It’s almost 11pm, and you’ve had a relatively good night out. It’s late, but not late enough to go home just yet. If you’ve ever been stuck in that dilemma, let the following point you in the right direction.
For booze, mostly (and bar bites)
At these places, drinks flow till the wee hours, but food is a shortened bar bites menu at best
Cin Cin
Martini lovers should head here. The wild-looking Oasia Hotel Downtown teamed up with Refinery Concepts (of Fat Cow and Bedrock fame) to turn their lobby bar into a gin-focused cocktail bar, boasting a selection of over 100 gins. Much of the menu is devoted to a make-your-own-martini option. Choose from five tiers of gins (price points range from $18-26), pair it with one of 11 vermouths and homemade shrubs, topped with one of 14 bitters and then either stirred or shaken. It’s open till 1am on weekends, but don’t expect too much from the bar bites menu. 1/F Oasia Hotel Downtown, 100 Peck Seah St.
Employees Only
This famous, swanky NYC bar opened an outpost on Amoy Street and is fronted by ex-Marine and bartender Steve Schneider, a veteran of the US bar scene and star of Hey Bartender, a cocktail documentary. The much-lauded bar and restaurant is just like its New York flagship with its stylish and modern interiors reminiscent of the Prohibition era. The all-important cocktail menu has highlights like the EO Gimlet and Ready Aim Fire. You can expect raucous late-night partying and friendly hospitality—the last batch of revelers will be served warm cups of chicken soup upon closing (1am daily, 2am on Saturdays). 112 Amoy St.
Harry’s (Cuppage)
Ahhh, the always dependable Harry’s. There are many branches in town, but the one at Cuppage Terrace has one of the longest opening hours and best ambience. Start with a Harry’s 1992 cocktail or a brewskie while munching on plates of wings, laksa popcorn chicken, flatbread pizza, and more. Then keep going with beer cocktails as you catch a live game or two. They open till 1am from Sundays to Thursdays, and till 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. 17/19 Cuppage Rd.
Jigger and Pony
We might have bid farewell to our favourite rum bar and grill, Sugarhall, but we’re glad to announce we can still get top-notch cocktails over at Jigger and Pony. Having found a cozy yet spacious new home at Amara Singapore, their brand new menu features 27 cocktails ($23 each), with some reinvented and reimagined classics. You can also get wines, beers, ciders—oh, and ‘gram-worthy punchbowls ($230) that serves 15-20 (or less, if you so desire). Closing at 1am daily and 3am on Fridays and Saturdays, while the night away as you sip on these magical craft cocktails accompanied with sumptuous bar bites like Korean Steak Tartare ($22) and Pork Belly Bao ($22). 165 Tanjong Pagar Rd.
Skinny’s Lounge
A typical night out at a KTV joint usually involves uninspired snacks, overpriced drinks that come out of a box, and off-key yowling. Unfortunately, singing in public spaces is still very much the domain of the tone-deaf but at Skinny’s, you can take the edge off the high-octave action with a couple of ‘Fast and Cheap’ cocktails. Snacks are basic, including stuff like Ruffles with sour cream and onion dip and pretzel rolls with cheese dip. Closes at at 3am on weekdays, and 4am on Saturdays. #01-02, 82 Boat Quay
For atmospheric heart-to-hearts
Have a last drink or two (or three) and divulge your secrets in quiet, well-decorated surroundings
The Black Swan
Bago at Lime House
If you’re already a fan of Caribbean restaurant Lime House at Jiak Chuan, then check out their extended bar just upstairs. It also possibly got the biggest rum selection in town, with over 150 labels covering pretty much every tropical former colony you can think of, from Guyana to India. Closes at 12.30am. 2/F, 2 Jiak Chuan Rd.
The Black Swan
If you’re in the CBD and need a solid place for a bistro-style meal, head here. While indoors give off a classy Great Gatsby vibe, which is nice, we prefer the more chill outdoors area perfect for having wines and beers while shooting the breeze. The menu comprises light bites like crostini with Iberico ham, sliders, charcuterie platters and plates of calamari and beef tartare. Closes at 12am daily, and 1am on Fridays. 19 Cecil St.
Potato Head Singapore
Four storeys, four different settings and vibes for you and your friends to pick from. Between the intimate drinking den Studio 1939, bespoke burger joint Three Buns and the tropical rooftop bar, we’re truly spoilt for choice at this iconic heritage building set in Chinatown. For a late night, we’d head straight to the tiki-style open-air bar. It’s beautifully decorated with hanging plants, flowers, herbs and fairy lights, and is all you need to escape the hustle and bustle below. Indulge also in tasty burgers like the Burning Man ($20), a classic beef burger with smoked applewood cheddar, roasted jalapeno relish, hot ketchup & dashi mayo followed by cocktails with a local twist such as the bourbon-based Chendol #36 ($21). Closes at 1am daily, and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. 36 Keong Saik Rd.
Quaich Bar at South Beach
After nine years of spreading the word of good whisky from their home at Grand Copthorne Waterfront, Quaich Bar has opened a second outlet. Set in South Beach Avenue, the retail section of the exciting new South Beach development, Quaich brings you the same whisky bar experience you know and love with a few bells and whistles, and offers over 500 whiskies with many of them – including some of the oldest and rarest – available by the glass. The food? Think bar bites with a big upgrade – a Scottish cheese plate ($21), Scottish smoked deep sea salmon ($24), jamon iberico (from $24) and more. Closes at 1am daily and 2am on weekends. 28 Beach Rd.
For hangover prevention
Monster food menus to go with your monster drinks
Kko Kko Na Ra
Kko Kko Na Ra
Who can resist the call of Korean fried chicken late at night? Just think of those glazed and juicy morsels that come steaming hot to your table after a night out. Whether you choose the hot and spicy rendition (bool dak) or the sweet & spicy versions, there’s no going wrong. Plus, you can also just get traditional ramyun noodles or bibimbap. They’re open daily until 3am making this a solid CBD bet. 68 Tanjong Pagar Rd.
Overeasy
If we’re talking portions, you can’t go wrong at an American diner, can you. Over at their Fullerton outlet, soak in amazing views of the city and fill up on (spiked, perhaps?) decadent milkshakes, the “To Die For” burger, and a legit heap of mac and cheese till 1am daily, and 2am on Fridays. Expect also the other usual suspects like buffalo wings, nachos and sweet potato fries. Plus, enjoy 20 percent off the midnight munchies from 10.30pm onwards. #01-06 One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Rd.
Senor Taco
After a heavy night of partying, sometimes all you want is to tuck in to a hearty meal. This Mexican place has it all figured out when it comes to post-drink grub with piping-hot marinated meat tacos or a beer-battered fish tacos with chipotle-mayo sauce. As they typically close at 1.30am, and if you want to continue drinking, they’ve got a Corona-rita, which is a mix of two beloved Mexican exports – the margarita and Corona beer. #01-07-A, 3A River Valley Rd.
For detox and local comfort food
Little to no booze, but plenty of greasy stuff to help mitigate the night’s bad decisions
Swee Choon Dim Sum
126 Dim Sum
This no-frills Hong Kong-style dim sum restaurant offers delish midnight munchies like pork belly buns and locally-inspired man tou with chilli crab sauce. Located in Geylang, land of late-night eateries, among glaring neon lights and plastic chairs, 126 Dim Sum is a solid option. Open 24 hours daily. 126 Sims Ave.
Boon Tong Kee
This popular chicken rice stall has tons of outlets islandwide and for good reason. They make legit white chicken rice on top of other Chinese-style dishes like oyster sauce kai lan and braised tofu. Stick to the basics by ordering a portion of chicken rice loaded with lots of ginger and chilli sauce. Although the original Balestier outlet is open the latest (they close at 4:30am), the River Valley one (425 River Valley Rd.) may be more convenient and is open until 3am.
G7 Sinma Claypot
Frog porridge seems to be, surprisingly, a not-so-common dish eaten by Singaporeans—if you’ve not tried it, you’ve got to try it here. They close at 3am, so no excuses. Expect generous tender portions of frog (protip: the $22 or $30 pricing option is the most value for money) paired with a rich dark ginger spring onion or dried chilli sauce, served alongside silky claypot porridge and other classic side dishes like marmite chicken and cereal prawns. This stretch along upper Bukit Timah is also home to a huge variety of restaurants and coffeeshops to satiate your rumbling tummy. There’s even a 24-hour Korean dessert cafe nearby (Nun Song Yee Korean Dessert Cafe) for when the bingsoo cravings hit. 5 Cheong Chin Nam Rd.
Old House
This old-style-grandma’s-cooking restaurant is known for its delicious Dinosaur prawn noodles. Whether you have it dry or with soup, the huge prawns, pork bone and springy egg noodles make an addictive mix. They’ve also got a pretty extensive zi char-style seafood menu with offerings like squid, prawns, clams and stingray cooked in a spicy paste, steamed or in one of their signature sauces. Plus, they’re open until 4.30am, which makes this a perfect foodie nightcap. 25 Neil Rd.
Swee Choon Dim Sum
Carrying both Hong Kong- and Shanghai-style dim sum, there’s an extensive menu of steamed favorites at this late-night joint. Open until 6am daily, except on Tuesdays, sink your teeth into classic dishes like siew mai, har kow and the famous Swee Choon big pau. On the Shanghainese front, they’ve got plenty of dumplings like chive pork dumplings and xiao long paus. If you fancy something heavier, there are also la mian and rice options, too. 183-191 Jalan Besar
Spize
If you don’t know Spize, there must be something missing in your night owl routines. From prata and mee goreng, and cuisines from Indian to Mediterranean to Western, the bases are all pretty much covered here. Don’t stray too far from their street food forte and opt for pratas, curries and mees. Not only is the place affordable, it’s also open until 5am (or 6am on Fridays and Saturdays). With the unfortunate closure of the River Valley branch (although deservingly so), the one at Bedok is now our favorite, though the Siglap and Rifle Range Road outlets are decent too. 336 Bedok Rd.
Usman Restaurant
Any late-night foodie list is incomplete without some spicy Indian food. This Serangoon eating house has an extensive menu, so you’ll be hard-pressed to not find anything you like. Whether you’re more of a chicken tikka with butter naan kinda person or prefer seekh kebab, this place packs a spicy punch to clear the sinus and get your blood flowing. Closes at 2am. 238 Serangoon Rd.
General shenanigans
Less about the booze, more about the fun camaraderie
Hopheads
Ganso Manekineko (Orchard Cineleisure)
The seventh Ganso Manekineko karaoke outlet at Orchard Cineleisure is the largest one in Asia at 2,218 sqm, and the only karaoke joint in Singapore that offers an all-you-can-eat buffet spread of local, Japanese and international dishes so you can eat and sing till your heart’s content. The dinner buffet’s only until 10pm, but the joint stays open till 6am, which is enough time to skim through some of the 150,000 songs in their library. #08-01 Cathay Cineleisure Orchard, 8 Grange Rd.
Hopheads
Retro themed bars are popping up around town, but if you’re down for some old school fun, give Hopheads a try — there’s beer pong, a pool table, board/card games, and even an air hockey machine. This underground craft beer bar and bistro has a wide array of bottled beers and multiple rotating draft taps, and offers hearty nosh like truffle fries, pasta, burgers, and waffles. Wines and spirits are also available, with regular promotions listed on their socials. Closes at 2am on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays, and at 12am on other days. #B1-00 Haw Par Glass Tower, 178 Clemenceau Ave.
Orchid Bowl @ SAFRA Punggol
If you happen to be out in the deep depths of the northeast, the Orchid Bowl and its fun features are probably extra fun at 2am. The 22,035 sq ft space has 24 lanes decked with automatic bumpers, 49-inch LCD screens and the first to have a new interactive smart system with a huge selection of on-demand environments. Try out their Mad Games segments where you do quick, easy challenges with your friends, or assign yourself cute characters with their Youtoons feature that lets you snap photos from the in-built cameras on the SuperTouch LCD bowler consoles. The tech-savvy outlet also happens to be the first to charge their games on an hourly basis, starting from $20 (off-peak) and $28 (peak). Open till 3am Fri-Sat, till 1am the rest of the nights. #05-05, 9 Sentul Crescent
