Looking for the best nightlife in Singapore on a budget? Chinatown is your answer. As the sun sets, Chinatown transforms into one of the most vibrant destinations. From hidden speakeasies, rooftop views, to traditional pub vibes, bars in Chinatown, Singapore, attract locals and international visitors seeking evening entertainment. This historic neighbourhood of Singapore Tourism offers an exceptional concentration of diverse bars within walking distance. Bars in Chinatown include cheap happy hours and high-end cocktail celebrations. Read this ultimate guide to learn about the top 8 bars in Chinatown, Singapore, including local tips, pricing, and must-try drinks.
The Brightside is one of the most welcoming budget bars in Chinatown, Singapore. This cheerful spot eliminates the pretentious attitude that some upscale venues in Singapore have. It boasts of an excellent sound system, a cool environment, and long happy hours without breaking the bank. On the weekends, it gets heavy crowds because of its popularity and the cheap prices.
Tips: Excellent place to have fun and find other travellers and locals in a casual situation
This bar allows you to enjoy music at night, from mainstream music to underground music. Having a great corner location, this place has easy access to the street-side seats and late-night food establishments. This is one of the best places to visit in Singapore if you are a music lover or seeking a local, authentic feel. It offers excellent value with affordable drink prices to go out in Singapore at night. You must try the Mango Sticky Rice Negroni at Native Bar, offering a unique flavour.
Tips: Visit on Wednesday-Friday for Live DJ performances and street-side atmosphere
Shin has a pretty unique setup within a traditional Cantonese association building. It is an excellent place to enjoy the authentic heritage of Singapore due to its cultural ambience. The cocktail program here is outstanding, with bartenders using traditional Chinese ingredients that will make your taste buds dance all night long. Whether it's a classic cocktail or an innovative creation, this place guarantees you'll remember your visit.
Tips: Perfect for cultural experiences and Instagram-worthy moments.
This cocktail bar in the Tanjong Pagar area is inspired by that famous Edward Hopper painting, "Nighthawks." With beautiful interior design, this bar in Chinatown transports you to a retro-futuristic American diner from the 20th century. The exceptional cocktail menu and strategic location perfect for a night out. Night Hawk is perfect for a date night or just catching up with friends.
Venue | Location | Entry Fee | Features/Notes |
The Brightside | Chinatown District | Free | Happy hour deals, friendly crowd |
Native Bar | Corner spot, outdoor seating | Free | Live DJs, street-side vibes |
Operation Dagger | Hidden basement, Club Street | Free | Speakeasy experience, limited space |
Shin | Heritage building | Free | Traditional ingredients, cultural vibe |
Jigger & Pony is one of the most upscale bars in Chinatown, Singapore and was ranked among Asia’s 50 Best Bars in the previous year. It has precise Japanese bartenders, known for their award-winning Sakura Martini, offering a world-class cocktail experience to all. The bar offers high-end entertainment to wealthy neighbourhood residents, global visitors and drinkers of cocktails.
Want a rooftop bar experience? Head to The Screening Room. It is a special place which has magnificent scenery of traditional shophouses and contemporary high rises. This is a bar featuring indoor cinema as well as rooftop bars, where you can enjoy the skyline of Singapore while drinking cocktails. Unlike the nightclubs in Singapore, this bar offers a perfect ambience for couples seeking unique date experiences, and the Screening Room feels more intimate and cinematic.
Tips: For the best skyline views at The Screening Room, ask for the north-facing tables
There are luxury bars in Singapore, and then there's The Olde Cuban. It provides premium experiences with over 200 types of cigars and exclusive whiskey collections. With climate-controlled cigar storage, plush leather seating, and old-world charm, this place is ideal for business meetings and special celebrations. The atmosphere includes premium service levels compared to standard venues.
Want to upscale your drinking experience? Visit The Good Beer Company. It spans four stories in a heritage building with its brewery operations. The house-brewed beers and rooftop garden offer you a premium craft beer experience. It's one of the major players in Singapore's craft beer scene, operating with late hours and attracting both tourists and locals.
Venue | Location | Drink Prices | Features/Notes |
Jigger & Pony | Premium Chinatown | SGD 18-30 | Japanese techniques, cocktail flights |
The Screening Room | Ann Siang rooftop | SGD 16-25 | Cinema + bar, skyline views |
The Olde Cuban | Upscale location | Premium pricing | 200+ cigars, whiskey library |
The Good Beer Company | 4-story heritage building | SGD 12-18 | House brewery, rooftop garden |
Singapore (6N)
Singapore (6N)
Bars in Chinatown Singapore are incredibly diverse, with some having cheap prices, free entry to the bar, and a luxurious bar experience. The convenience of transportation, secure atmosphere and a flawless mix of ancient and contemporary flavours form a memorable experience of nightlife. If this excites you to explore Singapore's night scene, check out the best Singapore tour packages from Pickyourtrail for your ultimate bar-hopping adventure.
The Brightside and Native Bar are the most cost-effective and recommended bars with the cheapest experiences, or Jigger and Pony are posh cocktail bars.
All bars in Chinatown, Singapore, have no cover charges. Entry is free at every venue - you only pay for drinks and food.
Most places require smart casual attire. Men are encouraged to put on collared shirts and closed-toed shoes. Women should avoid flip-flops or overly casual wear. High-end establishments such as The Olde Cuban take more to business attire.
Most bars in Chinatown close between 1-2 AM on weekdays and 2-3 AM on weekends. Some venues stay open until 4 AM on Friday and Saturday nights.
In Chinatown Singapore, the age limit to enter bars is 18 years old with a Valid ID proof.