Many of us are guilty of complaining that there’s nothing to do in Singapore, and we often use this as an excuse to enjoy a quick getaway in Johor Bahru or look for the next fun thing to do. But our recent visit to NOVA was a game-changer as this multisensory rooftop bar was truly something else.
Dubbed the highest rooftop bar in Singapore, NOVA is on the 63rd floor of One Raffles Place and offers an unobstructed panoramic view of the city. If you’re looking for rooftop bars in Singapore to enjoy a sky-high experience with good food and chill vibes, NOVA is one for the books.
Before we dive into the world of NOVA, here’s a quick guide to getting there: head to the 62nd floor of One Raffles Place, where the entrance of the rooftop bar HighHouse greets you.
There, you’ll see another lift that brings you up to NOVA. This hidden, secretive element piqued our curiosity even before we set foot into the rooftop bar, and as soon as the elevator door opened, we were in awe of how stunning the space was.
The first thing that grabbed our attention was this colossal, star-shaped steel sculpture in the air. Fun fact: this beautiful centrepiece named ASTRA was designed by light artist, Jun Ong, who is based in Kuala Lumpur. While the artwork can mean many things to different people, Jun created it to reflect the bustling, dynamic city vibes.
ASTRA is even more spectacular against the sunset, showcasing its vibrant colours best at night. Seeing it in real life, we could see why it’s the most popular spot for taking pictures.
The sky is – quite literally – the limit at NOVA, as the bar is perched 282m above ground. You get the best view of Marina Bay here as it overlooks all the iconic skyscrapers in Singapore.
If time permits, we recommend getting here in the evening to catch the sunset; taking a sip of their cocktail while gazing at the sunset offered us some respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The rooftop bar is cleverly separated into 2 levels, where you have the DJ booth playing all kinds of music genres on the lower level with occasional live performances. Fun fact, the furniture at the lower deck is actually modular. This means the space can be transformed into a dance floor for guests to get their boogie on.
No matter where you’re standing or sitting, the latest sound system allows you to enjoy the music in all its glory. For the latest updates on parties and events, as well as what DJs will be spinning, stay tuned to NOVA’s Instagram page.
After you’re done exploring the first level, climb a flight of stairs and you’ll get to the main seating area with plenty of bar stools. Pick your favourite spot to enjoy the view!
A night out with friends isn’t complete without some bites and drinks. NOVA comes through with an extensive range of cocktails, small bites, and even meals. From fresh oysters and Indonesian noodles to tom yum fries and churros, just name it and they probably have it.
If you’re indecisive like us, their Hot Platter ($98) is a great choice as you get 4 different options, which means there’s surely something that will tickle your fancy. Do note that the Hot Platter is only available from 6pm-9.30pm.
It comes with Grilled Spanish Octopus doused in Thai-spice dressing and a generous serving of Seasonal Vegetable Tempura, paired with sweet-spicy Szechuan garlic sauce.
Meat lovers will love the choice of platter comprising Slow Cooked Australian Lamb Ribs in a rack of 5, alongside 5 pieces of Crispy Chicken. The former is marinated in garlic and scallion XO sauce, while the latter is evenly coated in gochujang sauce drizzled with mayonnaise. We appreciated the side of sesame cabbage slaw as it helped to quell the heavy flavours.
Moving on to cocktails, we tried 3 of their unique creations: the Sticky Mango Highball ($20) was a collective favourite as it was reminiscent of a sweet fruit-flavoured beverage, and is a great choice for those who don’t fancy strong alcoholic drinks.
The Roselle ($22) tasted just as good as it looked—this tangy concoction features a winning combination of gin, sour roselle, sweet red vermouth, and soda. For something a little stronger, we recommend the Tobacco & Grain ($22), starring Haku vodka, and champagne. This drink strikes a good balance of spicy and woody notes, and the flavour grows on you the more you drink it.
NOVA is conveniently located in the CBD, and is within spitting distance of Raffles Place MRT Station. It opens till late, and the energy only intensifies as the night progresses.
So if you’re curious about what the highest rooftop bar in Singapore has to offer, gather your friends for an unforgettable night out this weekend!
This post was brought to you by NOVA.
Photography by Brad Lee.
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