Happy hour in Singapore is the best. Booze prices get slashed and everyone’s happy (despite the alcohol ban). But what if, on the off chance, you can’t make it in time to smash back beers before the cut off point? No problem! If you can get score a decent meal at a restaurant and still have change left over for dessert, there’s absolutely no reason why you can’t find a cheap drink in town. Here is a list of badass bars and restaurants across the island that offer incredibly affordable drinks (from as low as $5!), both during and off happy hour. Cheers!
No. 5 Emerald Hill’s – an European bar in a Peranakan shophouse
Wine Connection Tapas Bar & Bistro
Serving good beats and awesome vibes, Wine Connection has always been our choice for a casual night out with the mates. Although we won’t deny that their reasonably priced booze, which can go as low as $6, is a total pulling factor.
Wine Connection, #01-19/20 Robertson Walk,11 Unity Street, Singapore 237995, p. 6235 5466.
Café Iguana
Have a drink by the riverside at contemporary Mexican bar, Café Iguana. From 4pm to 7pm, a glass of their house margaritas cost $10. Better yet, go with your girlfriends and get a jug at $40!
Café Iguana, #01-03 Riverside Point, 30 Merchant Road, Singapore 05828, p. 6236 1275.
Loof
Five, six, seven. These are the prices of loose house pours at Loof, and the number of glasses we’d be having from 5pm on weekdays. Every hour, the price increases according to the time. This means the earlier you are, the cheaper the grog. Our advice? Live a little and play hooky – we won’t tell!
Loof, #03-07 Odeon Towers Extension Rooftop, 331 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188720, p. 9773 9304.
FIV五 Izakaya Bar
Payday is still a week away but you’re in dire need for an after-work tipple? We get you, and so do the folks behind FIV五, a CBD bar with daily $5 drinks promotion that includes sake. Inspired by Tokyo’s ‘salary man’ 300-yen, Tachinomi (standing) bars, the minimalist watering hole is bursting with white-collar workers who are there as early as 5pm.
Five Izakaya, #01-05B, 16 Collyer Quay (Formerly Hitachi Towers), Singapore 049318, p. 9826 1049. Other outlets can be located at Changi City Point, Cuppage Terrace and Maxwell Chambers.
KPO Café Bar
Who says drinking starts at 5pm? KPO Café Bar’s happy hour starts from 12pm-8pm, with stiff drinks (rum, vodka or tequila) going at $9 onwards each. Or, take it easy and order their house wines at $9 and beers at $8 per half pint.
KPO Café Bar, 1 Killiney Rd, Killiney Post Office, Singapore 239518, p. 6733 3648.
We are spoilt for choice with the vast selection at Loof.
No. 5 Emerald Hill
This sexy Peranakan-inspired bar has won our hearts with their all-day happy hour (and amazing prawn paste chicken wings). Get buzzed with their $8 gentleman’s pour or $10 house wine before 9pm.
No. 5 Emerald Hill Cocktail Bar, 5 Emerald Hill Road, Singapore 229289, p. 6732 0818.
Cuscaden Patio & Chips Pub
This no-frills underground drinking den has no happy hour but they make up for it with really cheap beer around the clock (we’re not complaining!). For $18, you get a 1.5-litre San Miguel, and on Tuesday, their jugs are priced at $12.
Cuscaden Patio & Chips Pub, #B1-111 Ming Arcade, 21 Cuscaden Road, Singapore 249720, p. 6887 3319.
The Cider Pit
You know what’s better than a great bottle of cider? A sweet deal. At $10 a pint ($5.50 half pint), The Cider Pit has got your cider cravings covered. Prefer something stronger? A glass of Jack Daniel’s will only set you back $6.
The Cider Pit, 328 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427585, p. 6440 0504.
Wala Wala
Wala Wala needs no introduction. The exceptional live music bar is constantly packed and not just because of the band is awesome. From 4pm to 9pm, you can grab a beer, or vino if you prefer, for less than $10.
Wala Wala Cafe Bar, 31 Lorong Mambong, Singapore 277689, p. 6462 4288.
The Exchange
Despite its distinctly high-end metropolitan surroundings, this brasserie and bar offers a mean happy hour that starts from as early as 8.30am (oh my!). Let your hair down and enjoy as many $5 margaritas as you wish. Have something to celebrate? Pop a bottle of G.H. Mumm Champange for only $68. Happy hour ends at 8pm.
The Exchange, Asia Square Tower 1, 8 Marina View, Singapore 018960, p. 6636 1200.
Totally digging Tanuki Raw ‘s industrial chic interior.
Morton’s The Steakhouse Restaurant
Okay – $16 isn’t really a steal for happy hour, but it’s a bargain when you get a juicy steak sarnies with your martini. Martini time runs from 5 to 7pm on weekdays.
Morton’s, Mandarin Oriental Singapore, Level 4, 5 Raffles Avenue, Marina Square, Singapore 039797, p. 6339 3740.
Bumbo Rum Club
$5 spirits? $9 beer? Free-flowing mojitos? We’re so there. The guys at Caribbean inspired restaurant Bumbo Rum Club certainly has one of the best deals along Club Street. Happy hour is from 5pm to 9pm daily, while all-you-can-drink mojitos are only for the ladies on Wednesday night.
Bumbo Rum Club, 83 Club Street, Singapore 069451, p. 6690 7563.
Mischief
Taking over Sauce at the Esplanade is new kid on the block, Mischief – a collaboration between Twelve Cupcake’s Daniel Ong, Mediacorp stars Cynthia Koh and Michelle Chong, and owners of Tab and Suprette. Like Sauce, the lively watering hole dishes out great bucket deals. A bucket of five Asahis will only set you back $40 (10 for $75; 20 for $125), while a bucket of four craft beers only cost $45.
Mischief, Esplanade Mall 8 Raffles Avenue #01-12 Singapore 039802, p.6532 0481.
Tanuki Raw
Unlike the pesky alcohol police, the peeps at Tanuki Raw know how to have a good time. The happy hour not only includes $10 martini and $11 cocktails, but freshly shucked oysters at $2 apiece as well. Plus, enjoy 50% off a speciality martini of the day from 8pm to 9.45pm.
Tanuki Raw, #02-03 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road, Singapore 238896, p. 6636 5949.
Martini Bar at Mezza9
Want to keep it classy with martini? This swish drinking spot at Grand Hyatt Singapore is where you should go. Famed for their Lychee Martinis, The Martini Bar offers 50% off all martinis from 6pm to 9pm. Look out for their black pepper cashew nuts – they’re dangerously addictive.
Martini Bar, Mezza9, Mezzanine Level, Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Road, Singapore 228211, p. 6732 1234.
Harry’s
Any pint of frothy beer on tap at Harry’s is $10 after 9pm, Sunday to Thursday. So if you’re planning for a late night swig, you know where to head to!
Harry’s @ Shenton Way, #01-15/18/23 AXA Tower, 8 Shenton Way, Singapore 068811, p. 6327 7250.