Singapore  Travel  Guide: Best Cocktail Bars, Restaurants, Attractions & Luxury  Hotels

Gardens by the Bay
No first visit to Singapore is complete without exploring Gardens by the Bay. The futuristic Supertrees have become one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Visit during the evening Garden Rhapsody light show when the towering structures illuminate the skyline with music and color. The nearby Cloud Forest and Flower Dome offer impressive indoor gardens and provide a welcome escape from Singapore's tropical heat.

Singapore is one of the world’s great food and cocktail cities, blending historic traditions with some of Asia’s most innovative restaurants and bars

Singapore Botanic Gardens
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Singapore Botanic Gardens provide a peaceful contrast to the city's modern skyline. The National Orchid Garden contains thousands of orchid species and hybrids, making it one of the most impressive botanical collections in Asia. The gardens are perfect for a morning walk before an afternoon exploring Singapore's food and cocktail scene.

Tropical plants inside the National Orchid Garden at Singapore Botanic Gardens
Swan sculpture reflected in a lake at Singapore Botanic Gardens
Garden pathway beneath tropical archways at Singapore Botanic Gardens
Brick pathway through the Water Garden at Singapore Botanic Gardens

Fort Canning and the Battlebox
History enthusiasts should visit Fort Canning Park and the Battlebox Museum. Hidden beneath the park is the former British underground command center used during World War II. The exhibits provide fascinating insight into Singapore's wartime history and offer a completely different perspective on the city beyond its modern skyline.

Recreated British command center inside the Battlebox Museum in Singapore

Singapore Hawker Culture
Singapore's hawker centers are as important to the city as its luxury restaurants and cocktail bars. Visitors can sample dishes such as Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, satay, and chili crab at affordable prices. Popular options include Lau Pa Sat, Maxwell Food Centre, and Old Airport Road Food Centre.

Marina South Delicious Food hawker stall at a Singapore hawker centre serving local Chinese dishes
Singapore laksa with prawns and egg alongside fried carrot cake at a local hawker centre
Tanglin Crispy Curry Puff Original hawker stall in Singapore, famous for handmade curry puffs since 1952
Freshly baked Singapore curry puff with flaky pastry and savory curried filling
Ji Ji Noodle House hawker stall in Singapore, known for wonton noodles and Michelin-recognized local cuisine
Ji Ji Noodle House wonton noodles with roasted chicken, char siu, dumplings, and soup at a Singapore hawker centre

The Best Cocktail Bars in Singapore - more in depth review of the bars
Singapore is one of the world’s great cocktail cities. From glamorous art-deco lounges to hidden speakeasies, the city has built a global reputation for innovative mixology and unforgettable bar experiences.
Many of the world’s top bars appear regularly on international rankings, and the city is the birthplace of one of the most famous cocktails ever created: the Singapore Sling.
Whether you’re visiting for a few nights or building a longer Asia itinerary, Singapore offers some of the most exciting cocktail experiences anywhere in the world.

The Iconic Singapore Sling -Raffles Hotel Long Bar
No cocktail visit to Singapore is complete without stopping at the legendary Long Bar at Raffles Hotel. This historic bar is where the Singapore Sling was first created in the early 1900s.
The drink blends gin, cherry liqueur, Benedictine, pineapple juice, lime, and bitters into a refreshing tropical cocktail that has become one of the most recognizable drinks in the world.
The Long Bar remains one of the most atmospheric places to experience Singapore’s cocktail history. Sitting beneath the high ceilings and colonial architecture while enjoying a Sling is a true travel ritual.

Jigger & Pony
Jigger & Pony is one of the most celebrated bars in Asia and frequently appears on the World’s 50 Best Bars list.
The bar is known for its welcoming atmosphere, exceptional service, and creative cocktail menu. Drinks are playful but expertly balanced, and the bartenders are passionate about hospitality.
It’s the type of place where one drink easily turns into several.

Cocktail menu at Jigger and Pony Singapore
Apple Sazerac Old cocktail at Jigger and Pony Singapore

Native
Native is one of Singapore’s most innovative cocktail bars. The menu focuses heavily on regional Southeast Asian ingredients such as pandan, coconut, and local spices.
The cocktails feel uniquely tied to the region and offer something different from traditional Western cocktail menus.
For travelers looking to experience something creative and distinctly Singaporean, Native is an outstanding stop.

Signature cocktail at Native bar Singapore
Cocktail menu at Native bar Singapore
Creative rice cocktails at Native bar Singapore

Manhattan Bar
Manhattan offers a luxurious and sophisticated cocktail experience inspired by the golden age of New York bars.
The space feels like an elegant private club, and the cocktail menu is filled with rich, spirit-forward classics. Their barrel-aged cocktails are particularly impressive.
Manhattan remains one of Singapore’s most polished cocktail destinations.

28 HongKong Street
Hidden behind an unmarked door, 28 HongKong Street helped introduce the speakeasy concept to Singapore.
Inside, the atmosphere is relaxed and intimate. The bartenders focus on perfectly executed classic cocktails along with seasonal creations.
It remains one of the city’s most beloved cocktail bars.
Atlas Bar
Atlas is one of the most spectacular cocktail bars anywhere in the world. The towering art-deco space features a dramatic gin tower filled with hundreds of bottles.
The cocktails here are refined, elegant, and beautifully presented. Atlas specializes in classic cocktails with exceptional ingredients and precision.
The interior alone makes Atlas worth visiting, and it consistently ranks among the best bars globally.

Where to Eat
Burnt Ends

Burnt Ends is one of Singapore’s most celebrated restaurants and holds a Michelin star for its bold wood-fired cooking. Located in the Dempsey Hill dining district, the restaurant centers around an open kitchen with a massive wood-fired oven, creating a lively and energetic dining atmosphere.
The menu focuses on high-quality ingredients cooked over fire, with dishes that highlight smoke, char, and rich flavors. One of the restaurant’s most famous creations is the Burnt Ends Sanger, a smoked brisket sandwich served on brioche with chipotle aioli and slaw.
With its vibrant kitchen, excellent ingredients, and distinctive wood-fire cooking style, Burnt Ends remains one of the most exciting dining experiences in Singapore.

Menu at Burnt Ends Michelin-starred restaurant in Singapore
A woman sitting at a bar holding a water glass, smiling, with a dark, elegantly decorated bar interior in the background featuring shelves of bottles and glasses, and pendant lights overhead.
Two spoons with chocolate mousse topped with black tapioca pearls, placed on a black slate serving plate on a wooden table.
Signature grilled dish served at Burnt Ends Singapore
Dessert course served at Burnt Ends Michelin-starred restaurant in Singapore

Candlenut –  Singapore’s Michelin-Star Peranakan Restaurant
Located in the leafy Dempsey Hill neighborhood, Candlenut is the world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant. Chef Malcolm Lee’s menu celebrates the bold flavors of Straits Chinese cuisine with refined presentations and exceptional ingredients.
The tasting menu highlights traditional dishes such as Bakwan Kepiting crab soup, wing bean salad, and rich braised pork with buah keluak — a deeply aromatic nut used in classic Peranakan cooking.
The dining room is relaxed yet elegant, and the experience offers a wonderful introduction to Singapore’s unique culinary heritage

Candlenut restaurant exterior at Dempsey Hill Singapore
Peranakan tasting menu dishes at Candlenut Singapore
Interior dining room at Candlenut restaurant Singapore

Where to Stay in Singapore
Singapore offers some exceptional luxury hotels that are perfectly located for exploring the city’s cocktail scene.

Andaz Singapore
Hyatt, Award Cat 6 - able to use suite upgrade coupons.  A modern property with excellent views and a great location.​

Raffles Hotel Singapore
One of the most famous hotels in the world, Raffles combines colonial history with refined luxury. Staying here puts you steps away from the legendary Long Bar.

Marina Bay Sands
Known for its iconic rooftop infinity pool, Marina Bay Sands offers incredible views of the Singapore skyline and easy access to many of the city’s best restaurants and bars.

The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
A beautiful waterfront luxury hotel with excellent service and a fantastic rooftop bar overlooking Marina Bay.

Tips for Visiting Singapore Cocktail Bars
Reservations are often recommended for the top cocktail bars.
Dress codes tend to be smart casual, especially at upscale venues.  Some places don't accept open toes shoes.
Cocktails in Singapore are not inexpensive, but the quality is exceptional.
Many of the best bars are located around Marina Bay and the central business district.
Bar hopping in Singapore is easy thanks to the city’s excellent transportation and walkable neighborhoods, and rideshare - Grab.

Final Thoughts
Singapore is one of the most exciting cocktail destinations in the world. Whether you’re sipping a Singapore Sling at the historic Long Bar or exploring innovative modern bars like Atlas and Native, the city offers an incredible mix of tradition, creativity, and hospitality.
For travelers who appreciate great cocktails and beautiful spaces.

Singapore is an unforgettable stop.

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FAQ
How many days do you need in Singapore?
Three to four days is enough to experience Singapore's top cocktail bars, hawker centers, luxury hotels, and major attractions.

What is the best cocktail bar in Singapore?
Native, Atlas, Jigger & Pony, Manhattan, and Long Bar consistently rank among the city's most respected bars.

What is Singapore's most famous cocktail?
The Singapore Sling, created at Long Bar in Raffles Hotel.

Where should first-time visitors stay in Singapore?
Marina Bay offers the best combination of attractions, luxury hotels, restaurants, and nightlife.

Are Singapore cocktail bars expensive?
Yes. Singapore is one of Asia's more expensive cocktail destinations, but the quality and hospitality are exceptional.