In Singapore there is a plethora of cool bars and chilled out cafes treating patrons to a medley of live musical performances and bar bites, but what if you and your mates are looking for a more satisfying meal with a side of tunes?
In my experience, I have discovered you often have to sacrifice good food for good live entertainment and establishments with top food often lack the music I am searching for.
To marry together the best of both worlds, I have compiled a list of the top restaurants and bars in Singapore where one can enjoy a savory dinner, as well as some stellar live musical performances.
1. Timbre
The Food: A wide variety of crispy thin crust pizzas, pastas, tapas, wings and more. The menu slightly varies by location, but you are sure to find something that satisfies the whole family.
The Music: Timbre’s 3 locations offer a packed schedule of daily live musical performances and genres. With a variety of different musical acts every night, the vibe slightly differs by performance, but you can be sure to be entertained and enjoy upbeat tunes over you dinner. Start times and musical acts vary by day, so be sure to check out the line up on their website. Many local bands are featured at Timbre as well, as they also run a music school.
Timbre (various locations): The Substation, 45 Armenian Street, Singapore 179936; The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane #01-04, 179429; The Gillman, 9A Lock Road, Gillman Barracks, Singapore 108926 | Tel: 6694 4201 | Website
2. &SONS
The Food: Italian small plates and cheeses platters, as well as a selection meaty mains off of the charcoal grill. Perfect for a low key date night or a dinner out with the ladies.
The Music: Every Monday through Friday, beginning at 7:30 pm, a variety of live musical groups entertain dinner guests at &SONS. Don’t expect to be dancing on the tables, but the music at &SONS completes the atmosphere for a cool, contemporary night out.
&SONS: 20 Cross Street, China Square Central #01-19, Singapore 048422 | Tel: 6221 3937 | Website
3. Olivia Cassivelaun Fancourt (OCF)
The Food: Detail oriented decadent French cuisine. The ingredients and menu items at this fine dining establishment also vary by season.
The Music: Every Friday and Saturday from 8:00 pm – 11:15 pm Timbré Group artisits Michaela Therese, Dawn & Alina and Carlos Sendros put on a beautiful performance of classical and jazz music. The music at OCF croons in the background making for a very lavish dining experience.
OCF (Olivia Cassivelaun Fancourt): 1 Old Parliament Lane, #02-02, The Artshouse, Singapore 179429 | Tel: 6333 9312 | Website
4. Berlin Bar
The Food: Modern European plates and well thought out bar bites, perfect for keeping you energized and rocking out all night long.
The Music: Check out resident band John Molina & Krueger with Jeff Catz jamming out to classic rock music every Monday through Saturday. Sets begin at 9:00 pm Mon-Thur and 9:30 pm on Fri-Sat. Come to Berlin if you are looking for dinner and dancing on the table for dessert. These guys really know how to rock.
Berlin Bar: 30 Victoria Street, Chijmes, #B1-06, Singapore 187996 | Tel: 6333 4036 | Website
5. The Beast
The Food: Deep fried South goodness. Country fried steak, pimento cheese dip and Mississippi mudpie make for a sinfully good meal.
The Music: Thursday nights play host to an open mic night. Friday’s a live acoustic duo will entertain dinner guests and bourbon bar patrons alike from 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm. The setting is prefect for chilling out to both original and cover tunes while sipping on a glass of bourbon (or two) and digesting your dinner.
The Beast: 17 Jalan Klapa, Singapore 199329 | Tel: 6295 0017 | Website
6. Spruce at Fire Station
The Food: Savory meat dishes such as BBQ ribs, short ribs and tenderloin, as well as a variety of soups, salads and pastas are served at the Fire House location.
The Music: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm resident band Second Sunrise, as well as various other acts, come to entertain dinner guests at Spruce’s Fire Station location. The vibe is all around good food and good fun.
Spruce at the Fire Station: 260 Upper Bukit Timah Road, #01-01, Singapore 588190 | Tel: 6466 5582 | Website
7. Blu Jaz Cafe
The Food: A huge variety of options including Middle Eastern cuisine, local favorites, continental classics and bar snacks. The pita bread dips, shawarma and falafal are my personal favorites at Blu Jaz.
The Music: Every Wednesday evening Blu Jaz hosts a ‘jam session’ night. On Friday and Saturdays, beginning at 9:30 pm, a variety of top jazz musicians from all around the world, as well as a mix of funk, soul and Latin groups, entertain bar and dinner guests both inside and outside. Once you have had your fill of food and jazz, you can head to the second floor for their line up of visiting DJs. Blu Jaz is often packed on the weekends with locals and expats and music fans both young and old, making it one of my personal favorite spots to enjoy live music.
Blu Jaz Cafe: 11 Bali Lane, Historic Kampong Glam, Singapore 189848 | Tel: 9199 0610 | Website
8. Going Om
The Food: The menu offerings are cafe-classic pasta, pizza, snacks and desserts.
The Music: Every Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 pm until late, Going Om hosts a rotation of lesser known, but extremely talented acoustic musicians playing outside to a chilled out crowd, busking-syle without much frills – some even take requests. The pop up street-style preformaces and scattered seating crowding Haji Lane make for a very relaxed, organic vibe.
Going Om: 63 Haji Lane, Singapore 189256 | Tel: 6396 3592 | Website
9. Balaclava
The Food: Juicy burgers and a variety of classic bar bites, pair well with Balaclava’s extensive drinks menu.
The Music: Come to party with the rock band at Balaclava’s new Suntec location, every Monday through Saturday 7:00 pm until late. Various bands are lined up each week but generally featuring a hard rock and roll style to go with the major party vibes found at Balaclava.
Balaclava: 3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City Mall, #01-434, Singapore 038983 | Tel: 6336 0050 | Website
10. The Powder Room @ Black Swan
The Food: The Powder Room serves up bar snacks and light bites to enjoy with a hand crafted cocktail. Downstairs at Black Swan dine on a more filling dinner of oysters and modern fusion cuisine before the performance.
The Music: Live performances are scheduled monthly. Give their Facebook page a follow for performance and event updates. Inside The Powder Room you will often find the afterwork CBD crowd looking to kick back and relax. The vibe here is relaxed music with a side of suit and ties and a stiff drink.
