The best secret bars in Singapore

Follow the music and draw the velvet curtains, there you'll uncover Parliament, a self-proclaim retro dive bar flooded with sultry red neon lights. The atmosphere is electric and drinks come with an American pour – for the uninitiated, this just means stronger drinks – so you can expect your night to get real dangerous around here. Bulletproof classics are usually priced from $16 but not all are listed on the menu – there are more choices available on request. This is a no-judgement zone, so spare the formality and let your hair down – there’s anything from new-age rock, oldies, funk, and hip-hop to groove to. And if you're nice, you'll get to pick your favourite song and perhaps even a shot.

Tucked away on the 10th floor of YOTEL Singapore, Komyuniti is one of Orchard Road’s best-kept secrets. Led by award-winning mixologist As’ad Isnin (aka Utt), this stylish bar shakes up innovative cocktails using eco-conscious practices, from finishing every bit of an ingredient to cutting water waste and ditching single-use plastics. With 22 sustainable concoctions ($20 each) spread across seven series, there’s something for every taste. Try the refreshing What a Fog with chamomile gin, genepy liqueur, fresh herbs, and peppermint bitters. Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or just in the mood to indulge, Komyuniti's laid-back vibe, stunning views, and creative drinks make it a must-visit hidden gem.

Perched quietly above one-Michelin-starred French restaurant Restaurant Jag, Flow Bar is head bartender Ricky Paiva's cocktail sanctuary that is both open and inviting. And being neighbours with Restaurant Jag comes with its perks, too. The bar taps into the pantry of the kitchen to work in seasonal herbs from Savoie in the Garden-inspired section.  Cocktails are now divided into four different sections: Living Room, Garden, Playground, and Office. Even the bar bites menu, designed by chef Jeremy Gillion, comes infused with his signature touch and heavy play on textures. And if you're craving a dessert in a cup, try the addictive espresso martini, crowned with a torched dulce de leche foam for a sweet, creamy finish.

To get to this secret speakeasy, look out for a mama shop or old-school provision store. The entrance to Mama Diam comes hidden behind a shelf lined with vintage knick-knacks; pull aside rows of magazines and CDs reminiscent of the yesteryears, and step into a retro-inspired drinking hole. The menu is a celebration of familiar flavours: sip on Kopi Cino, a boozy take on a cup of kopi; Childhood Delight made with rum, peppermint, and White Rabbit candy milk; Sng Muay Fizz mixed with vodka and sour plum; and more.

Hidden behind Miss Fitz Kitchen and Bar is a tiny portal to 1970 New York City. To get to Roxy requires heading to the back of the restaurant, and venturing through an unmarked walkway. But those who make the journey will be treated to a blast from the past; a 20-seater speakeasy bar inspired by the rock ’n’ roll era. Vintage posters and motifs line the wall of the cosy space, and the red-hued lighting makes for a sultry, intimate setting.

Climb up to the second floor of this 80-year-old heritage shophouse and enter Emerald Cty. The gorgeous green marble long bar is lit by the glow radiating through the stained glass. Behind it, bartenders dressed in bow ties and bermuda shorts are shaking up classic cocktails crafted with Asian ingredients. The bar's namesake, The Gibson, is always a safe bet. Made with Roku gin and Ginjo sake-vermouth, the boozy drink pays homage to Japan in its elegant simplicity. Come hungry as the elevated bar snacks shed their hefty price tags and are now far more approachable.

You might get distracted on your way to Gibson with a swanky Japanese mid-century modern bar. Live Twice beckons with an alluring amber glow and luxurious furniture, and of course, spectacular rinks by Leow Yingying, a Diageo World Class winner. The Geisha-inspired drink names help embody the elegant charm of the cocktails; try Little Blossom, which brings to mind the tranquil setting of a Japanese zen garden with its sweet floral notes, balanced with a touch of smoke from the alluring edible perfume made with bergamot and Palo Santo essence.

Hidden in plain sight, The Secret Mermaid is the alter ego of Shinkansen, a design-your-own salad bar in the CBD. The shared space, outfitted with black grilles and brass piping, morphs into a hole-in-the-wall cocktail bar after five in the evening. Bottles of gin, rum, tequila, vodka, and whisky occupy every nook and cranny in this minuscule hideout, and the bar also has one of the largest collections of American craft spirits.

This tiny 10-seater bar first started in the hidden alleys of Tanjong Pagar, making a name for itself with its experimental ideas and ever-changing cocktail menu. It has now expanded to a bigger 25-seater, tucked behind Maxi Coffee Bar. Enter through a side door, and be greeted by the same intimate vibes that most know the bar for. The ever-changing menu keeps things fresh and exciting; the current theme spotlights the enigmatic 90s Saturday cartoons.

Following the directions on Google Maps alone won’t get you to The Dragon Chamber; you’ll need to sleuth around to find this elusive restaurant. From the outside, you’re first greeted by a clean-looking kopitiam serving wonton noodles and roast meats. But have a look around for a fridge door – for that’s where the real entrance of The Dragon Chamber is. Step inside, and you’ll be transported to a darker, more mysterious location – with old posters and chinoiserie that lend a grungy, underground vibe reminiscent of gang dens of old Hong Kong.