Wondering where to go for a drink in Singapore? From clever cocktail bars to fancy speakeasies in town, here are the hottest, newest or most notable watering holes to get your alcohol (and social) fix – whether you’re craving a martini, a gin and tonic, or just a glass of wine. We’ll update this regularly, so remember to bookmark it!
Heart of Darkness
First impressions:
Now open in buzzy Tanjong Pagar is the first Singapore outpost of this Vietnam based craft beer gastrobar. The vibes are fun and casual at the spacious 80-seater, which is decked in warm wood, dark leather and cool beer label illustrations.
The Chosen One:
Heart of Darkness ships in a curated list of craft beers from its main brewery in Ho Chi Minh City, which are kept in cold chain for maximum freshness and quality. On top of housing unique brews from around the region, the watering hole also places the spotlight on local craft beers by small and independent breweries in Singapore.
Choosing from 30 fresh taps can be overwhelming if you’re new to the craft scene. One thing this spot has nailed is the easy-reading menu, split into sections – the core range, limited releases and local brews – with helpful descriptions on the flavour profiles. If it’s your first time here, get a flight of four ($25) or six ($35); the pours were generous enough for sharing.
Cool down with a pint of Futile Purpose Cucumber Pilsner ($15), a summery tipple with a prominent hint of refreshing cucumber. We also enjoyed the Director’s Cacao Nib Porter ($17 a pint), a dessertlike concoction infused with Vietnamese cacao nibs for rich dark chocolate notes and a speck of berry tartness for a beautiful balance.
A homage to local coffee, the Kopi C Nanyang Stout ($21 a pint) is the brilliant brainchild of local brewery That Singapore Beer Project. Reminiscent of a cup of kopitiam-style coffee that’s punchy yet smooth, this intense and fragrant dark beer is an interesting must-try for everyone – coffee snob or not. For something on the lighter end, try the Intense Energy Tra Tac Beer ($15 a pint). Marketed as an alcoholic version of lemon tea, it’s a bright and citrusy drink that’s dangerously crushable.
The Cheapskate:
The flights are well-priced; share a couple and split the cost to make things cheaper than committing to full pints.
Bite on this:
Arrive hungry, as the grub served here is delicious and affordable! The mac and cheese ($10) is a failproof pick; top up $2 for bacon to make it even better. The well-seasoned salted crispy cauliflower with sour cream dip ($8) made for the perfect bar snack, but we found ourselves longing for a bit more tang to offset the grease. We also devoured the chicken “tulips” ($14 for six pieces) with caramelised fish sauce and corn fritter sliders ($8 for two pieces).
– Anthia Chng
Heart of Darkness
55 Tras Street
6208 7940 | heartofdarknessbrewery.com
Pinball Wizard
First impressions:
Retro-focused bars are having a moment (for a while now!). Following the success of sister arcade bar Nineteen80, Pinball Wizard has opened its doors in a nondescript location, hidden in the basement of Sim Lim Square (enter by the entrance facing Prinsep Street). The concept bar and club aims to be fun and approachable for everyone, and it shows in the décor and setup. There are well-functioning pinball machines bookending the bar, plus a ping-pong table propped in the middle of the dance floor.
The best part? The games are free! We were hogging the pinball machines and had a ball trying out the different themes (Family Guy was our favourite). At the 10pm mark, the ping-pong table is cleared, disco lights turned on and the DJ takes over with throwback tunes from the 90s and 00s.
The Chosen One:
Signature cocktails are available till 9pm; get started with Flower Power ($18), a picture-perfect tipple of butterfly pea-infused gin, elderflower syrup, apple juice, young ginger, lemongrass, lime and sour plum powder. This refreshing number makes for a fab first drink if you lean towards refreshing flavours. My favourites, however, were the Cocktail Remixes (available all night). I particularly enjoyed the Negroni Spritzer ($18), a simple yet satisfying medley of Campari, shiraz gin and soda, topped with a lemon peel. For those with a sweet tooth, get the Salty White Russian ($18): spiced rum, Kahlua liqueur, salted caramel and whipped milk. This dessert-like concoction is creamy and rich, yet well balanced.
If you’re in a group, go all out with the sparkling shooters ($80 for 10). The Crouching Tiger – tequila, lychee liqueur, chrysanthemum tea – was a unanimous favourite at our table. There’s something about seeing specks of glitter in our drinks that made for an unforgettable night out!
The Cheapskate:
Prices are nett, and cocktails go at $18 a pop. Plus, the games are complimentary. Until a cover charge is implemented, this is one spot we’ll keep returning to. You’ll be guaranteed a fun time without burning a hole in your wallet!
– Anthia Chng
Pinball Wizard
1 Rochor Canal Road, #B1-29
8189 1971 | pinballwizard.sg
Junior the Pocket Bar
First impressions:
From its elusive entrance along an alley on Cook Street to its 10-seater capacity, this hole-in-the-wall watering hole exudes speakeasy vibes. The space is small and the décor quaint, adding to its charm as a cool spot for post-work tipples. If you’re eyeing a seat, you’ll have to reach early (they open at 6pm) as Junior gets packed very quickly. The theme for the concept bar changes twice yearly, with refreshed interiors and a brand new menu each time. When we visited, it was “Petite Chalet”, a ski-inspired lodge in the alps. Psst… This concept will run till early January next year!
The Chosen One:
The menu is split into the seasons, which makes it fun and easier to navigate. All cocktails go for $25 a pop.
Alpenglow was my first pick. This pink number was easy-to-drink, thanks to the summery lemon and strawberry notes, mixed with yellow chartreuse, champagne and Citadelle original gin. It was a tad too sweet for me, but nonetheless a delicious sundowner to start the night. If you’re looking for something more crisp and refreshing, try Tyrolean Hat from the Autumn selection, a well-balanced concoction of Widges gin, Maurin Quina (an aperitif with cherry notes), clarified pear, lemon and soda.
Saving the best for the last, I ordered Swiss Miss from the Winter menu. Served hot with whipped coconut cream and torched-to-order cinnamon, this punchy nightcap was basically a pimped up version of rich hot chocolate. Spiked with green chartreuse for a mildly herbal profile, and dark rum to complement the cocoa, Swiss Miss was the highlight of my night.
Bite on this:
Don’t leave without getting one (or three!) of those addictive Bavarian pretzels ($7), which we’re told are freshly made by a German bakery in small quantities. Served piping hot, these bad boys were soft and buttery; each bite was heavenly! If you’re still hungry, the giant bockwurst ($15) – beer-braised veal and pork sausage with sauerkraut – would be my next choice.
– Anthia Chng
Junior the Pocket Bar
43 Tanjong Pagar Road
8121 1462 | facebook.com/JuniorThePocketBar/
Maduro
First impressions:
Founded by one of Singapore’s most sought-after pianists in the 80s, mysteriously known as Mr P, Maduro is the classy lounge we never knew we needed. Dressed in plush velvet sofas in a myriad of colours, and dotted with art pieces throughout, the cosy space stands out for its warm and welcoming vibe – an experience akin to visiting a friend’s place! Renowned jazz musicians and singers take the stage at the listening lounge, but there’s also a super exclusive, by-invite-only private den beside it.
Maduro is open six days a week, with programmes lined up almost daily. We dropped by for Saturday’s Best, where a chosen artiste-in-residence performs every Saturday of the month, from 9pm till midnight. The crowd started streaming in after 9pm, but if you want a good view, it’s best to reserve beforehand or arrive earlier.
The Chosen One:
This is not just any other cocktail bar. In keeping with the venue’s colourful approach, there are no tedious concoctions on the menu. We started with a Mr P’s GnT ($22) – Tanqueray London dry gin, Rinomato, East Imperial royal botanic tonic – and a Foggy Old Fashioned ($22) – Talisker 10-yearold whisky, Angostura bitters, Scrappy’s chocolate bitters. Both are simple yet heady drinks – perfect for sipping while lounging the night away. If you have a penchant for whisky, you’ll be pleased with what they stock here. From Scottish to Japanese malts, all the way up to the bar’s highly prized possession – an $18,000 Macallan M Black bottle – the selection is undeniably impressive. There’s also a neat list of wines, including rare Old World treasures if you’re looking to splurge.
The Cheapskate:
Drink prices lean toward the higher end; the more pocket friendly options are the beers and cocktails ($22). However, the $30 cover charge for the live music nights (except Tuesdays when it’s free) gets you a glass of wine or any spirits and a fantastic night of top-notch jazz – a swell deal if you ask us!
Bite on this:
Pad your stomach before arriving, since the selection of bar bites (prepared in Atout’s kitchen) is limited. We recommend dinner at Atout, followed by a nightcap upstairs at Maduro. But if you’re still peckish, go for a side of bread ($4) with truffle brie ($19) and a cold cut platter ($29) to share.
Psst… Don’t miss this month’s Saturday’s Best artiste-in-residence Aya Sekine, a Japanese jazz pianist known for her soulful and dynamic style of jazz and improvisations!
– Anthia Chng
Maduro
40C Harding Road, Level 3
9756 4775 | maduro.sg
JAM at Siri House
First impressions:
If you’re looking for an intimate and very luxurious spot for a first date, a weekly dinner or somewhere special with friends, this place will become your new favourite.
Tucked away at the back of Dempsey Hill – if you didn’t know it was there, you’d miss it – the restaurant and cocktail bar is a project of Sansiri, a luxury property developer from Thailand. The space also features a sales gallery (set up like a Sansiri apartment – complete with a bathroom!), a shop (focusing on up-and-coming Thai brands) and an ever-changing art gallery.
The rich Art Deco-inspired interior with gold, bright velvet, marble, huge sparkling chandeliers and leather bar stools is reminiscent of a very opulent era!
The Chosen One:
With seven craft cocktails devised by head bartender Kavinn Raaj (formerly of Smoke & Mirrors), I knew we were in for an experiential, as well as flavourful, evening. I’m not sure which drink was my favourite – each was so unique, with its own splash of Kavinn pizzazz. For the flavour, I loved the gin and sour cream Spundi ($24), served with crispy rice paper and onion chutney; but, for the experience, my vote goes to the Burning Midnight Soil ($27) – get your camera ready if you order this one!
Bite on this:
The menu comprises perfect bar bites as well as bigger plates; try the cured meat, cheese and truffle toasted bikini ($16).
Last but not least:
Sit at the bar and ask Kavinn to explain his amazing creative process for each cocktail.
– Kel Flanders
JAM at Siri House
#01-02 Dempsey Hill, 8D Dempsey Road
9667 0533 | sirihouse.com
The Old Man
First impressions:
You don’t have to board a plane to get a taste of Asia’s best bar – you can now have it on home soil. Recently ranked top on the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars and 10th on the list of the World’s 50 Best Bars, The Old Man Hong Kong has opened its first overseas branch, here in Singapore. Housed in hip Keong Saik, the local outpost mirrors its Hong Kong flagship, with Hemingway-inspired elements taking precedence in both the cocktail menu and décor. Take a seat at the island bar if you’re feeling chatty, or kick back in the cosy lounge if you prefer privacy.
The Chosen One:
Nine cocktails make up The Old Man Singapore’s first menu (there’s a new edition in the works), which is the flagship’s original line-up from when it opened its doors in 2017. Featuring Asian-inspired incarnations of classics, elevated by high-tech preparation techniques like “fat-washing”, the drinks do not disappoint. We’re not surprised, considering how it’s this exact menu that first placed the bar on the world map.
An everyday drink you can start with is Islands in the Stream. An elegant rendition of the G&T, this refreshing concoction incorporates clarified pink grapefruit juice with salted gin. It’s absolutely delicious – thinking back, I wish I’d ordered a second. For something a little more adventurous, The Sun Also Rises must be the most laborious drink on the list, as far as the staff is concerned. Behind closed doors, Applejack (apple brandy) is first fat-washed with coconut oil, gin infused with curry leaves, and pandan leaves prepared sous-vide with sweet vermouth. Lime kaffir is then added to the Negroni-inspired brew.
Progressing even further into unchartered territories, don’t leave without trying The Snows of Kilimanjaro: marshmallow gin, lacto-fermented raspberry, citrus and gruyere. It sounds like an absolute nightmare, especially with the grated cheese on top, which may throw you off on your first whiff. If you can get past that, though, the fruity profile shines through and the gruyere beautifully rounds up the slightly creamy pour.
The Cheapskate:
All drinks are $17 a pop – a steal if you consider the time and thought that goes into each creation.
Psst… No food is served here, so you’ll want to make sure your stomach is well-padded before.
– Anthia Chng
The Old Man
55 Keong Saik Road, #01-04
6909 5505 | theoldmanhk.com
Want to hear about more new bars in Singapore? See our Bar section:
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This article first appeared in a 2020 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
