Cover Smoke & Mirrors on the rooftop of the National Gallery (Photo: Smoke & Mirrors)

Our favourite spots in town for taking in the sights, while sipping on a cocktail

Singapore’s skyline is one of the most picturesque in the world, and the best place to view it is from above the ground. Fortunately for us, the island is home to various rooftop bars that look out to these scenic backdrops. And what’s even better? They serve deliciously concocted cocktails and bar bites that make your visit worthwhile. 
 
Whether you are impressing your date or just looking for a change of scenery, here are some of the best rooftop bars in the Lion City that are guaranteed to take your breath away. 

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1. El Chido

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Above El Chido at the Pullman Singapore Hill Street

Hit the rooftop for Pullman Singapore Hill Street's flagship swim-up bar where it is viva la fiesta at any time of day. Translating to “cool” in Spanish, El Chido certainly lives up to its name. The playful theme evokes a dreamy coastal vacation in Mexico and the same could be said for the eight thematic cocktails designed by award-winning mixologist Dario Knox. Here, classic tipples are reconstructed with Mexican flair: “Sunset Boulevard” is an elegant champagne cocktail that delivers sweet and floral expressions at first clink; “Sombrero Smash” is a fresh and herbaceous gin-based tipple tailored for those with a penchant for fresh basil and citrus; and the “Martini Express” is a tamarind spiked coffee martini that will surely awake the tastebuds. To remedy the hunger pangs, especially after a dip in the pool, there is a sumptuous range of Mexican fare such as shrimp and chorizo tacos, tostadas and nachos to be enjoyed.

El Chido
Address: 1 Hill St, Pullman Singapore, Singapore 179949

2. Las Palmas Rooftop Bar

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Above Las Palmas Rooftop Bar

Step into the enchanting allure of Las Palmas, a secret rooftop retreat on level 33 of the Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena. This tropical haven, reminiscent of Hollywood’s Golden Age, unveils breathtaking sunset vistas against the city skyline. Besides the gorgeous sunset hour views, Las Palmas beckons with innovative cocktails and classic Americana bites. Each sip unveils a tale as rich as Hollywood lore. Try the vivacious “Flame Of Love”, a homage to Dean Martin, a 70s icon born in Beverly Hills. Or get tropical with “The Cabana”, a refreshingly fruity and nutty Cognac-based cocktail that is sure to keep you spirited throughout the evening.

Las Palmas Rooftop Bar
Address: 99 Irrawaddy Rd, Level 33 Courtyard Marriott Singapore, Singapore 329568

3. Braci

Boat Quay's best-kept secret is an intimate little bar above the one-Michelin-star modern Italian restaurant Braci. Get away from the raucous riverside and head upstairs for a classy tipple: you can soon enjoy the night's breeze in peace with ravishing views of Singapore’s city skyline and the Singapore River. Spritz up the evening with a refreshingly fruity “All Summer Long”, boasting bubbly notes of elderflower and lychee. Or satisfy your sweet cravings with the liquid “Tiramisu” where orange-infused vodka is blended with rich chocolate liqueur, homemade coffee liqueur and a touch of vanilla. The cat is out of the bag.

Braci
Italian   |   $ $ $   |  

52 Boat Quay, Level 5/6, S(049841)

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4. Cé La Vi

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Above Green Envy cocktail at Cé La Vi, made with The Macallan 12 Year Old (Photo: Cé La Vi)

Perched on top of Marina Bay Sands is Cé La Vi, one of the liveliest rooftop bars you can find in Singapore. Sitting on the alfresco skybar, you are offered the best view of the Marina Bay skyline while sipping on dangerously easy-to-drink cocktails. “A Trip to Japan”, for instance, is a citrusy libation with yuzu, lemon, tinged with the sweetness of rose and honey and undercut by the mature bitterness of whisky. Local flavours are to be found with the “Green Envy”, which blends tropical ingredients like pandan, coconut cream, and palm sugar with Macallan Double Cask 12 Year Old for a rich and complex tipple. 

Cé La Vi
Asian   |   $ $ $   |  

1 Bayfront Avenue, Level 57, Marina Bay Sands Hotel Tower 3, S(018971)

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5. Spago Bar & Lounge

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Above Adios Nonino cocktail with USDA prime beef sliders (Photo: Marina Bay Sands)

Neighbouring Cé La Vi is Spago Bar & Lounge, a concept by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck with creative bar bites and delicious drinks. USDA prime beef sliders and chicken laksa spring rolls are just some of the bites that are perfect for sharing, best washed down with a glass of punch or a cocktail. “The Garden of Eden” is an alcoholic punch with slight tannic notes of mango black tea-infused vodka mixed with lemon and cane sugar, while the “Peace on Earth” cocktail blends rum with tropical notes of passionfruit, orgeat, and coconut. 

Spago Dining Room (Bar)

10 Bayfront Avenue, Level 57, Sands Skypark Tower 2, S(018956)

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6. Skai

Whether you’re sitting by the bar or the floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the city centre, Skai Bar at Swissôtel the Stamford offers one of the most sophisticated bar experiences in the country, with the cocktails to match. The “Twisted Royale”, for instance, is an elegant expression of Belvedere vodka, with fermented blueberries and Henriot Brut Souverain for bursts of flavour. Meanwhile, the “Between Namida and Laughter”, which sees Hennessy VSOP mixed with Black Tears spiced rum and Pierre Ferrand dry curacao, is unapologetically bold. 

Skai
Contemporary   |   $ $ $   |  

Swissôtel The Stamford, Level 70, 2 Stamford Road, S(178882)

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7. Atico Lounge & Bar

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Above Rosario cocktail at Atico Lounge & Bar (Photo: 1-Atico)

Located 56 floors aboveground on the rooftop of Ion Orchard, Atico Lounge & Bar offers a seductive bar experience with stunning views of Singapore’s shopping district. Excellent cocktails are a given with its section of mixologist’s specials. Expect lighter tipples like the “Fleurs du Ciel” with botanical gin, roselle and elderflower syrup, fresh citrus, and egg white; or go for the “Straits Kopi” for a heavier drink, where Caribbean rum is expertly mixed with coffee, hazelnut liqueur, Baileys, and milk. 

Atico Lounge & Bar
Address: 2 Orchard Turn, ION Orchard, 56/F, S(238801)

8. 1-Arden Bar

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Above The Adren Fling cocktail at 1-Arden Bar

Surrounded by a lush rooftop garden on the 17th floor, the 1-Arden Bar is perfect for both after-work drinks and late night revelry. No trip here is complete without the “Arden Fling”, a floral and citrusy cocktail made with gin and elderflower liqueur, and the fruity notes of fresh dragonfruit, lime juice, and strawberry syrup. Of course, your favourite classic cocktails are also available here, as are a range of top shelf wines, champagnes, whiskies, and more. 

1-Arden Bar
Address: 88 Market Street, Capitaspring, S(048948), +65 8518 3763

9. Artemis Grill & Sky Bar

Botanical cocktails shine at Artemis Grill & Sky Bar, located some 40 floors aboveground in the Capitagreen building. It’s no surprise, given its Mediterranean-inspired menu and the 100-year-old olive tree that the bar surrounds. Admire the shimmering skyscrapers of the Central Business District as you sip on tipples like the “Irosa Rosa!”, a tart yet light combination of Wheatley vodka, rose sangria, grapefruit and cranberry. For those who enjoy a dash of something more complex, the “Rye Here Rye Now” with Sazerac rye, spiced pear liqueur, lemon juice and ginger syrup makes for a flavourful kick. 

Artemis Grill
Mediterranean   |   $ $ $   |  

138 Market Street #40-01 CapitaGreen Singapore 048946

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10. Vue

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Above Alfresco bar at Vue (Photo: Vue)

With its alfresco bar area offering a panoramic view encompassing the heritage civic district and the glittering Marina Bay, Vue is one of the best places to watch the sun go down as you savour specialty cocktails. The mixologists here don’t shy away from bold flavours, which is why you can find drinks like the “Tipsy Devil” with kumquat-infused Herradura tequila with kumquat liqueur, yuzu, tabasco, and agave syrup. In the mood for something light? Vue offers a gin and tonic happy hour, and aperitivos to get your palate ready for dinner. 

Vue
Modern   |   $ $ $   |  

50 Collyer Quay, Level 19, OUE Bayfront, S(049321)

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11. Mr Stork

When you visit Mr Stork for pre-prandial drinks and bites, you also get a 360-degree vista of the city skyline, which looks more majestic when the sun is setting. Park yourself in one of the teepee huts, situated in the alfresco section surrounded by lush greenery, and choose your poison amongst its extensive list of botanical-inspired cocktails.
 
Start with something refreshing like the “Amrita”, a mix of Stranger and Sons gin, guava, lemongrass and mint, or opt for the “Siam Fling” for a drink with a kick. The spice comes from the Chalong Bay white spiced rum, but this is balanced out with the addition of coconut, cinnamon and lime bitters.
 
Tipples are best had with bites, and some of the delectable options are the beef sliders, chicken karaage and truffle fries. Book here.

Mr. Stork

Address: Andaz Singapore, 5 Fraser Street, Level 39, Andaz S(189354), +65 6408 1288

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12. Level33

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Beer lovers are always in for a treat at Level33, a restaurant and bar on the 33rd floor of Marina Bay Financial Centre which has its own microbrewery. While the space consists of an indoor and outdoor dining area, it is recommended to sit at the al fresco area for unobstructed views of the Marina Bay.
 
Start the night with freshly brewed craft beers—in particular, the refreshingly smooth blond lager, medium-bodied wheat beer, and light and malty house porter. There are also creative beer cocktails, crafted by mixologist Javier De Las Muelas. Perfect for the island’s humid weather is the Parish Lush, concocted with blond lager, champagne, crème de cassis, elderflower syrup and gold dust. Book here.

Level33
Modern   |   $ $ $   |  

8 Marina Boulevard #33-01, Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1, S(018981)

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13. Smoke & Mirrors

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Perched atop National Gallery Singapore is Smoke & Mirrors; it offers a good vantage point to view architectural wonders such as Esplanade and Marina Bay Sands. You will be well taken care of by head bartender Jorge Conde, whose signature cocktails include Green Gimlet and Pass the Pineapple.

A clean and citrusy concoction, Green Gimlet features a wonderful medley of gin, homemade lime bitters, kaffir and ginger. For something spicy and fruity, Pass the Pineapple pleases the palate with its combination of cava, aperitif wine, and fermented spiced pineapple tepache.

Imbibers can also look forward to its cocktail special of the month, Blah x 3, curated by winner of the Mancino Bartenders’ Bartender Award 2021, Bannie Kang. Blah x 3 is anything but blah; it is fruity, fizzy and citrusy all at once thanks to a combination of Farmer’s gin, guava, carbonated water and plum bitters. Book here.

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Smoke & Mirrors

1 St Andrew’s Road, #06-01 National Gallery Singapore, S(178957)

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14. Potato Head

Soak up the views of Keong Saik while enjoying a cocktail or two at Potato Head’s rooftop bar. Decked out in fairy lights and fauna, it sets the mood for refreshing tiki cocktails curated by mixologist Dre Masso. For something bittersweet, the Kokoi Baldo is concocted with Tanqueray London Dry gin, lemongrass and vanilla syrup, and egg white. Pinatubo boasts tropical flavours, thanks to a combination of Sailor Jerry spiced rum, coconut liqueur, coconut cream syrup and pineapple juice. Book here.

Potato Head Rooftop Bar

Address: 36 Keong Saik Road, S(089143), +65 6327 1939

15. Southbridge

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Oysters, tipples and a glorious view—nothing gets better than that, right? At this oyster and gin bar, get to sip on some cocktails while admiring the backdrop of iconic Singapore River. Get comfortable at the chic and spacious outdoor area and savour libations like the Yuzu Express, a bubbly offering of Zardetto Spumante, yuzu and grapefruit cordial and rose; and Tropical Sunrise, a potent but fruity concoction of tequila blanco, passionfruit monin, kaffir lime. Book here.  

Southbridge

Address: 80 Boat Quay, Level 5, Rooftop S(049868), +65 6877 6965

16. Levant Bar

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Located on the rooftop of a conservation shophouse in Tanjong Pagar, Levant Bar offers sleek cocktails and gorgeous views of the CBD. Get started with Blossom Mint, a floral and sweet tipple that sees a delightful mix of Roku gin, bergamot, elderflower and calamansi. But for something bright and refreshing, opt for the Sea of Citrus, featuring a concoction of Espolon Blanco tequila, Navelina orange sherbert, grapefruit soda and zesty Amalfi lemon. Book here

Levant Bar

Address: 32 Tras Street, Level 4 Signature Hotel, S(078972), +65 6304 3298

17. Kinki Restaurant + Bar

Sip on tipples while taking in views of the Marina Bay skyline at Kinki's open-air rooftop bar. The recently revamped bar offers a series of Asian-inspired cocktails, beer and sake. With over 20 different cocktails to choose from, imbibers will be spoilt for choice. Begin the night with the floral Aurora Polaris, made with butterfly pea-infused Kyro gin, cucumber lime syrup and soda water. Need a perk me up? Try the Naughty Kopi, a chocolate-y take on the espresso martini, comprising Matusalem rum, Kahlua coffee liqueur, Bailey's and espresso. Book here

Kinki Restaurant + Bar
Japanese   |   $ $   |  

70 Collyer Quay, #02-02, Customs House, S(049323)

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