Where to sip the extraordinary in the Lion City

Singapore has quietly become one of Asia’s most serious destinations for fine wine and rare whisky. Its position as a global trading hub has attracted world-class sommeliers, independent bottlers, and passionate collectors — and the bars and cellars they’ve built are, in many cases, without equal in the region. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur chasing a ghost-distillery expression or a curious newcomer who wants to understand what all the fuss is about, these are the places that will change the way you drink.

Wine Cellars

1. 67 Pall Mall Singapore

Shaw Centre Penthouse, Orchard Road

The crown jewel of Singapore’s wine scene, 67 Pall Mall is the Asian outpost of London’s iconic private members’ club — and it arrived with breathtaking ambition. Occupying a 15,000 sq ft penthouse that was once the private residence of cinema magnate Runme Shaw, the club features a soaring 6-metre wine tower at its heart, housing over 6,000 bottles stored at optimal temperature and humidity. What makes it extraordinary is that a remarkable 1,000 of those labels are available by the glass — the most diverse wine-by-the-glass list in all of Southeast Asia.

The club’s underlying philosophy is as compelling as its cellar: fine wine should be opened and enjoyed, not hoarded in the dark. All three of Singapore’s Masters of Wine are involved in curating the list, and membership unlocks WSET and Court of Master Sommeliers courses, winemaker dinners, and intimate masterclasses. For whisky lovers, the Naughty Corner — a 35-seat intimate lounge wrapped in camphor burl wood and floral velvet — holds over 400 bottles of whisky from 10 countries, all available by the dram.

Why go: The sheer breadth of Old World vintages available by the glass, in a setting that feels like a Shanghai art-deco dream.

2. Apero, Boat Quay

The Riverhouse, Boat Quay

If 67 Pall Mall is about grandeur, Apero is about joy. Bright pastel hues, rattan chairs, and the gentle lap of the Singapore River outside make this bar one of the most relaxed and transportive spots in the city. The wine list focuses almost entirely on biodynamic and organic wines from the world’s finest natural vineyards — a genuine commitment to sustainability that doesn’t sacrifice quality for ideology. French cuisine, thoughtfully prepared, rounds out an evening that feels less like a night out and more like an impromptu holiday.

Why go: Organic and biodynamic wines in a setting that genuinely feels like the south of France. Perfect for a romantic dinner or a long, lazy evening.

3. Burnt Ends, Dempsey Hill

7 Dempsey Road

Burnt Ends has earned its reputation as one of Asia’s finest restaurants, but its wine program deserves equal billing. Located in the leafy surrounds of Dempsey Hill, the kitchen’s open-fire cooking philosophy extends to its wine curation: bold, interesting, and unapologetically good. The list spans old-world classics and new-world discoveries, with the kind of depth that rewards serious exploration. The relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere makes it equally suited to a celebratory dinner or a long business lunch that nobody wants to end.

Why go: World-class wine paired with some of the best wood-fired cooking in Asia. A rare venue where food and wine feel genuinely co-designed.

4. Zén

41 Bukit Pasoh Road

Sitting at the top of Singapore’s fine dining hierarchy, Zén is a three-Michelin-starred restaurant where the wine service is as meticulously considered as the Nordic-inspired cuisine. The sommelier team approaches each pairing with a precision that borders on philosophy — glassware, serving temperature, and the sequence of pours all receive the same attention as the food. For a special occasion where money is no object, an evening at Zén is the closest Singapore gets to a total sensory experience built around wine.

Why go: Impeccable wine service at the highest level. The kind of place you visit once a year and remember for a lifetime.

Rare Whisky Bars

5. The Auld Alliance

Rendezvous Hotel, 9 Bras Basah Road

Housed on the quiet second floor of the Rendezvous Hotel, The Auld Alliance is Singapore’s most celebrated whisky institution — and one of the finest in the world. The bar offers over 30 curated flights of spirits (including rum and cognac sets), and its collection of ultra-rare expressions is the envy of the region. The chesterfield couches and warm, unhurried service mean it’s as comfortable for a whisky novice as it is for an expert. The staff actively want you to leave knowing more than when you arrived — the ethos here is education and discovery, never intimidation.

Why go: Breadth, depth, and warmth. The single best place in Singapore to begin — or deepen — a serious love of whisky.

6. The Whiskey Library & Jazz Club

39 Syed Alwi Road

Housed in The Vagabond Club boutique hotel, The Whiskey Library is one of Singapore’s most atmospheric drinking destinations. With over 1,000 bottles lining the shelves — red velvet banquettes, locally handcrafted furniture, and a rotating collection of art creating a backdrop of extraordinary richness — the bar specialises in limited-edition single-cask expressions, including bottles from legendary independent bottlers Gordon & MacPhail and Signatory Vintage Scotch. The live jazz seals the atmosphere.

Why go: Over 1,000 bottles including rare single-cask expressions, in a setting that’s genuinely one of Singapore’s most beautiful interiors.

7. Signature Reserve

Various Locations

For those who want rare and limited-edition whisky, Signature Reserve is the go-to destination. This intimate lounge stocks over 800 labels, including some of the world’s most sought-after expressions, and employs a team of specially trained “Whisky Butlers” — professionals who can guide guests through the collection based on palate and preference rather than prestige or price. It’s an approach that strips away the snobbery and puts the pleasure first.

Why go: 800+ labels, including some of the world’s rarest pours, served by some of Singapore’s most knowledgeable whisky guides.

8. The ExciseMan Wine & Whisky Bar

8 Raffles Avenue, Esplanade Mall

Named after the British tax official who imposed duties on alcohol (and, famously, the childhood profession of Robert Burns), The ExciseMan is a hidden gem that bridges wine and whisky with equal intelligence. The antique brass ceilings, vintage lamps, and a 140-year-old grand piano set a mood of refined nostalgia, but the real draw is the philosophy of its founder, Lewis Mitchell — a General Certificate holder from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling — who steers guests toward the unusual and lesser-known over the obvious. The bar is the only venue in Singapore to stock Douglas Laing’s Big Peat Singapore Edition, of which only 600 bottles were produced. Artisanal bottlings from Scottish, Irish, and Japanese distilleries fill the list alongside an exceptional wine selection.

Why go: A genuinely idiosyncratic cellar guided by genuine expertise. The private dining room, with its candlelit four-course dinner and drinks pairing, is one of Singapore’s great secret evenings.

9. The Writing Club

Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Road

Don’t walk past Palais Renaissance without stopping in — hidden in the corner is one of Singapore’s most intelligently curated whisky libraries. Over 500 labels line the shelves, with a curatorial preference for distinctive, obscure, and hard-to-find bottles rather than household names. The leather armchairs are supremely comfortable, the Whisky Flight (three 20ml pours from $68) is an excellent way to explore, and the knowledgeable staff are always ready with a recommendation. Craft beers, wine, and bespoke cocktails are also available for those who want to pace themselves.

Why go: An intimate, beautifully stocked bar with a genuine collector’s sensibility. The Whisky Flight is the best introduction to serious whisky in Singapore.

10. La Terre

11 Upper Circular Road

La Terre sounds Italian but is wholeheartedly Japanese. This intimate bar sits in a heritage shophouse near the Singapore River, with bar seating that puts guests up close to the bartenders — and the conversation. Japanese whiskies are the house speciality, ranging from approachable pours of Shinshu Mars and Nikka Coffey Grain to genuinely rare expressions from Karuizawa, where some bottles fetch upwards of $15,000. It’s the best single address in Singapore for exploring the full spectrum of Japanese whisky, from accessible to extraordinary.

Why go: The deepest Japanese whisky list in Singapore, in a setting that feels personal and considered.

11. Quaich Bar

InterContinental Singapore, 80 Middle Road

Named after the traditional Scottish two-handled drinking bowl, Quaich Bar is Singapore’s oldest whisky bar — originally opened in 2007 — now reimagined at InterContinental Singapore with a travel-inspired concept and over 500 whiskies. The bar offers 15 distinct ways to enjoy a bottle, plus house exclusives including The Lakes Whiskymaker’s Colheita (England) and Three Ships 10 Years (South Africa) — bottles you simply won’t find elsewhere. Tasting Experience Sets offer four 15ml pours for those who want to compare rather than commit, and iberian ham and smoked salmon round out the experience beautifully.

Why go: Singapore’s most storied whisky bar, now reinvented with rare house exclusives and a sense of global adventure.

A Note for Visitors

Singapore’s drinks scene spans the full range from members-only exclusivity (67 Pall Mall) to welcoming walk-in gems (The ExciseMan, La Terre). The climate-controlled interiors are a blessing in the city’s year-round tropical heat, and the standard of service across these venues is consistently high. Many bars offer guided flights and curated tastings specifically designed for newcomers — there’s no need to arrive as an expert. The only requirement is curiosity. Whether you’re drawn by a six-metre wine tower, a 1,000-bottle whisky library, or a single legendary dram poured by someone who truly loves what they do, Singapore has somewhere waiting for you.

Drink responsibly. All venues serve alcohol to persons aged 18 and over only.