10 best restaurants & bars in Clarke Quay for an exciting night out

Singapore’s famed dining and nightlife spot, Clarke Quay really has it all. Whether you’re in the mood for tapas and a tipple, or sushi and tikkas, this riverside hangout has everything you could ask for till the wee hours of the morning.

So sit back as I present to you the 10 best restaurants & bars in Clarke Quay for an exciting night out. This is one list you must bookmark!

1. Gabbar Bistro & Bar

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Credit – Gabbar Bistro & Bar

Bollywood with a twist, Gabbar Bistro & Bar is named for one of the most iconic villains of Hindi cinema. Its brand spanking new location at Clarke Quay features more of the crowd-favourite hand painted murals of Bollywood celebrities, more space and, if possible, an even more electrifying vibe.

The food is Indian fusion cuisine inspired by the giddying range of delicious street fare from across the Subcontinent.

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There’s nothing more popular than their phenomenal Gabbar Bottomless Brunch (S$30++). If you are hankering for a taste of authentic gol gappas, eat to your heart’s content with their free flow of these wonderous sweet-tangy-spicy creations. The deal includes 2 other dishes of your choice as well.

Drop by in a group of 5 on Wednesday for Ladies Night and get a complimentary bottle of prosecco or wine. Partying in a pair? Enjoy a complimentary glass of prosecco for your troubles. The thumping Bollywood hits make for a fun social scene.

Chope Reservations

3E River Valley Road #01-05/06- Block E @, Clarke Quay, The Circuit
Singapore 179024
+65 8755 5597
Mon to Thu: 6pm – 12am
Fri: 6pm – 3am
Sat: 11.30am – 3.30pm & 6pm – 3am
Sun: 11.30am – 3.30pm & 6pm – 12am
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2. Hanjip Korean Grill House

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Credit – Hanjip Korean Grill House

A relative newcomer at just 2+ years, Hanjip Korean Grill House is certainly not starting small with a floor space of over 5,000 sq. ft. That makes this authentic traditional Korean barbeque restaurant one of the biggest of its kind in Singapore.

However, they are known for their extensive range of fine Kurobuta Berkshire Pork, Australian Wagyu and USDA Prime Beef. The latter two are precisely aged to enhance flavour and texture without depriving the superior cuts of their mouth-watering tenderness.

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I find the Weekday Lunch Sets (from S$16) great value for money as they all come with side dishes and barley tea. The Bulgogi Bowl (Beef/Pork) (S$18) always sates my cravings and the Spicy Stir Fried Pork (S$16) is a trusty backup.

When the sun goes down, the 2-person dinner sets are the way to go. Set Menu A (S$188) gives you the option of wagyu striploin (add S$5)/USDA prime ribeye, prime short rib/marinated short rib, and pork belly/jowl/collar. Included is a choice between soup or stew, a pancake, a side and a sorbet dessert. Filling!

Chope Reservations

3C River Valley Road, #01-11 Clarke Quay, Singapore 179022
+65 8882 9011
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm & 5pm – 12am
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3. Tomo Izakaya

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Credit – Tomo Izakaya

Tomo Izakaya is one of my favourite places for casual Japanese with water views. The outdoor dining area is perfect for that, especially the high tables overlooking the Singapore River. Inside, the low seats in the traditional Japanese style and rustic decor make for a fine ambience.

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Credit – Tomo Izakaya

I’m always hungry for Japanese but the appetisers here are too wonderful to pass on. Get running to the Kaki Fry (S$14), which is Japanese oyster, deep-fried and breaded to crispy perfection. I’m not much of a salad person but if we are eating together, I’ll have you order the Kabocha Salad (S$10) of candy pumpkin with salted crispy salmon skin so I can steal some.

There is a nice selection of sushi and sashimi, too. Here, I go for the convenience of roll sushi with the beautifully green Ebiten Avocado Dragon (S$19) usually my first choice. Beyond that, Tomo Izakaya also serves Japanese salads and soups, as well as stewed, fried and stir-fried dishes.

Chope Reservations
Chope Reservations

3A River Valley Road, #01-04, Singapore 179020
+65 6333 0100
Tue to Thu: 12pm – 3pm & 5pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 12.30am
Sun: 12pm – 3pm & 5pm – 11pm
Closed on Mon
Website

4. Zorba The Greek Taverna

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Credit – Zorba The Greek Taverna

Zorba the Greek Taverna earned a perfect score from us when we reviewed them and those stellar standards haven’t dropped. We noticed the furniture is more Hellenistic now, with the blue and white gracing the tables and chairs as well. Lovely.

Greek cuisine is widely lauded as a healthy option that doesn’t sacrifice on taste. That’s certainly true of the spread at Zorba the Greek Taverna. Begin with their Greek Salad (S$16) of capers, tomato, cucumber, bell peppers, olives and feta cheese. The Dips Platter (S$28) of 6 different classic Greek dips is a crowd pleaser.

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Dine the traditional Greek sharing way with the Mixed Grill Platter (S$68 for small, S$98 for large). This is an ample serving of lamb rump steak, bifteki, chicken souvlaki and pork gyro that comes with chips, baby salad and tzatziki sauce.

Zorba the Greek Taverna offers ample vegan and vegetarian options. They are currently running a promotion of a free non-alcoholic beverage with any order of a vegan dish.

Chope Reservations
Chope Reservations

A River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, #01-02, Singapore 179024
+65 8218 5602
Mon to Thu: 5pm – 11pm
Fri: 9am – 2.30pm & 5pm – 12am
Sat: 9am – 12am
Sun: 9am – 11pm
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5. Chupitos

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Chupitos translates from Spanish to ‘little drinks’ or, less formally as ‘shots’— it’s them telling you exactly what their establishment is all about.

This drinking haven has an array of close to 150 different chupitos for you to choose from. Among the unique flavours are the quirky and the locally-inspired, including Paddle Pop Shooters (S$12 for 2) and Pandan Cake shooters (S$12 for 2). I once even tried a Mango Sticky Rice!

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A word of warning, though— the names may be cute but most are full-strength buggers that pack quite the punch.

Vibe-wise, it’s buzzing most nights and the crowd is an easy-going, friendly one. This is a great place to start a pub crawl along Clarke Quay. Just take care that it doesn’t become both your first and last stop all at once.

Chope Reservations

3E River Valley Road, CQ @ Clarke Quay, The Circuit, #01-01, Singapore 179024
+65 8836 0490
Sun to Tue: 5.30pm – 1.30am
Wed: 5.30pm – 3am
Thu: 5.30pm – 1.30am
Fri: 5.30pm – 3am
Sat: 5.30pm – 4am
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6. RedTail Bar By Zouk

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Credit – RedTail Bar By Zouk

The ‘Zouk’ name still has pull on the Singapore nightlife scene after all these years, and that’s proven by RedTail Bar by Zouk. This establishment lives up to the party credentials but also gives patrons the options of a decent menu for bar snacks and mains.

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If you are planning a real bender, the Liquid Buffet (S$38 for ladies, S$48 for guys) is a good place to start. They have you covered with a litany of delicious bar snacks. Try the Mala Fries (S$15) for a fiery kick or the Truffle Flatbread (S$15) for a more dignified hangover tomorrow. 

The RedTail Wings (S$16) should definitely be at your table at least once during the night. Line your tummy for endurance with their mains that include Prawn Aglio Olio (S$20) and Pork Belly (S$20).

Chope Reservations

3C River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, Block C, #01-04, The Cannery
Singapore 179022
+65 9007 0533
Tue to Fri: 5pm – 3am
Sat: 5pm – 4am

Closed on Sun & Mon
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7. Octapas Spanish Bar

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Octapas? Oc-tapas, haha I love it! The owners share my corny sense of humour! This Spanish tapas bar is a delightful slice of southern Europe along Clarke Quay.

Drinks are reasonably priced for the locality. However, you can save even more as Happy Hour gets you 50% of all alcoholic drinks until 7pm every day. If you are feeling peckish, the Plain Toast (S$5) of sliced French loaf and salad is nice. For stronger hunger pangs, the divinely fragrant Garlic & Cheese Bread (S$9) is more filling.

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Credit – Octapas Spanish Bar

You can have a really filling meal, too. Their Paella Valenciana (S$42) is their signature version of chicken, fish, squid, musssles, pork chorizo and prawns. They have a Paella Vegetariana (S$34), too.

Don’t know about you but I can’t ever have Spanish without having churros. The Churros Classico (S$14) served with homemade chocolate sauce is made even more perfect accompanied by strawberries.

Blk 3E River Valley Road, #01-07, Singapore 179023
+65 6837 2938
Mon to Thu: 5pm – 2am
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 3am
Sun: 12pm – 2am
Website

8. Cuba Libre Café & Bar

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Cuba Libre Café & Bar has been rocking on our shores— and the banks of the Singapore River— for the past 16 years. Known and loved for its live bands and DJs as much as it is for its enticing Latin tapas and main dishes, this place is usually packed with revellers.

I’ve ended my partying at Cuba Libre on several occasions because their kitchen is open till 1.30am. If you can’t make it to one of the further late-night spots around town, this is the best option.

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The Mushroom Bruschetta (S$14) is great and you can’t even tell that it’s vegetarian. If you crave carnivorous cuisine, the Chicken Tikka (S$22) of spicy boneless chicken cubes is a fine choice.

The paella menu is only available till 10pm but if you are there early, their signature Paella De Cuba Libre (S$42) of chicken, fish, squid, mussels, pork chorizo and prawns is my recommendation.

Chope Reservations

3E River Valley Road 01-03/04 @, Clarke Quay, The Circuit, Singapore 179024
+65 8418 0203
Sun to Fri: 6pm – 3am
Sat: 6pm – 4am
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9. Café Iguana

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Credit – Café Iguana

Traditional Mexican cuisine made over for a modern palate in a chill, laid-back riverside speakeasy— that’s my 1-sentence take on Café Iguana. That fresh perspective is partly the result of sourcing sustainably and locally, giving classic Mexican street food a creative dose of irreverent flair.

Café Iguana itself recommends the El Marisco Ceviche (S$26). Here, Hokkaido scallops, poached octopus leg, sweet prawns and smoked snowfish come together, drizzled with pepper vinaigrette and Jalapeno lime sauce. It’s as divine as it sounds.

The Tex-mex Baby Back Ribs (S$34) is what you want to order for a heavier meal. The ribs are marinated overnight with Memphis dry rub, then cooked confit for 12 hours before being glazed with chipotle BBQ Sauce. A side of crispy potatoes makes this one of my favourites.

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Tacos are a Mexican fave and Café Iguana’s range of these handheld wonders includes Pork Belly Carnitas (S$6), Baja Fish (S$7), Carne Asadas (braised beef short ribs) (S$7), Al Pastor Chicken (S$6) and even Meatless ‘Wagyu Beef’ Tacos (S$7).

Chope Reservations

30 Merchant Road, #01-03 Riverside Point, Singapore 058282
+65 9012 7320
Mon to Thu: 5pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Facebook | Instagram | Website

10. Capital

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Credit – Capital

No kids, please, we’re Capital. With a minimum age requirement of 21 for ladies and 23 for the gentlemen, this is an upscale establishment catering to working professionals who appreciate the finer things.

Within the premises that can accommodate almost 550 guests, the island bar takes up prime real estate. Ensconced within Capital is Queens, a hip-hop themed cocktail bar focused on personalised experiences and drinks.

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For food, there is the light and light-on-wallet Eggplant Quesadilla (S$16) to the other end where you’ll find Icon Australian Wagyu XB Ribeye (S$88). The latter uses Tasmanian Kuroge Washu meat with a marbling score of 7.  

Come as a fivesome and enjoy the Feasting Platter (S$118) of ebi chili flatbread, mala chicken skin, chicken wings, squid pong, truffle fries and pork sausage.

If you are lucky, the Paparch Burnt Cheesecake (S$15) won’t have sold out— lucky you, enjoying that golden molten core!

3C River Valley Road, The Cannery, Singapore 179022
+65 9006 8793
Thu: 10pm – 3am

Fri & Sat: 10pm – 4am
Closed on Sun to Wed
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