Beats And Booze: 13 Bars With Live DJ Performances For Vibing While You’re Dining
A bar has no soul without a proper soundtrack. That’s where the DJ comes in (Credit: Club 5)
The past two years marred by Singapore’s pandemic restrictions have been a rollercoaster to say the least, and no one has felt this more than those in the nightlife and music industries. But the turbulence of electrical fusebox terminology, colour-coded heightened alerts and a ‘no live music’ rule seem to have finally subsided, giving way to what some have dubbed a ‘post-pandemic renaissance’ as the local music scene finds its feet once again.
Visibly relishing this revival is the DJ community, who have spun these developments and turned them to their advantage. You can now find countless of them doing what they do best – crafting ambience and character within spaces to elevate one’s experience. In particular, you’ll find plenty of watering holes that are no longer just places to dine at, but locales to savour selections refined by spot-on programming. Whether you’re here for a pre-game sesh or a stretched-out drink-a-thon, you’ll have a beat to booze along to. We explore the effervescence through 13 bars that feature live DJs across the island.
Golden hours hit different with a proper choon (Credit: Panamericana)
Panamericana – Fiery cuisine fanned by sea breeze
Perched above Sentosa Golf Club with sweeping views of the South China Sea, Panamericana has been a consistent favourite amongst Singapore’s restaurant guides. Its ‘farm-to-fire’ cuisine promises a Pan-American traverse, with menu superstars such as the Coal-Roasted Eggplant, Charred Octopus Tentacles, and Churros to finish. Cool your tastebuds to sundown DJ sets on Fridays and Saturdays at its outdoor seating space, with past acts including Kaye, DJ KFC and Matty Wainwright.
Panamericana, 27 Bukit Manis Rd, Sentosa, Singapore 099892
Got vinyl? Vertigo26 has plenty (Credit: Vertigo26)
Vertigo26 – For tipsy waxplorations
Riding the groove of analogue culture is Vertigo26, a buzzy addition to the growing collective of vinyl bars on the island. Both a record store and watering hole, the subterranean space was conceptualised by music and movie industry veterans Eric Chan and Simon Chia, whilst also boasting Robin Chua AKA KiDG as Music Director. Delve into a boozy listening experience with their music-themed cocktails (“Gangsta’s Paradise”, “Mr Brightside”, “Call Me Maybe”) and their rotating series of live selector events across all genres. For the vinyl collectors, savour the unique experience of a late-night dig through a catalogue of nearly 1000 albums to date.
Vertigo26, 26 Seah Street, Singapore 188382. Read our feature here.
Feeling off? Offtrack is designed to flip your mood (Credit: Offtrack)
Offtrack – Leisure guided by sound and design
Whilst it’s been barely half a year since its doors first opened, this new kid in town with an orange glow has quickly risen to become one of the coolest ‘in-the-know’ spots for Singapore’s local bar and music scene. Conceptualised by the co-founders behind local electronic label Darker than Wax (Dean Chew) and party collective Ice Cream Sundays (Daniel O’ Connor), the F&B experience is a sure hit for those who take their music or alcohol seriously. The cosy organicism of the space, designed by Chew himself, is brought to life by Pan-Asian eats and well-measured cocktails, while sonically optimised with vintage Klipsch La Scala speakers. Music-wise, expect a revolving stream of local and international names alike, with residencies by familiar faces such as Itch, Daryl Knows and Bongomann, and past guests from abroad including Yokosun (VN/JP), 6AM AT THE GARAGE (AUS) and Mumsfilibaba (TH).
Offtrack, 34 North Canal Road, Singapore 059290. Read our feature here.
Rumour has it, this beach club brings in the crowds (Credit: Rumours Beach Club)
Rumours Beach Club – A tropical escape within a tropical escape
Anyone who loves a drink with sun and sand would have heard of Rumours Beach Club, the Sentosa-based outgrowth of the original venue in Bali. Sprawled across a section of Siloso Beach, it features three swimming pools, a BBQ grill station, and a variety of options for your preferred mode of lounging about (daybeds, cabanas… the list goes on). Here, you can indulge in Instagrammable cocktails which pair effortlessly with Balinese BBQ fare, with a range of grilled seafood to choose from. Even better, the club welcomes both adults and children, and a dedicated pets’ area makes it the perfect destination for a family-friendly day out. The tropical immersion is perfected by a curated lineup of live acts supplied by the DJ Dispensary, playing out tunes from a dedicated poolside hut.
Rumours Beach Club, 40 Siloso Beach Walk, Sentosa, Singapore 098996. Read our feature here.
Take your time and listen (Credit: RPM by D.Bespoke)
RPM By D.Bespoke – For the shochu and vinyl connoisseurs
Any bar enthusiast in Singapore would have heard of D.Bespoke, the swanky Japanese speakeasy by bartender Daiki Kanetaka that has landed a spot at no. 58 on the 2022 Asia’s 50 Best Bars list. Bringing all the libation expertise into a more intimate setting is RPM, in which Kanetaka marries his twin passions for alcohol and music. For those looking beyond the usual sake tipples, the drinks here are primarily shochu-focused; a sweet distillation fermented from various starches such as rice, barley and sweet potatoes. As smooth as their cocktails however is the listening experience. Admire the vintage records that line their walls as you soak in the sounds of global jazz, funk and soul selections.
RPM by D.Bespoke, 16 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089482
The decorations at Moonstone are eccentric to say the least (Credit: Moonstone Bar)
Moonstone Bar – A no-frills night out
If you’re looking for a night out which gets right to the point (music, alcohol, fun), Moonstone Bar is your place. Its Amoy Street premises have been home to an impressive lineup of weekly Saturday parties so far, spanning old-school hip-hop, tech-house, ’80s and pop nights (hosted in collaboration with local favourite Eatmepoptart), and even techno and house sessions. Entering the space, you’re greeted by bare walls cluttered with instantly recognisable paraphernalia of local iconic stature; an eclecticism matched not just by its music but its menu. Food-wise, it’s a culinary mish-mash of Asian-inspired flavours, with items such as the Fried Tofu Crisps (zai er), Gubak Kia’s Sambal Mee Goreng, and Beef Short Ribs Sando. Its equally diverse drinks selection, offering both classic and seasonal cocktails, promises something for everyone – as a bonus, they even state on their menu that patrons are free to put in special requests to create their own poisons.
Moonstone Bar, 7500 Beach Rd, Singapore 199591
Heritage is classily preserved at Club 5 (Credit: Club 5)
Club 5 – Paying homage to heritage
Savour clever concoctions inspired by local flavours in Singapore’s historic urban heart. Those familiar with the history of the local music scene might have heard of the legendary dance club on Beach Road known simply as Club 5, famous in the ’80s and ’90s for rapturous tunes. Now an elegant cocktail lounge with all the ritz of the roaring Twenties, the bar takes a further nod to the heritage of the Beach Road and Kampong Glam vicinity, with drinks inspired by Singapore’s rich history as a trading port. The Merchant’s Old Rum, for example, employs staple spices from local markets of the past, whilst Boogie Street is a contemporary delicious take on hedonistically-charged Bugis Junction circa 1960. For a little modern-day boogie, be sure to catch live DJs playing out from their hole-in-the-wall DJ booth on Fridays and Saturdays, where past acts have included Brendon P, Sivanesh, and Shigeki.
Club 5, 7500 Beach Rd, Singapore 199591
KoFlow helms the wheel of Honcho (Credit: Honcho)
Honcho – Fuel your creative ambitions
Co-conceptualised by local hip-hop veteran Wayne Liu AKA DJ KoFlow and fintech entrepreneur Amos Poh, Honcho is where creative and business worlds collide in a three-storey mixed concept. Its vision is ambitious – it touts itself as a “lifestyle venue” rather than a mere F&B joint, with hopes of leading conversations between niche and mainstream communities while bringing creatives of various stripes together. The whole space is tied together by modern Japanese-Western cuisine, and each floor has its own personality, with the monochromatic izakaya-styled restaurant on the ground floor, a basement members hangout (Social@Honcho), and the laid-back rooftop bar Jō for pints of local craft beer.
Honcho, 12 Ann Siang Rd, Singapore 069692. Read our feature here.
What’s your favourite dish here? (Credit: Neon Pigeon)
Neon Pigeon – Peck on Japanese bar bites to global sounds
After growing up amidst the Keong Saik Road enclave, Neon Pigeon eventually spread its wings further on Carpenter Street, where it continues to serve delicious modern izakaya eats and drinks awash with signature pink hues. For dinner, the restaurant offers both raw and grilled options, including various sashimi and robata grill items. Not to be missed though is the crowd-favourite Tokyo Hummus, which uses edamame instead of traditional chickpeas in this Middle-Eastern staple, topped with a generous sprinkle of furikake. Be spoilt for choice as you peruse their drinks menu, cheekily fashioned in the form of a Japanese manga with endless permutations of sake, shochu and Japanese whisky libations. The electrically-charged space plays host to live DJs every Thursday from 8pm, with a diverse selection of music ranging from house and Afrobeat to hip-hop and reggae.
Neon Pigeon, 36 Carpenter Street, Singapore 059915.
An icon of the local clubscape (Credit: CÉ LA VI)
CÉ LA VI – Get sky high on booze and music
This rooftop bar at the top of Marina Bay Sands needs little introduction, with a firm reputation for views and vibes to swoon over. The panoramic city skyline is bested only by its stellar lineup of local and international DJs, landing it a spot on the DJ Mag Top 100 Clubs list and attracting celebrity guests from Dua Lipa to Sam Smith. On the regular, the venue also hosts signature residencies such as Reform (main room, electronic, house), Sunset Sessions (Balearic, soulful house) Club 57 (R&B grooves) and ELEVATE (dance party anthems) by local scene stalwarts such as Andrew Tang, DJ KFC and Ramesh K. For the complete epicurean experience, delve into its selection of signature cocktails and modern Asian cuisine, with a recently revamped food menu under new Executive Chef, Maksym Chukanov.
CÉ LA VI Singapore , Level 57 Tower 3, Marina Bay Sands, 1 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018971
It’s always wine o’clock here (Credit: Amy’s WInebar)
Amy’s Winebar – Sweet dreams are made of grapes
The minds behind wildly popular homegrown joint, Two Men Bagel House, are staying busy – with dreams this time not of chewy carbs, but velvety reds and tangy whites. Located on the same grounds as Two Men’s Holland Village outlet, Amy’s is a day-to-night transformation of the space from street eats to intoxicated beats. East meets West not just in an extensive wine list sourced from Japan to Australia, but also a food menu of Asian-inspired flavours (don’t miss their fresh Irish Oysters, drizzled with Cucumber Tosazu, Pumpkin Hot sauce and Chive Oil). Keep your eyes peeled for their “Sweet Grapes And Sex Tapes” weekend nights, with a mixed bag of grooves ranging from old-school hip-hop, nu-disco and house to all-wax goodness; with past acts including Mako, Leland and Zai.
Amy’s Winebar, 17d Lor Liput, Singapore 277731.
From Bali to Singapore (Credit: Potato Head)
Potato Head Singapore – The trendy shophouse venue that keeps delivering
2022 might mark its eighth year running, but Potato Head Singapore doesn’t seem to be losing any steam in being the ‘it’ place for hipsters. Its shophouse facade remains ever-iconic, as does its reputation for good food and good music. If you’re after a liquid diet, you’re in luck – on the upper stories are not one but two watering holes – one a breezy rooftop bar, and Studio 1939, a Gatsby-esque speakeasy offering cocktails in both classic and contemporary form (check out Missionary Style, a modernised take on the Missionary’s Downfall). Studio 1939 is also home to weekly live DJs sets every Saturday, with free admission to the dance floor and grooves supplied by both familiar faces on the local circuit (Toppings, MZA, Senja) and international guests from afar.
Potato Head Singapore, 36 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089143.
Totally worth the trip (Credit: Kult Kafe)
Kult Kafe – A playground for all things artsy
Tucked away from the bustle of the city at the Grandstand, Kult Yard has become somewhat of an oasis for local creative fiends. The ‘Kult’ label has evolved steadily into more a brand than just a space, with a sister bar Kult Yard located at Pearl’s Hill Terrace, and its Turf Club Road premises playing host to art exhibitions, album launches and DJ nights alike. Whilst most bars lean towards fare that can be a tad over-rich, Kult Kafe does things slightly differently (it is, after all, also a cafe). Whilst still offering a sumptuous selection of Argentinian grilled meats, the menu also features pitas and protein bowls with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Sip on their signature Kultails such as the Kult Julep or the Jamu Sour, and let loose at one of their numerous DJ events, with past showings including Dave’s Disco Brunch, Friendly Waters (by Sivilian Affairs), and Cosmos (queer night) by Orbit.
Kult Kafe, #01-19B The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Road, Singapore 287994.
This guest feature was written by Hannah Chia.
Hannah Chia is a contributor for Life in Arpeggio. Having spent the last few years away from Singapore and functioning society (*cough* pandemic *cough*), she finds fascination in viewing the vibrant undercurrents of Singapore's music scene through fresh eyes. Classically-trained, jazz-inspired, and electronically-intrigued. You can find Hannah peddling wax at The Analog Vault, freeform noodling on the keys, or on a rabbit-hole adventure into the deepest realms of "wait, this genre exists?". You can listen to her patchworking sounds here.
