Singapore is home to some of the best bars in the world. We break down the cost of visiting four of the world’s best cocktail venues.
by Anastassia Evlanova, Senior Research Analyst at ValueChampion
Singapore is known for its great food and Michelin-starred restaurants, but did you know that it’s great for nightlife and bar hopping as well? In fact, if you’re looking to imbibe on a celebratory night out, you have plenty of bars to choose from. Some of these are also considered as some of the best bars in the world as ranked by World’s 50 Best Bars, making Singapore a hotspot for trying award-winning cuisines and cocktails alike.
But how much would your tab be if you were to spend a night at one of these renowned Singapore bars? We explore how much you’ll need to budget for a night out for two people below.
ATLAS (Ranked 4/50)
ATLAS is ranked as the fourth top bar in the world as of 2020 and is known for its vast collection of champagne and spirits, including over 1,300 gin labels. It’s a great option for gin lovers, as it also hosts its Juniper Society gatherings which introduces members to different types of gin. Located on the ground floor of Parkview Square, ATLAS can be a dream for Art Deco lovers thanks to its jazz age opulence and moody interior.
To enjoy the atmosphere and drinks for two at ATLAS, you should be prepared to pay a little over S$96 if you both have two cocktails each. You can also expect to spend up to S$250 if you want to try a martini with gin that’s from as far back as 1910.
Alternatively, if you get a bottle of wine or champagne to split with you can expect to pay S$85-S$680 (or about S$21.25-S$170 per person for a group of 4). There are plenty of options for those who don’t drink alcohol as well. For instance, you can get a non-alcohol cocktail for S$12-S$14 or juice and soft drinks for around S$8.
ATLAS | 600 North Bridge Rd, Parkview Square, Singapore 188778 | 10am to 10.30pm Mondays to Fridays; 12pm to 10.30pm on Saturdays; closed on Sundays | 6396 4466
Jigger & Pony (Ranked 9/50)
Jigger & Pony is another Singapore bar that landed in the top 10 best bars in the world. As of 2021, it is also the Number 2 bar in Asia. The bar and its menu are equally creative and joyful, led by an incredibly diverse and talented team. It also offers a small but playful bar snacks menu to go along with the unique cocktails Jigger & Pony is known to offer.
Cocktails here cost S$25 each, so a typical night out for two people will cost around S$117 after the 10% service charge and 7% SGT. You can also buy wine by the bottle, with a few available by the glass. Their happy hour provides a great opportunity for saving, since you can save almost 40% off typical cocktail prices.
Currently, Jigger & Pony is delivering bottled versions of their cocktails – via their bottled cocktail brand PONY Cocktails – that are made by the same award-winning mixologists that the bar is known for. If you want to enjoy their drinks at home, you’ll be able to buy 200ml and 500ml bottles of their signature cocktails, which cost an average of S$34 and S$77 each respectively.
Jigger & Pony | 165 Tanjong Pagar Rd, Amara Hotel, Singapore 088539 | 4pm to 10.30pm Tuesdays to Sundays; closed on Mondays | 9621 1074
Manhattan (Ranked 14/50)
Manhattan ranked 14/50 on the best bars list in the world in 2020 and is ranked 6th on Asia’s best bars list this year. The cocktail bar is home to the world’s first in-house rickhouse (which are barrels designed for storing and aging distilled spirits, usually whiskey). Located in Regent Singapore, it has a renowned whiskey collection, beautiful interiors, as well as talented bartenders and award-winning hospitality.
For those who want to enjoy an adult-only atmosphere, you can opt for its iconic Sunday brunch which will cost you S$168 per person for free-flow cocktails, wines and beers. Otherwise, the average cost of a cocktail is around S$25 or S$27 for cocktails that are part of their New York Personified menu. Thus, for a night out for two people drinking two cocktails each, the average cost would end up being S$100 before tax and service fees, which is fairly similar to the other top bars on this list.
If you come in a group of at least four, then you can budget S$390 for a Flowing Bowl, which is a cocktail punch bowl that comes topped off with a bottle of champagne. For a group of four, this bowl will cost S$97.50 per person before tax and drinks, which would take around four drinks per person to break even from just buying drinks individually.
If you want to abstain from alcohol, you can also indulge in a variety of non-alcoholic cocktails, which cost 37% less than their alcoholic counterparts. Otherwise if you prefer to drink at home due to the pandemic, you can get their cocktails delivered in 100ml or 700ml bottles, which cost S$26 and S$290 respectively.
Manhattan | 1 Cuscaden Rd, Level 2 Regent Singapore, Singapore 249715 (Google Maps link) | 5pm to 10.15pm Tuesdays to Saturdays; 12pm to 3pm on Sundays; closed on Mondays | 6725 3377
Native (Ranked 18/50)
Native, a bar known for its selection of Asian-produced spirits, local ingredients and focus on sustainability, currently ranks 18th out of 50th on the best bars list as of 2020. They have consistently ranked among the top 20 bars in the world, an impressive feat that shows the high standard that the small, independently-owned bar continue to hold itself to.
You can book a visit to either the main bar area, bar counter, or upstairs attic space. If you become a fan of their cocktails and prefer to try them out at home, you can also get bottled cocktails and regional spirits delivered. 250ml bottled cocktails cost S$48, while 500ml bottles cost S$88 and will save you approximately 8%.
All in all, if you’re looking to try out some local spirits and support a creative and zero-waste business, Native can be a great option.
Native | 52A Amoy St, Singapore 069878 (Google Maps link) | 5pm to 10.30pm Mondays to Fridays; 4pm to 10.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays | 8869 6520
How to Save on Dining and Going Out
There are several ways you can save on dining and going out in Singapore, even at these best Singapore bars. First, you can always check to see happy hour prices. As we’ve seen with the bars above, you can get a nearly 40% discount on typical prices. Second, you can also use a credit card to get cashback or rewards when paying for your bill at participating restaurants or bars. Another — although potentially less fun — option is to stick to the recommended limit of 1-2 drinks per sitting and switch to some non-alcoholic drinks afterwards to continue enjoying the atmosphere. Typically, non-alcoholic drinks cost S$10 less, which can save you a considerable amount of cash.
Regardless of how you choose to imbibe, always remember to drink responsibly!
Anastassia Evlanova is a Senior Research Analyst at ValueChampion Singapore, evaluating insurance products for consumers based on quantitative and qualitative financial analysis. Her analyses surrounding insurance, healthcare, international affairs and personal finance has been featured on AsiaOne, Business Insider, DW, Vice, Her World, Asia Insurance Review, the Australian Institute of International Affairs and more.
