There are no strangers when it comes to a night’s out in the Lion City, just friends you’ve yet to meet. If your love for human connection matches your appreciation of a good tipple, you should certainly check out these six bars that made the cut at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2018.
Manhattan
Dubbed the number one bar at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2018, Manhattan is a must-visit for cocktail connoisseurs and those craving a sophisticated vibe. A mix of old-school tunes, electro swing and indie hip-hop accompany top class service, a picture-perfect ambience to feed your Instagram, and cocktails whipped up by Singapore’s best bartenders.
The bar’s close proximity to Orchard Road—with its buskers, malls and year-round festive celebrations—makes it a great place to soak in the vibes and get social.
Regent Hotel. 1 Cuscaden Road Level 2, Singapore 249715. +65 6725 3377
Mon-Sat 5pm-1am; Sun noon-3pm, 5pm-1am.
ATLAS
World-class cocktails meet the aesthetics of Great Gatsby and the roaring 20s of America at ATLAS, housed within Parkview Square. Be sure to request for a gin-based cocktail while you’re here; ATLAS’ much-Instagrammed gin tower consists of over 1,000 labels to choose from.
Parkview Square. 600 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188778. +65 6396 6466.
Mon-Thu 10-1am; Fri 10-2am; Sat 3pm-2am.
NATIVE
A bar that focuses on creating cocktails made with locally foraged ingredients and products sourced from the region, NATIVE is the passion project of award-winning bartender Vijay Mudaliar. This establishment prides itself on playing music and hosting events featuring primarily Singaporean DJs and musicians. Situated in a precinct where old meets new, you should also explore and soak in the cultural and contemporary vibes while you are in the area.
NATIVE. 52 Amoy Street, Singapore 069878. +65 8869 6520.
Mon-Sat 6pm-midnight.
Tippling Club
Tippling Club delivers avant-garde cuisine along with its world-class cocktails. Chef-owner Ryan Clift is known to bring fun modern gastronomy to the table, while head bartender Joe Schofield has created the “sensorium menu”, a truly innovative and experimental cocktail menu, made up of gummy bears that allow visitors to choose the flavours that best suit their taste buds.
Tippling Club. 38 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088461. +65 6475 2217.
Mon-Sat noon-midnight.
Operation Dagger
Keep your eyes open for this basement bar at the corner of bustling Ann Siang Hill; the entrance is marked with a small crown and rectangle logo and a darkened staircase.
A mix of low-key electronic and hip-hop music makes it easy to have a laidback conversation at this venue, and visitors are guaranteed to have a unique, interactive experience as they explore the selection of drinks, consisting of house-made meads and special fermented concoctions.
Socialisers should definitely take the chance to try the omakase cocktail options, chosen for them specially by the bartender. Don’t be shy to sample each other’s drinks.
Operation Dagger. 7 Ann Siang Hill #B1-01, Singapore 069791. +65 6438 4057.
Tue-Sat 6pm-midnight.
Employees Only
A legacy bar that comes from the legendary Employees Only in Manhattan. This speakeasy has a tarot card reader on hand to tell your fortune, adding to its mysterious quality. The establishment’s music curator, DJ Blazes Boylan, serves up accessible international electronic music and upbeat tunes every night. You don’t have to believe in psychics to know that friendship is on the cards at this establishment.
Employees Only. 112 Amoy Street, Singapore 069932. +65 6221 7357.
Mon-Fri, Sun 5pm-1am; Sat 5pm-2am.