The ultimate guide to Emerald Hill

Soak up Acid Bar's understated Peranakan-style decor with live music and a drink in hand. Practically bursting at the seams on weekends, you’ll be hard-pressed to even find a decent spot to stand in. Ease yourself with its signature mojitos shaken with ginger or cucumber juice, or choose the daily happy hour specials which range from $7 for housepours to $45 for a beer bucket of five, all available from 5 to 8pm. And if you're famished, order up a pizza, burger or any one of its all-day brunch plates including the Norwegian smoked salmon bagel ($18).

Situated in a restored 1910 Peranakan shophouse, this pub serves up a respectable range of classic cocktails, shooters and draft beers. Do ask the waiter what specials they have, as bucket deals are not unusual. The bar also serves unshelled peanuts to accompany your drinks; don’t shy away from littering the ground with the empty shells – everyone is doing it, and interestingly it adds to the uniquely rustic and unassuming flavour of the place. Whether seated indoors or outdoors, the scene is lively and energetic. And if sitting and sipping isn’t quite entertaining enough for you, there is a busy pool table upstairs where you can rack up, and shoot a ball or two to impress the ladies.

Tucked between two heritage Peranakan shophouses, this classy bar – think a gorgeous blend old-world charm with contemporary design – has made a name for itself with an unpretentious vibe, tasty menu of bar grub and potent cocktails. Happy Hour starts from 5pm to 8pm with house spirits starting from $7, house wines from $9, draught beers from $10 and cocktails from $13. And ladies, let your hair down every Wednesday, and enjoy free-flow drinks from 7pm to 9pm. Food-wise, sink your teeth into Alley's signature wagyu burger ($20).

Que Pasa ("what's happening" in Spanish) – let this Spanish wine and tapas bar answer the burning question with a variety of 60 wines from all over the world. Ambience is a major player here, with dusty wooden barrels crowding the corners, a casual lounge room with armchairs upstairs, and a front deck that’s ideal for enjoying something from the cigar menu. The tapas menu is superb too – marinated olives, cheeses and mushrooms are must-tries, along with the paper-thin-crust pizza. All better with its signature fruit-based wine punch, White or Red Sangria.

Too cold to hold – the bar has custom-built ice tanks to ensure your beer (more than 50 kinds) is chilled to the optimum temperature within five to eight minutes. Drinking aside, you’ll lap up the convivial atmosphere; everyone’s seemingly relaxed, without a care in the world. Or perhaps they’re all just satisfied by the tasty bar bites such as 9-inch hot dogs, chicken wings and mini beef burgers. While their choice of music – Top 40 and retro – is questionable, it surprisingly adds to the patrons’ good mood; there must be something in those chicken wings.

New kid on the block, this French-inspired bakery dishes out what it says on the tin – freshly baked croissants. Beyond the usual butter croissants, expect trays of the flakey pastry in various flavours such as sesame, banana kaya, peanut butter, sweet potato, yuzu apple and gula melaka. Pair it up with a cup of freshly brewed coffee that's finished with gorgeous latte art.