No matter how wild you were in your youth, chances are you’ve mellowed out since then. Now, any travel outside your neighbourhood seems like too much, and you enjoy only the occasional drink, when convenient. If this sounds like you, we’ve rounded up 16 affordable heartland bars all around Singapore, so you won’t need to travel all the way to town just for some booze.
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Kopitiams are somewhere most Singaporeans go to grab a quick, inexpensive plate of chicken rice or rojak. At this Kopitiam in Sembawang, however, there’s so much more than local food.
The Patio may seem like any ordinary food court at first glance, but it’s not – they serve gourmet burgers and beer. While the offerings may be unlike your typical Kopitiam, the prices are – think $6 shots and $8 Heineken beer. Pair your booze with something hearty, like the beefy Bacon Cheese burger ($10.80), which comes loaded with American cheese and turkey bacon.
Address: 1018 Sembawang Road, Singapore 758495
Opening hours: Thu-Tue 11am-10.30pm (Closed on Wednesdays)
Contact: The Patio website
Image credit: Google Maps
Seasoned causeway-crossers know lok lok as the piping hot, flavourful fried skewers from Malaysia. Sleeping Giants in Sembawang pairs the greasy favourite with crisp, refreshing beer. Other than lok lok, they also serve Western and Indian food; their Masala Fries ($13) are especially popular.
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Here, the lok lok goes for only a buck a stick, while the beer costs $13 for 3 bottles. Complete with loud music to set the mood and open till midnight daily, this spot is perfect for cheap, chill late-night hangs.
Address: 29 Sembawang Road, Singapore 779081
Opening hours: 3pm-12am, Daily
Contact: Sleeping Giants website
With alfresco seating and scenic pond views, Quench! Bistro and Bar is known for its laid-back kampong atmosphere. Their wide selection of beers, including draught and international craft beers, range from $9-$13, while other alc like soju only costs $10.
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More than its extensive range of affordable booze, a huge selling point of the open concept bar is the prawning pond – here, diners can have fun reeling in the catch of the day without needing to worry about doing the same for their spending.
Address: 81 Lorong Chencharu #01-10 ORTO, Singapore 769198
Opening hours: Sun-Thu 3pm-2am | Fri-Sat 3pm-3am
Contact: 6257 3657 | Quench! Bistro and Bar website
Nestled deep within Turf Club riding centre is Cheval Café & Bar, a rustic bar surrounded by nature. Here, the highlight is the view – throw back a beer ($35/bucket, $9/pint) as you watch the majestic horses gallop around the stable.
You might expect prices to be pretty steep, but neigh – beers start at $7 a bottle, while happy hour lasts practically all day, from 12pm-9pm.
Address: 1 Equestrian Walk, Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre, Singapore 737863
Opening hours: 11am-10.30pm, Daily
Contact: 6269 0918 | Cheval Café & Bar website
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Ask any Taiwanese person what their favourite food from home is and I’m willing to bet they’ll mention Gua Bao, better known as Kong Ba Pao in Singapore. For those who aren’t too familiar with the meaty dish, they’re made with tender braised pork belly in fluffy, steamed buns, and can be found at Abundance in Redhill.
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This spot in Bukit Merah serves up the tasty Taiwanese dish ($7.50), and more like Chili Dumplings ($8.90) and Prawn Toast ($9.50), in addition to a number of craft beers on tap ($12). Located just a 2-minute walk from Redhill MRT station, Abundance is worth a try, especially to those living in the area.
Address: 63A Lengkok Bahru, #01-378, Singapore 151063
Opening hours: Tue-Thu 11am-3pm, 5.30pm-9.30pm | Fri 11am-3pm, 5.30pm-10pm | Sat-Sun 11am-3.30pm, 5pm-9.30pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 8032 1880 | Abundance website
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After a couple drinks, everything starts to go blurry. If you want a view to appreciate while you can, Middle Rock Garden Bar is where it’s at. Tucked away in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, this laid-back spot offers tapas and cocktails in addition to beer and other classic bar bites.
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Go for the Fried Baby Squids ($12) if you have a more adventurous palate, or play it safe with the Truffle Fries ($12). Then, wash it all down with a pint of draught beer (from $11/pint).
Address: 1382 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, Singapore 569931
Opening hours: 9am-12am, Daily
Contact: 9113 4666 | Middle Rock Garden Bar website
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You can’t say you’re a true fan of Japanese food unless you’ve been to an izakaya. These intimate bars are popular after-work hangout spots in Japan – and you can experience the same under this HDB block in Kovan.
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Other than their Kushiyaki (from $2.50 a stick), and Crispy Chicken Karaage ($7.50), they’re known for their affordable Japanese liquor – with whiskeys from $8 and $9.50 Asahi pints, it’s no wonder why they’re so popular among residents in the area.
Address: 211 Hougang Street 21, #01-285, Singapore 530211
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30pm-12am | Sat-Mon 11.30am-12am
Contact: 8718 5388 | Tachinomiya website
With 11 outlets islandwide, chances are you’ve been to an Al Capone’s on a night out. The sports bar chain is known for its tasty, affordable food at nett prices. Here, all beers are under $10, while most mains are $20.
Image credit: Al Capone’s Kallang
Popular picks include the Bangers & Chips ($15.90), a carnivore’s dream with grilled chicken sausages, brown sauce and fries, and the Mafia Wings ($10.90), Cajun wings fried to crisp perfection. Pair them with a Heineken pint ($7.70) to cut through all the grease, or the Ginger Monkey cocktail ($7.70), made with Monkey Shoulder whiskey, ginger ale and orange.
Address: 4 Kim Tian Road, Singapore 169245
Opening hours: 4pm-12am, Daily
Contact: 6254 3930 | Al Capone’s website
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Easties flock to Beer Basket Kitchen & Bar on Mondays for their all-day happy hour and 1-for-1 craft burgers. With beers going at $25 for 5, and $10 prosecco and wine, it’s no surprise that the place is often packed.
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Other than their Monday promo, they have a slew of other promos covering all days of the week, including $2.90 tacos, very aptly on Tuesday, and $10 housepour cocktails on weekends. On the off chance that burgers and tacos aren’t your thing, they also offer pizzas, pastas and quirky bar bites – think Chicken Quesadillas ($11) and Spam Fries ($10).
Address: 57/59 East Coast Road, Singapore 428774
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-12am | Sat 10am-12am | Sun 10am-10pm
Contact: 8691 5957 | Beer Basket website
This rustic pub is situated among a quiet row of shophouses on Joo Chiat Road.
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The Cider Pit in Joo Chiat specialises in, well, cider. The British pub carries an expansive range of English ciders and ales, as well as hearty burgers – the Classic Cheese Burger ($19.50) is a fan favourite. Best of all, all prices are nett, meaning the English experience doesn’t come at a premium – beers and ciders go for just $10.
Popular picks include the Aspall Drop cider ($10), a refreshing, medium dry cider and the craft beer on tap ($10), the flavours of which change on a rotational basis.
Address: 328 Joo Chiat Road, #01-03, Singapore 427585
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 3pm-12am | Sat-Sun 1pm-12am
Contact: 6440 0504 | The Cider Pit website
Image credit: Space Box
When we think of hangout spots, Geylang probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind. At Space Box, however, it’s hard to imagine doing anything else. Here, the hanging planets, neon lights and astronaut figures emulate the vastness of outer space, creating an ambience that’s otherworldly.
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The space-themed bar carries a range of pilsners and ales, starting from just $7. In terms of food, they fire up fresh zi char dishes such as Sichuan Spicy Chicken ($15) and Roast Pork with Garlic ($15), along with lok lok, with sticks starting at $1.
Address: 60 Lorong 23 Geylang, #01-01 D’Innova, Singapore 388384
Opening hours: 1pm-12am, Daily
Contact: Space Box website
If you’re no stranger to a night out, you’ll know that there’s nothing like a game of darts to loosen everybody up. At Forest4 Darts Cafe, a game will only run you just $1.25.
Other than their namesake, they also offer karaoke. Happy hour runs till 8.30pm daily, making a tower of Sapporo beer $58, and all cocktails $14. Though their flagship outlet is in Downtown East, the games aren’t limited to just Easties as they have 4 other outlets, including one on Ann Siang Road and another in Shenton Way, perfect for an after-work tournament.
Address: 1 Pasir Ris Circle, #01-313 Downtown East, Singapore 519599
Opening hours: Sun-Thu 2pm-12am | Sat 2pm-2am
Contact: 6612 2469 | Forest4 Darts Cafe website
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Chocobar in JEM is a chocoholic’s alcoholic paradise – here, they’re known for their chocolate soju towers ($70), that serve up to 30 glasses each. In addition to their soju towers, they’re also known for their affordable soju bottles, at only $13.90 each.
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The Korean bar also serves up a number of tasty mains and bar bites. Favourites include the Bulgogi Wings ($11.90) and Mala Popcorn Chicken Pizza ($14.90). Plus, it’s located a mere 3 minutes from Jurong East MRT station, so you won’t need to worry about not being able to get a cab home. After all, nothing spoils a good night out like midnight surcharge.
Address: 2 Venture Drive, #01-41, Singapore 608526
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 4pm-12am | Sat 5pm-12am (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: Chocobar website
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While their name may suggest otherwise, Tap D’Fish in Jurong does not serve fish. Instead, they’re known for their succulent roast meats and tasty finger food. At this karaoke bar, you’ll find tables filled with plates of barbecued skewers, roast meats and of course, beer towers.
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Looking at the price, you’ll understand why – the beer towers start at just $38, and all prices are nett. They’ve also got beer pints from $10, and are open till 1am every day of the week.
Address: 2 Venture Drive, #01-23, Singapore 608526
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 3pm-1am | Sat-Sun 5pm-1am
Contact: 9474 3474 | Tap D’Fish website
Image credit: The Jolly Roger
If you were excited about visiting The Cider Pit until you realised it was in Joo Chiat, you may want to check out The Jolly Roger in Hillview. The Cornish pub in the west offers a solid range of draught beers, along with ciders and pilsners on tap – popular ones include Pilsner Urquell (from $13) and Crossroads Lager (from $12).
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They also stock a number of award-winning craft beers, including Misty Miyagi IPA (from $13) and Bone Face IPA (from $13). Here, you can have the drinks by themselves, or pair them with one of many English home-cooked meals, such as the Full English Breakfast ($21) and Bangers and Mash ($19).
Address: 15 Chu Lin Road, Singapore 669907
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 12pm-12am | Fri-Sun 11am-12am
Contact: 8874 7123 | The Jolly Roger website
They say never to go swimming if you’ve had a drink – if you must come into contact with a pool, let it be at O Bar @ TradeHub 21. Here, you won’t need to worry about staying afloat, instead, much on some Japanese bar bites in between billiard games. Items like their Teppanyaki Rib-Eye Cubes ($14.80) and Crispy Salmon Skin ($9.80) are most popular.
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Most of their food is under $15, while drinks are all under $15. On the off chance that the pool table is full, they also offer darts so you can play while you wait.
Address: 8 Boon Lay Way #01-32 TradeHub 21, Singapore 609964
Opening hours: 11am-10.30pm, Daily
Contact: OBar website
And there you have it – 16 affordable heartland bars that you can visit for more than just a drink. Until now, you may have thought that good beer could only be found in parts of town like Clarke Quay and Orchard, but if anything, this list proves that sometimes, the best spots are hidden right within your hood.
More to do in the heartlands:
Cover image adapted from: @kosyeats
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