Burpple - Best Bars In Singapore

If you're looking for bars where you can relieve stress, have fun, and chill with friends, look no further - we've sussed out the best places for you!. This article was originally published on burpple.com.

1. 1. Mars Bar By Mixes From Mars

   
   Photo by Mandy Lynn

   For Crazy Local Food-flavoured Cocktails
   Committed to bringing you specially-crafted cocktails with a strong emphasis on local flavours, this bar boasts a uniquely Singaporean take on their cocktails with flavours you'd never think could be combined with alcohol. Some favourites include their signature chilli crab cocktail, bak kwa cocktail, and durian cocktail ($22). Mars Bar now operates in The Duxton Hotel lobby until October 2014, so hurry down to get your fix of local flavours in seemingly absurd but surprisingly delicious concoctions.

   
   

2. 2. Bar Stories

   Bugis

   
   Photo by Alain Foodology

   For Beautiful Bespoke Cocktails
   With no cocktail menu offered, this place flows with creative juices, both literally and figuratively, as their seasoned mixologists stand ever-ready to cater to every aspect of your cocktail needs by customising your drink. In a completely interactive environment, drinks are personalised and crafted according to your mood and current preferences. As these mixologists are so attentive, the whole process leaves you feeling like royalty. Expect to spend around $25 per cocktail. For the experience, it's totally worth it.

   
   

3. 3. Jekyll & Hyde

   Tanjong Pagar

   
   Photo by Shayne Loh

   For Manicures And Cocktails
   There's probably no better place to get your drinks on with friends after work. Have your dinner first, and head over (before 9 please) to get pampered with a mani-pedi, then move over to the bar and stay till late to enjoy some wonderful gin cocktails. Doesn't the Lady Marmalade - oolong infused gin, lavender and marmalade sound awesome?

   
   

4. 4. Manhattan Bar

   
   Photo by Mandy Lynn

   For Luxury And Grandeur
   It's like being transported back to old New York - grand and luxuriant, this place just oozes golden age elegance. Think, The Great Gatsby. Here, there is celebration of New York's diversity through their meticulously-presented and delectable bites, and drinks are made in honour of classic cocktails. Even the ice cubes are stamped with the classy Manhattan logo! With its grand hotel bar splendour and fancy dark furnishing, you would want to dress for the occasion.

   
   

5. 5. Bitters & Love

   
   Photo by Mandy Lynn

   For Personalized Cocktails And Great Food
   Located behind Shoebox Canteen, Bitters & Love is a great find perfect for exquisite, personalised, after-work cocktals, with prices ranging from $19-25. They also serve up tasty bar snacks like the tender rangers valley waygu and triple cooked handcut truffle potatoes (prices from $13). Unpretentious and staffed with friendly bartenders, the search for this place is definitely worth it.

   
   

6. 6. Horse's Mouth

   
   Photo by Mandy Lynn

   For Asian-Inspired Cocktails
   A seemingly Japanese-themed, dimly-lit, pleasantly quiet bar in the basement of Forum, this place marks itself as a go-to bar for uniquely concocted cocktails with an Asian flair. Examples being their chicken rice-inspired, makizushi (sushi), and sze chaun cocktails (each for $25). If you're feeling hungry, go for the ramen and wagyu beef. Dinner and drinks all in one place!

   
   

7. 7. Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall

   
   Photo by Mandy Lynn

   For Great Drinks Without Gimmicks
   It's name and signboard may be more than a little misleading; bringing to mind a humble hawker centre drink stall rather than a cool, laid-back place situated amidst the busy stretch of bars along Boat Quay. Surrounded by old school décor, bartenders of Ah Sam whip up quality classic cocktails as well as those inspired by local flavours - like the laksa boy and milo whiskey. Cosy and minimalistic, with downright yummy drinks in a friendly environment. Shiok ah!

   
   

8. 8. Emerald Hill No 5

   
   Photo by Seriously Man

   For Martini Special Happy Hours
   A European-style bar housed in a restored Peranakan shophouse brings back and earns loyal patrons by offering great affordable drinks alongside delicious bar bites. They offer 1-for-1 martinis during Happy Hour which stretches from 9pm to 1am - Martini-lovers take note! With that drink in hand, try their famous prawn paste chicken wings and the No. 5 special. Charming and full of character, No. 5 definitely makes for a very pleasant bar experience.

   
   

9. 9. The Secret Mermaid

   
   Photo by Mandy Lynn

   For American Craft Spirits & Bizarre Vodkas
   The Secret Mermaid is kind of, well, secret. It's probably nowhere to be found when the sun's still up, as salad bar Shinkansen operates this spot in the day. This elusive tasting room serves some of the most bizarre spirits you've ever heard of. Anyone up for Bakon Vodka or Smoked Salmon Vodka? If not, they bring in several other American spirits that are completely new and unique to Singapore, such as Berkshire Mountain’s Greylock Gin, which is rated the #1 gin by the New York Times.

   
   

10. 10. 28 Hong Kong Street

    
    Photo by baoeatsworld x

    For the Best "Secret" Bar
    28 Hongkong Street is your super hipster exclusive bar hidden behind a very unsuspecting entrance. Classic cocktails and spirits are served here, along with some light bites. No photography is allowed inside the bar, and this place almost never gets publicised. It's great if you want privacy with your close friends, and prefer smaller crowds. Maybe that's why reservations get snapped up super quickly, so make sure you give them a call before heading down.

    
    

11. 11. anti:dote

    
    Photo by Muriel A

    For Modern Tapas with your Tipple
    This spacious hotel bar in Fairmont takes bar grub to a different level. Spanish chef Carlos Montobbio flaunts his handiwork and dedication to presentation through sophisticated tapas with modern twists. The innovative cocktails and tapas are even made using fresh harvests from the bar's own herb garden. Make sure you try the crisp parmesan pizza, topped with olive oil caviar, tomatoes, and basil ($12). What's so special about it? Its crust is made of deliciously crispy parmesan - that's what.

    
    

12. 12. The 1925 Microbrewery & Restaurant

    
    Photo by Kenneth Loy

    For Home-brewed Beer
    Housed in a two-storey shophouse at Jalan Besar, 1925 Microbrewery was born of passion for quality, freshly brewed beer. The dark interior provides for a super chill setting to kick back with friends and a few beers, of course. They serve some pretty solid grub like pasta, burgers, and pizzas as well. They have two beers from their own tap, the BLK622 and the Light Ale. If beer isn't your preferred choice of alcohol, just head up to the wine and whiskey lounge on the second floor.

    
    

13. 13. The Library

    Chinatown

    
    Photo by Veelynn Chew

    For the Super Exclusive
    You need a password to get into The Library, no kidding. But fret not, you can easily get it from The Study's Facebook page; they post it every Monday. The front of this speakeasy inspired bar is modeled after - you guessed it - a library. But step through a compartment of the bookshelf and you'll be greeted by a classy, dimly lit interior. Don't expect classic cocktails here. Instead, they do quirky, interesting cocktails like the Shrub-a-dub-dub, and Top Secret served in one-of-a-kind vessels, as the bartender prefers adding his own twist to create unique cocktails.

    
    

14. 14. Sugarhall

    For The Rum Enthusiastists
    Situated right next to Jigger & Pony and conveniently founded by the same people, this place probably holds the largest stash of sugarcane spirits on the island, and promotes the heavenly pairing of grilled food and rum. Try their tasty grilled meats, be it the pork chop, free-range chicken, or rib eye steak, and rack your brain over the 60+ choices of rum offered, on top of their cocktail selection. What a happy problem.

    
    

15. 15. Chupitos Shots Bar

    Clarke Quay

    
    Photo by Qiumei Lin

    For A Fun Night With Shooters
    Offering over 130 shots which fall into the categories "Dare", "Deadly", "Fruity", and "Yummy", this place will definitely have something to suit your distinct alcohol personality. From the slightly disturbing Bloody Tampon to the childhood favourite Paddle Pop, you'd be enjoying yourself silly and attempting to stay conscious long enough to have every shooter on the menu. Though a shots bar, they have a decent range of martinis, cocktails, spirits, and bar bites as well. Just beware - things may get messy.

    
    

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