The 9 vinyl bars and cafes you have to visit

For those with a taste for simpler, more analogue times, vinyl record bars and cafes in Singapore could be a step up from your usual haunts—better ambience, better music, and listening experiences you can’t find anywhere else. For those who take their music seriously, read on to discover where you can find these gems in Singapore.

1. Appetite

Located in Amoy Street, where (arguably) all the cool things are, is Appetite. The space at Appetite brings together a kitchen, record lounge, and an art gallery. Of interest is the bar area, or what they call their “living room”. Essentially, it’s both an art lounge and listening room where you can feel free to order a cocktail or casual dinner while you sink into one of their sofas.

Appetite is located at 72A Amoy Street, Singapore 069891

2. Vertigo 26

An intimate space where the DJ’s turntable is just a couple metres away from you, it’s hard not to break into a boogie while you’re at Vertigo 26. For music lovers who love good tunes and remixes, and can’t resist delicious bar bites, craft beers and handcrafted cocktails, this is the bar for you.

Vertigo 26 is located at the basement of MINT Museum of Toys, 26 Seah Street, 188382.

3. Choice Cuts

Netflix and chill, or pizza and records? If you’d like to try out the latter, head over to the east to grab a bite of Choice Cuts Pizza & Records’ pizzas (or bagels) and make your way up to the second floor, where all the vinyl records and record players are, and enjoy your meal with a side of analogue music.

Choice Cuts Pizza & Records is located at 446 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427659

4. Slow Boat

Slow Boat is Singapore’s first vinyl record listening cafe, where you pay by the hour and get to pick your vinyl record of choice to listen to as you sip on your drink or munch on a pastry. Each table comes with one record player and is perfect for two—feel free to go alone or with your partner, and take a break from the world beyond the bounds of this cosy little cafe.

Slow Boat is located at 45A Craig Road, Singapore 089683.

5. Little Island Brewing Co.

Vinyl spots don’t always have to be dim. As the owners of Little Island Brewing Co. would have it, vinyls go hand in hand with good vibes—alfresco dining, daytime drinking, and yes, bring your pets along.

Little Island Brewing Co. has three outlets at Changi Village, South Beach, and Gillman Barracks.

6. Offtrack

Coming in at number 25 on the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024, Offtrack curates not only their cocktail menu, but also their vinyl collection and pairs it with a carefully designed sound system. Sip on The Saturn, one of their signature drinks made with passionfruit, lemon and almond, as you unwind to a mix of jazz, soul, and Asian tunes through the night.

Offtrack is located at 34 North Canal Road, Singapore 059290.

7. RPM by D.Bespoke

If you’re not already familiar with D.Bespoke, it’s a separate bar located in Bukit Pasoh Road specialising in Ginza style whisky and has a private audio room with premium turntables like the McIntosh MC30, McIntosh C20, Garrard 401, and ALTEC 9844a.

RPM by D.Bespoke has similar vibes to D.Bespoke, but the vinyl records are much more accessible. Drop by the bar for Japanese-style drinks and music soul, funk, jazz, rock, pop, and Japanese city pop on vinyl.

RPM by D.Bespoke is located at 16 Duxton Road, Singapore 089784.

8. Simply Analog by Tin Box

Simply Analog is home to both live music and a collection of vinyls, curated by Re:Activate Asia consultants, that includes world music, downtempo, mainstream pop, and more. Besides being a dream space for vinyl lovers, Simply Analog invites DJs to spin their decks on certain nights.

Simply Analog by Tin Box is located at 34 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089141.

9. Swee Lee

As one of Singapore’s most well-known instrument and audio device retailers, Swee Lee’s Clarke Quay store is a dream come true for music lovers, as there are listening stations available. Pick from their extensive collection of over 500 records and savour a cup of coffee and a good album, all in one sitting.

Swee Lee Clarke Quay is located at Block 3B River Valley Road, #01-06 Clarke Quay, Singapore 179021.

This article was originally published in Harper’s Bazaar Singapore.