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12 Watering Holes in Singapore Perfect For Your TGIF Celebrations

Natasha Ng — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 01:00:48 +0000

We all know that feeling when you step into the office and immediately feel the desire for the day to end. Been there, done that.

So when Friday rolls around, you’re dying to meet your pals or gals for a good night out. Run-of-the-mill bars and pubs aren’t good enough and you want something a little more fun and a little more special to celebrate the end of a tiring week of work.

Here is a list of 12 Watering Holes Perfect For Your TGIF Celebrations.

#1 1925 BREWERY CO.

Serving up handcrafted beers and beer-inspired grub, 1925 Brewery Co. is the perfect place to unwind at after a tough day at the office. All their craft beers have an interesting tale to tell and their friendly staff are always willing to share.

Their signature beer – the Yellow Van – is worth a try. It’s a pale ale with a light and refreshing mouthfeel. They also offer stronger brews for those who prefer something with more robust flavours; their Jewel of Africa Smoky Porter has an interesting coffee flavour and resembles a deep stout.

While you’re at it, try their boozy Tiramisu made with Patron Cafe XO, an espresso-based liquor. It’s the perfect sweet ending to your work week!

261 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427515
Tel: +65 6909 1425
Tue to Sun: 4pm – 12am
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Dakota/Eunos

#2 BAR BAR BLACK SHEEP

Sporting over 150 food items from a wide variety of cuisines, Bar Bar Black Sheep will satisfy all tongues. Western, Indian, Thai, Japanese – you name it, they have it.

While enjoying live soccer with your pals, you can dig into their unique Laksa Potato Chips or a bar-grub-classic Battered Fish & Chips; they go so well with an ice cold pint of beer. It’s the perfect way to relax and let off some steam, considering that the soccer clubs you support wins, of course!

501 Bukit Timah
#01-05C Cluny Court
Tel: +65 67634757
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 1am
Sat: 12pm – 1am
Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

#3 BARKING IRONS

Barking Irons is a new steampunk-themed speakeasy bistro bar in Lavender serving up an interesting innovation: local-inspired cocktails! They wanted to adopt the “coffee-shop style” with drinks that reminded others of their throw-back childhood generation.

Try their famous alcoholic Bandung – pretty in pink but packs quite a punch!

78 Horne Road, #01-01
Singapore 209078
Tel: +65 6909 0349
Tues to Sun: 4pm – 12am
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Lavender

#4 DON’T TELL MAMA

Despite it’s name, you would definitely want to tell your mama about this Korean-Mexican fusion bar. Don’t Tell Mama boasts a rustic wooden-industrial interior with a whimsical twist, having galaxy-printed umbrellas hanging from the ceiling and an indoor tree.

Of their plethora of drinks, including fruity soju and cocktails, they have their Beeritas and Sojuritas. They are slushy margaritas topped with a whole bottle of beer or soju. Food-wise, try their Bulgogi Quesadilla to really get to know what Korean-Mexican fusion is all about!

52 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088473
Tel: +65 6221 2007
Mon to Thu: 5.30pm – 2am
Fri & Sat: 5.30pm – 3am
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Outram Park/Tanjong Pagar

#5 HOPHEADS

If you and your friends aren’t the kind to sit and chill at a bar, Hopheads might be the place for you. Think beer pong, giant Jenga and even table tennis – you’ll never get bored at Hopheads.

With no minimum spend and affordable happy hour prices, you and your buds don’t have to break the bank to enjoy yourselves.

78 Clemenceau Ave
Haw Par Glass Tower #B1-00
Singapore 239926
Tel: +65 6904 4019
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 11.45pm
Fri: 11.30am – 1.45am
Sat: 5pm – 1.45am
(Closed on Sundays except for private events)
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

#6 HOLEY MOLEY GOLF CLUB

Have you ever played mini golf when you’re tipsy? You may not get that hole-in-one, but you’re sure to have a ball of a time either way. Holey Moley Golf Club has several themed mini golf stations where you and your friends can have your hand at golf, even if you’ve never touched a golf club in your life.

Their menu boasts affordable beer towers and classic bar comfort food such as tater-tots and truffle fries but their biggest highlight would be their metre-long pizzas. If you’re planning a big group gathering, their gigantic pizzas are perfect for sharing.

3B River Valley Road
Singapore 179024
Tel: 800 492 2410
Mon: 12pm – 10pm
Tue: 12pm – 12am
Wed & Thu: 12pm – 1am
Fri: 12pm – 2am
Sat: 10am – 2am
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

#7 LEVEL UP

Level Up, Singapore’s first-ever arcade bar, will take your Friday game nights to a whole new level. Stepping into Level Up seeing all the various game machines and flashing neon lights will definitely make you reminisce the old days where you played air hockey with your friends at arcades such as TimeZone.

All you need to do is buy some drinks to get tokens to play with the machines. Challenge your friends at old-school arcade Basketball, Foosball and Streetfighter while snacking on their pub grub sharing platters.

3A River Valley Road #02-04
Singapore 179020
Tel: +65 6266 2276
Mon to Thu: 5pm – 2am
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 3am
Sun: 4pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

#8 LOOF

Famed for their instagrammed-to-death neon lights and Asian-fusion bar snacks, Loof is a great spot to enjoy the last day of the week with friends.

Loof sports a modern menu with Asian flavours, offering cocktails with Asian twists and local-flavour-inspired such as their Bak Chor Mee Grilled Cheese or Chilli Crab Fries. Their al-fresco dining concept makes for a chill ambience; perfect for closing off a stressful week.

331 North Bridge Rd
Odeon Towers, Roof Top #03-07
Singapore 188720
Tel: +65 6337 9416
Sun to Thu: 5pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Bras Basah/Esplanade

#9 NINETEEN80

Located in the heart of the CBD is retro-arcade bar, Nineteen80; a convenient rendezvous point for an after-work TGIF celebration. Nineteen80 is not just an instagram hotspot – it’s somewhere you can relive your inner child and have a great time with good company.

Combine some nostalgic game machines (think Space Invaders, Puzzle Bobble and Street Fighter 2) with fun drinks such as Vodka Ribena and you’ll get the perfect mix for a great night.

21 Tanjong Pagar Road #01-05
Singapore 088444
Tel: +65 9183 6073
Tue: 6.30pm – 1am
Wed & Fri: 6.30pm – 3am
Thu: 6.30pm – 2am
Sat: 9pm – 4am
(Closed on Sundays & Mondays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#10 OPERATION DAGGER

Like its name, Operation Dagger is a sharp and sleek speakeasy bar, hidden away in Ann Siang Hill. If you’re willing to push a few more pennies for drinks, Operation Dagger will not disappoint you and your crew.

Helmed by culinary flavour-master Luke Whearty, this hidden gem offers a plethora of the most unique drinks with its ever-changing menu. Some of the bars’ past concoctions include The Egg (salted egg yolk, vanilla and caramel) and Kakigori (matcha, vanilla, melon and white chocolate).

7 Ann Siang Hill
Singapore 069791
Tel: +65 6438 4057
Mon to Sat: 6pm – 12am
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

#11 PONG

If you and your friends’ favourite drinking game includes beer and a few ping-pong balls, Pong will be your new favourite after-dark hangout. With their PongConnect™ technology, they will guarantee you a high-tech and fun-filled evening.

Their array of pizzas, pasta and drinks will keep your tummy satisfied as you battle it out with your friends. You can have a go at their dart machines too if you want to take a break from an intense match of Beer Pong.

3B River Valley Road #01-17,
The Foundry
Singapore 179021
Tel: +65 8808 7664
Sun to Thu: 7pm – 2am
Fri & Sat: 7pm – 3am
Nearest Station: Fort Canning / Clarke Quay

#12 TIPSY PENGUIN

A rare gem in the East, the Tipsy Penguin boasts a wide selection of handmade pasta, donburi rice bowls and even $2 oysters! This spacious sports bar will offer you an array of affordable boozy drinks to play alongside your munchies such as their Charles’ Double Chocolate Stout or some fruity soju.

If you’re up for a sweet treat, check out their Accidental Cheesecake – a burnt cheesecake served with honeycomb ice cream. It will be one of the most satisfying ways to end your week.

300 Tampines Avenue 5, #01-02A
Singapore 529653
Tel: +65 9179 2051
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Tampines

10 Unique Themed Bars in Singapore With Great Booze and Better Vibes

Phyllis Leong — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 16:54:00 +0000

Hands up if you’re one of those typical Singaporeans who drinks at run-of-the-mill bars along Holland Village or Clarke Quay! Don’t worry, that makes two of us. The drinking scene in our little red dot may seem a lil’ uninspiring, but there are some alternatives you can get wasted at than your habitual watering holes and clubs.

We discovered a slew of ingenious themed bars that have stepped up their game and creativity to lure alcoholics in – from a 20’s-inspired speakeasy to an 80’s arcade, there’s everything for everyone.

Ditch your old drinking spot and pop by these 10 unique themed bars offering not only great booze, but great vibes too!

Photo Credit: www.augustman.com

TAKI TAKI

Fancy a drink in Hawaii? Chill at Taki Taki, a Hawaiian-inspired balcony bar notable for their rum-based only tiki drinks. Their name, in Fijian, signifies “to lift up” or “cheers”, and they promise you just that.

One of the few tiki-concept bars in Singapore, they serve up some exclusive signature drinks inspired by our local flavours. Some creations to try are the Nyonya Daiquiri and Temasek Sourz, but if you’re feeling adventurous, opt for their Stylo Milo.

1 Keong Saik Road, #02-02
Singapore 089109
Mon to Sat: 4pm – 12am
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Outram Park

Photo Credit: www.burpple.com

DON’T TELL MAMA

If you’re strolling down the stretch of Little Korea in Tanjong Pagar, be sure to stop by Don’t Tell Mama, a transformative bistro with split personalities. Also known as DaBang—an Australian-Korean brunch and dessert café in the day—it morphs into an exotic Korean Mexican fusion bistro when the sun sets.

Reminiscent of a Korean drinking house, beer bottles and lightbulbs hang off ceilings with rustic meets modern industrial décor. Expect a K-twist to the drinks’ menu – here, they serve fruity Sojuritas, Beeritas, fruit soju cocktails and shooters. For the non-alchoholics, there’s a Bar Surprise, where sexy oppas will mix you a special surprise drink!

52 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088473
Tel: +65 6221 2007
Mon to Thurs: 5:30pm – 2am
Fri & Sat: 5:30pm – 3am
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Photo Credit: www.singaporemarriott.com

THE OTHER ROOM

Hidden from the privy eyes of guests, The Other Room is a speakeasy tucked away in the corner of Marriott Hotel behind black velvet drapes. Inspired by the 1920s prohibition era, they have included a charming gimmick where you have to ring the bell before someone takes you in.

The bar boasts a handsome dark interior shelved with an exquisite array of house-labelled bottles and oak casks while old-school music pumps in the background. Though expensive, the experience here is one of a kind, with a menu that flaunts an extensive collection of over 150 spirits and cocktails inspired by the bygone era. The concoctions are carefully curated in-house in casks by spirit-makers, infusing a variety of wood, fruits and spices to add flavour and dimension.

Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
320 Orchard Road, #01-05
Singapore 238865
Tel: +65 6100 7778
Mon to Thurs: 6pm – 3am
Fri to Sun: 6pm – 4am
Nearest Station: Orchard

THE SPIFFY DAPPER

Tucked in the heart of Amoy Street is 1920s-inspired speakeasy The Spiffy Dapper. Famed coffee house in the day, it transforms to a mysterious grunge bar with an extensive collection of alcohol selections by night. Dark and intimate, the ambience is perfect for couples on date night. The watering hole also makes bespoke drinks – tell them the different scents, flavours and alcohol you like, and they’ll make a drink for you on the spot!

Here, they don’t take themselves seriously – but they do make mean cocktails. We would recommend the Sheikh On The Level, a Turkish black tea delight with gin, or even Ms Grundy, a twist to the typical Bloody Mary. The best thing about this bar? Everything is NETT!

73 Amoy St, Second Floor
Singapore 069892
Tel: +65 8742 8908
Mon to Thurs: 5pm – 1am
Fri: 5pm – 2am
Sat: 6pm – 2am
Sun: 7pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Photo Credit: Holey Moley Golf Club

HOLEY MOLEY GOLF CLUB

Ever heard of an Insta-worthy golf club with themed golf courses, exclusive cocktails and chunky burgers? Welcome to Holey Moley, an indoor putt-putt bar home to a sprinkle of neon signs, pop culture references and a labyrinth of themed holes from Alice In Wonderland to The Simpsons and Game of Thrones.

Sink into retro-esque booths at The Caddyshack Bar, order a heaping pile of giant, wacky food all while jamming to music in the background. Order the cocktail of every girl’s dreams: Candy Man, a margarita served with cotton candy and Strawberry sticks, or Sugar Caddy, a signature fruity vodka drink.3B River Valley Road

Singapore 179024
Tel: +65 800 492 2410
Mon to Weds: 12pm – 1am
Thurs & Fri: 12pm – 2am
Sat: 10am – 2am
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Photo Credit: Level Up

LEVEL UP

There’s no better combination in this world than games, friends, and lots of alcohol. Rekindle your childhood nostalgia at Level Up, Singapore’s first 80’s-themed arcade bar! Upon stepping in, it’s like a blast to the past: the interior is splashed with neon lights, graffiti and arcade machines. Treat yourself to a night full of fun with their various arcade and drinking games – from Street Fighter and claw machines to beer pong and pool, it’s the perfect place to bum around with your friends.

With every food and beverage purchase, you get tokens that you can use for the games. They also offer a wide selection of drinks, from cocktails and bottles to soju. Do try their house signatures, Melon Cucumber Martini and Milo Dino – you won’t be disappointed.

3A River Valley Road
#02-04 Block A
Singapore 179020
Tel: +65 6266 2276
Mon to Thurs: 5pm – 2am
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 3am
Sun: 4pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Photo Credit: NINETEEN80

NINETEEN80

Relive the good ol’ days at NINETEEN80, another 80’s-inspired arcade bar and discotheque. You already know it’s going to be a heckin’ good time of fun and games when you’re greeted by a game font “Press Start” at the entrance. Murals of Bruce Lee, Pacman and other iconic characters are painted on the walls, with arcade machines and pop culture references everywhere.

The drinks selection is fun and innovative, with their own twist to classic cocktails from a past era. Jam to old-school tunes while you sip your poison for the night.

P.S We would go for their Blue Lagoon and Tequila Sunrise!

21 Tg Pagar Road, #01-05
Singapore 088444
Tel: +65 9183 60733
Tues & Thurs: 6:30pm – 1am
Weds & Fri: 6:30pm – 3am
Sat: 9pm – 4am
(Closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Photo Credit: www.monarchy.sg.com

THE MONARCHY

The first quintessential British cocktail bar and ultra lounge in Singapore, The Monarchy celebrates Britain. Enter the establishment through a door identical to the front door of the British Minister’s home at 10 Downing Street, and you will be greeted with elegance, opulence and luxury.

Priding themselves on premium spirits and traditional cocktails from the British scene, they spin a twist on the usual recipes, following “Cool Britannia”, a 1990s celebration of UK youth culture. Each drink is carefully crafted and named after famous British songs. Choose between 18 cocktails – some favourites include Bitter Sweet Symphony and Stairway To Heaven.

56 Tras Street
Singapore 078995
Tel: +65 9800 3787
Tues to Fri: 6pm – 3am
Sat: 6pm – 4am
(Closed on Sundays and Mondays)

KABUKE

Think Japanese elaborate theatrical setup, sumptuous delights and lots of rare sake. Located on the second floor of a heritage shophouse along Telok Ayer Street, Kabuke is an unpretentious gastrobar inspired by kabuki theatre. Not only are their famed for their contemporary Japanese cuisine, they promise quality sake too. Step in and be whirled into the world of kabuki, with eccentric ornaments, neon lights and traditional set up everywhere.

They offer a wide selection of sake, from Yamazaki 18 Years to Hibiki 21 years; heavyweights can also opt for the sake flights, a set of 50ml trio tasting portions of your choice. You can also order their bar bites, all carefully curated to complement the sake.

200A Telok Ayer Street, Level 2
Singapore 068638
Tel: +65 8822 5525
Mon to Thurs: 11:30am – 2pm, 6pm – 11pm
Fri: 11:30am – 2pm, 6pm – 12am
Sat: 6pm – 10pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

Photo Credit: White Label Records

WHITE LABEL RECORDS

Home to carefully curated vinyl records, White Label Records is a vinyl store in the day and hip bar at night. Inspired by their deep passion for music, the founders wanted to create a space for music lovers to discover new music while socialising. There’s also a booth for live performances and special music-themed nights. They also switch up the records here on a rotational basis, offering both local and regional vinyl.

Fresh fruits and vodka drinks are also part of their signature menu! They have come up with three renditions of our usual cocktails: Vodka-based fresh fruit Mojito, a tea-based Long Island and Chrysanthemum Vodka Martini.

28 Ann Siang Rd, #01-01
Singapore 069708
Tues to Thurs: 11am – 2am
Fri & Sat: 11am – 1am
Sun: 12pm – 5pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Chinatown