Singapore nightlife, once boring and sleepy, has become one of the best in Southeast Asia.
The range of options for going out at night has no equivalent elsewhere in the region: Michelin-starred restaurants, top-ranked cocktail bars and nightclubs, world-class concerts, music festivals, and a vibrant cultural scene (opera, ballet, etc).
Enjoying a night out in Singapore is safe, easy, and fun, with only one downside: It costs money. If you party from evening to dawn in the best nightclubs, bars and restaurants, expect to spend at least SGP 150-200 in one night.
If you are new to the city and wondering where to party, here's a quick summary of everything you need to know.
Note: All prices are in Singaporean dollars.
Nightlife Areas in Singapore
As you can see on this map (click here to enlarge it), most of the best spots are located in the southern part of the island, near the Central Business District, in a square about 3km by 3km in size.
If you are a new-comer/tourist, you can probably head directly to Clarke Quay and drink in one of the open-air cafés there. Not far away, Chinatown, Orchard Road and the Marina Bay Sands are also good areas for partying.
Boat Quay and Clarke Quay - MOST POPULAR
The most famous nightlife area in Singapore is located along a 1-km riverside walk running from Boat Quay to Clarke Quay. This would be my first recommendation if you don't know where to start partying. You have a large choice of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, many with a terrace directly on the street. You can just walk there and choose the place that you like.
It is busy almost every night of the week with a young crowd. You'll find it easy to meet other people, particularly students and young tourists from all over the world. One of the reasons is that the prices here are relatively affordable for Singapore, especially during happy hours (generally from 4-5pm up to 7-8pm every day) or ladies night (most often on Wednesday).
Very near from there, Circular Road and Hong Kong Street are also both filled with nightlife spots that are a bit more refined. There is some discreet prostitution as well.
Recommended hotel Near Clarke Quay:
It is busy almost every night of the week with a young crowd. You'll find it easy to meet other people, particularly students and young tourists from all over the world. One of the reasons is that the prices here are relatively affordable for Singapore, especially during happy hours (generally from 4-5pm up to 7-8pm every day) or ladies night (most often on Wednesday).
Very near from there, Circular Road and Hong Kong Street are also both filled with nightlife spots that are a bit more refined. There is some discreet prostitution as well.
Recommended hotel Near Clarke Quay:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Paradox Merchant Court at Clarke Quay (8.6 rating, 250$ per night)
Recommended bars and clubs near Boat Quay/Clarke Quay:
- Zouk: Mega club with 3 rooms (EDM, house, hip-hop) and a 1,500-people capacity. Famous, international DJs come weekly. Crowd is a mix of 20-something Singaporeans, tourists and expats. Entrance fee is around 50$ with 2 drinks (more or less depending on the DJ).
- Capital Zouk: Same management as Zouk but it's smaller, more exclusive, and the crowd is older.
- 28, in Hong Kong Street, was ranked 14th best bar in the world and 2nd best in Asia. It is a typical speakeasy with its hidden entrance, 1920s atmosphere and hip bartenders.
- Yang: A club that caters to young Singaporeans, with special events such as K-pop nights. Music is quite eclectic depending on the evening: techno, reggaeton, EDM, hip-hop.
- Headquarters: A more underground club with techno music and many Europeans (30$ entrance)
- Cuba Libre has a live band from Monday to Saturday playing latin music for salsa or bachata dancing.
- Molly Malone's: Singapore's first Irish pub since 1995. It was built in Ireland and then transported to Circular Road.
- The Victorian Pub Penny Black is a sports bar where you can watch the English Premier League as well as the English Football League Championship (EFL), League One, League Two, FA Cup, Cricket, etc.
Marina Bay - TOURISTY
About 5-10 minutes from Clarke Quay, this is a more touristy and expensive area with some very popular nightclubs and rooftops.
About 5-10 minutes from Clarke Quay, this is a more touristy and expensive area with some very popular nightclubs and rooftops.
Recommended bars and clubs near Marina Bay:
- Marquee: It is the largest nightclub in Singapore, with 3 floors and a 25-meter Ferris wheel. Slightly better than Zouk in my opinion (better crowd). Weekly schedule of famous DJs. 50$ entrance includes 2 drinks. Packed dance floor so it's better to reserve a table (starting at 2000$)
- Cé La Vi: The bar/club on top of the Marina Bay Sand Hotel, 200 meters from the ground. It is open every day but the best night is probably on Wednesday for ladies night (free for ladies, 38$ for guys). Very international crowd, some escorts and prostitutes. The music is commercial hip hop, dance and Top 40.
- Level 33: This rooftop has a wonderful view of the Bay from the Financial Center Tower 1. They make their own craft beer on the spot which they serve for a reasonable 10$ before 8pm (15$ after that). To enjoy the best view, you should call them ahead and book a table outside on the terrace.
Chinatown is an older part of town with low-rise buildings and small streets, among which the busiest for nightlife are Club Street, Amoy Street and Ann Siang Hill. In those, you'll find some of the trendiest restaurants and bars in town, all walking distance from one another.
In some places, the crowd is almost 100% expats, usually richer and older than the ones in Clarke Quay. It is a great place for bar-hopping and meeting people.
If you walk a bit further, you can also visit the streets near Keong Saik Road (Jiak Chuan Road or Neil Road for gay nightlife) with even more restaurants, wine lounges and hipster bars.
If you walk a bit further, you can also visit the streets near Keong Saik Road (Jiak Chuan Road or Neil Road for gay nightlife) with even more restaurants, wine lounges and hipster bars.
Recommended hotel in Chinatown:
⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Scarlet Hotel (rated 8.5, 200$ per night)
Recommended bars and clubs in Chinatown:
- Tuff: Club with techno/electronic music, underground vibe
- Black Horse: Thai disco, mostly for young Chinese who like very loud and fast-paced EDM
- Cherry Discotheque: Local crowd, mostly university students. Different music every night.
These streets are next to each other and are bordered by smaller, two-storey buildings. You have some coffee shops, small eateries, a few live music venues and a growing number of upmarket bars and restaurants. There are many backpackers staying here in dorms.
Recommended hotel near Bugis Street:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Andaz Singapore (rated 9.0, 300$ per night)
Recommended bars and clubs near Bugis Street/Little India:
- On 3 floors, Blu Jaz Café has daily live jazz music as well as other genres (guitar, comedy, etc)
- Nutmeg & Clove: cocktails with an Asian twist
- Atlas: Classy bar with the largest gin collection in the world
- Good Luck: Friendly bar on Haji Lane with local craft beer
Orchard Road - EXPATS, BUSINESSMEN, TOURISTS
Orchard Road is the most famous street in Singapore for shopping and entertainment. It is also home to several 5-star hotels. While it isn't really a trendy area anymore, it has some world-renowned bars.
Orchard Road is the most famous street in Singapore for shopping and entertainment. It is also home to several 5-star hotels. While it isn't really a trendy area anymore, it has some world-renowned bars.
A tiny street off Orchard Road is also worth a look. It is called Emerald Hill and features small bars in a vintage, Peranakan-style neighborhood. The best one is 5, famous for its cocktails, but you can also check the Alley Bar and Que Pasa.
Recommended hotel near Orchard Road:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hilton Orchard Road (rated 9.0, 300$ per night)
Recommended bars and clubs near Orchard Road:
- KPO: An after-work pub popular with expats
- Manhattan: Classic 1920s' NY-style bar in the centrally located 5-star Conrad Hotel. Cocktails cost about 25$ each. They have a free-flow cocktail brunch on Saturday and Sunday starting at 150$++.
- Employees Only: Packed, expats, 30+, throwback songs
- Drip: Young Singaporean-Chinese crowd. Music from techno to rap/hip-hop
Geylang - RED LIGHT DISTRICT
Geylang is the historical red-light district in Singapore. Apart from street prostitution and short-time hotels targeting lower-income residents, you have some more luxurious KTVs, discotheques and massage parlors.
Note that the prostitution is mostly concentrated in the small streets (lorongs) 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. During the day, it is barely visible. When the night comes, it remains discreet and if you are not actively looking for it, it shouldn't bother you much.
Nowadays, most of the cheaper hotels in Singapore are in Geylang. If you don't mind the sex trade, it is a good option for an affordable stay in the city. It is still safe, convenient and with many street food options. You should choose a hotel near Aljunied MRT station, which is easy to reach from the airport and connected to the city center.
Geylang is the historical red-light district in Singapore. Apart from street prostitution and short-time hotels targeting lower-income residents, you have some more luxurious KTVs, discotheques and massage parlors.
Note that the prostitution is mostly concentrated in the small streets (lorongs) 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. During the day, it is barely visible. When the night comes, it remains discreet and if you are not actively looking for it, it shouldn't bother you much.
Nowadays, most of the cheaper hotels in Singapore are in Geylang. If you don't mind the sex trade, it is a good option for an affordable stay in the city. It is still safe, convenient and with many street food options. You should choose a hotel near Aljunied MRT station, which is easy to reach from the airport and connected to the city center.
Recommended hotel near Geylang:
⭐⭐ Hotel 81 Palace (rated 8.6 with a budget price of 67$ per night)
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