Gone are the nights where you’re forced to down your alcoholic drinks at 10.25pm before they’re swooped off the table. Now that curfews are lifted, it’s time to suss out best bars in Singapore open till late so you can hang out till the wee hours of the morning with your kakis like old times.
We’ve pulled together a list of both iconic institutions and newly-opened late night bars, from a shooters bar with over 130 flavours to a Cuban place where you can swing to live Latin American music.
Check out our nightlife features:
Image credit: @drinkskinnys
Amongst the fancy cocktail joints in Singapore’s bar scene, cool dive bars are hard to come by. When all you want to do is knock down a few pints of beer and house pours while belting out your favourite Fleetwood Mac or Queen tunes, then Skinny’s Lounge is the place to be.
Pre-pandemic, this dive bar was the go-to hangout spot for people in the F&B industry after their shift ends.
Image credit: Skinny’s Lounge
There’s nothing uppity about this place. It’s like you’ve just stepped into a neighbourhood dive bar in San Francisco. The walls are plastered with random movie and band posters, it’s so dimly lit you’ll probably need a ring light for your group selfies, and an American flag hovers over the bartenders at the counter. It’s the perfect antidote for pandemic fatigue.
Image credit: @whatdobern
The menu here is also kept simple – with a small selection of beers, shots, and cocktails. Get a caffeine boost with your cocktail when you order Wake Me Up, F*ck Me Up ($20), which has brandy, salted caramel and espresso, or go for classic options like the Penicillin ($20), a Scotch-based drink, or New York Sour ($20), a rendition of the whiskey sour with a layer of red wine on top.
Address: 82, #01-02 Boat Quay, Singapore 049870
Opening hours: Wed-Fri 6pm-3am | Sat 7pm-4am | Sun 7pm-3am (Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays)
Telephone: 9653 8886
Image credit: @chupitos_sg
There’s no time for boring shots at Chupitos Shots Bar. This bar in Clarke Quay is known for creative shots that would appease alcohol purists. Here, you can choose from over 130 shot flavours ($12 each) with unique local-inspired names – think Milo Godzilla, Pandan Cake and Bubble Tea.
Image credit: @chupitos_sg
We know that it can get overwhelming making decisions here, especially when the shots menu itself is separated into 8 different categories. But here’s a good lobang: there are happy hour deals with selected shots going for $6 until 9pm, so you can try different flavours without burning a hole in your pocket.
Address: 3B Clarke Quay, #01-05, Singapore 179021
Opening hours: Tue-Thu 6.30pm-1.30am | Fri-Sat 6.30pm-3am | Sun 6.30pm-12am (Closed on Mondays)
Telephone: 8836 0490
Those with a flair for the dramatic will love Ziggy’s Karaoke Rooms & Cocktail Bar. It’s a hybrid karaoke lounge with private rooms and a cocktail bar inspired by David Bowie.
Image credit: @elliotjamesinterior
The rooms are swankily decked with upholstered velvet sofas, posters of the rockstar in gold antique-inspired frames, and a minibar stocked up with snacks and drinks. If you book a VIP suite, there’s even a private stage with a microphone stand for you to live out your wildest rockstar dreams.
Image credit: Ziggy’s Karaoke Rooms & Cocktail Bar
Each room has a backstage wardrobe brimming with costumes and props so you can pretend you’re a millionaire from Bling Empire. Those who can’t sing to save their lives, don’t panic – pick up the percussion instruments like maracas and tambourines. Put those triangle music classes in primary school to good use, it’s your time to shine.
Karaoke fees are $10/person and room rentals go at $60/hour for Deluxe Rooms and $180/hour for VIP Suites from Mondays to Thursdays. On Fridays, Saturdays and Public Holidays, these are $80 and $240 respectively. Check out the full list of rates.
Address: #01-27 Robertson Walk, 11 Unity Street, Singapore 237995
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 5pm-1am | Sat 5pm-2am (Closed on Sundays)
Telephone: 6235 5400
Ziggy’s Karaoke Rooms & Cocktail Bar website
Queer-friendly bars in Singapore are few and far between. Those with solid food menus and beautiful interiors are even rarer.
Located in a shophouse space at 47 Neil Road is Epiphyte Cocktail Bistro. Don’t be fooled by its unassuming front, the interiors are photo-worthy from every angle – and there’s even a chio garden area that makes you forget you’re right in the heart of the city.
Image credit: @epiphyte.sg
More than just a bar, Epiphyte is also a restaurant with intriguing dishes like the Pink Risotto ($26) which gets its striking colour from roasted beetroots. You also need to try the Epiphyte Terrarium ($18), a pandan sponge cake with coconut ice cream dessert that’s presented in the form of a terrarium.
Image credit: @food.glossary
Address: 47 Neil Road, Singapore 088827
Opening hours: Wed 6pm-10.30pm | Fri-Sun 6pm-10.30pm (Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays)
Telephone: 6610 6271
Epiphyte Cocktail Bistro Facebook
Clarke Quay is back to its former glory, buzzing with crowds and live music echoing from every bar. One bar, in particular, thumps with live Latin American beats.
Image credit @ryanlinardy
And if you’re looking for some of the best mojitos in Singapore, you’ll find them right here.
Cuba Libre has over 20 cocktails to choose from – from fruit-infused Mojitos ($30) to classics like a Sangria ($18) and Pina Coladas ($20). Drinks start from $8.50 during happy hour that runs until 8pm.
Image credit: @cubalibresg
The food menu has authentic Cuban mains like the Signature Ropa Vieja ($28) a slow-stewed pulled beef dish drizzled with tomato sauce served with black beans, herbs and rice. For small bites, you can’t go wrong with the Albóndigas de La Abuela ($14), a meatball dish right out of the Cuban chef’s grandma’s recipe book, or Beef Empanadas ($14).
Image credit: @cubalibresg
Address: 3B River Valley Road, Clarke Quay Block B, #01-13, Singapore 179021
Opening hours: Sun-Fri 6pm-3am | Sat 6pm-4am
Telephone: 8418 0203
Image credit: @wispiration
If you find yourself in Haji Lane looking for a spot to chill with your drinking kakis, make your way up a narrow flight of stairs at 55-57A Haji Lane. You’ll arrive at Bar Stories, an artisanal cocktail joint hidden in a shophouse.
But here’s the catch – there’s no drinks menu.
This might be bad news for those who like sticking to safe options, but Bar Stories is for those who are a little adventurous. Just tell the bartenders what you feel like drinking or your preferred flavours, and they’ll come up with a unique concoction just for you.
Image credit: @thesquarebox__
Tip: Try to get a seat by the bar so you can watch as the bartenders work their magic.
Address: 55-57A Haji Lane, Singapore 189248
Opening hours: Wed-Thu 5.30pm-11.30pm | Fri-Sat 5.30pm-12am | Sun 5.30pm-11.30pm (Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays)
Telephone: 6298 0838
Image credit: @__eeffoc
We heard Piedra Negra is the to-go place for authentic Mexican cuisine and some of the best margaritas in Singapore. They’re pretty affordable too, at $15/glass – and you can choose to have them frozen or shaken.
Image credit: @midorilime
Otherwise, the menu has practically every type of cocktail or spirit you can think of – and you can’t go wrong with cheap house pours that start from $10. Pair ‘em with delicious quesadillas (from $11.90), tacos (from $12.90) or traditional ceviche ($13.90).
Image credit: @m_is_for_mian
In case you didn’t know, Piedra Negra is also the sister bar of Blu Jaz Cafe which is best known for its live jazz music and uproarious comedy nights.
Address: 241 Beach Road, Singapore 189753
Opening hours: 12pm-12am, Daily
Telephone: 9199 0610
Image credit: @gibsonbarsg
Who says late night bars can’t also be fancy? Gibson is a classy AF establishment for the true MVPs. After all, it’s named after an exquisite cocktail that’s essentially a martini garnished with – wait for it – a pickled onion.
Image adapted from: @gibsonbarsg, @gibsonbarsg
If pickled onions aren’t your thing, there are other unique concoctions that may be more up your alley. Jodhpur Cola ($25) is a refreshing tipple that uses South Asian flavours like vetiver tincture and betel nut. Jeju-Do Blazer ($25), inspired by Korea’s Jeju Island, is infused with burnt mandarin orange juice.
Image credit: @gibsonbarsg
But here’s the real star of the show: fresh oysters ($7 each) that are air flown in daily from places like New Zealand and USA. Oyster happy hour runs from 4pm-6.30pm on weekdays, where you can get them at $3+ each.
Address: 20 Bukit Pasoh Road, 2nd Floor, Singapore 089834
Opening hours: Sun-Thu 6pm-12am | Fri 6pm-2am
Telephone: 9114 8385
Image credit: @lenoirsg
Most would think that drinking at MBS is heavy on the wallet – and they’re not wrong. But there’s one bar along the stretch by the promenade where you can live the bougie life on a budget. At Le Noir, you can get drinks from $9 during happy hour from 4pm-7pm.
Image credit: @lenoirsg
This is also one of the rare late night bars that’s open every day of the week. But wait, it gets better: there’s a live band playing every night, and banging DJ sets on Friday and Saturday evenings till the bar closes – all while you admire the view of Marina Bay.
Address: 2 Bayfront Avenue, #01-84, Singapore 018972
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 4pm-1am | Fri 4pm-2am | Sat 12pm-2am | Sun 12pm-1am
Telephone: 8684 2122
Le Noir Live Music Lounge website
Employees Only hails from New York.
Image credit: Employees Only Singapore
Ask for a speakeasy bar recommendation and it probably won’t be long before Employees Only is name-dropped. You’ll find the entrance obscured by velvet curtains with a red neon sign that reads “psychic”
Cocktail connoisseurs will love its menu of classics from its New York counterpart – think the Mata Hari ($25), made with cognac, chai-infused vermouth and pomegranate juice.
Image credit: @employeesonlysg
From Sundays to Thursdays, aperitivo hours are from 4pm-7pm, and you can order $10 house pours and $18 cocktails.
Address: 112 Amoy Street, Singapore 069932
Opening hours: Sun-Fri 5pm-1am | Sat 5pm-2am
Telephone: 6221 7357
Image credit: @addielow
Taboo is an iconic gay bar that used to occupy a shophouse along Neil Road for 16 years. If you’ve been here, you’ll know that it’s famed for its lively parties that go on till the break of dawn. The bar moved out of its former home during the pandemic but has since found new, albeit smaller, digs in Duxton.
But Taboo has always been a safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies – so it’s still pumping with life especially during weekends.
Image credit: @taboo_sg
You can get drinks from $8 during happy hour that goes on till 7.30pm – perfectly paired with Thai-inspired mains like Thai Stir Fried Basil Pork ($13) and Green Curry Chicken ($13). If you’re feeling just slightly peckish, fuel up on some bar bites like the Spring Rolls ($13) or Grilled Pork Skewers ($18).
Address: 57 Duxton Road, Singapore 089521
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 5.30pm-12am (Closed on Sundays)
Telephone: 8518 2181
Adapted from: @livetwicesg, @livetwicesg
At Live Twice, you would think you’ve transported yourself to 1960s Japan as it’s inspired by Tokyo’s bars that opened during the postwar economic boom. You’ll need to keep a look out for the entrance – it’s tucked behind another restaurant, Humpback.
Image credit: @livetwicesg
The bar itself is rather aesthetic, decked in plywood, subtle warm hues and modern mid-century furniture – the ideal setting to appreciate the carefully crafted cocktails. Coffee lovers need to try the Golden Butterfly ($25), made with waqar pisco, cold brew coffee, grape and verjus. Otherwise, the Drops of Dew ($25) is great for those with a sweet tooth.
Cocktails are priced at $15 during happy hour from 6pm-7.30pm.
Image credit: @livetwicesg
Don’t leave without trying the sandos on the menu. Carnivores will happily devour the Wagyu Katsu Sando ($44), while the Ebi & Corn Katsu Sando ($28) is also highly raved about.
Address: 18-20 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089834
Opening hours: Sun-Thu 6pm-12am | Fri-Sat 6pm-2am (Closed on Tuesdays)
Telephone: 9011 8304
Those looking for a place to hang out until the wee hours of the morning have plenty of options in Singapore. Whether you’re craving live music, want to treat yourself to something fancy or just looking to hit up the coolest spots in town, this list will come in handy.
Bookmark these best bars for your next night out, whether you’re catching up with friends you haven’t met for ages or planning a romantic evening with bae.
These bars can get pretty busy, especially during weekends – so remember to make a booking before heading down.
For more bar and dining features:
Cover image adapted from: Skinny’s Lounge, @livetwicesg, @gibsonbarsg, @addielow
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