Drink Happy Thoughts: 10 Bars in Singapore With More Than Just Good Food
Good food? Check. Great entertainment? Check. Fantastic company? Check. But there’s still something missing from the equation. What you need is a drink (or two) to round off your checklist for the perfect night out! From Japanese rice bowls to all-day breakfast options, here are 10 amazing bars in Singapore that serve not only delicious fare, but also intoxicating tipples to accompany your meal.
Take your pick from a wide selection of beers, cocktails, spirits and wines, and let the good times roll. Bottoms up!
The Best of Both Worlds: Shuffle Bistro Bar
When you want the best of the East and West, look no further than Shuffle Bistro Bar at Clarke Quay. This music bistro and bar serves a great mix of Asian, Western and fusion food to excite the palate. Besides the usual mains and pastas, try out interesting fare such as the Spam and Carrot Cake or the Wanton Pizza for a taste that’s out of the ordinary! Chill out to daily live acoustic performances by the line-up of local talents as they sing renditions of popular English and Mandarin songs that’ll get you grooving along.
Choice of poison:
What could be more befitting of the relaxed atmosphere than some ice-cold Taiwanese Lychee or Honeydew beer? The Hoegaarden Rosée is also a great option. If beer is not your thing, don't worry. You're sure to find a drink to your liking with Shuffle’s mind-boggling array of cocktails!
Music Magic: Hood Bar & Music
Good food and awesome entertainment come together at Hood Bar & Music at Bugis+, a popular hotspot in the local music bar scene. Browse the interesting Asian-Western fusion menu and choose from food options with quirky, tongue-in-cheek names that’ll get you smiling. Must-tries include the signature Pizzas (BBQ Donald Duck, anyone?), the Cow Cheesy Bunhead burger and the WEROC™ Wings (Har Cheong Gai is a favourite)! The highlight of each night is undeniably the local resident artistes who set the stage on fire and showcase their music prowess as they deliver guest dedications and party anthems. From Pop/Rock Top 40 hits to R&B/Soul tunes, chill out to various themes that change daily, which makes every visit a fresh experience.
Choice of Poison:
Get into the music mood with the bar’s wide array of alcoholic beverages. Beers, whiskeys, wines, spirits - there’s something to suit everyone’s preference for a wonderful time! Happy Hour is 5:30pm to 8:30pm every Tuesday to Saturday, while it goes on all night on Sundays and Mondays.
Beer Heaven: The Pump Room Microbrewery + Bistro + Club
Freshly brewed craft beer takes the spotlight at The Pump Room Microbrewery + Bistro + Club at Clarke Quay, where the award-winning and iconic in-house microbrewery churns out a line of innovative creations. The Pump Room offers contemporary Australian cuisine curated to be beer-friendly so you can thoroughly enjoy your beer on a full stomach. Don’t forget to try the highly recommended Angus Aged Beef! The fun doesn’t stop here - get down and dance to the tunes of the in-house live band as they provide nightly entertainment for the party-loving crowd.
Choice of Poison:
What’s a microbrewery without beer? Beers from The Pump Room start off as the finest quality grains and hops sourced from around the world, before going through a patented brewing process in the in-house microbrewery. The result? Beers full of flavour and scent!
Try the unique Singapore Golden Ale, a modern take on the Golden Ale. Brewed to suit the Asian palate and specially crafted with Singapore’s eternal summer in mind, this hot favourite is refreshingly crisp and aromatic, with a light fruitiness and zest. Definitely not to be missed!
Check out the unlimited liquid buffet where you can drink all the house pour beers and spirits you want at a single nett price.
Vietnam Redefined: Little Saigon
As its motto suggests, Little Saigon at Clarke Quay is the place to eat, drink and party, Vietnamese-style! Feast on a refreshing combination of traditional favourites and modern fare prepared by an expert Vietnamese chef and relish the authentic tastes like no other.
Feel free to go wild and party to top 40 hits throughout the night, courtesy of the resident live band that shows off its musical talents every night.
The best part is, you get to experience all this at a unique location by the riverside in Clarke Quay.
Choice of Poison:
When in Vietnam, do as the Vietnamese do! Take advantage of the restaurant’s daily Happy Hour and try out Vietnamese beers and Asian cocktails such as the Hanoi Martini or Miss Saigon for an exotic tasting experience you can’t get anywhere else. Get 50% off cocktails, wines by glass and draft beers (Heineken/Tiger) with the bar’s daily Happy Hour, happening from 3pm to 9pm every Monday to Friday, and 12pm to 9pm every Saturday and Sunday.
Truly Singaporean: Violet Oon Satay Bar & Grill
For a burst of flavours that can only be uniquely Singaporean, dine at Violet Oon Satay Bar & Grill at Clarke Quay. Helmed by Singapore’s culinary doyenne Violet Oon, the restaurant offers local favourites in the likes of satays, meats and seafood served with fiery sauces, as well as signature Nyonya favourites and small bites that are great for sharing.
Enjoy a spectacular view of the chefs hard at work behind the glass in an open grill room as you dine under a canopy of rattan blade fans harking back to the early days of Singapore -- all adding a lovely, quaint charm to the place.
Choice of Poison:
What better way to enjoy your local meal than to get a specialty local cocktail to go with it? Head to the bar and order the classic Singapore Sling or the tropical Jade Bangle for a taste of local flavours that you know and love.
Wild Wow West: The RANCH Steakhouse By ASTONS
For excellent steak that is value for money, The RANCH Steakhouse by ASTONS at Clarke Quay is your best bet. The classic steakhouse located by the riverside serves the highest quality American and Australian steaks.
Meat connoisseurs will be chuffed not only at the delicate flavour and tenderness of the meats, but at the amazing value at which they are priced.
The star of the show is none other than the restaurant’s signature USDA Prime 30 days dry aged beef that is specially aged in-house, so be sure to try it out and have a deliciously good time at The RANCH Steakhouse.
Choice of Poison:
Select from an extensive range of international wines and have your wine by the glass to act as the perfect complement to your steak. Alternatively, grab a seat at the outdoor bar and get some premium German draught beer, cocktail or other choice of alcoholic beverage, and munch on deluxe snacks as you watch people pass by.
Journey to Japan: Gochi-So Shokudo
When you’re looking for a delicious meal at an affordable price, new kid on the block Gochi-So Shokudo at Westgate is just what you are looking for!
The restaurant serves up an assortment of Japanese food options ranging from Dons to Tonkatsu, all consisting of high-quality Campovilla Premium Iberico Pork imported from Spain. The meat is grilled over charcoal of the finest grade to give it a distinct, chargrilled taste.
Savour the delicate melt-in-your-mouth goodness with the value-for-money Iberico Pork Belly Don, and if you’re feeling extra hungry, make it a set with a Garden Salad and Iberico Miso Soup. A comforting meal to warm the soul indeed!
Choice of Poison:
Immerse yourself in the Japanese culture and pair your meal with some Japanese alcohol. Order a bottle of Sapporo beer or choose from a variety of Japanese sake and shochu to complete your Japanese dining experience.
Keeping It Casual: Prive Clarke Quay
Enjoy a leisurely meal at Prive Clarke Quay, where casual dining is the name of the game. Relax in the outdoor seating area set in the heart of Clarke Quay, the perfect spot to people watch as you dig into hearty mains and decadent desserts.
If you’re there in the evening, lose yourself in the music when the resident live band The C Street Band takes centre stage, belting out electrifying hits one after another.
Over the weekends, enjoy all-day breakfast classics such as the restaurant’s award-winning Eggs Benedict as well as other sweet and savoury options on the brunch menu, which includes an option to DIY your own breakfast!
Choice of Poison:
Hang out at the U-shaped communal bar area and take your pick from an assortment of cocktails, wines, beers and spirits, including an extensive vodka selection sourced from all around the world.
Catch the daily Happy Hour from 5pm to 9pm, where you can get 50% off selected housepours, half-pints, wines and spirits.
Go German: Brotzeit
Few restaurants do authentic German cuisine better than Brotzeit. Located at Westgate and Raffles City, this German pub and bar is a meat lover’s heaven. With their signature dishes of Crispy Oven-Roasted Pork Knuckle and Honey Bavarian Ribs to name a few, as well as a varied selection of succulent sausages, it’s a meat fest worth every calorie. If your party is big, opt for one of the platters that comes with a good variety of meats, the ideal meal for sharing.
Choice of Poison:
Nothing goes better with German fare than world famous quality German beer. From draft beer to beer mixes and even beer cocktails, you are spoilt for choice with the great selection of alcohol Brotzeit has to offer. Take a swig of your crisp, cool lager as you feast on the juicy meat dishes and marvel at the flawless combination of flavours.
Going Green Is In: The Botanic
For fans of sustainable dining and entertainment, watch out for The Botanic, the newest establishment to join Raffles City. Slated to open in early November, this restaurant focuses on using only the freshest ingredients and various preparation techniques to create delectably healthy fare in an environmentally-friendly setting. Opt to dine on the deck at the alfresco area to enjoy a laidback afternoon in the sun or have a well-deserved drink after work.
Choice of Poison:
The Botanic’s wide range of creative cocktails will tempt you into wanting to try them all! Delight your taste buds with The Botanic Signatures such as the La Demoiselle de Bourgeois, an Asian-inspired cocktail made with fresh ingredients, or the refreshing Urban Quencher that’s just the thing to beat the local heat. Happy Hour is from 4pm to 7pm daily, so don’t miss it!
A good drink enhances the dining experience, so make sure to visit these bars in Singapore for terrific beers, cocktails, wines and more - guaranteed to give you and your companions an enjoyable time.
Want to explore more places to drink in Singapore? Here are 8 bars n Clarke Quay for late night hangouts!