A Local's Guide to the Coolest Cocktail Bars in Singapore

The cocktail bar scene in Singapore is absolutely booming, with cool new places opening their doors all the time. Whether you're in the mood to sample the city's hottest new gin bar or prefer to drink with a view at a rooftop bar, there are so many must-try establishments that it can honestly be overwhelming to choose.

If you're on a quest to experience the best cocktail bars Singapore has to offer, you're in the right place. From hidden speakeasies to the home of the original Singapore Sling, you're going to have a blast sipping and socialising your way through the best cocktail bars in Singapore.

If you want to drink at Cat Bite Club, you'll have to find this speakeasy-style bar first. Start by making your way to Duxton Road in the historic Duxton Hill area. Once you're there, track down the neon-red Cat Bite Club sign on the side of Monument Coffee, step inside the coffee shop, peel back the heavy grey curtains, and you have arrived.

After all that wayfinding, you're probably in need of a drink. Luckily, this hip Singapore cocktail bar focuses on Mexican agave and Asian rice spirits. You'll want to start with their signature drinks, with the Cat Bite Margarita representing the agave section and the Soju Sprint highlighting the rice section. After that, peruse the rest of the menu, which features a classic cocktail on each page, as well as two spin-offs of each classic prepared with either agave or rice spirits, of course.

Nutmeg & Clove is all about celebrating Singapore's heritage. Perusing the menu here is a little bit like reading a book dedicated to the history of this city-state, taking you on a journey from colonial times to the modern day.

Choose the Soul Nourishing cocktail and you'll learn about the history of the Teck Yin Soon Chinese Medical Hall while sipping on a delightful mix of Roku Gin, absinthe, goji berry, spiced pear, and papaya milk. Or opt for the Yeast Side Best Side, which pays homage to Bunnies Singapore's buttery buns.

The cocktails here are as creative as they come. There's a reason why Nutmeg & Clove is consistently voted one of "Asia’s 50 Best Bars".

Perched right above Nutmeg & Clove, Last Word is the perfect spot for an intimate date night. With its minimalist interior, this Japanese-style bar focuses meticulously on its classic cocktails and simple Japanese dishes.

You'll choose your cocktail based on your mood. For example, order a Morning Glory Fizz to relax, sip a Pornstar Martini to celebrate, or sample a Tuxedo No.2 to reminisce. That being said, this place does a killer Bloody Mary with Haku Vodka and a dash of wasabi.

If you're feeling peckish, the food is prepared with as much precision as their cocktails. Not sure what to order? Their Tonkatsu Sando is out of this world.

If you find yourself exploring Haji Lane and in need of a tipple, pop into Bar Stories. This intimate establishment got its start in 2010 as the very first artisanal cocktail bar in Singapore.

One of the coolest things about Bar Stories is that there's no cocktail menu. Instead, you'll just have a quick chat with the bartender and they'll mix something up that will undoubtedly tantalise your taste buds and your Instagram feed. If you want to make a meal out of it, you can also order Japanese and Middle Eastern dishes, like Seaweed Chicken Tsukune and Kibbeh Nayyeh, off the Habibi-san menu.

Gin aficionados will love sipping their way through the cocktail menu at beGIN. You'll find this speakeasy-inspired gin bar hidden away above The Penny Black in Boat Quay. The menu here is long and features gin-infused concoctions from the citrusy Limone with egg white to the Blood Orange Mezcal Negroni to the Komasa with mint syrup and matcha soda.

Need something to soak up the cocktails? The food menu has comforting global bar bites and mains, from mini fish and chips and nacho melts to pork belly fried rice and cottage pie.

You'll get serious mid-century modern Japan vibes the second you step inside Live Twice. Pair the swanky decor with creative cocktails and Japanese-Western fusion fare, and you've got one of the coolest cocktail bars in Singapore. It doesn't hurt that this place was the brainchild of the folks behind Jigger & Pony, which consistently makes the "Asia’s 50 Best Bars" list.

Inspired by the lyrics from Nancy Sinatra’s hit “You Only Live Twice”, the menu is split into two sections: "One Life for Yourself" and "One for Your Dreams". Expect inventive cocktails like the Lucky Courage with bourbon, mango and chilli liqueur, and peated whisky or the Cacao Fizz with rum, cacao, lemon juice, and prosecco.

The food menu here is impossible to resist, and you should definitely order one of their famous sandos. Although you'll have trouble deciding between the Wagyu Katsu Sando and the Tomago Katsu Sando.

Hidden away in Telok Ayer, Bitters & Love comes alive at night in the same location as Shoebox Canteen. The thing that makes Bitters & Love stand out from other cocktail bars in Singapore is that all the bitters are made in-house. The fact that their creations are both delicious and Insta-worthy is an added perk.

The cocktails here are a work of art with a strong emphasis on seasonal ingredients. You'll always find funky new items on offer, from the Kaya Toast Cocktail served with a piece of Kaya Toast on top to the Pistachio Martini and Guava Gin Rose. If you're feeling adventurous, just leave it up to one of the talented bartenders to mix up something totally new and unique.

Singapore has no shortage of cool speakeasies but The Hidden Story is one of the best. You'll find this gem of a bar inside the Stirling Steaks steakhouse. Hint: You'll find the entrance through the restaurant's freezer door.

Once you get inside this Katong speakeasy, you'll feel like you're in Prohibition-era America instead of modern-day Singapore. House specialities include the Chendology, a boozy twist on the popular local dessert; Nyonya Rose, a combination of gin, Campari, and smoked thyme; and Mangorama with smoked rosemary. But they do excellent classic cocktails too.

No list of the best cocktail bars in Singapore would be complete without mentioning Long Bar. This is the birthplace of the Singapore Sling, which was first mixed at Raffles Singapore in 1915.

If you've never had a Singapore Sling before, it's a glorious concoction of gin, cherry liqueur, curaçao, grenadine, pineapple juice, lime juice, and Angostura bitters. It's basically a alcohlic fruit punch. It's an ideal reprieve from the hot and humid Singapore weather.

The list of the best cocktail bars in Singapore is vast and varied. Some of the top options are Last Word by Jigger & Pony, Nutmeg & Clove, Bitters & Love, and Cat Bite Club. But really, there are impressive new cocktail bars popping up all the time in Singapore.

The best places to visit bars in Singapore are Clarke Quay, Boat Quay, Telok Ayer, Keong Saik, and Haji Lane, to name a few options.

If you're wondering whether cocktail bars in Singapore have a dress code, it depends. Many establishments do not have firm dress codes but shorts, flip-flops, and activewear may very well get you turned away from Singapore's swankier cocktail bars. When in doubt, a smart-casual outfit should do the trick.

When it comes to finding speakeasies and hidden bars in Singapore, you won't have to look too hard. You'll find the speakeasy-style beGIN hidden away above The Penny Black in Boat Quay, while The Hidden Story can be found behind the freezer door of a steakhouse in Katong and Cat Bite Club is located behind the curtains inside Monument Coffee on Duxton Road.

You'll find rooftop bars in Singapore all around the CBD. Some of the most well-known rooftop bars in Singapore are CÉ LA VI, LeVeL33, SKAI, Mr. Stork, and Southbridge. If you're looking for the best cocktail bars in Singapore with a view, these spots have got you covered.

Wondering where to stay in Singapore? Mercure Singapore Bugis puts you right in the heart of the Bugis area and within walking distance of cocktail bars like Bar Stories on Haji Lane, Nutmeg & Clove, and Long Bar, home of the Singapore Sling.

Plus, you'll be a five-minute walk from the Bugis MRT, making getting to all of the other cocktail bars on this list a breeze. When you're not sipping your way through Singapore's best cocktail bars, you'll appreciate the hotel's heritage - inspired rooms, infinity lap pool, 24-hour gym, and three on-site food and beverage outlets.