The best bars in Orchard Singapore

What is it

One of our favourite new bar openings of 2025, Bar Somma is ultra chic yet unpretentious. While you're there, you have to tru the martinis and paninis – a match that sounds simple, but is executed with flair.

Why we love it

The Mirko’s Martini is arguably the best dirty martini in town: ice-cold, briny, and served with cheese and an olive. Add in unlimited complimentary beef tripe panini during aperitivo hours (6pm–7.30pm), and you’ve got a bar that understands indulgence.

Time Out tip

Go early for the panini deal, then stay late for more martinis or the other excellent drinks on the menu. The miso sidecar is another one our faves.

Address: 46 Kim Yam Rd, #04-02A New Bahru, Singapore 239351

Opening hours: Tue–Wed 6pm–11pm; Thu–Sat 6pm–midnight

Expect to pay: From $28 per cocktail

What is it

Located at Conrad Singapore Orchard, Manhattan is one of the city’s most celebrated hotel bars, dripping in old-world New York glamour. Its plush interiors channel 19th-century Manhattan, complete with an in-house rickhouse storing over 100 American oak barrels.

Why we love it

Few bars execute luxury with as much finesse as Manhattan. From barrel-aged classics like the namesake Manhattan to its latest Seasons of Manhattan menu, drinks here are polished, creative, and consistently top-tier. Head Bartender Zana Möhlmann, winner of the 2023 World Young Mixologist Award, brings both precision and personality to the experience.

Time Out tip

Don’t miss East47, the Warhol-inspired bar-within-a-bar, for a slightly edgier take on the Manhattan experience.

Address: Conrad Singapore Orchard, Level 2, 1 Cuscaden Rd, Singapore 249715

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri–Sat 5pm–1am; Sun noon–3pm, 6pm–midnight

Expect to pay: From $28 per cocktail

What is it

Hidden behind wooden doors inside Voco Hotel Orchard, The Backdrop is a theatrical speakeasy that takes the idea of a drinking experience and turns it into performance art. Guests first walk through a cabaret-style backstage before entering the elegant lounge.

Why we love it

The cocktails are presented in acts, like a play, but the Encore section is where the magic happens. Founder Dario Knox pioneered a dramatic sub-zero flame technique, resulting in two glasses per cocktail. Conversation-starter poker cards add an interactive twist, making it a bar that’s as much about the experience as the drinks.

Time Out tip

Order the Monsieur Gaudin, a gin-forward twist on the Negroni, named after the French fencing champion.

Address: Voco Orchard Singapore, #01-15, 581 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238863

Opening hours: Wed–Thu 6pm–2am; Fri–Sat 7pm–3am; Sun 6pm–2am

Expect to pay: From $26 per cocktail

What is it

You’re probably thinking of the traditional Singaporean breakfast spread, but this Kaya has nothing to do with toast. The name comes from izakaya, and this restobar inside The Standard, Singapore puts a bold modern spin on Japanese flavours. With its mid-century-meets-tropical décor, complete with botanical wallpaper, rattan chairs and cascading greenery, Kaya offers both a refined indoor space and a leafy outdoor patio for more casual sipping.

Why we love it

Cocktails lean inventive, spotlighting Japanese spirits in creative twists on classics: the Wagashi Harmony blends milk oolong–infused whisky with matcha and hojicha, while the sakura tea–laced Shizuka-tini riffs elegantly on a martini. Low- and zero-ABV versions are also available.

Time Out tip

Mark your calendar for the last Saturday of every month—Kaya hosts a blowout brunch buffet with seafood bowls, sashimi, sandos, oysters, sweets, and more.

Address: 12 Orange Grove Rd, #02-00, Singapore 258353

Opening hours: Mon & Thu 6.30am–10.30pm; Fri–Sun 6.30am–11pm

Expect to pay: From $16 per cocktail

What is it

Over on the second floor of a black-and-white bungalow, The Bar Kakure channels Ginza-style sophistication in the heart of Scotts Road. It’s a shrine to precision, craft, and the Japanese ethos of hospitality.

Why we love it

Every drink is executed with meticulous detail, whether it’s a seasonal fruit cocktail that tastes like a Japanese orchard in a glass, or a timeless classic stirred to perfection. The atmosphere is hushed and intimate, ideal for a serious conversation over exquisite drinks.

Time Out tip

Ask about the seasonal fruits available. They form the base of some of the most memorable cocktails you’ll taste in Orchard.

Address: 29 Scotts Rd, Level 2, Singapore 228224

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 6pm–1am

Expect to pay: From $25 per cocktail

What is it

Located at Shangri-La Singapore, Origin Bar draws inspiration from the romance of train travel, taking guests on a flavour journey across continents. 

Why we love it

Helmed by Adam Bursik, the drinks here are adventurous without losing balance. Expect nachos on your margarita, Amazonian ant chocolate, or a Peruvian-Japanese Nikkei cocktail that’s as complex as it is delicious.

Time Out tip

Take your time with the menu. This is a place to experiment and try something new, rather than stick to the usual order.

Address: Shangri-La Singapore, Tower Wing, 22 Orange Grove Rd, Singapore 258350

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 5.30pm–1am

Expect to pay: From $25 per cocktail

What is it

A cheeky younger sibling to Le Bon Funk, Bar Bon Funk is all about playful cocktails and good vibes. Located in New Bahru, it’s the kind of spot where you can let loose without worrying about being overheard.

Why we love it

The cocktail list is wild, in the best way possible. Drinks are inspired by everything from Saturday morning cartoons to peanut butter wine experiments. It’s not just about shock value – each drink is crafted with balance in mind. The “All Dressed” potato chips, meanwhile, are dangerously addictive and the perfect companion to your drink.

Time Out tip

Order A Glass of Milk, a cocktail dressed up as breakfast with Froot Loops. It’s fun, nostalgic, and surprisingly sophisticated.

Address: 46 Kim Yam Rd, #02-01, New Bahru, Singapore 239351

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 6pm–11.30pm

Expect to pay: From $26 per cocktail

What is it

Le Clos is the reincarnation of beloved French brasserie Clos Pasoh, now reborn in the trendy lifestyle enclave of New Bahru. It doubles as a wine bar and restaurant, boasting a collection of over 800 labels, from small-batch grower champagnes to large-format French wines.

Why we love it

It’s a playground for wine enthusiasts, but the food deserves equal billing. The Josper oven works overtime, charring everything from wagyu tomahawks to the restaurant’s famed tuna collar. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or simply wine-curious, the staff are warm and knowledgeable, ready to guide you through the vast cellar.

Time Out tip

Ask for a recommendation from the lesser-known family-owned champagnes. It’s the best way to experience something you won’t find elsewhere in Singapore.

Address: 46 Kim Yam Rd, New Bahru, #01-18, Singapore 239351

Opening hours: Daily 10am–midnight

Expect to pay: From $18 per glass

What is it

Ume Maru brings a slice of Tokyo’s Jimbocho neighbourhood to Far East Plaza. Its shelves are lined with manga, and its menu is built around umeshu, sake, and highballs.

Why we love it

The tasting sets are the real draw. Choose from seven different flights, whether you’re in the mood for fruity, whisky, brandy, or sake explorations. For something easy-drinking, the highball menu offers 12 different takes, from shiso to yuzushu. It’s approachable, fun, and refreshingly different from Orchard’s glitzier options.

Time Out tip

Go for a tasting flight on your first visit– it’s the easiest way to find your new favourite bottle of umeshu.

Address: 14 Scotts Rd, Far East Plaza, #05-26, Singapore 228213

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5pm–9pm; Fri–Sat 5pm–11pm

Expect to pay: From $12 per cocktail

What is it

Part whisky library, part gentlemen’s lounge, The Writing Club is Orchard’s ode to the written word and to whisky. Tucked away in Palais Renaissance, the bar is modelled after an old-school literary salon, complete with dark wood, leather sofas and shelves lined with more than 500 bottles of whisky. From cult Japanese distilleries to Scottish independents, the selection is encyclopaedic, with a special focus on rare and collectable single malts.

Why we love it

This is not a bar where you come to rush through your drink. The Writing Club is all about slowing down, savouring, and discovering. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a curious newcomer, the staff are happy to guide you through the shelves and recommend drams suited to your palate.

Time Out tip

Ask about the bar’s flight menus if you’re looking to explore beyond a single dram. They’re the best way to dip into different styles without committing to one bottle.

Address: Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Rd, #02-10, Singapore 238871

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 4pm–midnight

Expect to pay: From $22 per dram