A question which always pops up whenever I have guests is “where are the best rooftop bars in Singapore”?
The answer really depends on what you’re looking for, but here’s a list of some options:
A low-level roof top bar to start. Situated at Customs House, Kinki is the bar of the superb Japanese restaurant of the same name. With great happy hours and a good range of drinks and quirky bar snacks, Kinki is an ideal place post work. It also boasts an uninterrupted view across Marina Bay. It can get busy and noisy later on in an evening, so if you want a seat, go early.
The rooftop bar of the Fullerton Bay is a long standing favourite for alfresco drinks. Boasting a lengthy range of cocktails, good wines and beers as well as hearty bar snacks, Lantern has a good capacity with tables around the swimming pool. The main part of the bar is covered providing shelter should it be needed. Reservations are recommended but not essential if you get there early. Views across Marina Bay are a crowd pleaser, particularly at the time of the light show.
Easily overlooked, Prelude at the Boathouse is an oasis of calm opposite the Fullerton Hotel. With a large deck ideal for events, the rooftop bar is small but perfectly formed and comes into its own at the time of the F1 due to its position inside the hairpin.
Technically not a rooftop bar, but Level33 has a great outside balcony, ideal for post work drinks or events. Level33 has a great restaurant and as a result has a first class range of bar snacks. Combined with its own craft brewery on-site (in fact, it is the world’s highest craft brewery) and a lengthy and varied wine list, this venue is one which shouldn’t be forgotten. Sitting, as it’s name suggests at Level33 of Tower 1 Marina Bay Financial Centre, the balcony boasts sweeping views across Singapore from the Padang to the Cruise Terminal. It also offers a hearty Sunday lunch.
The highest rooftop bar and the one with stunning 360 degree views of the city. Sitting at the top of 1 Raffles Place, 1-Altitude is the world’s highest alfresco bar at 282m. Its worth noting that a cover charge is in place, but it does come with a ‘free’ drink.
On the top of Marina Bay Sands, this is one of the iconic bars in Singapore. It also has the advantage of having views both back towards the City as well as over Gardens By The Bay. A dress code applies in the evenings and later in the evening you can find your self queuing downstairs as the bar reaches capacity. There’s limited seating options unless you book a table, but sitting down isn’t really what you’re there for. A good list of cocktails which are made well combined with impressive views and a building which is known worldwide make this a must-do, at least for one.
Sitting atop the Scarlet hotel in Chinatown, this is a hidden gem. On one side of the terrace is a restaurant. The bar has a gazebo area, private opium bed booths, and a quiet, understated ambiance.
One of the few open air bars on The Esplanade side of the Marina, this is an often overlooked option. Orgo is apparently short for ‘organic chemistry,’ a reference to the fact the bar uses fresh organic produce in its cocktails. The drinks menu features some inventive cocktails as well as some clever twists on classic drinks.
Another bar with late night options and stunning views over Marina Bay, but this is one which shouldn’t be overlooked simply because of that. Comfy seats, a live DJ on certain nights and the ability to book good size spaces for private events means that this bar is a winning option for many reasons. Added to that a great drinks list and good quality bar food and you’ll be coming back here for after work drinks or late night dancing time and time again.
A relatively new addition to the Singapore roof terrace bar scene, brought by the same people who run Prelude. Situated at a breezy level in Singapore Land Tower, Empire offers a sweeping, 360 degree panorama view of the cityscape with various options for drinks outside: the Empire terrace immediately outside the club of the same name overlooking Marina Bay; outside Sear, the 60-seat restaurant; and various private event options. Late bar, good choice of drinks and of course, lots of food options.
Tucked on a rooftop of a refurbished heritage shophouse at the Southbridge end of Boat Quay, Southbridge has arguably one of the best low-level 360 degree view of the Singapore skyline. This Oyster focused bar and restaurant serves up a fun-dining experience, with modern craft cocktails, unique champagnes and artisanal Japanese sakes.
Wangz – The Rabbit Stash
The Rabbit Stash is a new rooftop restaurant and bar as part of Wangz hotel in Tiong Bahru. The seasonal menu presents contemporary cuisine with Singaporean influences using the finest and freshest ingredients in harvest. Additionally, unwind with international cocktails and boutique vineyard wines paired with tapas in a lush al fresco garden.The bar has happy hours til 9pm and live music Thurs-Sun 19.30-22.30.
Nestled high about the hustle and bustle of Club Street is this gem of an oasis of calm. Relaunched in mid May 2015 this rooftop bar offers a good selection of cocktail and hearty bar snacks. Or you could grab a bunch of mates and book a private movie screening.
One of the trickier bars to find on this list and no views of Marina Bay, but that’s what makes it worthwhile. Opposite the iconic Raffles Hotel this bar has an eclectic menu of carefully crafted Southeast Asian inspired cocktails with bar snacks that have a local twist. Add to that a good range of tunes (it was a 90s indie set when we were there last) and friendly, helpful bar staff (they charged my iPhone whilst we drank), this is a bar to tack down.
Perched a row back from Boat Quay the rooftop at Mad Men gives drinkers a view of the skyscrapers in the CBD. The main attraction here is the frequent live music which plays every weeknight. Decked out in a no frills, industrial style, seating is limited so it’s worth getting here early and checking out the decent food menu whilst enjoying the ambiance and drinks.
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