Few could argue they haven’t dreamt of sinking back into a buttery soft chesterfield and drinking in the likes of Anthony Bourdain, and at Manhattan, a highly awarded (and deliciously moody) cocktail bar located in Conrad Singapore Orchard Road, you can do exactly that. Playing homage to the opulent bars of 19th and early 20th century New York, the bar – also celebrated for specialising in American whiskey, with precious real estate given to their own aging barrels – recently unveiled its second New York Personified drinks program, a tribute to six Manhattan legends ranging from Andy Warhol to Yoko Ono. With an impressive cocktail list and fit out, Manhattan easily makes the cut when ranking the best bars in Singapore. conradsingaporeorchard.com.sg

It’s difficult to go past the ‘more is more’ philosophy of Atlas, with its soaring 45-foot-high ceilings inspired by the iconic Art Deco skyscrapers of New York and Europe, and an imposing 15-metre-tall gin tower (the bar, all intricate gold balconies and lush burgundy carpet, is said to house the world’s greatest collection of gin, with some 1,300 represented). It’s easy to see why this is often referred to as one of Singapore‘s best bars. Giving into your wildest The Great Gatsby fantasies (we all have one) is perhaps a little too easy, but recommended. Try an Atlas martini, and be sure to slot in a sneaky glass of bubbly – rare bottles of Champagne from the owner’s own collection are featured on the menu. atlasbar.sg

First up, a warning: fronting up to the piano-shaped-bar at Jigger and Pony can induce cocktail menu-related anxiety. Designed to read like a lifestyle magazine (it was modelled after Monocle), the guest articles, recipe pages and illustrations can leave you wondering if you’re making the wrong choice. The punchline here at this Singapore bar, which claimed the ‘Best Bar of Asia’ award in 2022, of course is that there’s no such thing. While The Old Fashioned remains the bar’s signature cocktail, there’s no better time to get acquainted with new twists on old classics.

Perched atop the Mandarin Oriental and boasting magnificent views over Marina Bay, there’s no denying Mo Bar has got the perfect address for a bar in Singapore. While it’s certainly a bonus, you’re not here for the views but for the cocktail menu which allows guests to choose the region of Asia (or local flavours) they would like to explore before the team gets to work utilising futuristic equipment (think water baths and sonic infusers) to create the perfect drink. Their signature? Anko, a perfect marriage of gin, green tea and red bean paste. mandarinoriental.com

If you don’t enjoy at least one Singapore Sling (and your body weight in peanuts) at Long Bar, are you even in Singapore? Located in the recently refreshed Raffles Singapore and almost completely dominated by tourists keen to take those obligatory photos, this is not only the birthplace of the iconic cocktail, but continues to deliver the best version of the drink in the country. Not sure if it’s your scene? Pop in for a quick one before venturing around the corner to Writers Bar, a tribute to the writers who have resided at the hotel. Historically, Long Bar has always been referred to as one of Singapore’s best, and it’s hard to argue a case against it. raffles.com

Since 2008, foodies have been making their way to Ryan Clift’s Tippling Club for a feast, but the bar – famous for its jungle of overhanging bottles and a focus on cocktails that place importance on edible ingredients rather than the spirits themselves – is just as popular with locals and visitors alike, which makes it one of Singapore’s best bars. Its current menu, ‘A Guide to Modern Drinking Vol III’, was inspired by music through the decades, with tipples ranging from White Christmas (Metaxa, Christmas mix, snowflake, cacao and cream) to Big Poppa (Woodford Reserve, cherry, bitters and Champagne). tipplingclub.com

There’s no denying 28 HongKong Street, a quaint speakeasy on – you guessed it: HongKong Street – makes you work hard for the experience. Well-hidden in a shophouse, it can be easy to overlook it (particularly if you’ve stopped elsewhere for refreshments first), but persevere; the bar released four wildly different cocktail menus during the pandemic, essentially creating an experience of a bar crawl in the one venue. Try the Black Forest Negroni, a twist on the classic featuring cacao and cherry notes. 28hks.com