Singapore’s drinking scene is flourishing, and it’s all too easy to go bar-hopping all night. It’s home to some of the best bars in Asia (even the world), and with hotspots like Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Holland Village all abuzz till the wee hours every weekend, you can’t accuse the Lion City of being boring.
What sweetens the pot here are the plethora of happy hour promotions available, with popular hangouts like Jigger & Pony and Loof offering some of the most attractive deals. Here are eight bars you should check out for wallet-friendly pours.
1. Jigger & Pony
The bar: Historically, Amoy Street was populated by opium dens. Today, it’s home to a dizzying array of hip bars like Jigger & Pony, a favourite with the nearby working crowd since opening in 2012 and a mainstay on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list. Its polished, dark wood counter lends old-world charm, and its drinks come with a vintage twist. The bar will shutter at its current location at the end of July 2018; however, it is slated to reopen at nearby hotel Amara Singapore in early September.
The deal: From 6pm to 8pm daily, enjoy a selection of beer, spritzes, wines and cocktails starting at S$12.
101 Amoy St
2. Long Chim
The bar: Adventurous types should make a beeline for the bar at Thai restaurant Long Chim. The cocktail menu celebrates Southeast Asian ingredients in intriguing, flavourful ways, which you can savour while admiring the colourful wall murals.
The deal: From 5:30pm to 8pm daily, enjoy a selection of Thai-inspired cocktails at S$10++ each. Beers are priced similarly, while wines are $14++. On Tuesdays from 6pm to 9pm, you can order the signature 555 cocktail (a mix of gin, vermouth, coriander and cucumber) at half-price (the usual price is S$22).
#02-02 Atrium 2, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave
3. Loof
The bar: Located in the artsy Bras Basah enclave, this rooftop bar has a distinctly local air – think cocktails served in plastic drink bags (the kind you see at Singapore’s ubiquitous coffeeshops), and dishes that put a creative spin on classics like chilli crab.
The deal: On weeknights, grab house pour beers, wines and spirits at S$5++ each from 5pm to 5:59pm, S$6++ from 6pm to 6:59pm, and S$7++ from 7pm to 7:59pm.
#03-07 Odeon Towers, North Bridge Rd
4. Mad Men Attic Bar
The bar: This industrial-chic rooftop bar may be surrounded by shiny skyscrapers, but that doesn’t dampen its party-loving spirit. With live music performances and DJs on daily rotation, it’s the perfect destination for those who prefer a livelier atmosphere.
The deal: Every Monday and Tuesday, guests enjoy 1-for-1 drinks all night long. On Ladies’ Night every Wednesday, women get 1-for-1 house pour spirits or house wines.
#03-02, 11 North Canal Rd
5. OverEasy Fullerton
The bar: A modern take on the classic American diner, OverEasy Fullerton boasts chequered red-and-white floor tiles and classic booth seating. Unsurprisingly, its menu comprises comforting all-American fare (think burgers, macaroni and cheese, and chicken and waffles). But its biggest draw is arguably its expansive alfresco section, which offers unbeatable views of the Marina Bay skyline.
The deal: Enjoy 1-for-1 house pour spirits, house wines and draft beers from 5pm to 8pm on weekdays.
#01-06 One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Rd
6. No. 5 Emerald Hill
The bar: This beloved drinking institution in the heart of Orchard Road is full of cultural references, from the intricate Peranakan-style wood carvings on its walls to the red Chinese lanterns hanging above the bar counter. The best way to drink here is with free-flow servings of peanuts – you can officially make a mess by dumping the peanut shells directly onto the floor.
The deal: Happy hour runs from 12pm to 9pm daily, with S$8 house pours and S$10 house wines. Stay for the 1-for-1 martini special, which runs from 9pm to 1am daily.
5 Emerald Hill Rd
7. The Black Swan
The bar: For a taste of swanky 1920s glamour, there’s no better place than The Black Swan. Housed in the former Kwangtung Provincial Bank, its Art Deco-style digs – marble-topped counter, plush furniture and soaring ceilings – are impressive to behold. The outdoor patio is a happy hour hotspot kitted out with fairy lights and vine-covered trellises.
The deal: Drinks – house pours, house wines and draft beers – are S$9 and oysters are S$2 apiece (while stocks last) on weekdays, between 5pm and 8pm.
19 Cecil St
8. The Green Door
The bar: Steal away for some peace and quiet at this lush garden bar in the upscale Dempsey Hill area. With many options for outdoor seating – either Parisian bistro-style or at a covered veranda – it’s an ideal location for a romantic tête-à-tête.
The deal: From 5pm to 8pm daily, enjoy 50% off the drink of the moment, half-pints of draught beers and selected house pour wines and spirits.
13A Dempsey Rd
