Singapore Nightlife Guides

Singapore nightlife guide: how a night out works

This Singapore nightlife guide page brings together our topics on bars, music and late food. Evenings are cooler than the day, so the city gets busy after sunset. Many people start with dinner, then move on to a bar or a riverside walk. Most nightlife areas are central and close to the MRT, the city's metro.

A few things surprise first-time visitors. Drinks cost more than in many cities, because alcohol taxes are high. Most bills also add a service charge and GST, the goods and services tax. The legal drinking age is 18, and venues may ask for photo ID.

Pick your kind of evening

Rooftop bars

Rooftop bars are a classic Singapore night out. Many face Marina Bay or the river, so arrive before sunset for the best light. Some charge a cover fee at busy times, which may include a drink. See Best Rooftop Bars in Singapore With a View and the Rooftop Bars topic. If you would rather have dinner with a view, browse Rooftop & Sky Dining. It includes Ce La Vi, a modern Asian restaurant in Marina Bay.

Cocktail and wine bars

Singapore has a strong cocktail scene, from grand hotel bars to small speakeasy-style rooms. A speakeasy is a bar with a hidden or low-key entrance. Many small bars sit in old shophouses around Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar. A shophouse is a narrow terrace building with a shop below and rooms above. The Cocktail Bars and Wine Bars topics cover these quieter evenings.

Craft beer and happy hours

Happy hour means cheaper drinks for part of the day, usually in the late afternoon or early evening. Local breweries and taprooms often offer tasting flights, which are small glasses of several beers. Browse Happy Hours and Craft Beer & Breweries.

Clubs and live music

Clubs and music venues cluster around the river and the city centre. Jazz bars and live bands suit people who would rather listen than dance. Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay often hosts free performances by the waterfront. See Clubs & Live Music for this side of the city.

The best areas for a night out

• Clarke Quay. Old riverside warehouses now hold restaurants, bars and clubs. It is the best-known nightlife area.
• Boat Quay. Shophouses with outdoor tables by the river, facing the office towers of the CBD (Central Business District).
• Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar. Small bars and restaurants line the shophouse streets. They suit a slower evening.
• CHIJMES. A former convent near City Hall, with restaurants and bars around its courtyards.
• Dempsey Hill. Former army barracks set among trees. It suits a relaxed dinner more than a late night.

For more evening places, browse our Nightlife listings.

Nights out without alcohol

You do not need to drink to enjoy a Singapore evening. Many of the best nights are free or cheap.

• Watch the free light and water shows at Marina Bay and Gardens by the Bay. Free Light Shows in Singapore: Spectra & Garden Rhapsody explains how to see both in one evening.
• Take a Singapore River Cruise to see the lit-up skyline from the water.
• Visit the Night Safari, a wildlife park for animals that are active after dark.

Late-night food: what supper means

Supper is a real Singapore habit. It means a late meal after the evening is over. Popular choices include prata, a crispy flatbread served with curry, and satay, grilled meat skewers with peanut sauce. Hawker centres, large food courts with many small stalls, are good places to start.

Newton Food Centre, near Orchard, and Lau Pa Sat, in the CBD, are both popular for an evening meal. Opening hours vary by stall, so check before you go. The Late-Night Food topic covers supper in more detail.

Costs, dress codes and getting home

• Budget for drinks. Cocktails and wine cost more than in many cities. Prices change, so check menus before you order.
• Dress smart casual. Some rooftop bars and clubs turn away shorts, vests and flip-flops. Read Rooftop Bar Dress Code in Singapore: What to Wear.
• Know the rules. The legal drinking age is 18. Drinking in public places is not allowed late at night, and shops stop selling takeaway alcohol late in the evening.
• Plan your ride home. The MRT does not run all night. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are easy to find, but fares rise late at night.
• Drink responsibly. Know your limits and never drink and drive. Read Etiquette & Local Laws before your trip.

FAQs about Singapore nightlife

What is the legal drinking age in Singapore?

It is 18. Bars and clubs may ask for ID, so carry a passport or other photo document that shows your date of birth.

Where is the best area for nightlife in Singapore?

Clarke Quay and Boat Quay along the river are the best-known areas. Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar suit smaller bars. Marina Bay is best for rooftop views.

Is a night out in Singapore expensive?

Drinks cost more than in many Asian cities because of high alcohol taxes. Happy hours, hawker centres and free shows help keep an evening affordable.

Is Singapore safe at night?

Singapore has low crime, and the main nightlife areas are well lit and busy. Still, watch your belongings, drink responsibly and plan your ride home.