Singapore’s bar scene is always buzzing, and if you’re on the hunt for your next go-to drinking spot, then these are all the fresh openings to have on your watchlist. These latest additions range from under-the-radar bars which have quietly sprung up in the heartlands, to new destination cocktail bars that are all about the glitz and glam. Temper is where wine and cocktails come together seamlessly, while Bar.ter offers an astounding range of spirits that are available for sampling. Then there’s Casper, keeping the energy high at Duxton Hill, while in Balestier, Ignite Bistro & Bar flips the script on Chinese flavours with its bold, punchy cocktails. And finally, if you love whiskey with a dash of theatrics, Horatio at Resorts World Sentosa is one to add to the list.
For more bar recommendations, check out Time Out Singapore’s 2025 Bar Guide.
1. Temper
Can’t choose between wine or cocktails on a night out? Have the best of both worlds at Temper, a new bar opening on September 1 next to the snazzy Mondrian Singapore Duxton hotel. Temper is the latest addition to the Ebb & Flow Group’s F&B line-up, which currently includes wildly popular concepts like Casa Vostra, Carlitos, Chin Mee Chin Confectionary and more. And you’re in good hands, because this 4000 square feet space is helmed by a star-studded team. Former 67 Pall Mall head sommelier Roberto Duran leads the wine programme with more than 1200 labels and 2100 bottles from over 30 countries; award-winning bartender June Baek – behind Hup San Social Club – has part to play in curating the cocktail menu; and chefs Nicolas Tam and Ronald Sim – formerly from Willow, Burnt Ends and Candlenut – have crafted a lip-smacking seafood-forward menu to pair with the drinks.
Address: 83 Neil Rd, Mondrian Singapore Duxton, #01-07, Singapore 089813
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 5pm-1am; Thu-Sat noon-1am
2. Bar.ter
This cosy liquor hideaway is found along a quiet back alley on South Bridge Road and right next to a bright yellow door. Stepping into Bar.ter might feel a tad intimidating at first. Right off the bat, it’s shelves and shelves of bottles that greet you, with everything from rare bourbons to top-notch scotch and tequila. Here’s where you get to try exotic spirits you haven’t tasted before, and even buy a bottle home if it’s to your liking – a unique retail concept for a bar to have. But if all of it is Greek to you, fret not, because the team are as hospitable as they are passionate. Sip on refined pours like the Spicy Smoky Daisy with gin, mezcal, lime and olive brine, the Hampden rum old fashioned; or the bar’s take on the classic Singapore Sling. Pro-tip: drop by between Tuesdays to Saturdays for coffee, artisanal tea and ceremonial grade matcha by the popular Kōhī Roastery & Coffee Bar.
Address: 42 South Bridge Rd, #01-01, Singapore 058676
Opening hours: Mon 2pm-midnight; Tue-Sat 10am-midnight, Sun 2pm-midnight
3. Casper
This buzzy Duxton Hill bar named after Casper the Friendly Ghost does three things right: music, cocktails and sandwiches. The resident DJ puts a strong focus on house music, particularly tech and Afro, and you can catch the bar’s signature Frequency Night on the second last Thursday of each month. The cocktails here are deceptively simple, minimalist pours that belie the process and expertise required to craft them. Each tipple is named after its main flavour component – think Tomato, Dates, Cake, Mushroom and Sesame. Or you can knock back homemade pickleback juice, highballs or a pint of Guinness if you’re not feeling cocktails. While you’re at it, sink your teeth into sourdough sandwiches, like the classic chicken thigh coleslaw stack. Casper’s menu switches up on a quarterly basis, so keep your eyes peeled on the bar’s Instagram page for the latest updates.
Address: 59 Duxton Rd, #01-01, Singapore 089523
Opening hours: Wed-Sat 4pm-midnight; Sun 7pm-midnight
4. Ignite Bistro & Bar
Ignite Bistro & Bar is a promising new spot in the heartlands that isn’t buried among the city’s usual bar-heavy districts. The joint occupies an unassuming ground floor unit of a residential block in Balestier, midway between Toa Payoh and Novena. And its menu sets out to impress, focusing on reimagining traditional Chinese flavours with a punchy, loud spin. In the cocktail department, sip on numbers like Hot & Cold which uses Tuo Pai Qu Jiu, a lesser known Chinese spirit, or Quacka-Cola, featuring duck fat-washed Jack Daniel’s, five spice, plum and house-made cola. The food menu goes easy on carbs and hard on proteins and bold sauces – think boneless wings glazed in manuka honey and bi feng tang (stir-fried garlic and chilli) crumbs, soft shell crab coated in har cheong batter, and charcoal-grilled beef skirt slathered with onion miso. Ignite also hosts plenty of themed parties and events like the occasional DJ night – so stay updated on its socials for the latest announcements.
Address: 1 Jln Dusun, One Dusun Residences, #01-07, Singapore 329363
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 5pm-midnight
5. Horatio
Yes, it’s located at Crockfords Tower in Resorts World Sentosa – a little out of the way if bar hopping is your main goal for the night. But if you’re down to experience one of the most theatrical and whimsical experiences Singapore’s cocktail scene has to offer lately, then a trip down to Horatio might be worth the journey. This whiskey-forward bar drips with Old Word charm and goes hard on the storytelling. Its debut menu, titled Trails & Tales, is inspired by prominent spirit-producing regions in the world. Among the 12 signature cocktails, you’ll find Kueh Kueh Spirits, which leans into Peranakan flavours like gula melaka and coconut, as well as Highland Hermit, which blends scotch, honey, pear lemon, thyme and shortbread. For liquor and whiskey afficionados, the bar’s extensive collection of over 300 rare bottles might impress, while for others, its glammed-up aesthetic and thematic rooms are enough to entertain.
Address: 26 Sentosa Gateway, Resorts World Sentosa, Crockfords Tower, #02-135 & 135A, Singapore 098138
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-11pm
READ MORE:
The Time Out Singapore 2025 Bar Guide is out now – here’s where to get a free copy