ladyironchef » Upper Thomson Bars

6 Elusive Dive Bars In Singapore Your Parents Should Never Know About

Editorial — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 04:00:00 +0000

On the outside, dive bars may seem dodgy and probably not the sort of place you would ever want your folks catching you and your mates at. Tucked away in some of the tiniest cracks, these neighbourhood joints are often hard to find.

But a dive bar’s charm lies in the fact that it often sees a regular crowd, of which like-minded drinkers can feel a sense of familiarity and belonging. They may not be the most lavish—in fact far from it. But for some, these dive bars are considered home.

These are the spots where you can expect to chit chat with bartenders till the cows come home, occasionally witness some drunk-driven drama or simply get sloshed without being judged. As much as we love our bespoke cocktail bars, it’s time to give those a miss because dive bars are where the fun is at.

Here are 6 Elusive Dive Bars In Singapore Your Parents Should Never Know About.

SARA’S

Sara’s is one of the longest standing establishments in the Upper Thomson enclave. This is a place that sees patrons from all walks of life from retirees to strapping young teenagers in need of a late night tipple.

This iconic bar may seem dodgy to first-timers, but for those who live around the area, it is pretty much home. Sara’s has just about everything from beer to scotch and even some homemade cocktails that pack a punch.

217 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574350
Mon to Sat: 5pm – 3am
Sun: 5pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Marymount

Photo Credit: One Place Bistro & Bar

ONE PLACE BISTRO & BAR

Located in Jalan Kayu, One Place Bistro & Bar is pretty hard to get to unless you drive—which is not particularly advisable if your motive for the night is to get sloshed. Their offerings include the usual suspects but many people just go for the dual beer tower promotion which is pretty decently priced.

It may also come as a surprise that their food is far more impressive than the average bar grub. The only downside is that their kitchen closes relatively early, but then again, being in Jalan Kayu, searching for a late night bite is not a difficult task.

273 Jalan Kayu,
Singapore 799501
Tel: +65 6555 6539
Sun to Fri: 6pm – 1am
Sat: 6pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Seng Kang

CHIPS

From beers as cheap as S$5 a mug, to a wide range of killer cocktails to get your night started, Chips has got it all covered. Located in the incredibly dodgy ming arcade, this tiny hole-in-the-wall is a godsend for party-goers in need of a quick and cheap fix.

They also have a delicious range of bar snacks (hint: cheese fries) to go along with the ice-cold beers.

21 Cuscaden Road,
Singapore 249720
Tel: +65 6735 4336
Mon to Thu: 6pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 6pm – 3am
(Closed on Sunday)
Nearest Station: Orchard

Photo Credit: The Drunken Poet

THE DRUNKEN POET

Located on the ground floor of the infamous Orchard Towers lies The Drunken Poet. This quaint hole-in-the-wall Irish pub exudes a rustic vibe that one would closely associate to Irish charm—from green bricks, barrels, mahogany furniture and the smell of Guinness.

The food menu is simple yet affordable with a few mains and bar bites to fill your tummy. Their drink offerings are pretty extensive however, many just go for the iconic Guinness draught.

01-29C Orchard Towers, 400 Orchard Road,
Singapore 238875
Tel: +65 6734 2924
Tue to Sat: 12pm – 1am
Sun: 12pm – 11pm
(Closed on Monday)
Nearest Station: Orchard

VIE BAR

Residents of the East will want to keep this one a secret—Vie Bar in Siglap is an intimate bar whose primary clientele comprises loyal customers who return for their beers, hard liquor and occasional promotions.

This is also where you can catch sporting events and the upcoming EPL for those who are a fan of football.

914 East Coast Road
#01-02 The Domain
Singapore 459108
Tel: +65 6245 0010
Sun to Fri: 3.30pm – 1am
Sat: 3.30pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Kembangan / Bedok

Photo Credit: Molotov

MOLOTOV BISTRO & BAR

Over at Molotov, you can either go slow and have a chill drink while watching a game of football or spend the night playing drinking games with your friends—either way, this is a place you can check out if you are not up for squeezing with the crowd at Clarke Quay.

The bistro and bar can be found along the stretch of shophouses at Upper Thomson so you can bet that the atmosphere there is nothing short of exciting when night falls.

215F Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574349
Tel: +65 9008 2358
Daily: 6pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Marymount

Edwin & Cooks – New Bistro In Upper Thomson Serving Up Tasty Fusion Grub

Dick Tan — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 07:47:31 +0000

Run by a team of experienced chefs from a multitude of culinary backgrounds, Edwin & Cooks is the newest kid in the Upper Thomson enclave. What initially started off as a kitchen and storage space for private chef services for parties and events, is now a bistro on its own.

The good folks at Edwin & Cooks serve up delicious fusion cuisine, munchies as well as a variety of alcoholic beverages for you to sit back and relax to. The talented chefs constantly work hard to update their menu every now and then so as to ensure that customers will always have something to look forward to.

Located at Thomson V Two, this new spot is a place worth checking out.

Occupying a small shop space, the interior is fully dedicated to being a kitchen and an order counter while the seating area outside consists of 3 tables. We felt the ambience to be rather cosy as the absence big a crowd really allowed us to sit back and relax as we watched the world go by.

The menu features a wide array of tasty offerings from freshly shucked oysters, truffle fries and a whole host of mains such as their Chicken Burger and Sloppy Joes Dog.

For those of you in search of a hearty meal that packs lots of flavours, the Sloppy Joes Dog (S$12) comes highly recommended. On a perfectly toasted brioche bun sits a pork bratwurst sausage that is generously slathered with their home-made tangy beef ragu and topped with onion and mozzarella.

The brioche bun provided a nice sweetness which bolded well with the savoury qualities of the meaty beef ragu. The sausage by itself was flavourful, but the beef ragu coupled with the cheese gave the dish a heightened dose of richness and texture.

The Chicken Burger (S$16) is something of a treat that even the most discerning of palates can agree with. Sandwiched between a toasted charcoal bun is a crispy chicken thigh that is given a healthy dose of their homemade buffalo wing sauce and cheddar cheese sauce as well as a refreshing cucumber slaw.

The chicken thigh had a lovely crunch and the marriage between both the spicy buffalo wing sauce and the cheddar cheese sauce was magical, to say the least. The cucumber slaw was a nice touch as well as it gave this heavy dish a refreshing lift. Crispy, spicy and savoury, this hearty burger easily trumps all other chicken burgers out there.

Edwin & Cooks
11 Sin Ming Road, #01-13
Thomson V Two
Singapore 575629
(Closed on Mondays)
Sun to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri: 11am – 12am
Nearest Station: Marymount

9 Neighbourhood Bars You Can Wear Slippers To Without Being Judged

Dick Tan — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 01:00:59 +0000

Speakeasy bars in Singapore are getting increasingly popular, well-loved for their sophisticated cocktail crafts or classy ambiences. But as much as we love indulging and feeling refined, every once in awhile it is always nice to hang out at a neighbourhood bar where you can have a cold one absent from any form of pretentiousness.

Never mind the dinginess, or the smelly toilets; neighbourhood pubs are where we head to when we want to kick back and crack open a beer with our buddies and the best part of these all is being able to wear slippers and shorts without being judged.

Here are 9 Neighbourhood Bars In Singapore you can wear slippers to without being judged.

#1 PRINCE OF WALES

Prince of Wales is a backpackers hostel that also happens to have a really cosy bar. Sticking true to its Aussie roots, this no-frills al fresco bar ticks all the right boxes with its affordable craft beers, live music, and a laid-back clientele of backpackers and locals alike.

101 Dunlop Street
Singapore 209420
Tel: +65 6299 0130
Mon: 5pm – 12am
Tue to Thu: 5pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 3pm – 2am
Sun: 3pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Rochor

Photo Credit: Lazy Lizard

#2 LAZY LIZARD

If you are looking for a bar with international food and drinks, a laid-back vibe and fun staff, you must pay Lazy Lizard a visit. Situated right on Sixth Avenue, this popular drinking spot sees a throng of regulars who flock here after working hours. It is a big hit with locals and visitors alike thanks to the affordable prices and fun atmosphere.

2 Sixth Ave
Singapore 276470
Tel: +65 6468 6289
Sun to Fri: 3pm – 1am
Sat: 3pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Sixth Avenue

Photo Credit: Sara’s At Upper Thomson

#3 SARA’S

One of the longest standing bars along Upper Thomson Road, Sara’s is hard to miss with its huge bright pink fluorescent sign board. This iconic bar may seem dodgy to first-timers, but to those who live around the area, it is pretty much home.

Sara’s has just about everything from the usual beer to wine and even killer cocktails that they created in-house. Be sure not to let anyone know if it is your birthday because chances are you will regret it the following morning.

217 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574350
Mon to Sat: 5pm – 3am
Sun: 5pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Marymount

Photo Credit: Trip Advisor

#4 THE CIDER PIT

The only thing better than an ice-cold bottle of cider on a sunny afternoon is a sweet deal. With selected ciders going for S$10 a pint, The Cider Pit has got your cider cravings covered. This Joo Chiat Bar stocks up on an impressive selection of imported craft ciders and beers—and even some rarities you probably would not be able to find elsewhere.

#01-03, 328 Joo Chiat Rd
Singapore 427585
Tel: +65 6440 0504
Mon to Fri: 3pm – 1am
Sat & Sun: 1pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Eunos

Photo Credit: Nectars & Vine

#5 NECTARS & VINE

Serangoon residents who love to drink would probably have come across Nectars and Vine. This hole-in-the-wall dive bar may not be the most aesthetically pleasing but do not be fooled by its plain exterior. They carry an extensive selection of English craft beers and regular beers at really low prices.

Grab yourself an ice-cold Heineken at only S$7 per bottle and hang with your buddies till late.

752 Upper Serangoon Rd
Singapore 534623
Tel: +65 6372 1125
Sun to Thu: 5pm – 1am
Fri to Sat: 5pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Serangoon

Photo Credit: Thirsty Craft Beer Shop

#6 THIRSTY CRAFT BEER SHOP

Thirsty is pretty much like a candy store to all craft beer aficionados with an unbeatable selection of the most sought-after craft beers from around the world. You can either have your craft beer bottles to go or request for an ice-cold one and enjoy it on the spot.

#02-07B, 211 Holland Ave
Singapore 278967
Tel: +65 9354 1952
Daily: 10.30am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

Photo Credit: Hogs Bar

#7 HOGS BAR & RESTAURANT

This is a joint that many would rather keep a secret. Hogs Bar is a biker-themed craft beer joint that many bikers and Easties head to after work; more so because of their ridiculous number of television screens that show a variety of sports from rugby to football and even tennis.

The bar also offers Tiger, Heineken, and Guinness on tap as well as a variety of Western dishes at pocket-friendly prices.

382 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427622
Mon to Fri: 5pm – 1am
Sat & Sun: 4pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Eunos

Photo Credit: The Dog And Bone Pub

#8 THE DOG AND BONE PUB

This neighbourhood bar is a bustling watering hole, especially during sports events screenings. The beers are cheap and the atmosphere is perfect to hang out with your colleagues after work. Feel free to swap out your work shoes for a pair of comfortable flip flops—it’ll be easier to remove them at the end of the night.

106 Upper East Coast Rd
Singapore 455296
Tel: +65 9178 9552
Mon to Sat: 4.30pm – 12am
Sun: 11.30am – 12am
Nearest Station: Bedok

Photo Credit: Coq & Balls

#9 COQ & BALLS

This cheekily-named bar sports a raw, gritty interior and offers a vast variety of spirits, wine, and beers that will cater to just about anyone. We absolutely love their Kung Fu-themed cocktails, with names like Chuck Norris and Enter the Dragon.

6 Kim Tian Road
Singapore 169246
Mon to Thu: 5pm – 12am
Fri: 4.30pm – 12am
Sat & Sun: 3pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

For more recommendations, read our guides to discover the best bars in Singapore.