Orgo
This rooftop bar is perched above the esplanade theatres, one of the earlier bars of this genre it is now looking a bit sparse and has less selling points than some of the other bars close by. Perfect for gatherings as there is limited seating which allows for the mingling of your guests which some bars can limit with overwhelming volumes of furniture. You can also grab a sit down meal or reserve a glass booth for your group of friends. Perfect to watch the National Day parade fireworks or grab a drink during the F1. Cocktails are pretty decent and worth checking out.
Website: http://www.orgo.sg/
Address: 8 Raffles Avenue, #04-01, Esplanade-Theaters on the Bay, Roof Terrace, Singapore 038982
Tel: 6336-9366 (from 4 p.m.)
Happy Hours: 6pm to 8pm
Hours: 5pm – 2am
Prelude
This has to be one of my favourite rooftop bars in Singapore. Located on the roof of the Boathouse restaurant, it looks out over the mouth of the Singapore River. Reasonably priced drinks, chilled out ambience, unpretentious good food and an amazing view that looks centrally on to MBS. This place is perfect for those seeking an after-work drink, showing off to your visiting friends/family (because we all want to impress them with how awesome SG is) or that marriage proposal (that really did happen). Ok so it really is that good so between you and me…..Shhhh!!! Just don’t tell anyone.
Website: http://boathouse.com.sg/
Address: 3 Fullerton Rd #04-01, The Waterboat House Rooftop, Singapore 049215
Tel: 6538 9038
Hours: Monday to Thursday 5pm to 12am, Friday to Saturday 5pm to 2am
Happy Hour: Check out promotions online
Lantern
Standing at the top of this bar you have a clear view of the architectural wonder that is Marina Bay Sands and behind you have the iconic city skyscrapers bearing down behind you. This bar is the rooftop bar for the high-end Fullerton Bay Hotel and it is a trip worthwhile for tourists, hotel guests, city workers and everyone in between. I would highly recommend that you book a table if you wish to check it out but it is worth it to sip a cocktail, take in the view and admire the hotel swimming pool that the bar envelops. Prices are not for the faint-hearted.
Website: http://www.fullertonbayhotel.com/dining-en.html
Address: Fullerton Bay Hotel, 80 Collyer Quay Singapore 049326
Tel: 6333 8388
Kinki
The rooftop a short distance from the Lantern at Fullerton Bay Hotel, this bar is far less pretentious and funky. It is the rooftop bar for Kinki the Japanese restaurant downstairs. That restaurant is also a deletable must-try for anyone who loves Sushi/Sashimi. Vegetarians are also catered for. More about that later but if you fancy a quick drink after work for a reasonable price then this place is the place-to -be.
Website: http://www.kinki.com.sg
Address: 70 Collyer Quay #02-02 Customs House, Singapore 049323
Tel: 6533 3471
Hours: Monday to Saturday 5pm to Late
Happy Hours: 5-8pm (buy 1 get 1 free)
Level 33
The website claims that this is the highest microbrewery in the world, situated on the 33 floor of the MBFC1, Level 33 is an airy, modern bar which has a fantastic view of Marina Bay Sands. Full of workers grabbing a drink from Monday to Friday this is a gem of a place if you head down for a lazy brunch or roast dinner at the weekend. Huge portions, tasty fresh food, friendly and efficient staff and lovely views. The menu isn’t vegetarian friendly but the staff quickly prepared a tasty alternative for me. Something I hugely appreciate and demonstrates the skill and quality of venue to accommodate all their guests to come to dine. I felt the prices were pretty reasonable given service and location.
Website: http://www.level33.com.sg
Address: Level 33, MBFC Tower 1, 8 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018981
Tel: 6834 3133
Hours: 12pm – 12am Daily • 12pm – 2am on Friday, Saturday and Eve of Public Holiday
Fabrika
This is a tricky little place to find. Once you have located the boutique hotel in the heart of Tanjong Pagar and navigated up the service elevator you find yourself is a Moroccan-inspired, bigger-than-expected bar, with huge comfy sofas and rugs. I am not sure if you can call it roof top at this isn’t really the roof but it is actually located on a void deck on Level 17 of the huge building looking out over the unusual views of famous dockyards and huge stacks of containers. The only thing that distracted from a perfectly good night was the declaration by the waiter that there was only one type of wine available and then subsequently that that supply had dried up. Really! A bar without wine, how hard is it to go out and buy in time for opening hours. I hasten to add there were a lot of us and no we don’t drink that much (or well we hadn’t by that point). Minor disaster averted when suddenly a mystery crate of wine was delivered and our night could continue merrily. Let’s hope they have recovered and are excelling at what has the potential to be a great bar.
Website: http://klapsons.com/dining.php
Address: Level 17, Klapsons, The boutique hotel, 15 Hoe Chiang Road, Singapore 089316.
Tel: 6521 9000
Hours: Monday to Tuesday 5pm-12am, Wednesday to Friday & Eve of Public Holiday 5am-1am. Weekend & Public Holidays – Closed.
Happy Hour: 5-8pm 1 for 1 (beer, wine and house pour spirits).
Halo
A truly understated but one of my favourite finds in Singapore, slightly off the beaten track. With Tiong Bahru being the new trendy hotspot, this bar is tucked away in the small keg-shaped modern hotel called Wangz at Outram Park ring-road. It overlooks the CTE, NUH and has the city off in the not so far distance and I understand that this may not sound like the most appealing of views but I promise you, at night with the lights blinking in the distance, the low hum of traffic and the world passing-by it is a pleasurable experience. The prices are reasonable at about $14 glass of wine. There is a live band and friendly staff and more often than not you can always get a table. A couple of nights a week you will also catch a live band.
Website: http://www.wangzhotel.com/
Address: Level 4, Wangz Hotel, 231 Outram Road, Singapore 169040
Tel: 6595 1388
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 4-11pm, Friday and Saturday 4pm to 12am.
Loof
Owned by the same guys who manage Tanjong Beach Club, you can only imagine that this place is not going to let you done in the ‘place to be’ stakes. Located next to the historic Raffles Hotel and Chjimes this bar is perfectly central and easy to access. Definitely not one of the highest roof bars or even one with the best view but the cool vibe and a reasonably priced cocktail (if you go when one of their many promotions are on). They have a reasonable choice of bar food and their Chili Crab Dip made it on the to the ’50 things to eat before you die’ list by I-S Magazine (2012). You will find a mixed local and expat crowd who are having a quick drink after work or those starting their nights out.
Website: http://www.loof.com.sg
Address: Odeon Towers Extension Rooftop, #03-07, 331 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188700
Tel: 6338 8035
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 5pm – 1am, Friday to Saturday 5pm to 3am
Helipad
A modern bar located on a redundant helipad above the Central mall at Clarke Quay. Not overly touristy, I think this is the most bearable Clarke Quay haunt. Situated above the Singapore river it is the perfect place to grab a sundowner. Happy hour prices make the experience very enjoyable. Go early enough in the evening you can always grab a table, go later and reservations are recommended. The downstairs club is a dark and moody alternative to the light bright bar upstairs. Staff are attentive and friendly.
Website: http://www.helipad.com.sg
Address: 6 Eu Tong Sen Street #05-22, The Central, Singapore 059817
Tel: 6327 8118
Hours: Monday to Saturdays, 6pm to 2am
SiLuEt
Park Regis Hotel balanced between Chinatown and Clarke Quay has a charming roof top bar that is available to rent for functions. This bar is worth checking out if you are like me and are trying to tick off every roof top bar in Singapore.
Website: http://www.parkregishotels.com/
Address: Park Regis Hotel, 23 Merchant Road, Singapore 058268
Tel: 6818 8888
Breeze
The Scarlet Hotel’s themed after our own heart here at Sin City as the concept is based around pleasures. To satisfy the soul and body you can visit Breeze the roof garden at Scarlet Hotel for drinks or dining. The food is good but not exceptional. Not very vegetarian-friendly.
Website: http://www.thescarlethotel.com/html/edc_breeze.html
Address: The Scarlet Hotel, 33 Erskine Road, Singapore 069333
Tel: 6511 3326
Ying Yang
On the expensive side this previously popular haunt of Club Street, this venue has removed a lot of it’s promotions down to a very limited affair and now the place is quiet and less attractive. Sit under cabanas viewing the night sky sipping your drinks. The music tends towards being unsocial so that makes it difficult to converse if you are looking for a catch up with friends. A shadow of its former self.
Website: http://theclub.com.sg/ying-yang-rooftop-bar.html
Address: The Club, 28 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069708
Hours: Monday to Saturday 5pm – 3am
La Terraza
This is the small but perfectly formed roof top bar of The Screening Room. I think the charm of this place never fades even though established for a a while now. Grab a cocktail or a cold beer and chill is the order of the day here.
Website: http://www.screeningroom.com.sg/
Address: The Screening Room, 12 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069692
Tel: 6221 1694
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 6pm – 1pm, Friday to Saturday 6pm to 3am
Fry
Up above Club Street, on the corner of Ann Siang there is a small rooftop bar called Fry. Good for light bar food with no frills. Quirky posters up on the walls as you ascend to the top floor. It’s tucked away close to Beaujolais. The mac & cheese options are worth the visit.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/FryBistro
Address: Fry the Bistro, 96B Club Street, Singapore.
Tel: 8418 5995
Hours: Monday to Wednesday: 5pm – 1pm, Thursday to Saturday 5pm to 3am
Oxwell & Co
Now for the big guys….
New Asia Bar*
Though technically not rooftop, I can not write this list without mentioning this place. It is definitely a room with a view, situated on the 71st Floor, it overlooks central Singapore in all directions and on a clear day you can even view Malaysia. Probably best go there mid-week as it can get crowded on the weekends especially if you want a prime seat near the window. The best time to go is between 5pm – 9pm when you can watch the sunset and the illuminations lighting up across the city. Check out the changing lights running up from Dhoby Ghaut along Orchard Road. It is a breath-taking sight. The cocktails are pretty decent and the dirty martini is a killer. They also have a few Singapore novelty cocktails but I suppose there has be something for everyone. Not to mention it is perfectly timed with the bar’s happy hour prices. Too good to be true right?!
Website: http://www.newasiabar.com.sg/outlet/home
Address: Level 71, Swissotel The Stamford, Singapore 178882
Tel: 9177 7307
Hours: Sunday to Tuesday, 3pm to 1am, Wednesday & Thursday 3pm to 2am, Friday, Saturdays & Public Holiday Eve 3pm to 3am
1-Altitude
High up in the clouds, it is hard to beat a view as this. Not for the faint-hearted this sky high bar puts very little between you and the bats riding the thermals. Pay the door fee at ground level and pre-order your first tipple of the evening from the list at the hostess stand (included in the charge) and you will be directed up the ear-popping lifts up to the dizzying heights upon the Former UOB Building. It’s not cheap but then neither is the location. Ideal for anyone trying to impress. This is a must-see stop for anyone hanging out in SG. It’s probably worth mentioning the dress code as you don’t want to be turned away – No flip-flops, shorts or bermuda shorts. Dress up and get ready to party up high.
Website: http://www.1-altitude.com/
Address: 1 Raffles Place, Singapore 048616
Tel: 6438 0410
Hours: Sunday 6pm to 1am, Monday to Thursday 6pm to 2am, Friday, Saturday and PH Eve 6pm to 4am.
Ku-De-Ta
This famous bar is located on the top deck of the infamous Marina Bay Sands. An usual site that has become iconic in the short period it has existed. The void deck is the size of 2.5 football pitches and impressive it is. Don’t expect to see the jaw dropping infinity pool, views have been blocked off and is for hotel guests only however, the views of the city are good reason enough to head up for a drink or bite to eat. Definitely one to write home about.
Website: http://www.kudeta.com.sg/
Address: SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands North Tower, 1 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018971
Tel: 6688 7688 (8am – 10pm)
Hours: 11am to late (Cover charge applies from 9pm on Fridays)
Dress code: No shorts, flip-flops, slippers, singlets and tank tops
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