Singapore: our favourite bars
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Singaporean nights are balmy and long, and the city punches above its weight when it comes to bars. We share some of our favourites.
Whether you’re into gin (who isn’t?), drinks with a view, or a cracking glass of wine, there’s somewhere fabulous to wet your whistle.
We’ve selected six of our favourites (and, yes, we’ve done the on-the-ground research) and we think you’ll love them too. Then we’ve popped in another few that come highly recommended and that are firmly on our list for our next jaunt to Singapore.
Canberra Airport has daily international flights to Singapore with Singapore Airlines—the world’s most awarded airlines recently voted Best Airline in the World by TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice 2019—and it’s just an eight-hour flight away. Whether you want to explore these bars at your leisure over a week—or pack them into an epic bar crawl in one long weekend—you’re sure to find your perfect bolthole.
Atlas
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Singapore’s Atlas is like the Taj Mahal of gin bars. And by that, we mean, faaaancy. And it has literally just been named the eighth best bar in the world (and the best in Asia) in the World’s 50 Best Bars (you’ll have to travel to the Americas or Europe for the top seven).
It’s an overwhelming 7,400 metres of Art Deco-inspired space, containing lounge areas, seated bars and, best of all, the world’s largest gin selection, stretching 20 shelves up.
So ornate and cavernous is the bar, so luxurious is every bar stool, so beautiful every flower arrangement that you could be overwhelmed. Then someone hands you a gin menu that takes both hands to hold (it’s more like a telephone book), containing more than 1000 of the world’s best gins, and, well, you might need a drink before you even get started.
When HerCanberra visited in August, we immediately scanned the menu for our own very special French Earl Grey Gin which was made in collaboration with The Canberra Distillery. We knew an order had been made and our gin was on its way to sit alongside some of the most revered gin the world has ever know (such as the Welsh Dyfi Distillery Pollination Gin, which is the product of botanicals foraged from the UNESCO-recognised Dygi Biosphere Reserve thank you very much).
Devastatingly, it was not yet on the shelves, and we missed out on the opportunity to take what surely would have been one of the proudest Instagram posts of our lives. Lucky we could console ourselves with another fine gin—and it was lovely. Even more lovely were the lobster rolls we ordered to accompany our drinks.
No trip to Singapore would be complete without visiting this shrine to the humble juniper berry (from whence all gin springs forth). We will bring you that Insta shot next year when we return…
600 North Bridge Road, Parkview Square Singapore | atlasbar.sg
6 Grey Bar
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Not to be perturbed, we headed out the next night to 6 Grey Bar—a smaller but very hip bar located on the very food and eat street of Jiak Chuan Road.
We spotted our gin on a row of shelves across the bar and may have had a little tear of pride. Joe, the bar owner, was excited to meet us and immediately poured us a French Early Grey gin and tonic with a slice of lemon and a rosemary sprig.
It went down a treat. The jazz music flowed and Joe provided an endless stream of information on gin and Singapore in general as we tried a few more of his suggested cocktails. We could have stayed all night.
6 Jiak Chuan Road, Singapore | 6grey.sg
Lantern Bar
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There are no shortage of amazing views in Singapore, but this would have to be one of the best.
Perched on the rooftop of the stunning Fullerton Bay Hotel, you are living your best life when lounging waterside at Lantern—drink in hand—listening to languid tunes from live DJs.
We booked a table for 6:30 pm which meant we could watch the sun go down and Marina Bay Sands light up in all its glory, but if you’re keen to settle in, Happy Hour runs between 11 am and 6 pm every day and there’s a cracking good snacks (and more) menu.
80 Collyer Quay, Singapore | fullertonhotels.com
Long Bar, Raffles
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A Singapore Sling at Raffles’ Long Bar is kinda one of those clichéd touristy things you feel semi-foolish for doing, but we did it anyway!
We rocked up mid-afternoon rather than after-dark, en route to a Singaporean cooking class (which may account for the less-than-stellar Chilli Crab sauce we dished up), and were surprised to see pretty much every other Australian tourist in Singapore doing the same.
Ok, I exaggerate, but there was a queue and it probably took us a good 20 minutes to get a table and another 15 to get a drink.
But the drinks were tasty, the bar a slice of plantation life, and the peanut shells littering every surface somewhat curious (you’ll see what we mean if you go!)
A small tip—make sure you enter via the via the North Bridge Road entrance. We tried to come via the main entrance and spent a significant amount of time wandering the grounds of Raffles until we found a friendly staff member to show us the way.
Worth ticking off the bucket list.
Raffles Arcade, 328 North Bridge Rd, Singapore | raffles.com
The Green Door
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The truly wonderful thing about the Singapore bar scene is the diversity. In this selection of five bars alone, we have slick city bars, bars with wow-factor, and bars perfect for a laidback drink or two. The Green Door falls firmly into the latter category.
Located in the heart of the hip Dempsey Hill area—converted from colonial British army barracks—it’s surrounded by lush, tropical greenery.
Its interiors are quirky, the drinks playful, and the food menu perfect for a casual bite. Its proximity to some of Singapore’s best restaurants (we ate at Candlenut – amazing!) make it the perfect spot for a pre-dinner drink, too.
13A Dempsey Road, Singapore | theprivegroup.com.sg
28 HongKong Street
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You think Molly is tricky to find? Meet 28 HongKong Street. When our cab dropped us out front, we were like ‘eh? The bar is where?’
The antithesis to Lantern Bar, once inside you realise this isn’t a place to be seen, it’s a place for people who are serious about their cocktails.
Bartenders are knowledgeable and serve up a collection of beautifully-crafted classics as well as some truly creative creations. Bar snacks are simple but delicious and made to complement their liquid mates perfectly.
Unpretentious, warm and an experience you won’t forget in a hurry.
28 HongKong Street, Singapore | 28hks.com
Some we haven’t tried, but come highly recommended
Manhattan
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Toto, we’re not in Singapore anymore. Think plump Chesterfields, heavy drapes, a touch of old New York glamour and sophistication.
Coming in 11th in the World’s 50 Best Bars, Manhattan is inspired by the Golden Age of cocktails and fine drinking. It’s even home to the world’s first in-hotel rickhouse ( the storage space for whiskey barrels during the aging process—yes, we had to Google it), and boasts an amazing collection of house-made ingredients, and gourmet bar bites.
1 Cuscaden Rd, Level 2 Regent Singapore, Singapore | regenthotels.com
Level 33
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Billed as the world’s highest microbrewery, LeVeL33 boasts glorious views of Marina Bay, and some great locally-brewed beer—there’s an IPA, stout, wheat beer, house porter and blonde lager on the permanent menu.
Don’t expect your typical pub grub—the food has a reputation for being on another level (sorry). The ContemBrewery cuisine (clearly they also like a good pun) developed by Executive Chef ArChan integrates the beer brewing elements into the food—‘Oscietra’ Caviar Chawanmushi Shiitake, Wheat beer dashi, anyone?
8, #33-01 Marina Blvd, Tower 1 Marina Bay Financial Centre, Singapore | level33.com.sg
Zouk
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Feel like dancing? You’ve come to the right place. This superclub has been around for nearly 30 years, is ranked as the world’s third-best club, and can fit more than 2,600 partygoers!
The Zouk nightclub complex consists of one wine bar and four clubs, each with a different vibe, so you can choose your venue according to your mood. Head to the main dance hall for trance, techno and house music; Phuture for hip hop, R&B and urban music, or to the Velvet Underground – Lounge or Wine Bar for a slightly more chill experience.
The Cannery, 3C River Valley Road, Singapore | zoukclub.com
Ready to book your ticket?
Tempted by the thought of Singapore’s nightlife? The beauty of having a destination like Singapore leaving from your own doorstep every single night means you can go whenever the mood takes you. And competitive fares mean that it could even be cheaper than flights to one of Australia’s tropical locales.
Want to know what’s in store before you go? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.
When do flights leave?
Canberra Airport has daily international flights with Singapore Airlines, departing at 11:15pm each night. It’s perfectly timed so you can rock up in Singapore bright and early and ready to make the most of the full day ahead of you. Perhaps you could start that bar…er…research a little early?
What time should I get there?
The Singapore Airlines international check-in process is super quick and efficient. The International Departures Lounge opens two hours before each flight departs (9:15pm), so we recommend getting there around 9pm.
Given the flight time (and Canberra traffic in general), it’s an easy journey to the airport, and the terminal is less crowded than its larger city counterparts, meaning less queues and more time spent relaxing before your flight.
Is there an international lounge at Canberra Airport?
Oh yes indeedy! It’s rather lovely, actually—very spacious, lots of natural light, free Wi-Fi and plush, European furniture. You can also enjoy pre-flight snacks and drinks at the bar and even do a spot of shopping at Lotte Duty Free.
Can I park at the airport?
Yes, you can. And it’s cheaper than you think.
You can park from 3 pm Friday and exit before last flights on Sunday in one of the outdoor car parks for just $35—that’s cheaper than a couple of taxi fares or rideshare fares. If you need a little longer, take advantage of the long stay outdoor parking. Park for up to six weeks and you’ll only pay a capped amount of $175 (that’s only a little over $4 a day).
Or you can choose to park undercover with direct access to the terminal. Find out more at canberraairport.com.au
Do we clear Customs in Sydney on our return journey?
No, right here in Canberra, in a super-quick Customs process. Chances are you’ll be off the plane and collecting your baggage in about 15 mins (and most likely tucked up in bed before midnight!)
Bon voyage!
This article is presented in partnership with Canberra Airport.
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