When it comes to drinking in Singapore, you’re about as spoilt for choice as the food variety here. But with so many hip watering holes encircling and permeating the CBD and its outskirts, where are the cool, local joints, you ask?
Well, we’ve got 10 booze spots for you that’ll fix that thirst, and get you truly localised with the ‘hood. Now, where my drinking kakis at?
1. Stickies Bar
Building their reputation on the premise of serving alcoholics every single day of the week, Stickies Bar has two outposts, one in Clementi and the other in Riverside Piazza.
Regardless of which location you choose to get sloshed at, they provide pool, PS4 games, darts, free-to-choose music and board games at no additional cost for all patrons! Featuring pint prices that follow the clock (i.e. $3 at 3pm, $4 at 4pm, etc.), this watering hole is a great excuse to round up your crew and get chuggin’.
Expected damage: $5 – $20 per pax
Stickies Bar: 11 Keng Cheow Street, Riverside Piazza, #01-10, Singapore 059608 | Tel: +65 64437564 | Opening hours: (Daily) 12pm – 12am | Website | Facebook
2. Club Vivaa
Drive by this corner lot along Jalan Jurong Kechil and you’re most likely to miss it. Although Club Vivaa is located along a relatively busy street, it is also pretty well hidden behind tall shrubs, creating a cocooned environment for thirsty patrons. So keep your eyes on the lookout.
Happy hour here is until 9pm, and drinks go at the elementary 1-for-1 protocol, with pints going from $21. Apart from the drink deals, the kitchen also serves appetising dishes, including Laksa Chicken Curry, Tom Yam Fried Rice and even Smoked Duck Salad. How’s that for a full-on feast?
Expected damage: $25 – $50 per pax
Club Vivaa: 100 Jalan Jurong Kechil, Singapore 598601 | Tel: +65 6469 8865 | Opening hours: (Daily) 6pm – 1am | Facebook | Instagram
3. Wala Wala Cafe Bar
Already an institution at Holland Village, Wala Wala is known for its pumped-up live bands and tantalising pizzas. They have 1-for-1 cocktails on Tuesdays and monthly promotions for bottles. The happy hour deals (before 9pm) go from as low as $7 for spirits and $9 for a pint.
Be thoroughly entertained by the bands belting out top hits and classic favourites on the second floor, while the open-air first floor is more suited to those who wish to catch up with their clique over great conversations and even greater drink deals.
Expected damage: $10 – $30 per pax
Wala Wala Cafe Bar: 31 Lorong Mambong, Holland Village, Singapore 277689 | Tel : +65 64624288 | Opening hours: (Monday to Thursday) 4pm – 1am, (Friday) 4pm – 2am, (Saturday) 3pm – 2am, (Sunday) 3pm – 1am | Website | Facebook
4. Lucky Bar
This is no ordinary bar, as fancy cocktails line the menu at Lucky Bar. Along with fun Asian bar bites, you can enjoy Duck Spring Rolls ($7.50) and Hakka Crispy Kurobuta Pork Belly ($9), along with their twist on an Old Fashioned that has green tea infused with Compass Box scotch, homemade honey syrup, mathilde peache liquer, and lemon bitters.
The Cantonese-influenced kitchen will delight your senses just as much as their tipple will, there’s no doubt.
Expected damage: $15 – $35 per pax
Lucky Bar: 243 Holland Avenue, Singapore 278977 | Tel: +65 96487712 | Opening hours: (Tuesday to Sunday) 6pm – 12am | Facebook | Instagram
5. Loof
Bars that have a play on words will always draw the attention for those seeking a different scene for a happy hour. Situated on the open rooftop of North Odeon Towers, Loof serves a vibin’ crowd with hearty Asian bites, such as Umami Fries ($13), Cheeseburger Yakitori ($18) and Loof Original Ramly ($23).
With appealing eats, come equally attractive drinks like their take on a whisky sour with the Singapore Sour ($19), made with vodka, sour plum extract, calamansi and soda. And Shiso Fine ($20) with plum umeshu liqueur, fresh yuzu, banana, dark cacao and fresh shiso. Raise the roof and your glasses to a night on the town!
Expected damage: $25 – $50 per pax
Loof: 331 North Bridge Road, North Odeon Towers, #03-07, Extension Rooftop, Singapore 188720 | Tel: +65 6337 9416 | Opening hours: (Monday to Thursday) 5pm – 1am, (Friday & Saturday) 5pm – 2am | Website | Facebook | Instagram
6. Nectars & Vine
Forget the usual bar setup here; this place is a wholesale wine, beer, cider and spirit shop that offers seating for those who can’t wait to enjoy their booze. In a free-and-easy environment, Nectars & Vine feels like you’re chilling out at a friend’s crib.
Simply walk up to the glow of the numerous fridges filled with craft beer and the like and pay at the counter. Be sure to check in-store for promotional beers, so that you and your peeps can save the spare change for another bottle or two!
Expected damage: $15 – $25 per pax
Nectars & Vine: 752 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534623 | Tel: +65 6372 1125 | Opening hours: (Monday to Thursday) 5pm – 1am, (Friday & Saturday) 5pm – 2am, (Sunday) 5pm – 1am | Website | Facebook
7. Coq & Balls
If you dig bars that serve more than just your standard beers, Coq & Balls has got your back. With a list of wheat beers, draught beers, lagers, stouts and ciders, they even have a refined list of “TKO Specials” which are a wicked brew of liquors that might very well be the only drink you can handle in a night.
One of them is the Chuck Norris ($30), an industrial strength triple shot with your choice of chaser. With happy hour prices starting from $10, this Tiong Bahru favourite will soon be your favourite too.
Expected damage: $12 – $30 per pax
Coq & Balls: 6 Kim Tian Road, Kai Fook Mansion, Singapore 169246 | Tel: +65 6276 6609 | Opening hours: (Monday to Thursday) 5pm – 1am, (Friday) 4.30pm – 1am, (Saturday & Sunday) 3pm – 1am | Website | Facebook | Instagram
8. Le Rida
Le Rida may be, first and foremost, a restaurant — and one that serves a medley of Mediterranean, French and Indian cuisine — but let’s not exclude the fact that their happy hour deals are almost unbeatable!
From $6.50 for half a pint of Heineken, to $10 cocktails to $8 shots, you won’t ever need a reason to escape the neighbourhood if you happen to live along Bukit Timah Road! With a full-service menu, you can drink to your heart’s and belly’s content.
Expected damage: $20 – $40 per pax
Le Rida: 903 Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 589620 | Tel: +65 6463 4755 | Opening hours: (Monday to Thursday) 11.30am – 11.30pm, (Friday to Sunday) 11.30am – 12am | Website | Facebook
9. The Tuckshop
The Tuckshop believes that supporting the local community isn’t just about serving those born and bred in Singapore. Situated in Guillemard Road, one can expect all types of characters to come through the doors.
And while you people-watch, you can also behold their super impressive booze list, especially when it comes down to ciders and craft beers. You’ll be spoilt for choice with bottles, such as Lost Coast Indica IPA ($15), Shimaguni Stout ($16) and Zeffer Crisp Apple ($15). Don’t get us even started on the wine and spirits list; it’s quite literally one of the best in town.
Expected damage: $15 – $50 per pax
The Tuckshop: 403 Guillemard Rd, Singapore 399795 | Tel: +65 6744 8205 | Opening hours: (Monday to Friday) 5pm – 12am, (Saturday & Sunday) 11am – 12am | Website | Facebook | Instagram
10. Tachinomiya
Who knew Hougang could be so hip? As Singapore’s first heartland neighbourhood Japanese Bar, Tachinomiya has already piqued the attention of both old and young drinkers alike. Authentic Japanese street food (a la carte) starts from $3.50 here, and there’s even a lunchtime bento set that costs only $8.90!
But what about their drink selection, you ask? They carry staples, such as Asahi Super Dry ($9.50) and Asahi Black Super Dry ($11.50), but they also serve Japanese liquer and Super Premium Sake Specials where customers receive a complimentary portion of 12-piece salmon sashimi or four yakitori sticks, with every purchase of a super premium sake.
Still need more? They’re got you covered with their fine selection of Japanese Whiskies.
Expected damage: $10 – $40 per pax
Tachinomiya: 211 Hougang Street 21, #01-285, Singapore 530211 | Tel: +65 6286 0738 | Opening hours: (Monday to Thursday) 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 12am, (Friday) 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 1am, (Saturday) 11.30am – 2am, (Sunday) 11.30am – 12am | Website | Facebook
As you can tell, one doesn’t need to travel too far from home to find a good beer deal in Singapore. Of course, you can always argue that the kopitiams here suffice for those who are pinching pennies.
But if you’re seeking a bar that seeks to satisfy your Singaporean bonding needs, then these are right up your alley.
