If you are hunting for the best rooftop bars in Singapore, you are spoiled for altitude: this is a city where you can hop between a 57th-floor sky bar, a heritage-shophouse terrace and a hilltop sunset perch in one evening. This guide is for visitors and locals who want a drink with a view and a bit of guidance on where to point the taxi. Treat it as an editorial shortlist of places that are frequently recommended by trusted Singapore publications and reviewers, not a definitive ranking. Sip slowly, pace yourself, and please drink responsibly.
How to choose
- Match the view to the occasion. A Marina Bay panorama photographs beautifully but comes at a premium. A lower, waterfront-level terrace can feel more intimate and often costs less, so decide whether you want the postcard or the atmosphere first.
- Check the dress code before you leave home. Most hotel and premium rooftops enforce smart casual at minimum, which typically rules out singlets, sports shorts and flip-flops for men. The rough rule of thumb: if a hotel is attached, dress up; if it is an independent neighbourhood bar, relax.
- Ask about minimum spend, especially at weekends. Some prime venues apply a minimum spend on peak nights or for prime tables, and these are often waived on weekdays. Confirm directly so the bill holds no surprises.
- Book ahead for the small and the famous. The tiniest terraces seat only a few dozen guests and sell out days in advance, while the icons fill fast at sunset. A reservation is the difference between a great night and a lift ride back down.
- Time it around sunset and weather. These are open-air venues, so a passing storm can close a terrace at short notice. Aim for the golden hour, and have an indoor backup in mind during monsoon season.
- Watch for the tourist-trap tell. Steep cover charges with thin drinks, pushy table-service upsells and queues with no reservation system are all reasons to keep your expectations in check. A strong, current cocktail list and consistent recent reviews are better signals than the height alone.
- Factor in getting there and back. Rooftops often mean a specific lift lobby and a separate entrance. Note it in advance, and plan a ride home so nobody is tempted to drive after a round or two.
What to expect
Rooftop drinking in Singapore spans a wide price range. Independent neighbourhood terraces and happy-hour spots sit at the wallet-friendly end, mid-range bars land in comfortable cocktail territory, and the marquee sky bars atop five-star hotels are firmly a splurge, particularly at weekends when minimum spends can apply. Cocktails at premium venues are typically the priciest line on the menu, so beer, wine or a house pour can stretch the budget further.
Formats vary just as much. Some venues are full restaurants with a bar section, others are pure drinking-and-view destinations, and a few double as pool-deck lounges or microbreweries. Expect table service at the higher end and a more casual, order-at-leisure feel at relaxed spots. Reservations help everywhere near sunset.
| Style | Character | Best for | Typical band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iconic skyline (Marina Bay) | High-floor, dressy, photogenic | A special occasion or first-timers | $$$ |
| Hotel rooftops | Polished, service-led, waterfront | Date night and a curated cocktail list | $$ to $$$ |
| Relaxed alfresco | Chilled, characterful, unfussy | After-work drinks and easy catch-ups | $ to $$ |
Price bands used below (a rough guide, subject to change): $ = wallet-friendly, $$ = mid-range, $$$ = premium.
Our shortlist
Last checked: August 2026. Outlets and details change, so please confirm directly before you visit.
These eight spots are regularly cited across established Singapore food and lifestyle guides; here is what each is best for.
Iconic skyline (Marina Bay)
CÉ LA VI (Marina Bay) – Perched on Level 57 of Marina Bay Sands, this is probably the most photographed sky bar in the country, pairing a jaw-dropping Marina Bay panorama with a club-lounge energy. Best for a bucket-list first drink with the skyline laid out below you. Price guide: $$$
LeVeL33 (Marina Bay) – Recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s highest microbrewery in a building, on the 33rd floor of Marina Bay Financial Centre, with house-brewed beers and a clean, head-on view of Marina Bay Sands. Best for beer lovers who still want the postcard vista. Price guide: $$$
SKAI Bar (City Hall) – High up in Swissotel The Stamford, this long-standing favourite pairs sweeping views over Marina Bay and the city with an evolving cocktail programme. Best for a polished, altitude-first night out. Price guide: $$$
Hotel rooftops
Lantern (Marina Bay) – The rooftop bar and pool deck at The Fullerton Bay Hotel offers a lower, front-row angle on the Marina Bay waterfront rather than a dizzying height. Best for a refined, waterside evening and easy people-watching. Price guide: $$$
Mr Stork (Bugis) – On the 39th floor of Andaz Singapore, this greenery-fringed rooftop is dotted with teepee-style cabanas and looks out over the city skyline. Best for a laid-back but elevated date night with a distinctive setting. Price guide: $$
Relaxed alfresco
Southbridge (Boat Quay) – A refined but unpretentious oyster-and-gin bar atop a restored heritage shophouse, with a near 360-degree sweep from Parliament House across the river to Marina Bay Sands. It is small and books out fast, so reserve ahead. Best for a characterful, view-rich evening away from the crowds. Price guide: $$$
Loof (City Hall) – An urban-garden bar atop Odeon Towers whose name plays on the local pronunciation of “roof”. The vibe is chilled and the happy hour is generous, making it a longtime favourite for casual after-work drinks. Best for an unfussy, wallet-friendly catch-up. Price guide: $
The Mirabilis Bar @ Mount Faber Peak (Mount Faber) – A hilltop, open-air bar set high above HarbourFront and Sentosa, celebrated for one of Singapore’s best sunset outlooks and frequent live acoustic sets. Best for a relaxed golden-hour drink away from the CBD towers. Price guide: $$
Tips
What should I wear to a rooftop bar in Singapore?
Smart casual is the safe default at most hotel and premium venues, which usually means neat closed shoes and a collared shirt or tidy top rather than singlets and flip-flops. Independent neighbourhood bars are more forgiving. If you are unsure, check the venue’s own site or call ahead, and lean smarter on weekend nights.
Do I need to book, or can I just turn up?
For the smallest terraces and the most famous sky bars, book. Compact venues can seat only a few dozen guests and fill days ahead, while the icons get busy around sunset. Walk-ins are more realistic at relaxed alfresco spots and on quieter weekday evenings.
Is there a minimum spend?
Some venues apply a minimum spend on peak nights or for prime tables, and these are often relaxed or waived on weekdays. We have deliberately not quoted figures because they change, so confirm the current policy directly when you reserve.
When is the best time to go?
Aim for the hour around sunset for the light, then linger as the skyline switches on. Because these are open-air spaces, keep an eye on the weather during monsoon season, as a downpour can close a terrace at short notice. Having an indoor backup nearby is a smart move.
How do I keep the night enjoyable and safe?
Pace yourself, alternate drinks with water, and eat something, as premium pours add up quickly at altitude. Most importantly, plan how you are getting home before the first round, and never drive after drinking. Public transport and ride-hailing are easy across the city.
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