We don’t know what it is about dining at the bar in Singapore, but we’re kinda addicted to it. Whether it’s a cosy date for two or we’re flying solo for a quick bite and a cocktail (or three), it’s one of our favourite ways to eat. From necking oysters and nibbling tapas, to tackling an omakase extravaganza or chowing down on a hearty burger, everything tastes better at the bar. Here’re our favourite restaurants where propping up the counter is de rigueur.
Akashi, 19 Tanglin Road, Tanglin Shopping Centre #01-01A, 247905, t. 6732 8662. Open daily 12 pm – 10:30 pm
If you’re in the mood for casual easy bites and drinks, make your way to the outdoor bar at Bar Roque where the ambiance is earthy and rustic with lots of stone, brick and wood, and the vibe is laid back and welcoming. Come during happy hour from 5pm to 9pm Monday to Friday to get 50% off beers, wines and prosecco and order up some small plates from the bar menu like the Lamb Sliders with yogurt sauce and pickles, Chicken Wings with chilli sauce, or their famous Alsatian Tarte Flambé, which is similar to a thin pizza topped with melty cheese and a variety of tasty toppings.
Bar Roque Grill, 165 Tanjong Pagar Road #01-00, 088539, t. 6444 9672. Open Mon – Fri: 12 pm – 2:30 pm, 6 pm – 10:30 pm, Sat: 6 pm – 10:30 pm, bar menu: Mon – Sat: 2:30 pm – late
Le Bistrot du Sommelier
Le Bistrot du Sommelier, 53 Armenian Street, 179940, t. 6333 1982. Open Mon – Sat: 12 pm – 3 pm, 6 pm – 11
When you want a place with a good vibe, but you’re not in the mood for a full meal, Butcher Boy comes through with a contemporary space, good tunes and an easy-going bar menu featuring offerings like the Crispy Fish Skins, Korean Fried Chicken and the Hangar Steak & Fries. They also have great Asian-inspired cocktails, an interesting selection of sakes and a decent wine list, so you can pop by for a steak or a burger and a glass of red, which to us sounds like the perfect meal for a rainy night.
Butcher Boy, 31 Keong Saik Road, 089138, t. 6221 6833. Open Mon – Thurs: 5 pm – 12 am, Fri – Sun: 12 pm – 3 pm, 5 pm – 12 am
Cure, 21 Keong Saik Road, 089128, t. 6221 2189. Open Mon – Wed: 6 pm – late, Thurs – Fri: 12 pm – late, Sat – Sun: 6 pm – late
CUT, 10 Bayfront Avenue, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands #B1-71, 018972, t. 6688 8517. Open Sun – Thurs: 5:30 pm – 10 pm, Fri – Sat: 5:30 pm – 11 pm
Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar, 17 & 18 Dempsey Road, 249676, t. +1 800 304 5588 (local calls only). Open Mon – Fri: 12 pm – 3 pm, Sat, Sun & PH: 11:30 am – 4 pm, Sun – Thurs: 6 pm – 12 am, Fri, Sat & PH: 6 pm – 1 am
Middle Eastern cuisine gets a modern twist at Fat Prince, a sleek kebab spot and bar brought to us by the same people behind Neon Pigeon. The interiors are styled like a hip Istanbul cafe with marble topped tables, velvet upholstered chairs and an inviting bar where you can watch the baristas brew Turkish coffee in a built-in sand pit and shake up exotic cocktails. Do order one of the kebabs piled high with grilled meats and veggies like charred pork belly, spicy prawns or halloumi cheese.
Fat Prince, 48 Peck Seah Street, 079317, t. 6221 3683. Open Mon – Fri: Coffee from 8 am, Lunch 11:30 am – 3 pm, Dinner 6 pm – 12 am
Located on Hong Kong street, FOC’s appeal is not limited to it’s delicious food, but also it’s funky yet elevated decor, and undeniably vibe-y buzz. Not in the mood for a sit down proper meal? No worries, they alway have you covered at the bar. Dishes we count as our favourites include, their simple yet enjoyable tomato bread, the jamon croquettes, cherry gazpacho and lamb rib. But the piece de resistance is definitely their paella. We could watch them make these for days – and our perch at the bar was the perfect spot to witness these babies come to life.
FOC, 40 HongKong Street, Singapore 059679, p. +65 6100 4040. Mon-Wed: 6pm – 11:45pm, Thu – Sat: 12pm – 2:30pm, 6pm – 11:45pm
Limoncello
Limoncello, 95 Robertson Quay, #01-18/19/20 River Gate Condominium, 238256, t. 6634 5117. Open Tues – Sun: 12 pm – 2:30 pm, Daily: 6 pm – 10:30 p
Luke’s Oyster Bar & Chophouse, 260 Orchard Road, The Heeren #03-02, 238855, t. 6733 4813. Open daily: 12 pm – 10 pm
This new superstar of Keong Saik Road is already pretty popping and we often find it hard to get a table sans reservations. Needless to say, we learned about the bar seating by necessity, but now it’s one of our favourite spots for a fun meal alone or with a friend for a tete-a-tete. Add in some of their Estella beer on tap, one of their yummy Spanish omlettes, the octopus and few other tapas dishes and we’re ready to sit there all night people watching and soaking up their beautiful decor flown in all the way from Spain.
Olivia Restaurant & Lounge, 55 Keong Saik Road #01-03, Singapore 089158. p. +65 6221 0522. Open Tues – Thurs 11:30am – 2pm, 6pm – 10pm, Fri – Sat 11:30am – 2pm, 6pm – late
Blue Label Pizza & Wine, 28 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069708. P.+65 9821 9362. Open Mon – Fri 12pm – 2pm, Mon – Sat 6pm – late
The Market Grill
You don’t find too many restaurants where dining at the bar is actually preferable to dining at a table, but The Market Grill makes it pretty hard to pass up that long row of bright yellow stools where you can watch the chefs in action behind the bar. The seafood and steaks are the main draws with options like freshly shucked oysters, lobsters flown in from Boston and Maine, and the whopping Black Angus porterhouse that can feed up to three.
The Market Grill, 208 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068642. p. +65 6221 3323. Open Mon – Sat 11:30am – 2:30pm, 6pm – 10pm
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