5 Best Singapore Live Music Bars for a Great Night Out

You can’t possibly have a list of the top live music bars in Singapore and leave out Timbre Signatures. The place is restored in a beautiful historical building that overlooks the stunning views of the Singapore River. They strive to curate a one-of-a-kind Southeast Asia experience with regional music, food, and drinks. 

This cozy bar is located in the heritage district, so bring your appetite for local pop music.

You can satiate your hunger with a big meal of delectable Asian cuisine while the stage fires up for the band in the evening. Wash it all down with fresh drinks starting at $10. 

Highlights:

DRINKS: Timbre Signatures offers a wide variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including bottled beers,  draught beers, wines, gin, spirit, vodka, tequila, rum, cognac, whiskey, champagne, cocktails, mocktails, juices, soft drinks, coffees, and teas.

FOOD: The music bar has a delightful menu of delicious international foods, such as pork capellini, chicken panggang, fish & chips, an assorted variety of pizzas and pasta, and amazing seafood. 

SERVICE: Timbre Signatures is known for its professional service, but it gets inconsistent when there are large crowds.

PRICES

• No cover charge
• Drinks start at $10
• Snacks start at $13
• Starters start at $15
• Pasta and pizzas start at $20
• Main dishes start at $22

NOTES

• Timbre allows people only over the age of 18.
• They don’t have proper lighting to give an ambiance, so don’t expect a well-lit dinner.

GETTING THERE

• Nearest MRT Station: Raffles Place MRT (NS26/EW14)  (Walk 6 mins from Exit H)
• Buses: Bus 961#, 961 and 195 (Walk 2 mins from bus stop B02181)

Cuba Libre has a large dance floor where you can show off your moves in front of a crowd. The live band performs catchy Latin American dancing songs, including bachata, salsa, and other favorites on various nights.

This is a must-go-to pub on the Clarke Quay length because the drinks are good too.

Highlights:

DRINKS: Cuba offers a good selection of alcoholic drinks, including draft beers and bottled cider beers, as well as non-alcoholic drinks such as Evian, Ferrarelle, soft drinks, juice, and Red Bull.

FOOD: The music bar has a wide variety of Asian cuisines that include chicken wings, crab spring rolls, chicken nachos, paella Cubana, chicken tikka, lamb kebab, and some Indian delicacies such as samosa and Chicken tikka.

SERVICE: The service is a bit lagging because of the crowds on weekends, but when the rush is not so overwhelming, which is rarely, they provide professional service.

PRICES

• No cover charge
• Drinks start at S$10
• Snacks start at S$13
• Starters start at S$15
• Pasta and pizzas start at S$20
• Main dishes start at S$22

NOTES

• They have an entry fee of 100 Singaporean dollars, which may seem high for those just coming in for a quick bite.

GETTING THERE

• Nearest MRT Station: Clarke Quay MRT Station (NE5)  (Walk 6 mins from the station)
• Buses: Bus 32, 54, 195 (Walk 3 mins from the bus stop)

Cool Cats is a swanky jazz lounge located right across Raffles Hotel. The unmarked entrance gives the bar an air of secrecy, but once inside, you could tell that Cool Cats is not another of those secret bars that have been sprouting around Singapore.

Highlights:

AMBIENCE: The interior of Cool Cats is reminiscent of New York jazz bars with its minimalist décor and plush seating. The small and cozy venue gives patrons a sense of a more personal experience with the performers.

DRINKS: The signature cocktails are the main bar menu attraction. Other alcoholic drinks include wine, gin, vodka, rum, tequila, whisky, cognac, brandy, beer, and international spirits. Crafted mocktails are also available.

 FOOD: The food menu is quite limited. Hot bar snacks include Crispy Duck Roll, Deep Fried Mooli Puff, and Wasabi Prawn. Cold selections like caviar, Iberico Ballota, and Kinglas Fillet are also available.

 LOCATION: Cool Cats is located at the 3-storey entertainment venue, The NCO Club. It is right across Raffles Hotel along Beach Avenue at Singapore’s art and culture district.

 SERVICE: Cool Cats has been getting raves for its very attentive and friendly staff. 

 PRICES:

• Drinks from $18
• Signature cocktails from $22
• Mocktails from $15
• Bar snacks from $8

 NOTE: Ticketed events require admission fees.

 GETTING THERE:

• Bus lines: 56, 57, 100, 107, 107M, 961, 961M (Walk 1 minute from bus stop 01619.
• Nearest MRT station: Esplanade MRT (CC3) (Walk 2 minutes from Exit F)

Wala Wala, one of the coolest addresses in Singapore, is an atmospheric cafe bar, which serves great drinks and great music. The Cafe Bar has two floors. The ground is set up as a restaurant serving food while the first floor is reserved for live bands’ performances every night.

Highlights:

AMBIENCE: Ambience at Wala Wala music bar is always cheerful, exciting, and relaxed with a lot of people including the locals as well as foreigners.

DRINK: Wala Wala offers a wide selection of beers, spirits, cocktails, and wines as well as non-alcohol drinks like juices, soft drinks, coffee and tea.

FOOD: The bar serves a range of good foods including finger foods, salads, pasta and pizzas. Among them, Wala Wala chicken wings, calamari, jalapenos, and caesar salad are recommended.

LOCATION: Wala Wala Cafe Bar is located at Holland Village, an exciting and entertaining nightlife district in Singapore, where there are many good restaurants and bars/pubs.

SERVICE: Wala Wala Cafe Bar service is inconsistent.

LIVE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

• Monday: Zsa Zsa Scorpion from 19:00, and 53A from 21:30
• Tuesday: 3 In A Crowd from 19:00, and Tabula from 21:30
• Wednesday: Chris & Diana from 19:00, and Pennylane from 21:30
• Thursday: Clarence & Jiamin from 19:00, and Shirlyn & The UnXpected from 21:30
• Friday: Randolf Arriola from 19:00, and Reverie from 21:30
• Saturday: Shirlyn & The UnXpected from 21:30
• Sunday: Jack & Rai from 21:30

Visit its website for the latest updates http://www.walawala.sg/

 PRICES:

• No cover charge
• Drinks cost from S$7
• Snacks cost from S$9
• Salads cost from S$9
• Pastas cost from S$13
• Pizzas cost from S$15

GETTING THERE:

• Buses: 5N, 7, 61, 75, 77, 95, 165, and 970 (Walk 1 min from bus stop B11261)
• Nearest MRT Station: Holland Village MRT (CC21) (Walk 2 mins from Exit B)

Hero’s is a wild, wild west themed bar that has been awarded the Certificate of Excellence 2019 by TripAdvisor. It is a hit among expats for a night of rock and pop music, or after office drinks. Hero’s also doubles as a sports bar where you can watch your favorite sporting events on the widescreen while enjoying a few drinks with fellow sports fans.

Highlights:

AMBIENCE: Hero’s is a cozy place despite its huge space. It is usually packed with expats, especially on weekends. The outdoor area is great for chilling out and doing people watching right along the street, away from the loud music. The VIP section provides air-conditioned comfort and privacy in an elevated space a few steps up from the main indoor tables.

DRINKS: Hero’s serves five brands of draught beers namely Asahi, Kronenbourg 1664, Brooklyn Lager, Connor’s Stout, and Carlsberg. Craft and regular bottled beer is also available as well as a selection of wine, gin, vodka, tequila, rum, bourbon, whisky, cocktails, shooters, and non-alcoholic drinks.

 FOOD: Hero’s is in collaboration with local company and next-door neighbor, Foodcoholic. The food menu features a fusion of Indian and Western cuisine. Popular items include kebabs, wraps, pasta, and pizzas.

 LOCATION: Hero’s is located at a strip of bars and restaurants along Circular Road, a stone’s throw away from the Singapore River. It is hard to miss given its wide frontage and huge shop sign.

 PRICES:

• Alcoholic drinks from $11
• Appetizers from $8
• Pizza from $14
• Pasta from $13
• Main dishes from $12
• Special platters from $25

 GETTING THERE:

• Bus lines: NR1, NR3 (Walk 1 minute from bus stop B05009)
• Nearest MRT station: Raffles Place MRT (EW14/NS26) (Walk 6 minutes from Exit B) and Clarke Quay MRT (NE5) (Walk 8 mins from Exit E)