One of the unique pleasures that you can find in any major city is the rooftop bar. They’re one of the best places to grab a drink and socialize for tourists and locals all across the world, and Singapore is no exception. But Singapore has dozens of rooftop bars and not all of them are worth visiting.
So, how do you choose the best rooftop bars in Singapore to visit? That’s exactly what we will be discussing in this article. This guide should give you the information that you need to visit the best rooftop bars that fit your unique personality.
What to Look For in a Rooftop Bar
So, what do you look for in a rooftop bar? No matter what city you are in, there are some guidelines to be aware of before you book your reservation at a rooftop bar.
The first thing that you want to be concerned with is the view. The view is one of the most important reasons to visit a rooftop bar. If you can’t get scenic views from the rooftop bar, then you might as well just sit indoors. A “good view” is one that’s not obstructed by high walls that you can’t see over, and of course, with something nice to look at like the cityscape, water or even nature.
In addition, you want to make sure that all of the other factors are in place. For example, you want to visit a rooftop bar that has terrific drinks, great food and an atmosphere that you can appreciate.
You want to make sure that the lighting is right, that it is not too crowded for you to have a good time and evaluate all the other factors that you would normally when you go to a restaurant or bar. Just because a bar is located on a rooftop does not mean that it’s worth sacrificing all the other factors that you would normally way when choosing a place to go out for the night.
Now that you know what to look for, let’s take a look at the best rooftop bars in Singapore.
Best Rooftop Bars in Singapore
1. CE LA VI
The first rooftop bar that we’re going to be looking at is at the top of the Marina Bay Sands complex. This is one of the most luxurious bars in all of Singapore, and it matches the luxurious fittings of the other parts of the complex.
This rooftop bar is made up of various zones that include a world-class restaurant, a poolside terrace and the lounge area. It also offers one of the best views in the city from more than 200 meters above Singapore. There is no cover charge and drinks are fairly reasonable considering the venue. The bar is open daily starting at 11 AM and you can find the Marina Bay Sands North Tower on Bayfront Avenue.
2. 1-Altitude
Next is the bar that many claim is the number one rooftop bar in all of Singapore. This rooftop bar, located at the top of a 63 story building called one Raffles Place, is the tallest rooftop bar in all of Singapore and one of the most extravagant. The bar contains three different levels for you to walk through with a beautiful dining area that is adorned with actual trees that make it look like a magical wonderland.
In addition, there are several different bars to visit along with the lounge area and a huge dance floor that is usually packed on the weekends. You do have to pay a cover for this venue, but it comes with a free drink and the view is worth the cover price anyway.
3. SuperTree
The SuperTree is not only the most unique rooftop bar in all of Singapore, but it is also actually one of the most unique venues throughout the entire city. You can find this bar at the Gardens by the Bay at the top of the very highest to SuperTree.
This is a very popular tourist destination because it is so unique, so you may want to plan your night out carefully as to avoid such a crowded venue that you cannot enjoy yourself. The entire thing is a bar and restaurant with both Asian and Western food as well as a full menu of wines, cocktails and beers from around the world.
4. LeVel 33
LeVel 33 is another great rooftop bar in Singapore, but it also has the distinction as the most elevated microbrewery in the world. What makes this venue really unique and worth visiting is that you have an amazing view of the Marina Bay from lots of different locations within the bar.
But what is even more compelling is the sheer variety of house-brewed craft beers that are some of the finest quality beers on the planet. You can go with the drinking option or the tasting option. If you choose the tasting option, then you will get to try lots of different beers that they make right on site. In addition, they serve delicious baby back ribs and chicken wings.
5. New Asia Bar
The New Asia Bar is one of the oldest rooftop bars in Singapore and is highly regarded as one of the best rooftop bars in the world. The New Asia Bar can be found at the top of the Swissotel the Stamford, and it not only offers great views of Singapore, but it also offers some pretty incredible views of nearby Malaysia.
This is one of the few rooftop bars that opens really early, so you want to get there before sunset if you can, so you can watch the sunset from the roof. At night, the bar gets a lot more crowded and a lot louder, but in the daytime, it is a much more peaceful atmosphere.
6. Kinki Rooftop Bar
Next up is the bar that many say has the most urban attitude out of all of the rooftop bars in Singapore. This is a Japanese themed bar, and you can tell because the menu has plenty of sushi as well as other Japanese favorites.
The urban vibe comes from the carefully placed graffiti on the walls and the rather haphazard seating. Fullerton Bay is right next door and the skyline is incredible from up there. If you are looking for elegance and fine dining, then you may want to choose a different rooftop bar, but for those that are looking for a fun and rowdy party, this place certainly fits the bill.
7. Fullerton Bay Hotel
At the top of the Fullerton Bay Hotel is the Lantern, which is a lot lower altitude that most of the other rooftop bars on this list. However, since it is over the Marina Bay, and it is perfectly placed to give you an unobstructed view, this bar is still definitely worth visiting. The keyword for this rooftop bar is luxury.
The seating is made to be as comfortable as possible and you can even lay back and relax if you wish. It is a little bit more expensive than some of the other rooftop bars with drinks starting at around $15, but there is no cover fee and the Fullerton Bay Hotel is the perfect place to stay.
8. Loof
Loof is also one of the oldest rooftop bars and Singapore. In fact, it was the first stand-alone rooftop bar in the city, and while it does not have the same incredible views as some of the other rooftop bars on this list, the atmosphere is relaxed and peaceful, and this is the kind of bar you can go to just to get away from things.
In addition, they have some of the best prices on drinks among all of the rooftop bars – especially if you get there early. The earlier you arrive, the less you pay for wine which increases as the night wears on. You can find this bar at 331 North Bridge Rd.
9. The HI-SO
The HI-SO is one of the newest rooftop bars in Singapore, and it is at the top of one of the eminent hotels in the city called the Sofitel So Singapore. The hotel isn’t that tall, so you are not going to get the kind of views that you might expect from the first couple of rooftop bars on this list, but because it is surrounded by skyscrapers, it creates a cozy nest atmosphere that many people love.
10. Zsofi Tapas
Finally, the last bar on the list is also located at the top of a pretty short building, but that doesn’t mean that this bar doesn’t have its advantages. For one thing, you get an order of tapas every time you order an alcoholic drink, and the atmosphere is peaceful and the tables are spread out with plenty of greenery between them. There’s also a Middle Eastern restaurant on the premises. This rooftop bar is located in Little India.