The best arcade and games bars in Singapore

Besides boasting views of Marina Bay and cheap happy hour deals, Mischief also has an array of games to keep you occupied throughout the night. Challenge your friends to a round of darts, or meet new people over an exciting game of electronic beer pong. For the more adventurous, they also feature a shuffleboard, and other classic options like Jenga and Connect 4.

Time Out Singapore in partnership with Mischief

Located below sister venue Marquee, this swanky bar resembles a grand New York penthouse with large green banquettes and stunning glass pendant lights. And just like you’d expect in the home of the ultra-rich, the bar boasts vintage arcade games like pinball and skee ball machines, a mini-bowling alley and a Funktion One sound system to keep the party going all night long.

Got a mental picture of a bar dedicated to The Who? Scratch that. Though named after the rock anthem by the British rock legends, this spankin' new drinking den by the brains behind Nineteen80 is far from a fanboy's cave. Instead, it's bathed in retro designs à la the 70s, had throwback music spilling from the speakers, and as it says on the tin – it has pinball machines too. It's also among the first bars in the city to offer eco-spirits such as the winter wheat Tried & True vodka from Cognac, the citrus-based Widges London dry gin and the Caribbean award-winning Plantation 3 Stars white rum as house pours.

As Singapore’s first ever arcade-bar, Level Up has taken the bar scene to a whole new, well… level. With a selection of more than 10 arcade games, it grips you with nostalgia as you duke it out with games like Street Fighters. When you need a break from the screen or are waiting in line for your turn, feel free to admire the graffiti murals or try one of the more action-packed games like air hockey or basketball. Don’t forget, it's still a bar so drink up and chow down to replenish those lost hearts.

Named after the decade many associate with old-school video games, this retro arcade bar brings you back to the days of Sega and Atari. The “Press Start” button welcomes you and inside, and the bar is decked out in neon lights and pixelated wall murals. It pays homage to everything 80s and 90s with arcade machines, nostalgic cocktails, and music by the likes of Michael Jackson and the Spice Girls. With a wide range of old school arcade games like Mortal Kombat, Pacman and Space Invaders – and all for free – you’ll be quoting Doc Brown’s “We have to go back!” by the end of the night.

Alcohol has a tendency to makes things a lot more fun, even the most mundane of tasks. Test this theory at Chupitos with its 'Hall of Fame' 10-shot challenge. You have a minute to win it by taking shots and completing a set of challenges in order to get your name up on the wall. If you’d rather remember the events of the night, then stick to sampling just some of its power-packed shots. These unique concoctions are sure to surprise you with creations like Candy, Fire, and even Naughty Props.

Located underground, HopHeads proves that it doesn’t take much to raise the roof. Its spacious venue is a chill site that'll definitely be your next hidden hangout. Whether you're chilling with a game of darts, getting competitive with a round of table tennis, or stressing out over a game of giant Jenga, remember to sing and dance your heart out when the bar holds their occasional #throwback parties – where it plays your favourite jams from the 90s and 00s. All you have to do to enjoy is buy a drink.

Escape from fast-paced city life and dart over to this forest-themed bar. With its walls and ceilings covered with plants, Forest Darts Café and Pub's warm ambience complete with fairy lights hanging from the ceiling is shabby chic retreat you're looking for. At only $2 per person, play a game on one of their dozen dart machines – try to remain a sharpshooter even after those drinks – or play a game of pool for the same price. If the alcohol has given you enough liquid courage, show off your vocals at the bar’s public karaoke machine.

Bored of the usual bar games like beer pong and darts? It’s time you add Holey Moley to your list. Singapore’s first mini golf bar promises you a fun night out. Look forward to sipping on massive cocktails that look like milkshakes while chomping down sharing platters, pizzas, burgers or hotdogs. Then get all competitive (or not) and challenge your friends to a game of mini golf at any of its uniquely-themed 27 holes, each paying homage to various pop culture references like Game of Thrones and Alice in Wonderland. There's also giant Jenga and other drinking games to try when you get a table.