Take your thoughts (and cameras) to these rooftop bars around town
Nothing beats the feeling of the wind in your hair and a tipple in your hand at the city's swankiest rooftop bars. Take drinking to the next level (literally) as you enjoy your favourite cocktail on cloud nine. There are institutions like Smoke & Mirrors, which offers an unbeatable view of the Padang and Marina Bay Sands or climb higher to LeveL33, the world's tallest urban micro-brewery for a fresh pint and great bites. You get a pretty neat view of our gorgeous city skyline from up here too – we suggest heading up during sunsets – so whip out your phones to immortalise the moment on the 'gram.
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The view Rooftop bar Levant offers a scenic view of the Tanjong Pagar neighbourhood, paired with spice-forward Mediterranean bites.
The drinks Under the night sky, sip on cocktails inspired by the region – from the Greek Forest ($18), with honeycomb-infused tsipouro, mountain pine liqueur, and maglini lemon which brings to mind the sun-soaked beaches of Greece; to the floral Apricot Clouds ($22). Mezzo-style grub is also available to help fill the tummy.
The view This spacious, breezy hideaway features a sprawling 6,000 sq ft area, complete with views of River Valley and Robertson Quay. Settle down at the alfresco deck and savour a menu prepped by executive chef Gabriel Cher (formerly from Potato Head Singapore) – options include mushroom bone marrow cream pasta, smoked eggplant and cauliflower pizza, and more.
The drinks Beat the heat with a refreshing spritz ($16), or sip on one of its signature cocktails that features the Azure Sky ($16), or golden Tahitian Sunset ($16) made with two types of Plantation rum and pineapple for a tropical kick.
The view Perched 56 storeys high, 1-ATICO is a new rooftop dining destination that brings together three different concepts. For cocktails with a view, swing by Atico Lounge for a bird's eye view of the buzzy city.
The drinks Look forward to a global-inspired menu, with a monthly spotlight on various destinations – from Italy's Negroni ($25) to highballs from Japan ($25). An all-day selection also features the Purple Rain ($25) layered with summer flavours of raspberry liqueur and ocean-tinted Caribbean Blue Curacao.
The view From the outdoor terrace of this microbrewery perched on the Marina Bay Financial Centre, the Marina Bay, Esplanade and the city's eastern neighbourhoods splay out under its roost.
The drinks The craft beers brewed in-house go for $9.50 for 300ml before 8pm, then climb to $12.50 a pour after. If you're not sure what to go for, platters of five 100-millilitre samplers of Level33's blond lager, IPA, stout, house porter and wheat beers can be ordered at $14.90. These brews also go into beer cocktails, but if you're avoiding malt altogether, shoot for the house wines or premium vintages.
The view Perched on level 39 of Andaz Singapore, Mr Stork has teepee huts hidden amid lush greenery for you and your date to nest in while enjoying panoramic views of the city skyline. Order a drink from the striking bronze pavilion bar and stroll along the cobbled paths that wind around the entire level, giving you a 360-degree city-viewing experience.
The drinks Choose Ruby ($22) – a citrusy concoction of lemon, ginger, fresh mint, vermouth and Ceylon arrack - served in an incredibly Insta-worthy elephant mug. Those who like their drinks fizzy can opt for Rhubarb ($22), a medley of rhubarb puree, strawberry and lemon juice, sparkling wine and a shot of vodka.
The view After undergoing a revamp, Kinki trades its funky aesthetic for one that is sleek and chic. Enter the lift, clad in a captivating Kintsugi-inspired wallpaper, and step into the open-air rooftop bar on the third floor, where you can catch a calming vista of the Marina Bay skyline.
The drinks Sip on Asian-influenced tipples ($22). Gin Assam Boi is a homage to the local sugarcane drink, with Kyro gin, Malibu rum, and pineapple juice; while Geisha-rita is a refreshing margarita cocktail made with umeshu and Cointreau. To match the sunset hues, consider the pretty Aurora Polaris ($19) with layers of butterfly pea-infused Kyro gin, lime juice, and grapefruit tonic.
The view Perched at the National Gallery, Smoke and Mirrors is a prime spot for views of the city from the Padang to the Bay. After dark's the best time to take in the night glow of the city.
The drinks Its drinks menu features the Real Art of Drinking, cocktails inspired by art pieces – a reference to its location at the National Gallery.
The view The OG of local rooftop bars might be – literally – overshadowed by younger upstarts on taller buildings, but it hasn't yet lost its place on our list of watering holes for a fun night out.
The drinks There are locally inspired cocktails like the Kopi Cat ($19), an alcoholic take on the breakfast coffee staple made with salted caramel vodka, kopi, hazelnut and condensed milk. The spiked bubble tea cocktails (from $22) are a fun treat to suck on too.
The view It’s clear what this rooftop dining destination is known for; Vue is the French translation of the word ‘view’. From its high floor-to-ceiling windows, enjoy breathtaking views of the Civic District from the 19th floor of OUE Bayfront. The open air space is also home to Singapore’s first rooftop spritz bar.
The drinks Pair the dramatic views with vibrant spritz cocktails. The Basil Spritz ($20) is a refreshing combination of dry gin, basil, and lemon, or try the special Reiwa Highball ($18) made with umeshu and rum with hints of shiso and mint. Drop by between 5pm and 7pm – prime hours to catch the sunset – and enjoy complimentary servings of canapés with your drinks.
The view Just like how The Other Room redefined speakeasies in Singapore, The Other Roof is out to raise the bar of rooftop bars. Take the lift up to the top of Ann Siang House and be greeted by the massive space that seats 75 (or even 150 upon request). There's a view of Chinatown and the surround Ann Siang district but the real draw has to be the eye-candy that flock to this bar after work.
The drinks Blending tea time with cocktail o'clock, the bar offers drinks like Stairway to Heaven ($22), a love-it-or-hate-it concoction of pineapple, coriander, celery and vanity tea rum, or La Boheme ($22), a refreshing blend of créme de cassis, bubbly and black currant soul tea gin.
The view Cinematic (read: long and narrow) views of the city and straits waters. Occasionally the reverie is broken by a half-togged infinity pool swimmer sauntering by, but the vibe is otherwise über-cool.
The drinks A substantial list of mixed tipples. Some, like the Run Like Hell ($26) and I'm So Sexy ($26), are carry-overs from the bar at CUT by Wolfgang Puck, found downstairs. Touches of Asian flavours – guava, Thai basil, calamansi and lychee, for instance – show up in the cocktails, too.
The view Escape the bustle of the city, and views of the concrete jungle, and trade it for the sea instead. Perched on Mount Faber Peak some 100m above sea level, Dusk provides panoramic views of the water and Sentosa Island – best enjoyed, of course, at dusk.
The drinks They are as dramatic as the views. Like the smoking nitro margarita ($18), or the Nitro-frost caviar martini ($18) topped with fruit caviar for flair and flavour.
The view Take in the view of the Marina Bay area from 57 floors up. The breezy rooftop lounge offers postcard-worthy snapshots of Gardens by the Bay and the Singapore River.
The drinks Craft your own negroni ($25) if you’re in the mood, or simply kick back and enjoy a handcrafted cocktail ($25). It ranges from the vodka-based Dragon Spritz with Aperol and dragon fruit, to the sparkly Frozé made with rosé wine and raspberry.
The view Zafferano’s sky-high location in the middle of the CBD gives it an unrivalled view of Singapore’s cityscape. Soak in the final glow of sunlight of the day during golden hour over a couple of drinks. The Terrace Lounge alfresco space is also fitted with a canopy of blooming tulip umbrellas that not only provide shelter from the elements, but are set aglow with pretty hues at night. DJs also take the deck to set the mood on selected nights
The drinks Cocktails lean toward the fruity side with the likes of Zafferano ($20), saffron gin zinged with citrusy lime and passionfruit. Thirsty? There's also a newly launched two-hour package ($50), available from Tuesdays to Sundays after 5.30pm, where you can sip on free-flowing sparkling wine, house red or white wines, or beers – all while taking in the views from the Terrace Lounge.
The view 360º panoramas of the city, 282 metres above sea level, with Marina Bay, the CBD and the snaking banks of the Singapore River in its immediate vicinity. Those glass walls are not for the vertigo-prone, but it does mean you can reserve seats by them to enjoy your sundowners.
The drinks 1-Altitude shakes up its own brand of cocktails (from $18) that come with quirky names like the vodka-based Pink Floyd and gin-mixed drink, Berry Crush. Also on the menu, bubblies pour from $30 a flute while a whiskey selection starts at $16 a glass.
The view Skyscraper stacks, the Marina Bay Sands and, if you're at the right spot, those futuristic trees at the Gardens by the Bay. Starchitect Toyo Ito's giant red flower – it channels air in to cool the building – lords over the roof deck, and CapitaGreen's rooftop garden is also accessible to punters.
The drinks A wide variety of boozy beverages are available on the menu. Gin and tonic go for $15 each, highball are $16, and fruity cocktails are at $17.
The view The architectural marvel that is The Pinnacle@Duxton, and the colourful roofs of the heritage buildings surrounding Potato Head Folk's top-floor, twinkly tiki bar.
The drinks Rum-forward tropical cocktails, including the Zombie #36 ($20) that's made with a mix of rums, pomegranate and grapefruit.
The view Panoramic vistas of the sun setting over the Lego-like assembly of skyscrapers the city, the Gardens by the Bay, the east of Singapore and the ships parked on our southern straits. The Sky Deck and Club Lounge at CÉ LA VI at the Sands is the clubby and hipper counterpart to Spago and Flight down the deck.
The drinks Classic, aperitivo and tropical cocktails ($23). Bottle service notably features large format (1750ml and up) vodka and champagne to water a swinging party.
The view Sweeping 360º cityscapes of the Boat Quay end of the Singapore River, top half of the Singapore Flyer, and, at night, radiance of The Fullerton Hotel, Parliament House and Asian Civilisations Museum.
The drinks Rum-shaken cocktails ($18-$22), zingy vodka cocktails with fruit ($18-$19) and a respectable list of vermouth and bitters ($12) like Campari, Cynar and Aperol. During happy hour – until 8pm on weekdays – bubblies pour for $16 a flute and housepours go from $12 to $16.
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The view Roosting up on the seventh floor of the luxurious The Outpost Hotel is restaurant and poolside day club, 1-V:U. Offering a bird's eye view of Sentosa's warm orange sunsets, Palawan Beach and the Singapore Straits, the lifestyle destination is where you can party from dusk till the early morn to the tunes of resident DJs Sherpa and Kaylova.
The drinks Kick up your feet on the turquoise sunbeds by the infinity pool as you sip on tropical cocktails. Service can run a little slow, so you might want to order Head In The Clouds ($60) a 500ml punchbowl of fermented pineapple, rum and elderflower syrup that will keep a crowd happy.
