The most romantic bars in Singapore

Night Hawk is the epitome of the low-key, high-quality speakeasy experience, making it perfect for a first date or an anniversary where discretion is paramount. Located on Tanjong Pagar Road, this small bar deliberately avoids taking reservations, fostering an intimate, under-the-radar vibe. The menu concept is unique: a journey through the “Night Hawk” diner universe, offering delicious cocktails with a focus on retro pop culture and imaginative storytelling.

Step into Bar Bon Funk and you step into a world of retro-chic ease. This bar perfectly masters the “living room vibe” with its retro-chic details and dependable sound system. The space is a highly welcoming choice for those who value quality wine and a comfortable, unpretentious atmosphere on a date. With its excellent wine list and a selection of gourmet tapas served in a relaxed, intimate setting, an evening spent here feels like lounging in a stylish friend’s highly-exclusive apartment.

The buttery dark chestnut-hued Chesterfield sofas in Manhattan lure most to a night of romance paired with world-class booze. After all, they’ve been doing this for more than a decade. Hospitality is tip-top but never stuffy; the team always go out of their way to make you feel at home. At the bar, 34 tipples themed after Broadway musicals are tinkered up by head bartender Zana Mohlmann. From unshakable classics to wildly innovative cocktails, standouts include The Majestic, a crisp floral twist on the Martinez that pays homage to the Majestic Theatre—home to the Phantom of the Opera. Otherwise, impress your date with the finest pours with hits like the Manhattan and the Solera-Aged Negroni. 

Hot tip: If the date goes well, ask for a table in East47 for a nightcap. It is Manhattan’s exclusive ten-seater cocktail theatre that reminds of the legendary Silver Factory on East 47th Street. Inside, there is an original 1962 Gold Marilyn Monroe silkscreen painting by American artist Andy Warhol staring right back at you.

Manhattan
Address: 1 Cuscaden Road, Conrad Singapore Orchard, Level 2, S(249715)

Hidden gem? Not anymore. The Backdrop, sequestered away in Voco Orchard Singapore, is 1920s cabaret personified. Take note, finding it isn’t an issue but don’t rock up unannounced as access is only available via a special QR code—which one receives after making a booking. Dreamt up by cocktail luminary Dario Knox, The Backdrop caters to discerning imbibers and content creators. Expect amorous accompaniments of crystal chandeliers, vintage accoutrements and ruby-hued plush furnishings to go along with well-made cocktails, many of which are inspired by Knox’s anecdotes from travelling across Italy over the past four years. If the conversation turns stale, reignite the spark with Knox’s interactive take on percolated cocktails, an experience that is both charming and intriguing.

The Backdrop
Address: 581 Orchard Road, Voco Orchard Singapore, #01-15/16, S(238883)

Winner of best design at the 2024 Tatler Best Asia awards, Atlas is best known as the grand dame of cocktail lounges in Singapore. A trip to Atlas is an invitation to dress up, thanks to its rather formal dress code, which should excite those who love to get dolled up; birthing picture-perfect opportunities, especially with the stunning backdrop of the 25-foot gin tower lined with over 1,300 bottles. The latest menu, Preservation of Fire, is a retrospective love letter to the history of bartending, split into four chapters, each reimagining four classic styles—think martini, champagne cocktail, sour, and old-fashioned. But for something extra meaningful, unlock a core memory for your partner and order a vintage gin in his or her birth year.

Atlas
Address: Parkview Square, 600 North Bridge Road, S(188778)

Grocery shopping dates are cute but no one likes looking at a bunch of vegetables they are forced to eat. At the suavecito cocktail bar that is Gibson, you can instead drink your greens as grocery shopping makes the theme for their latest cocktail menu. Browse the shelves for everyday fruits and vegetables commodities, as they lend inspiration to 15 quirky libations masterminded by bar operations manager Martin Villareal and his team. Fans of soft drinks, try the root beer old fashioned, promising sweet, spice and everything nice. The humble corn stars in a bright popcorn whisky highball, where bourbon and carbonated cold brew corn silk tea tango.

Ask for the booth seat, where you can get up close and personal with your drink of choice. While it is true that the moody stained glass back bar and Louis Poulsen pendant lamps are irresistibly eye-catching, make sure to pay attention to your date once in a while.

Gibson
Address: 2nd Floor, 20 Bukit Pasoh Road, S(089834)

Want to feel like an absolute rockstar in the ’70s? Lift the velvet curtains and enter Stay Gold Flamingo, a slick dual-concept bar founded by local bartending vet Jerrold Khoo and Bai JiaWei—both former Jigger & Pony alumni. Nothing screams rock and roll quite like neon-lit signs, trippy glass ceilings, and custom pollocked selvedge coats draped over every bartender. Choose to lounge at the corner booth that resembles Mick Jagger’s shrine or one of the many discreet alcoves and enjoy a clever range of American and Japanese-inspired cocktails. Here, an espresso martini in a Nick and Norah coupe never disappoints; using only freshly pulled ristretto and shaken till ice cold for a bittersweet booster.

Stay Gold Flamingo
Address: 69 Amoy Street, S(069888)

If you know, you know; part of the charm of the House Bar experience is finding it. Hidden in plain sight behind a wall painting, this sexy cocktail bar is a quiet retreat for the discerning. Expect Japanese-inspired tipples that riff off the classics, paired with hearty and well-made Japanese fare. Think citrus-laced sours, floral-infused highballs, and tangy margaritas. If you’ve got the means, impress your date and splash out over fine whisky or craft sake, all found brandished on the shelves of the bar.

House Bar
Address: 1 Cuscaden Road, #01-02, Conrad Singapore Orchard, S(249715)

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