When the sun dips and the heat subsides, Singapore shifts gears. The daytime hustle makes way for something grittier, louder, and infinitely more interesting. It’s a city that doesn’t just shine, it radiates an irresistible glow. While everyone chases a coveted spot at a rooftop bar for the best views of the city skyline after one of the most opulent races on the Grand Prix calendar, we recommend heading to the spots only insiders know. It’s where the real magic happens.
With Keith Prowse Travel handling your stay and race-day details, all that’s left to do is enjoy yourself – and there’s no better place for it than Singapore. Whether it’s a quick drink between sessions, a late-night feast after qualifying, or an all-out celebration post-race, Singapore delivers at every turn during race weekend.
So if you’re looking for backstreet cocktail dens, smoky hawker stalls, and places where locals actually eat, drink and keep the night alive – this is your guide.
Drink
Tourist bars are easy to find. Good bars take a little more effort.
Tucked away below NOST on Ann Siang Hill, the moody, 15-seater, Idle Hands is where you go when you care about what’s in your glass. No gimmicks, no fanfare, no menu. Cocktail legend Jay Gray of Sago House fame runs the show here, and his team will whip you up whatever your heart desires. Just give them a style, an ingredient, or a base spirit and they’ll do the rest.
In Robertson Quay, GULP serves a kaleidoscope of craft beers, natural wines, and a dedicated pie menu courtesy of Neil Tomes, featuring delicious rotating specials. The perfect warm up before dinner on one of Singapore’s most picturesque strips.
Forget plush booths and overpriced craft beer. Smith Street Taps is a hole-in-the-wall hawker at Chinatown Food Complex pouring world-class brews. One night it’s a resinous West Coast IPA, the next it’s a zingy sour. No pretension, no nonsense – just great beer, a multitude of food choices, and the background hum of bustling Chinatown.
Dine
Singapore’s food scene is undefeated. The trick is dodging the places that want to be found and heading straight for the ones that don’t care if you find them or not.
Imagine this, a whole stretch of road shutting down for one reason only – satay. Nine stalls, smoke occupying the air, and plates stacked with flame licked skewers of beef, chicken, and lamb dunked in a rich, nutty sauce. Lau Pa Sat’s Satay Street is where you go to order big, grab a cold beer, and post up on a plastic chair. If you need a break from grilled meat, Ming Yen Bbq Seafood is within touching distance and their Sambal Stingray is a must try.
Tiong Bahru’s Por Kee Eating House is an institution, and the har cheong gai (prawn paste chicken) is what you come for – crispy, juicy, packed with umami. If you want a taste of real Singapore, this is as good as it gets.
On Ann Siang Hill, directly across the road from Idle Hands, Jungle is championing affordable and delicious dining, paired with vibey service. Vibrant Thai-inspired small plates, a punchy wine list, and an effortlessly cool atmosphere make this one an easy crowd-pleaser. Order a Pomelo-Lemongrass Salad and a Jungle Zest and thank us later.
Most spots start winding down after midnight. Swee Choon is just getting warmed up, making it a perfect post-race destination. A no-frills dim sum joint that slings dumplings until 4 AM, it’s where off-duty chefs, bartenders, and clued-up locals refuel before calling it. Get the liu sha bao (molten salted egg custard buns) – non-negotiable.
One For The Road
If you’re not quite ready to head home after the checkered flag has waved, lucky for you, there’s always time for a nightcap in Singapore.
Some bars do “cool” in a way that feels forced. Dirty Sips tucked into the rear of Tiong Bahru diner Dirty Supper, doesn’t even try – it just is. Solid drinks, great music, and a crowd that actually knows how to have a good time. No gimmicks, no VIP booths, just the right kind of chaos.
Live Twice, by the Jigger & Pony group, positions itself as a “mid-century modern Japanese bar”, boasting a crisp aesthetic and some of the cleanest cocktails in the city. Choose between seven Live Twice takes on classic cocktails or their signature selection while you unwind in a Sigurd Ressell Falcon Chair.
If you’ve got gas left in the tank, Employees Only on Club Street is where you empty it. Still a Singapore institution, the renowned bar is synonymous with lavish cocktails and late nights. Sink into your seats and absorb the energy from Singapore’s ‘it’ crowd. The kind of place where “one last round” is never actually one last round.
Still searching for a reason to lock in an epic Keith Prowse Travel Singapore Grand Prix weekend? This is it. No other race on the Formula 1 calendar does it quite like Singapore. As one of the most electrifying stops on the Formula 1 calendar, the night race transforms the city, with racegoers spilling into bars, clubs, and restaurants long after the final lap.
Keep it polished or make it gritty – there’s no wrong answer. Singapore has an adventure for every taste, at every hour, at every time of year – as long as you know where to look. Seek out hidden gems, embrace the hawker stalls and chase down the places that will make your night out unforgettable.
This article is presented in partnership with Keith Prowse Travel and the Singapore Tourism Board.
