Let’s be honest, regardless of venue, all alcoholic beverages in Singapore are expensive. This is mainly due to Singapore’s alcohol tax ($88 per litre for hard liquors and wines, $60 per litre for beers and ciders) that is charged on top of the 7% Goods and Services Tax; which is why if you’re planning a night out, it is pertinent to conduct research for a convenient place that caters to groups, and serves good drinks at affordable prices — or risk running up a high tab.
Take it from someone who has spent years searching for the best happy hour deals, these are the ones that are conveniently located and give you the best bang for your buck. Read on to find out where these 9 bars and restaurants are and get ready to be amazed at how much you’ve been overpaying for your drink.
Updated as of 29 April 2022. Best happy hour drink promotions are subject to change without prior notice. The legal age to buy and consume alcohol in Singapore is 18 years old. Please practice responsible drinking.
You won’t have to pay a pretty penny if you find yourself at SQUE, regardless of the outlet. Known for their exceptionally long happy hour time slots that start as early as 11am, you could get 1-for-1 draft beer for half-pints from $12.50, full pints from $15.50 or cocktail glasses for $21(mojito, aperol spritz, or Singapore sling).
Apart from alcoholic beverages, SQUE also offers an extensive selection of appetisers, mains and desserts; for instance, you can top up S$5 for a side of fries under their 1-for-1 beer promo. All in all, this is a great venue for gatherings with friends or family.
Happy hour time slots: 11.30am to 8.30pm daily
Clarke Quay Central, 6 Eu Tong Sen St, #01-70 The Central, Singapore 059817
It is always a happy hour at Al Capone’s. Depending on the outlet, prices for a pint of draft beer start from just $7.70, Heineken beer tower from $39 and hard liquor bottles from $77. To top it all off, these prices are inclusive of all prevailing taxes! And in the very likely event you get the terrible munchies, Al Capone’s has a food menu that consists of pastas, pizzas and a selection of bar bites.
Happy hour time slots: All day
Beer bundle: Enjoy three bottles of Guinness beer for $13 nett.
Happy hour at Stickies works a little differently, in the sense that the prices here go by the time of day. The earlier you start, the cheaper certain drinks are. A half pint of beer or a glass of house pour liquor with your choice of mixer goes for $2++ at 2pm, and prices increase a dollar every hour. Wine and soju shots begin from $3++ and $1++ respectively.
For instance, prices increase to $3++ when the clock strikes 3pm, $4++ when it is 4pm, and so on. But if that’s not your elixir of choice, there are other drink promotions that include $8.50++ for a pint of Guinness, $30 for a 3-litre beer tower, a party platter of 20 shots for $30 and more.
Happy hour time slots: 2pm onwards
Stickies’ is at multiple locations, please check their website.
When your feet get tired from all that retail therapy and you want something more than a fancy overpriced latte, head over to Oriole. Located near 313 Somerset, happy hour here starts at 2pm daily and consists of special prices attached with their draft beers — half pints from $8+ and full pints from $13++.
Their wines are priced from $9++ and 1-for-1 promotions on house pours like red sangria for $16+, Jing-A for $18+, and rosé also for $18+.
Happy hour time slots: 2pm to 6pm (Weekdays till 7.30pm) and 8pm till late daily
96 Somerset Road #01-01, Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard, Singapore 238163
Yes, this is the bar at Peranakan Place that serves you free groundnuts and allows you to throw its shells on the floor without being fined (or judged)! No.5 Emerald Hill Cocktail Bar may be best known for their 1-for-1 martinis at $28++, and 3 for $33. There are also other drinks like house pour liquor with a mixer of your choice and half a pint of draft beer for $8++ on their happy hour menu.
Go for their drinks, but stay for the delectable bar bites. Be sure to give their shrimp-paste marinated chicken wings a try during your visit. Crispy, umami-packed and served piping hot, I dare say that they are, perhaps, one of the best along Orchard Road.
Happy hour time slots: 12pm to 8pm daily
5 Emerald Hill Road, Singapore 229289
From 6.30pm to 9pm daily, prices for selected shooters, bottled beers, house pour liquor with a mixer of your choice and Jim Beam highball are priced at just $6. If you’re really feeling hardcore, there’s a “go hard or go home” option of six shots (choose two types) for $60.
Prices for certain menu items may be subject to GST and other prevailing taxes.
Happy hour time slots: 6:30pm to 9pm daily
3B River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, #01-05, Singapore 179021
No-frills, just decent beer and cheap bottles of hard liquor (for times when you need something stronger) at Bones ‘n Barrels. Depending on the outlet you visit, prices for a pint of beer start from $10+, three-bottled beer bundles from $18+ (five beer bottles from $38+), a 3-litre beer tower from $49+ and hard liquor bottles from $88+. Apart from those, they also have a small selection of wines and cocktails depending on the outlet you visit.
Happy hour time slots: Depending on outlet
Bones ‘n Barrels is at multiple locations, please check their website.
Tucked away at a little corner along Orchard Road is KPO. With the reopening measures, you’ll be happy to know that longer operating hours, live bands, and DJs are back.
Prices for a happy hour pint of beer or a glass of house pour liquor with a mixer of your choice start from as low as $10++ until 8pm.
Their draught beer, however, goes for $10 per pint all night.
If you’re feeling peckish, KPO offers an elaborate menu filled with bar snacks, appetisers, mains and desserts.
Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 2pm-12am, Saturday 4pm-12am
1 Killiney Road, Singapore 239518
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ1Qh_VP9z6/
The Chamber is the perfect spot for your next happy hour gathering. Promo items include draft beers, bottled beers, bottled cider, wine and house pour liquors with a mixer of your choice. While their prices after taxes may be slightly higher than some on this list, its location (fringe of the Central Business District) definitely makes up for it, especially if you work nearby.
Happy hour time slots: Depending on outlet
1-for-1 special
Beer: From $16++ per pint
Wine: From $13++ per glass
Housepour spirits: From $13++ per glass
The Chamber is at multiple locations, please check their website.
This article was first published in SingSaver.
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