We enjoy a fancy cocktail spot as much as the next person. But sometimes, we just prefer letting our hair down with rounds of games. Here, we roundup six arcade and game bars in Singapore that offer us equal parts unadulterated libations and childlike fun—the winning formula that keeps us coming back for more.
Avenue
The most low-key of the trio of establishments at Marina Bay Sands comprising Marquee, Koma and Avenue, this stylish underground lounge is easily our favourite adult’s play den. Have a game of pool, pinball, skee ball, and even mini bowling at this spacious hideaway as DJs keep things upbeat. There’s a private karaoke room too, if you feel like booking it out. With proper food and drinks on the menu, including craft cocktails priced at only $22, you’ll effortlessly while away your evenings here.
Holey Moley
The first and only mini golf club and bar in Singapore doesn’t disappoint. Spread across two floors in a corner unit on Clarke Quay, you’ll find three courses with nine holes each—all brimming with pop culture references and themes like Game of Thrones, Pac Man and The Simpsons. Between rounds of putt-putt, posing for snaps, trying quirky drinks at the bars, and gorging on their infamous meter-long pizzas, Holey Moley is just so much fun.
Level Up
Gain experience at this second floor Clarke Quay arcade bar reminiscent of a Stranger Things set. The game machines here will be familiar to any ‘80s or ‘90s kid, with favourites like Time Crisis, Daytona and Bishi Bashi all present. Its raw, industrial look channels a no-frills vibe, a perfect place for chugging down beer towers and chomping on passable fried frozen foods.
Nineteen80
Seriously old-school arcade games (from Space Invaders to Golden Axe and everything in-between), lit drinks, and groovy DJ sets combine to give us the nostalgia bomb of a venue that is Nineteen80. Enter this Tanjong Pagar haunt and feel transported to another time, one that was simpler and, honestly, better. Leave your smartphone in your bag and bob to the beats for a guaranteed good time here.
Pinball Wizard
From the same folks behind Nineteen80 comes Pinball Wizard (yes, it’s an eponymous nod to the song), found at the basement of storied gadget hub Sim Lim Square. Inside, find retro pinball machines, vinyls and an impressively long bar lining the walls, all surrounding a central dance floor which really comes alive later into the night. To quench your thirst, try their cool signature cocktails, or just go all out and down some shooters.
Pong Singapore
Both casual and competitive players of beer pong will find themselves at home here, where digital PongConnect tables are the name of the game. If you haven’t tried them out before, Pong at Clarke Quay is the best place to do so. Have your dinner here too, with pastas, pizzas and mains like burgers available. Live bands play on some nights too.
