Singapore may be the world’s most expensive city, not to mention the home to the world’s most expensive cocktail, but that doesn’t mean that enjoying a few cocktails in this small, island country has to equal a month’s missed rent. Despite the reputation, several bars, restaurants and cafés offer good deals even after “happy hour” ends. The secret is simply knowing where to go because for every exclusive establishment there are a few cool bars offering drinks on the cheap. With that in mind, let us guide you on how to navigate Singapore’s bar scene, on a budget.
Happy hour is the best hour
There is nothing better than a cold, glass of beer after a long, hard day at work. And the bars in Singapore seem to agree, what with all the incredible happy hour deals you’ll find across the city. If you’re a fan of martinis, Martini Bar at Mezza9 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on Scotts Road offers theirs for half price from 6 to 9 p.m. daily (except Sundays). Meanwhile, Loof, a hip rooftop bar on North Bridge Road, puts a little spin on the usual happy hour arrangement with their “Beat The Clock” scheme, wherein drinks are sold for $5 (approximately P$170) from 5 to 6 p.m., $6 (approx. P$203) from 6 to 7 p.m., and so on. Indeed, time is of the essence when drinking in Singapore.
Do the math
If you are out to celebrate and you predict that it’s going to be a long night, sometimes doing a little math can help. When you’re out with a larger group, or for the special occasion when one round simply is not enough, we recommend places that propose value-for-money promotions. Try Five Izakaya where you can get five bottle buckets of beer for $35, proving, when it comes to imbibing in Singapore, there is power in numbers.
Know the local (and regional) beers
It is always a good idea to try a country’s local beer (and its neighbours, too), and more so in a country that ranks as the second most expensive city for beers in Asia (first goes to Hong Kong). Aside from its local beer, Tiger, you’ll also find other affordable brands such as Asahi from Tokyo, China-based product Tsingtao, and the Philippines’s very own San Miguel beer at around $10 (approx. P$340) to $12 (approx. P$407) per pint.
Drink like a local (and hit up the hawkers)
Singapore is famous for its hawker centers, large food courts where you can enjoy tasty inexpensive local food and, lately, a little craft beer on the side. At Singapore’s Chinatown Complex – the largest food court in Singapore with over 200 stalls – you’ll find three hip stalls dedicated to craft beers such as The Good Beer Company, Street Smith Taps, and OnTap. All three offer an extensive range of quality craft beers and ciders from all over the world and, with their location’s low rental rate, are able to sell them at reasonable prices. We say cheers to that.
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If all else fails, there is always Emerald Hill
For locals and expats alike, Emerald Hill Road remains the best place to grab a drink or two for less. Located near Orchard Road, the quaint street is lined with beautifully-preserved historic Peranakan houses transformed into casual cafés, restaurants, and bars. Opened since the 1990s, 5 on Emerald Hill is an institution, and it continues to be a regular haunt for the city’s residents with its $8 (approx. P$272) house pours, $10 (P$340) house wines, and buy-one-get-one martinis. A wine bar called Que Pasa, on the other hand, is just next door, offering wines at $12 (approx. P$408) per glass. Local favorite Ice-Cold Beer lives up to its name, serving beers at its coldest and cheapest in a cool, relaxed environment. With the ambiance, the history and the price, you can never go wrong with Emerald Hill, whether it is for pre-party drinks, happy hour or a night out on the town.
While bar hopping your way through Singapore, don’t forget to have some food along the way. Check out this guide to cheap eats in Singapore to keep your spending down.
Main image: istockphoto/imtmphoto
