid; $18) and Feisty Hen (chicken popcorn with Sichuan pepper; $18). Ending things on a sweet note are two desserts with a Las Palmas twist – Burn Baby Burn ($14), a burnt cheesecake with Snickerdoodle, and Lady in Red ($15), red velvet madeleines accompanied by a salted peanut dip and a kaya dip.
Las Palmas is at 99 Irrawaddy Road, Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena. 6250 0303 | fnb.courtyardsg@marriott.com laspalmasbar.com
Cygnet Bar
The scene:
Tucked into a corner of boutique hotel QT Singapore, with windows that look out to Lau Pa Sat’s satay street, Cygnet Bar provides a contrast to the busy scenes outside.
Inspired by Manhattan, New York, it’s dressed in accents of dark marble, agate ripple, mirrors, rattan and leatherlined booths. The vibe is contemporary, lively and intimate all at once.
With soulful tunes at comfortable sound levels, it’s an invitation to cosy catch-ups over elevated bar bites, or simply a pre-dinner or post-work tipple.
Reservations are recommended – the booth seats are very popular, especially during Happy Hour.
The drinks:
The signature cocktail menu is created by head bartender, Timothy Aw. Tim rose to prominence at The Bar at 15 Stamford, where he cemented his reputation as an accomplished mixologist. He has helmed Cygnet Bar since its opening.
He elaborates on the storied presentation of the 18 cocktails: “I’ve always been drawn to classic cocktails, and I’ve also held an enduring appreciation for classic books, which I connect back to the New York Public Library. The menu pays homage to these beloved titles, bringing stories to life through drinks that feel both timeless and new.”
The Lion’s Library section of the menu presents nine cocktails featuring classic liquors. They include Breakfast at Tiffany’s (gin, maraschino; $26), The Godfather (rye whiskey, amaretto, sherry; $28) and The Cask of Amontillado (rye whiskey, XO, amontillado; $28).
The other half of the menu, The City Never Sleeps, reinvents nine American classics with Southeast Asian twists. So, the Vesper ($28) features house-made pomelo bitters infused with cinnamon, cloves and saffron for a fragrant spice finish, while house-made pineapple red wine syrup and pink peppercorn add a complex flavour to the El Diablo ($26).
There’s also a selection of zero-proof versions of signature cocktails (“No and Low”) so guests can still enjoy the Cygnet experience without the alcohol.
The eats:
The bar offers 11 different small plates that are great for sharing. Our picks on the night were the fresh seafood tower ($32) with lobster roll, oysters and prawns for two; the ocean shelf oysters (1/6/12 pieces; $5/$28/$56) and the Cygnet New York burger ($32) featuring a tender and juicy 250g wagyu patty. Also, be prepared to order seconds of the cauliflower popcorn with miso mayo ($10) and the mushroom duxelles truffle mayo bikini sandwich ($12)!
What the EL team enjoyed most about their night at Cygnet Bar:
“I love the décor – you don’t feel like you’re in a hotel, but you still have the benefit of people-watching as guests come and go.” – Rebecca
“Cygnet has easily become one of my favourite bars. Each of its cocktails has an intriguing story – I highly recommend The Devil Wears Prada for ladies and The Godfather for the guys.” – Judit
“The smoke, foam, homemade cordials and beautiful stemware made drinking the cocktails a special experience; they tasted great too! It was busy but not too noisy that you couldn’t hear yourself speak. A fantastic place to bring visitors for a drink.” – Danielle
“As soon as you enter, you feel transported to Manhattan! This is a great place to go with a few friends – I like how the music is just loud enough so you can speak to each other and vibe at the same time. The seafood platter is worth sharing!” – Susan
“A lot of thought has gone into creating every detail of Cygnet Bar. From how guests experience the space with the first step in, to the stories of each cocktail and even how they’re presented made it a memorable evening.” – Patricea
QT Singapore, 35 Robinson Road
6701 6835 | cygnet_qtsingapore@evt.com
qthotels.com/singapore/eat-drink/cygnet-bar
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
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 for us 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! The design blends disco and retro elements. Colourful lighting 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 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
“Even on a week night, the bar was buzzy and almost full. The panoramic views of the water were beautiful and I loved both the classic gin-based Gimlet and the 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
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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