If you’re hankering for a world-class cocktail, you’re definitely in the right city. Singapore emerged as the winner at the recently unveiled Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022, with 11 bars in The Lion City earning a coveted spot in the top 50 and a further nine rounding up the top 100.
The art of cocktail-making is a serious pursuit today, with bartenders leaning on gastronomic techniques and trends to craft their drinks. Rotovaps, dehydrators and sonic infusers are a common sight, as are fresh ingredients, homemade infusions, and unconventional base spirits.
With Singapore open till late with scant restrictions, there’s no better way to celebrate the newfound freedom than at the city’s best bars. Every occasion that calls for an elevated drink, live music and scrumptious nosh is ripe for a gathering don’t you think? It’s something we’re doing a lot of at DayAway, as we celebrate our first birthday in the city where we were born. Cheers!
1. Jigger and Pony
Voted Singapore’s best bar in 2022 and 2022, Jigger and Pony sits majestically across two floors at its new home in Amara Hotel. Best known for its reimagined classics, the upbeat bar—which is currently in second place in the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 list—is well-loved for its warm hospitality and breezy vibe. The menu is famously presented in a magazine format, where you’ll find novel drinks like the Korean Boilermaker alongside stalwart creations like Madam President. The craftsmanship and years of research behind each drink will surely have you coming back for more.
DayAway Tipple: Whiskey Highball
The Jigger and Pony Whisky Highball ups the ante on the highball game. Two whiskies form the base of this drink—Suntory Chita and Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve. These are blended with Hokkaido super soft water following the Japanese ‘maewari’ technique, which calls for a two to three days’ rest to soften the malt and impart a smooth and mild taste.
Jigger and Pony at Amara Hotel
165 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088539
See Also: How to Make 7 of Asia’s Most Famous Hotel Bar Cocktails At Home
2. Atlas
The grandiose Atlas bar is a sight to behold with its soaring 45-foot ceiling decorated with painted murals, ornate gold fittings and a bespoke tower holding 1,300 brands of gin. Head Bartender Lidiyannah K (known as Yana) recently took over the reins here, which is currently 23rd on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list. She delivers a nuanced cocktail menu, inspired by Art Deco buildings around the world. What’s more, Atlas is home to one of the best Champagne lists the city has to offer.
DayAway Tipple: Sunset Hill
You’ll never be disappointed with a gin and tonic at Atlas, and we insist you start your evening with it. As you progress, we suggest you give this alluring daffodil-yellow concoction a try. With mezcal as its base, the drink is also flavoured with pear and tickled with a hint of curry leaf.
Atlas
600 North Bridge Road, Parkview Square, Singapore 188778
3. Tippling Club
Take a seat at this intimate bar and have a chat with the affable head bartender, Andrew Loudon. Modern art and artists play muse to his current coterie of drinks, and referencing masterpieces from Miro and Andy Warhol in his artistic cocktail creations. Placing 27th on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 list, expect to find drinks drawing on molecular gastronomy techniques while the kitchen next door provides delectable bites.
DayAway Tipple: Ciphers and Constellations
Served in a flute, Ciphers and Constellation is inspired by Joan Miro’s eponymous art series. It brings together champagne, calvados, dill, sudachi lime and sherbet topped with a dehydrated apple wafer and fronds of dill standing in for Miro’s ciphers.
Tippling Club
38 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088461
See Also: Which Rosé Wine is Right for You?
4. Mallow
Helmed by Janice Wong, Mallow is a new pocket gastrobar at InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay Hotel. She called the charming duo of Christina Rasmussen and Sasha Wijidessa to develop the innovative concept of a plant-based bar where both food and drink are executed with the same ethos. Rasmussen, formerly the head forager at Noma in Denmark, looks after the creative minimalistic plates with ingredients sourced locally. Her philosophy is matched by her partner, Wijidessa of Operation Dagger, who experiments with unusual ingredients and conceptualises unconventional, flavour-first cocktails.
DayAway Tipple: That Easy
Green apple comes together with yuzu and a touch of sumac and fizz in this refreshing palate cleanser. The drink also includes red rice sake for structure and roundness.
Mallow at InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay
1 Nanson Road #02-07B, Singapore 238909
5. No Sleep Club
Since its inception in 2019, No Sleep Club has energised Keong Saik street and made its presence felt on many top bars roundups, such as placing 15th on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 list. The eclectic and versatile all-day venue serves coffee, cocktails, and comfort food, making it a perfect place to linger. The establishment keeps a clean façade with a label-free bottle display while Yuan Ji Yun preps for her precision cocktails in the back room. Her partner, Jessica Hutchinson, lights up the floor with her infectious and unassuming hospitality.
DayAway Tipple: Gin & Tonic
Heads up: This is not your regular G&T. Juan creates a multifaceted carbonated tipple with black plum-infused gin, clarified guava and homemade lacto-fermented plums. The result is a refreshing blush pink tipple—the perfect effervescent aperitif.
No Sleep Club
20 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089127
See Also: How To Make The Perfect Gin & Tonic
6. Mr Stork
Decked out in modern teepee huts and tropical décor, Mr Stork atop Andaz Singapore has an inviting, lush ambience. This expansive bar offers a spectacular 360-degree view of the city and, if you’re there on a clear evening, serves as a fantastic perch for star-gazing. In addition to the extensive drink menu, a guest bartender is invited to create three curated drinks with bar snacks every month. We recommend visiting at dusk with a special someone in tow and witness the city come alive.
DayAway Tipple: Aaliya
Served in an elephant shaped tumbler, Aaliya is inspired by the spices of Sri Lanka. Crafted with indigenous Ceylok arrak and clarified coconut milk, the drink incorporates pineapple purée, pear liqueur, ginger beer and bitters for dimension and flavour. All in all, a very satisfying sip.
Mr Stork at Andaz Hotel Singapore
5 Fraser Street Level 39, Singapore 189354
7. Nutmeg and Clove
Located at its new address on Purvis Street, Nutmeg and Clove is a mainstay of the Singapore cocktail scene. Industry icon Colin Chia is the creative powerhouse behind this reinvented gastrobar, celebrating its eighth anniversary this year and currently No. 36 on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list. The latest menu is designed as a love letter to Singapore, with each drink paying homage to a Singapore icon.
DayAway Tipple: Garden City
The Singapore Botanical Gardens serves as the inspiration for this lively herbaceous drink where Hendricks gin is infused with musk melon, shiso leaf, lemon and Ayuuk (a botanical spirit made with smoky Pasilla Mixe chilli). One sip and you’re transported to the verdant gardens. A final tip: Don’t leave without ordering the moreish Nutmeg and Clove ice cream sandwich.
Nutmeg and Clove
8 Purvis Street, Singapore 188587
8. Republic
Step into the Swinging Sixties at Republic, the smashing year-old bar at Ritz Carlton, Millenia Singapore. From its lush burgundy-coloured leather seating to bespoke glassware and its mirrored ceiling, every element of this bar perpetuates a fun, retro vibe. A new entry at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 list at an impressive No. 12, their menu highlights cultural happenings of the 60s in Singapore, U.S.A., Italy, and the U.K.; each country presents four innovative cocktails and one non-alcoholic option.
DayAway Tipple: Valentino Red
A ravishing oversized red tuile garnishes this cherry-hued drink, which pays tribute to Valentino Garavani and his fascination with all things red. The fruit-forward drink features Monkey 47 gin, watermelon-infused riesling and is replete with peachy notes from the peach oolong tea and peach flavoured soda.
Republic Bar at Ritz Carlton, Millenia Singapore
7 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039799
See Also: Have A Weekday Revelry at Republic
9. Manhattan
A firm favourite since it launched in 2014, Manhattan at Regent Hotel always ranks high on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list (it currently places 9th). The bar channels old-world New York glamour and evokes a suave and grand 1920s salon. Manhattan’s latest menu takes inspiration from New York personalities and pays tribute to celebrities like Andy Warhol, Yoko Ono, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Bar manager Rusty Cereven and his team bring storied moments of their history to life, seen in the Notorious R.B.G., a punchy whisky-based concoction that encapsulates her fierce dissension.
DayAway Tipple: Granny Smith
Yoko Ono met John Lennon at one of her early exhibits in 1966, which included the infamous installation of a granny smith apple placed on tall plexiglass, labelled Apple. Inspired by this anecdote, Cereven uses Haku vodka as a base and plays up the apple quotient with clarified green apple and de pomme verte liqueur. Matcha foam brings texture and livens up the verdant hue.
Manhattan at Regent Singapore
1 Cuscaden Road, Singapore 249715
10. MO Bar
With panoramic views of Singapore’s Marina Bay and an innovative bar menu, it’s easy to see why MO Bar at the Mandarin Oriental earned the No. 8 position on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022. Adrian Besa, the dynamic bar manager, encourages his team to personalise guest experiences as best they can—something you’ll experience when you visit. The 16-drink menu takes its inspiration from Asia and the ports where the team travelled to collect ideas (as well as glassware and pottery) for their tailored drinks.
DayAway Tipple: Full Moon
Mo Bar’s signature drink is a herbaceous and fruit-driven cocktail flavoured with rum, pear juice and wheatgrass. The dazzling rice-paper design is inspired by Seoul’s rice field harvest in full moon.
MO Bar at the Mandarin Oriental, Singapore
5 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039797
See Also: This Cosy Hotel Bar Serves The World’s Most Unusual Rums