The best rooftop bars in Singapore

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 Happy hour promos (5-7pm) price Old World wines between $10 and $12 a glass, and Italian Bierra Menabrea lager at $10, while refreshing fruit-forward cocktails – like one with Pimms, peach liqueur, Sauvignon Blanc and seasonal fruit – go for $15 a glass. An extensive wine list of Old World labels (from $95) is also available.

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 ($24), the latter filled with fresh fruits, and the occasional mix-in of regional ingredients like lime, shishito peppers, chilli and crysanthemum. Bottle service notably features large format (1750ml and up) vodka ($700-$2,600) to water a swinging party.

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 $13.33 a pint before 8pm, then climb to $17.33 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 $23.33. These brews also go into beer cocktails, but if you're avoiding malt altogether, shoot for the house wines, or premium vintages of Baron Philipe de Rothschild.

The view The impossibly tall walls flanking Me@OUE's rooftop deck only make you feel even smaller against the tips of the towers, the Marina Bay Sands trio included, in the vicinity. Book ahead for the loungers facing the look-out. Otherwise, there's plenty of standing room around its wooden deck. 

The drinks On weekdays, enjoy happy hour from 6 to 8pm with tipples going as low as $8 for a beer, vodka or rum, while wines pour at $12 a glass and $68 to share. Also on its menu are cocktails priced at $20 each.

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 ($25): it's made with a mix of rums, absinthe, pomegranate and grapefruit – and it's so potent you're not allowed to order more than three. Bottled cocktails ($100) for sharing with five pals are also on the menu. 

The view Perched at the National Gallery, this is the newest way to enjoy 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 Yugnes Susela's Asian riffs on the classics are all about theatre. Black and White c. 1970-1980 ($24), inspired by Anthony Poon's acrylic on canvas in the Gallery, is a rich, complex drink that sips of dark chocolate, cream and rum, curaçao orange, and a long finish of liquorice from absinthe. A simple tiki mix of Trinidadian dark rum, Campari, and lime and pineapple juice in the Jungle Bird ($20) is as potent as it is pretty, with an orchid blossom for garnish. Besides cocktails, there are Archipelago Brewery's Bohemian Lager ($16) and Samui Ale ($16) on tap, wines by the glass ($16-$24) and mocktails ($12).

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 Tainted Love ($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, soursop and lychee, for instance – show up in the cocktails, too.

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 Mixed sparkling drinks ($16-$22) with touches of Italian flavours, zingy vodka cocktails with fruit ($18-$20) and a respectable list of vermouth and bitters ($10) like Campari, Cynar, Martini Rosso and Aperol. During happy hour – until 8pm on weekdays – bubblies pour for $20 a flute and housepours go from $8 to $13.