Gatsby would be utterly jealous…
After Crazy Rich Asians, Singapore doesn’t need any sales pitches. The city is fun, vibrant, full of amazing food, different cultures and makes for a truly excellent city holiday destination. What was once regarded as a business city and nothing more is now an emerging capital for all things fine dining and fine drinking. The new World’s 50 Best Cocktail Bars list is out, and Singapore now offers an impressive five of the 50 best in the world, and a whopping 12 of the top 50 best bars in Asia – including the number one spot. Get your wallets ready, because these Singapore bars are worth a night out…
As the number one bar in Asia and third best in the entire world, it would almost be rude not to visit when in Singapore. This grand, classically styled bar can be found in the Regent hotel and serves an eclectic mix of classic and crafty cocktails, using only the best seasonal ingredients. Oozing sophistication and its namesake New York vibes, it’s easy to sit back and enjoy the tasty cocktails for a couple of hours – as well as the gourmet bar bites, which separate this bar from most!
Link: Manhattan
The setting for Asia’s fourth best bar is absolutely stunning. It’s opulent, it’s grand and you cannot help but feel as if you’ve entered the belle époque. Fortunately the delicious drinks will keep you blissfully entertained as you take in the scene. Atlas offers more than 1000 gins and vintage cocktails with booze dating back to the 1920’s, just in case you weren’t sure about wow factor. If you’re worried about getting seated, go for lunch or on the early side of the evening when it opens. There should be no problem getting a table.
Link: Atlas
Native is a cocktail bar with a concept – and it’s a really good one. Each cocktail is based on a region of Asia, using spirits and flavor profiles which are unique and specific to that region. There’s no vodka to be found here. The mixologists are extremely knowledgeable and will give detailed explanations behind each drink, the concept and where in Asia the spirit originates. It’s the perfect cosy upstairs bar. If you’re looking for the full experience, ask to take a look upstairs to see the “lab” and perhaps the infusions behind the menu items.
Link: Native
Once you find this cool spot on the busy streets of Chinatown, you’ll be nothing but impressed. Key word: “once” you find it. The sleek interior and mystery behind the semi anonymous drinks makes for a fun experience, and definitely manages to awaken all your senses. Using a multitude of flavors and a regularly changing cocktail menu, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with new items each time you return to Operation Dagger – and yes, it’s totally worth returning to. You’ll see…
Link: Operation Dagger
Who needs a sign out front? 28 HongKong Street has been a top spot on the bar scene in Singapore for a while now, and the buzzing borderline speakeasy atmosphere mixed with unique flavor profiles definitely makes for an entertaining night out. It may transfer you briefly to America with the New York style lounge, blaring hip hop classics and an old school vibe, but the punchy cocktails win above all.
Link: 28 HongKong Street
More Singapore bars worth trying:
Featured image courtesy of the Manhattan Bar at Regent Hotel.
28 Hong Kong has been one of my favorite stops in SIN for a while now. Last time I had a bartender from Ohio who hated the Buckeyes though.