Telok Ayer is smackdab in the middle of the Central Business District, so it doesn’t take a genius to figure out what that means — Telok Ayer is a hub filled to the brim with great places to get a stiff drink. The sheer variety of bars in this district turns the place into a choose-your-own-adventure, but for drinks. Fancy wine bars? Check. Cosy speakeasy vibes? Got it. Local brews or creative cocktails? You’re covered. No matter what you’re looking for, Telok Ayer’s bars have something to quench your thirst and help you unwind after a long, tiring day at work. These are some of the best Telok Ayer bars in Singapore that we like to visit now and again.
The Best Telok Ayer Bars in Singapore
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1. Napoleon Wine Bistro
Are you a wine connoisseur? Then head to Napoleon — the bar at Telok Ayer, mind, not the Joaquin Phoenix movie. Napoleon Wine Bistro boasts a large curated array of French wines served via Enomatic wine dispensers. Patrons are able to sample the wines through tasting portions, half-glasses, or full pours. Napoleon’s whimsical decor largely features, you guessed it, the former French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in all his tiny glory. Renowned as one of Telok Ayer’s premier bars in Singapore, Napoleon stands out for its exceptional wine selection, inviting atmosphere, and delicious French cuisine.
For more information or to make a booking, click here.
| Address | 206 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068641 |
| Operating hours | Monday to Friday (12:00pm – 12:00am) Saturday (6:00pm – 12:00am) Closed on Sundays |
| Contact details | +65 6221 9282 |
2. Employees Only
Don’t worry, despite its name, Employees Only allows more than just their workers into the bar and considering how amazing the place is, we thank God for that fact. This award-winning bar’s first outpost was founded in New York by five friends, while the second outlet in Singapore opened in 2016. At Employees Only, customers can expect an excellent cocktail menu, from classics to signature drinks and even fancy options, all served at the gilded bar. Fun fact: Employees Only is tucked behind a fortune teller’s lair. Dare to pay it a visit?
For more information or to make a booking, click here.
| Address | 112 Amoy St, Singapore 069932 |
| Operating hours | Opens daily (5:00pm – 1:00am) |
| Contact details | +65 6221 7357 |
3. Bitters & Love
Bitters & Love is an ode to both the common cocktail ingredient, bitters, and to building a safe community through love. Founded in 2012, Bitters & Love serves up the most unique alcoholic concoctions with hints of Asian and local flavours. A prime example would be their Tom Yum-flavoured cocktail depicted above, hilariously named “I like big bahts” and served in a bottom-shaped glass. Bitters & Love also makes their own bitters, which are used in their drinks and sells DIY Cocktail Sets so you can make your own drinks at home.
For more information or to make a booking, click here.
| Address | 118 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068587 |
| Operating hours | Wednesday to Saturday (6:00pm – 12:00am) Closed on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays |
| Contact details | +65 6438 1836 |
4. 13% Wine Bistro
Another great wine spot in Telok Ayer, 13% Wine Bistro aims to bring more people into the extraordinary world of wine without the exorbitant price tag we’re used to seeing the experience come with. How did they achieve this? Through importing all their carefully curated wines themselves, of course. 13% Wine Bistro does not only offer an impressive array of wine from all around the world, they also serve up modern European dishes to go with your favourite glass of wine. Here, you can dine and drink like the rich without going bankrupt.
For more information or to make a booking, click here.
| Address | 123A Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068592 |
| Operating hours | Monday to Friday (11:30am – 12:00am) Saturday (5:00pm – 12:00am) Closed on Sundays |
| Contact details | +65 9231 2401 |
5. Shin Gi Tai
Shin Gi Tai is a Japanese-inspired cocktail bar that doesn’t have any social media presence — or a menu. When visiting, it’s best to come prepared with the knowledge of what you want to drink so the bartender can work his magic. Simply share with him a cocktail, spirit, or even just a flavour profile, then sit back and watch him create something that will satisfy your alcohol cravings. There’s a reason why this bar is on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants website. Shin Gi Tai also offers Japanese-inspired bites like Katsu sandwiches and Tempura chips.
| Address | 179a Telok Ayer St, #2nd Floor, Singapore 068627 |
| Operating hours | Monday to Friday (6:00pm – 12:00am) Closed on weekends |
| Contact details | +65 9477 8755 |
6. Jigger & Pony
Curious what Jigger & Pony is named after? The answer sits right in front of our faces, as the double-coned measuring device used by bartenders to accurately pour out spirits is called a jigger and pony — the more you know. Drawing inspiration from 19th-century America, Jigger & Pony’s extensive drinks menu pays homage to this historical period, making it one of Singapore’s pioneering bars to curate a menu entirely dedicated to this beloved era. In the mood for a classic cocktail with no additional frou frou? This is the best Teluk Ayer bar in Singapore to go to.
For more information or to make a booking, click here.
| Address | 165 Tg Pagar Rd, Amara Hotel, Singapore 088539 |
| Operating hours | Sunday to Tuesday (6:00pm – 12:00am) Wednesday and Thursday (6:00pm – 1:00am) Friday and Saturday (6:00pm – 2:00am) |
| Contact details | +65 9621 1074 |
7. Sugarhall
If you’re a rum person, Sugarhall is the place to be. A rum-focused cocktail pub, Sugarhall opened in 2014 right next to Jigger & Pony and now sports a revamped cocktail menu to keep up with the times — kudos for that. Despite its sugary name, Sugarhall’s new cocktail menu is named “Not Too Sweet” so if you have a sweet tooth, look away. Jokes aside, there’s something for everyone at Sugarhall, even for foodies, as the food menu is an Asian-inspired haven. Anyone up for Indomie to go with their liquor?
For more information or to make a booking, click here.
| Address | 19 Cecil St, Level 2, Singapore 049704 |
| Operating hours | Monday to Thursday (5:30pm – 12:00am) Friday and Saturday (5:30pm – 2:00am) Closed on Sundays |
| Contact details | +65 9815 0246 |
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