Singapore may not be the first name on lists of celebrated nightlife capitals, but what the Lion City lacks in scale it is rapidly making up in style. This cosmopolitan island nation is fast becoming one of the trendiest destinations for a drink in Asia.

Boasting the world-renowned Zouk nightclub, several stunning rooftop bars and even an eponymous cocktail of its own – the colonial-era Singapore Sling – there’s no time like the present to sample Singapore’s booming nightlife scene.

Top 5 Rooftop Bars

1-Altitude

Reputedly the highest rooftop bar in the world, the open-air Gallery and Bar at 1-Altitude is located a dizzying 282 metres above street level. This stunning al fresco space encompasses both drinking and dining areas, giving new meaning to the term ‘meal with a view’ at what is one of Singapore’s most spectacular rooftap bars.

Orgo Bar and Restaurant

When it comes to mixing cosmopolitan cocktails with stunning skyline views, Orgo Bar and Restaurant was quick to establish itself as a firm Lion City favourite. Renowned as much for its complex mixology as its panoramic views of the shimmering Singapore nightscape, this local gem is a favourite hangout on top of the Esplanade.

City skyline views accompany every meal at Orgo Bar and Restaurant (image: Orgo Bar and Restaurant via Facebook)

Loof

A beloved haunt for creative types and hipsters-at-heart, Loof packs them in with its chic contemporary décor and dazzlingly-illuminated decking. It’s a comfortable place to just chill out and relax in and with its views towards the bustling Civic District, this modern rooftop oasis is a regular favourite with the creative crowd.

Lantern

The kind of bar James Bond would drop into for a quick martini on an action-packed jaunt through Singapore, Lantern sits atop the Fullerton Bay Hotel and offers sweeping views of Marina Bay below. This sophisticated space attracts an upscale crowd, eager to soak up the stunning views and truffle fries on hand.

Ku Dé Ta

Towering some 200 metres above the ground, Ku Dé Ta’s soaring heights are perhaps matched only by its price lists. A place for Singapore’s cultural elite to see and be seen in, this expansive rooftop bar offers unrivalled views over Marina Bay and beyond, offering arguably Singapore’s definitive rooftop experience.

Ku Dé Ta throws the city's best pool parties (image: Ku Dé Ta)

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Avalon

Occupying some prime Marina Bay real estate is one of Singapore’s hottest nightclubs. Avalon is housed in an eye-catching ‘Crystal Pavilion’ and its lavishly decorated interior is just as spectacular. Regularly attracting some of the world’s best DJs and musicians, this glitzy nightlife hub has thrown down the gauntlet to its competitors in the Singapore nightclub scene.

Zouk

When it comes to nightlife, no trip to Singapore is complete without a stop at the world-famous Zouk nightclub. Renowned for the quality of its international acts as much for the three-in-one music venues on the premises of this iconic club, Zouk is without doubt the number one place to go to dance the night away.

Party with Singapore's best DJs at Zouk (image: Zouk)

The Butter Factory

A home away from home to the young and young-at-heart, The Butter Factory is Singapore’s resident Hip-Hop and R&B emporium. Attracting a decidedly younger clientele than some of its competitors, this long-running Fullerton Square hotspot offers a great location and enough chilled-out tunes to have you grooving the whole night away.

Attica/Attica Too

A Clarke Quay staple, Attica and its sister space Attica Too sport an edgy vibe along the fringe of this vibrant riverside district. Boasting numerous New York-style bars and clubs, this sprawling maze of uniquely-themed rooms is synonymous with sweaty sunset parties and an intensely intimate ambience.

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Nightlife Areas

Civic District

Once a distinctly working-class area full of warehouses and nondescript office buildings, today the riverside Civic District is home to some of Singapore’s most upscale nightlife areas. While the likes of Zouk and Attica draw the dedicated nightclub crowd, there’s also Singapore’s first dedicated microbrewery, the venerated Bar 84 and even a maid cafe to keep the crowds entertained once the sun goes down.

The night rages on as long as Attica's doors are open (image: Attica)

Central Business District

Though much of Singapore’s bustling Central Business District melds into nearby Riverside, there are still some stand-out nightlife venues in this busy working precinct. Lantern at the Fullerton Bay Hotel is one of Singapore’s most beloved rooftop bars, while 1-Altitude, old-school favourite Harry’s, The Butter Factory and Stereolab all ensure employees work hard and play hard in the heart of the city centre.

Marina Bay

Showcasing the stunning Marina Bay Sands development – reputedly the world’s most expensive standalone casino – Marina Bay is the most recent precinct to captivate Singapore’s crowded nightlife market. If the world’s longest infinity pool doesn’t take your fancy, then twin nightclubs Avalon and Pangea surely will, while nearby Ku Dé Ta transforms into one of the hottest venues in town once the sun starts to go down on the shimmering Lion City.

Holland Village

Should the bright lights of Singapore’s big smoke start to tire, then laidback Holland Village may well provide the perfect antidote. A busy shopping district by day, come nightfall Holland Village morphs into a casual dining and entertainment precinct. Al fresco dining is the order of the evening, with the countless bar stools of the district's dizzying array of waterholes are occupied by a colourful mix of locals and expats alike.

Clarke Quay

For many, Clarke Quay remains the go-to destination for an exciting night out in Singapore. This eclectic riverside district is practically bursting at the seams with high-class nightlife venues, from upscale Attica to the grungy rock’n’roll vibe of The Pump Room and stylish Le Noir. This is the place to be when it comes to mixing with the glitterati of Singaporean society, so prepare to suit up and look sharp for a night on the Clarke Quay riverfront.

Fine dining along the river in Clark Quay is a romantic affair (image: Getty)

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