Best Bars to Visit in Clarke Quay in 2024: Lion City's Nightlife Guide
Raise a glass to the top bars in Singapore’s Clarke Quay.
2024-03-28
By
You don’t need to be a wild child to revel in Singapore’s top-notch bars. While exploring the Clarke Quay district, make sure to experience the electric nightlife scene. Choose between bars with live music, sky-high panoramas, or sizzling dance floors. Sip on a refreshing brew and soak up the mesmerizing river view, observing the comings and goings of the Clarke Quay crowd. Here’s a rundown of the best bars in Clarke Quay that you absolutely must hit up before the year comes to a close.
Ichi Singapore – Opened in 2022
If you’re a fan of mandopop music, Ichi Bar is the place for you. No matter the day of the week, you can enjoy live performances at this electrifying Japanese-themed restaurant that attracts crowds for some soju-drinking shenanigans. Dedicate a song to your crush or show off your singing skills by filling out a small slip of paper, which can be requested from the servers.
Ichi’s extensive selection of appetizers and snacks will surely please any crowd. Don’t miss out on their crispy mentaiko carrot cake fries, truffle edamame, and signature drinks like the lychee chorong soju. However, if you’re a cocktail connoisseur, Ichi Bar’s limited selection may leave you feeling a bit parched.
Location: 3D block D River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, #02-02, 179023, Singapore, Singapore (Google Maps)
Prices: The average price range for a meal is around SGD 15 – SGD 30 per person
Dress Code: Casual
Opening Hours: Sun – Thurs 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM; Fri – Sat 5:00 PM – 3:00 AM
If you want to experience the best of Singapore’s bar scene while getting a history lesson, Yin at The Riverhouse Singapore is the place to be. The time-honoured building has stood firm for 150 years and is still the oldest in Clarke Quay. You’ll be in awe of the Chinese architecture that went into creating this two-story restaurant.
Come down for some Asian tapas and bespoke cocktails like the Cold Brew Martini ($15++) and Yuzu Highball ($15++). Sharing with friends? Order the Soju Bombin’ Tower ($88++) to get the party started. Enjoy the al fresco ambience while a live DJ spins some tunes or a live band performs their greatest hits for a night of fun.
Head over to Jinju at Clarke Quay for some traditional Korean seafood dishes with a modern twist, such as Soy Marinated Flower Crab ($68) and Bulgogi Pizza ($28), while enjoying live music. If you’re coming with your hangry group, try their to share dishes like the Spicy Seafood Stew ($88) loaded with flower crab, abalone, scallop, prawns, and clams, or the Clam Seaweed Soup for a mere $28.
Sip on discounted beers during their Happy Hour, starting at just $8.90++ all day on Sundays, while grooving to the tunes of local talents daily — time to round up your pals and decompress after a soul-sucking work week at this lively spot.
Location: 3C River Vallaey Rd, Block C #01-09A Jinju Modern Korean Bar, Singapore 179022 (Google Maps)
If you want to add some Bollywood flavour to your night out, stroll down to Gabbar Bistro and Bar in Clarke Quay. This bar serves up sumptuous North Indian food with great music to match, mainly featuring Indian/Hindi songs. You can groove to the music while enjoying your food.
The Gobi Manchurian is crispy and spicy, providing the perfect amount of umami. For only $50, you can enjoy bottomless drinks, with a variety of liquors to choose from, including Hendricks and Greygoose, to get your night going. If you’re not looking to get sloshed, their non-alcoholic drinks are also affordable, priced at only $7.
Location: 3E River Valley Road #01-05/06 – Block E @, Clarke Quay, Gabbar Bistro & Bar, The Circuit, Singapore 179024 (Google Maps)
Prices: The average price range for a meal is around SGD 30 – SGD 50 per person
Dress Code: Casual
Opening Hours: 11.30AM – 4 PM (Brunch – PH, Sat & Sun) 6.30 PM – 2 AM Sun – Tue; 6.30 PM – 3 AM Wed- Fri ; 6.30 PM – 4 AM Sat
Unleash your inner child and have a blast at Level Up Bar on the second floor of a charmingly preserved shophouse in Clarke Quay with scenic views of the Singapore River. This bar exudes a retro arcade atmosphere, featuring classic games such as Metal Slug, Bishi Bashi, Street Fighter, and Time Crisis. With a live band on stage, this delightful blend of arcade gaming and live music will keep you entertained.
Enjoy a casual drink and strike up conversations with strangers, or bond with friends over arcade games. Try a selection of Asian-inspired bar bites, including salted egg yolk popcorn chicken, truffle fries, and chicken satay, paired with an array of beers, cocktails, and liqueurs while taking your dancing and gaming skills to the next level.
Location: 3A River Valley Rd, #02-04 Level Up, Block A, Singapore 179020 (Google Maps)
Prices: The average price range for a meal is around SGD 15 – SGD 30 per person
Dress Code: Casual
Opening Hours: Sun – Thu 5PM – 1AM ; Fri, Sat and PH Eve – 5PM to 3AM
Before you dance your heart out at Zouk Singapore’s main club, start your pre-game at the more casual watering hole next door: Redtail Bar by Zouk. This convivial gaming lounge provides plenty of entertainment options, including beer pong, giant Jenga, Nintendo Switch, and an electrifying playlist that Zouk’s resident DJs have arranged.
The menu features diverse Asian fusion sharing plates, including Fried Chicken Skin, house-made salted egg yolk sauce, Zouk’s trademark cocktails like Blue Spin and Velvet Rope, and intriguing spiked desserts such as Dark Chocolate Pudding. Fuel up at Redtail before your night out and fully immerse yourself in the Singapore nightlife experience.
Location: 3C River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, Block C, #01-04, The Cannery, RedTail Bar By Zouk, Singapore 179022 (Google Maps)
Prices: The average price range for a meal is around SGD 15 – SGD 30 per person
The super rowdy Chupitos Shots Bar proudly offers over 50 distinct shots as Singapore’s only dedicated shooter bar. Their updated menu features popular shots like The Octopus ($88), featuring 8 vodka and spicy sambuca shooters, and the luscious Strawberry Shortcake ($38), with 3 shooters of vanilla vodka and Bailey’s topped with a dollop of strawberry cream. They also offer some adventurous shots such as the Russian Roulette ($68), a dangerous plate of 5 shots of vodka and gall in flaming sambuca, and the deceivingly innocent Flaming Alien Brain ($20), which combines Bailey’s, peach liqueur, and overproof rum.
From their flaming drinks to their unique food offerings, Chupitos knows how to ignite your senses and unleash your wild side. Don’t miss out on their happy hour deals – for just $8, you can try some famous shooters and even sample some naked oysters. Plus, ladies, mark your calendars for Wednesdays – you can enjoy four free shots when buying two alcoholic drinks.
Here Kitty Kitty, the Japanese Yokocho-themed self-proclaimed “vice den,” is the purr-fect cocktail bar for an intimate and eclectic night that promises to transport you to Tokyo’s infamous Golden Gai. The bar’s entrance is easily overlooked, located next to its sister bar, Zouk. Once inside, choose from one of their three concept rooms – the plush Cathouse, the sexy Mamasan Lounge, or the elegant Shibari room – all perfect for an impressive date night.
Their decor is a stunning display of oriental elegance and intimacy, every detail meticulously attended to. Indulge in their seductive cocktail menu, featuring exquisite concoctions such as Sugar Baby ($24), a delightful floral blend of Havana 3 and hibiscus honey tea, the Nutty Swindler ($24), an enticing mix of Mount Gay Eclipse, Cointreau, Luxardo Anglioletto, and Pistachio Orgeat, and the Guilt Trip ($24), perfectly balancing the floral spirit base of Roku with the rich chocolatey notes of Tempus Fugit Crème de Cacao.
