Best Bars in Singapore 2019

Best Bars in Singapore 2019 | Food For Thought

Singapore Bars: The Best Bars in Singapore

Singapore is world renown for having some of the best bars in the world. With some of the most talented bartenders gracing the city, Singapore bars offer a plethora of experiences, from luxurious hotel bars to unique concepts of experimental concoctions. With a continuous effort to elevate their bar scene, and so many making the top 10 at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars, we take a look at some of our favourites.

Singapore is considered to be one of the top world cities when it comes to bars, with many making an impact on an international level. Being a city of heavy tourist traffic, it’s understandable that its bar industry shakes up every three to six months with new bars popping up left, right, centre. Here, we have listed some of our favourite bars in Singapore offering a range of experiences. We also wanted to state that this list is not made in any specific order and is not exhaustive.

28 HongKong Street | Courtesy of Vulcan Post | Best Bars in Singapore 2019 | Food For ThoughtCourtesy of Vulcan Post

28 HongKong Street

28 HongKong Street is easily a great example of a great speakeasy bar. Located on, you guessed it, 28 HongKong Street near Clarke Quay, the bar is one of the most popular not only amongst the local community, but also the bar industry with accolades as being consistently within the rankings of Asia’s 50 Best Bars. Do try their twisted classic Bourbon Old Fashioned, but if you’re really lucky, get them to make you a bespoke drink. With a pour of at least 45ml for a single shot, you’re definitely going to have a good night.

No. 21, Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019
Top 10, Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019

28 HongKong Street
28, Hongkong Street,
Singapore 059667
+65 8318 0328

ATLAS Bar | Best Bars in Singapore 2019 | Food For Thought

ATLAS Bar

Atlas is easily one of the most recognisable bars in the world, with its amazing art deco aesthetics. The gin bar is known for having one of the best gin selections in the country, and is located at Parkview Square. Do make a visit to this bar that consistently ranks in the top 10 of the World’s 50 Best Bars. Try their decadent ATLAS French 75 and their signature ATLAS Martini, made with champagne vinegar.

 No. 8, The World’s 50 Best Bars 2019
No. 5, Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019
Top 4, Specialist Concept Of The Year (Gin), The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, Rising Star (Sylvia Shu Yi Chong), The Bar Awards Singapore 2019

ATLAS Bar
600, North Bridge Road,
Parkview Square,
Singapore 188778
+65 6396 4466

IB HQ Bar Singapore | Best Bars in Singapore 2019 | Food For Thought

IB HQ

IBHQ is quite new but has garnered quite the following from its short time. The reason for this is that the bar is owned by Indigenous Bartender Kemil Fontan, who takes his drinks to the next level. A magician on the rotavap, some of the more interesting cocktails there would be the Maharaja, made from curry gin and jackfruit bitters, and the Lassi Collins, made from green mango gin, vanilla yoghurt and curry.

50 Best Discovery
Top 4, Creative Cocktail Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, New Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019

IB HQ
774A, North Bridge Road,
Singapore 198742
+65 9152 4550

Employees Only Singapore | Courtesy of Wayfarer | Best Bars in Singapore 2019 | Food For ThoughtCourtesy of Wayfarer

Employees Only Singapore

This hidden bar is located Telok Ayer and is known in industry as a high-volume bar. They are most known for their free pouring, meaning that their bartenders do not use jiggers to measure their shots, all done merely by sight. Some of their signatures include their EO Gimlet, made with their own EO lime cordial, and the mezcal based Ready To Fire.

No. 41, Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019
Top 4, Restaurant Bar Of The Year Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, Hospitality Team Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, Bartender Of The Year (Jiawei Bai), The Bar Awards Singapore 2019

Employees Only Singapore
112, Amoy Street,
Singapore 069932
+65 6221 7357

Idlewild Bar | Best Bars in Singapore 2019 | Food For Thought

Idlewild

Idlewild is great not just in terms of concept but flavours. The idea is that each drink is inspired by a location based on its airport. The menu is elegantly curated, try the Berbere Smash, a Moroccan tea inspired bourbon cocktail and the Cross of Lorraine, for the Pierre Ferrand classy cognac fans.

Top 4, Hotel Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 4, New Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019

Idlewild
Lobby Level,
InterContinental Singapore,
80, Middle Road,
Singapore 188966
+65 6825 1045

Jigger & Pony | Courtesy of Underscore Magazine | Best Bars in Singapore 2019 | Food For ThoughtCourtesy of Underscore Magazine

Jigger & Pony

Jigger & Pony has become a household name when it comes to best bars not only in Singapore but the world. This beautiful bar is located within the Amara Hotel and has won countless accolades, even taking the title of Bar Of The Year at The Bar Awards Singapore 2019. Do give their Negroni a try but if you’re feeling cheeky the Mango Hazelnut Daiquiri made with Clairin rhum isn’t bad either.

No. 29, The World’s 50 Best Bars 2019
No. 9, Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019
Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, Rising Star (Joash Conceicao), The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 4, Hospitality Ambassador Of The Year (Gan Guo Yi), The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 4, Hospitality Ambassador Of The Year (Jerrold Khoo), The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 4, Hospitality Team Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 4, Bartender Of The Year (Jerrold Khoo), The Bar Awards Singapore 2019

Jigger & Pony
Amara Hotel,
165, Tanjong Pagar Road,
Singapore 088539
+65 9621 1074

Junior Pacifica | Best Bars in Singapore 2019 | Food For Thought

Junior “The Pocket Bar”

Junior has easily one of the most unique concepts, in that it is changed about every 6 to 8 months. From Pacifica celebrating the 1920’s tiki bar culture, to the Petite Chalet with concoctions based on 1940s-1950s alpine-inspired, it gives a completely different experience if you visit Singapore every couple of months. Some cocktails that were previously on the menu include the Return of the Jiangshi, a mushroom infused rye-whiskey and their tiki-classic Zombie, both which aren’t on the menu any longer as they prep on their latest concept.

50 Best Discovery
Top 4, Rising Star (Mark Ng), The Bar Awards Singapore 2019

Junior “The Pocket Bar”
43, Tanjong Pagar Road,
Singapore 088464
+65 8121 1462

Manhattan Bar | Courtesy of Lifestyle Asia | Best Bars in Singapore 2019 | Food For ThoughtCourtesy of Lifestyle Asia

Manhattan

The Manhattan bar at the Regent Singapore needs no introductions, as they have won countless accolades from being the Best Bar in Asia at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars countless times to receiving the Legends of the List in 2019. They are famous for their classics, but their own aged products are some of their most known. Do try their namesake Manhattan cocktail and their Solera-aged Negroni.

No. 11, The World’s 50 Best Bars 2019
No. 2, Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019
Legends of the List, Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019
Hotel Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 4, Hospitality Team Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 4, Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, Hospitality Ambassador Of The Year (Gabriel Carlos), The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, Bartender Of The Year (Sophie Kang), The Bar Awards Singapore 2019

Manhattan
Level 2,
Regent Singapore,
1 Cuscaden Road,
Singapore 249715
+65 6725 3377

MO Bar Mandarin Oriental Singapore | Best Bars in Singapore 2019 | Food For Thought

MO BAR

MO BAR is the signature bar by Mandarin Oriental hotels across the globe, with some of their MO BARs being highly successful, and MO BAR Singapore is one of them. The bar programme takes you on a journey across Asia in a cocktail glass, and is currently in its version 2.0. Do lookout for their recommended guava-Agricole based Harvest Queen, and their oolong-whisky based Comfort.

50 Best Discovery
Top 4, Hotel Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 4, New Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, Hospitality Ambassador Of The Year (Michele Mariotti), The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, Creative Cocktail Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019

MO BAR
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore,
5 Raffles Avenue,
Singapore 039797
+65 6885 3500

Native Bar | Courtesy of City Nomads | Best Bars in Singapore 2019 | Food For ThoughtCourtesy of City Nomads

Native

Located on Amoy street, this bar is famous for carrying local inspired alcohol from across Asia and has some of the most sustainable practices in the world. They grow their own garnishes and have also placed at the World’s and Asia’s 50 Best Bars. They have taken home the title of Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award, The World’s 50 Best Bars 2019 as well as winning the Creative Cocktail Bar Of The Year at the Bar Awards Singapore 2019. Some recommended cocktails would be the Peranakan, made from a jackfruit rum and the Oysters From Mubin, made from oyster distillate and kampot pepper.

 No. 12, The World’s 50 Best Bars 2019
Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award, The World’s 50 Best Bars 2019
No. 4, Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019
Creative Cocktail Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 4, Specialist Concept Of The Year (Regionality), The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 4, Hospitality Ambassador Of The Year (Vijay Mudaliar), The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 4, Bartender Of The Year (Vijay Mudaliar), The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, Bartender Of The Year (Leon Tan), The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, Rising Star (Yong Wei Chong), The Bar Awards Singapore 2019

Native
52A, Amoy Street,
Singapore 069878
+65 8869 6520

Neon Pigeon | Best Bars in Singapore 2019 | Food For Thought

Neon Pigeon

Neon Pigeon is an amazing restaurant bar for those who like a mix of neon Tokyo with industrial slate aesthetics. The restaurant bar serves unique modern Japanese fare, and has a cocktail menu to match. Try their Tokyo Hummus made from edamame, their Teared Negroni, a rosemary infused sake umeshu negroni, and the completely exquisite Ciao Bartender, complete with frenet branca and and sparkling coconut lychee.

50 Best Discovery
Top 4, Restaurant Bar Of The Year Bar Awards Singapore 2019

 Neon Pigeon
1A, Keong Saik Road,
Singapore 089109
+65 6222 3623

Operation Dagger | Courtesy of Worlds Best Bars | Best Bars in Singapore 2019 | Food For ThoughtCourtesy of Worlds Best Bars

Operation Dagger

Operation Dagger is also one of Singapore’s more prominent bars, winning countless awards. Located on a corner underground in Ang Siang Hill, do ask around for directions. Give their Orange Wine, a fermented orange, rock melon and carrot concoction and their signature The Egg, a blend of slated egg yolk and rum.

No. 30, The World’s 50 Best Bars 2019
No. 22, Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019
Top 4, Creative Cocktail Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
 

Operation Dagger
7, Ann Siang Hill,
Singapore 069791
+65 6438 4057

Smoke & Mirrors | Best Bars in Singapore 2019 | Food For Thought

Smoke & Mirrors

Smoke & Mirrors is located at the National Gallery and has a stunning view of the Marina Bay Sands. What’s great about this place is the bar programme, with creative cocktails using unique flavours such as Picasso’s Pencil, made from smoky agave and has the flavour of distilled pencil wood. The Robbery At The Museum, a modern twist on the Singapore Sling, uses variations of cherry in its mix.

Top 10, Creative Cocktail Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019

Smoke & Mirrors
1, St. Andrew’s Road,
National Gallery Singapore,
Singapore 178957
+65 9380 6313

Tippling Club | Courtesy of World Gourmet Summit | Best Bars in Singapore 2019 | Food For ThoughtCourtesy of World Gourmet Summit

Tippling Club

Tippling Club is arguably one of Singapore’s most famous restaurant bars, with a Michelin recommendation under its belt as well as placing consistently at Asia’s 50 Best Bars. They also won the Restaurant Bar Of The Year Bar Awards Singapore 2019, only further emphasising this point. Try the White Truffle in Winter, made from orange blossoms, popcorn and truffle, and the Tippling Zombie, their take on the tiki classic.

No. 11, Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019
Restaurant Bar Of The Year Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 4, Creative Cocktail Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, Bar Of The Year Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, Bartender Of The Year (Andrew Loudon), The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019

Tippling Club
38, Tanjong Pagar Road,
Singapore 088461
+65 6475 2217

The Old Man Singapore | Courtesy of Her World | Best Bars in Singapore 2019 | Food For ThoughtCourtesy of Her World

The Old Man Singapore

Technically a new comer to the Singapore bar scene, the overseas child of The Old Man Hong Kong has been making an impact on the local scene. Already ranking at the World’s 50 Best Bars in 2019 as well as the Hospitality Ambassador Of The Year and New Bar of Year at The Bar Awards Singapore, you can see why this bar named after a Hemmingway classic is a must visit. Try The Sun Also Rises #1926, a twist on the negroni and the Snow of Kilimanjaro #1936, a lacto-fermented raspberry based cocktail. One of the most affordable high quality bars in Singapore.

No. 38, The World’s 50 Best Bars 2019
Hospitality Ambassador Of The Year (Andrew Yap), The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
New Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 4, Hospitality Team Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 4, Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, Bar Of The Year Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, Creative Cocktail Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Singapore 2019
Top 10, Rising Star (Kaustubh Singh Negi), The Bar Awards Singapore 2019 

The Old Man Singapore
55, Keong Saik Road,
Singapore 089158
Phone: +65 6909 5505

For our related series, see our Best Bars.

Nicholas Ng

Nicholas Ng is a restaurant critic and drinks writer and is the editor of independent publication Food For Thought. He has been a freelance journalist for the 15 years and has previously worked as a lawyer and in digital marketing. He currently is the Principal Consultant of A Thought Full Consultancy, a food and beverage marketing consultancy.