In Search Of New Speakeasy Bars In Singapore

With secret entrances, sleek interiors, and unique tipples, hidden bars are the unsung heroes of the island's drinking scene. While the concept is not new – speakeasies popped up during the Prohibition Era in the United States during the 1920s – just in the past year alone, we’ve unearthed at least eight bars scattered across Singapore, including a Japanese-style speakeasy tucked behind vending machines, a cocktail den inspired by opium dens of yore, and a nostalgic space paying homage to Hong Kong film and culture.

“The allure of speakeasy-style bars lies in their ability to whisk you away to another era,” remarks Goh Bai Kuan, co-founder and beverage maestro of the Hong Kong-inspired speakeasy Cha Chaan Teng. “It's a charming escape from the everyday grind. After all, who doesn’t love a bit of make-believe?”

If you’re keen for a tipsy adventure, we've rounded up all the hip new hidden bars in Singapore and how to uncover them.

1. HUP SAN SOCIAL CLUB

When it opened: January 2025

What to expect: There's no way you're going to rock up this bar and just sit in silence. The bar team at Hup San Social is not going to left you wallow alone. Hup San Social is an intimate, moody 12-seater bar tucked beneath Club Street Laundry on Club Street. Helmed by award-winning mixologist June Baek, it's designed to offer more than just drinks; each cocktail aims to evoke emotion and spark curiosity. The name "Hup San" (Harmony Life) pays homage to early Chinese immigrants who created hidden sanctuaries for gathering.

You definitely can expect intimate, expressive, and modern atmosphere, contrasting with the vibrant Club Street. It's a place for those who "drink to feel," with a menu featuring playful descriptions of the feelings each cocktail inspires. Reservations aren't taken, so it's strictly first come, first served – come early and curious to experience this unique blend of heritage and contemporary mixology.

Who's behind it: There are four partners behind this establishment (who also helm cafe-restaurant Club Street Laundry) including chef Justin Hammond, Donna-Mae de Cruz, mixologist June Baek and Jay Gray. Hammond is a seasoned chef who worked his magic at Neon Pigeon, Underdog Inn and Bamboo Bowls. Psychologist-turned-bartender Baek left Seoul to cut her teeth at Court Martial Bar at South Beach by Marriot.

How to find it: Follow the red light and soon you'll find yourself on the ground floor of their sister cafe-restaurant Club Street Laundry. You can check in with the staff downstairs or head up to the first floor.

Address: 98 Club Street #01-01, Singapore, 069467

Contact: +6580835859

Website: https://www.clubstreetlaundry.com/hup-san-social-club

2. LUNI SCENT, BAR & KITCHEN

When it opened: December 2024

What to expect: Lunì is seriously that chill spot that's just super unassuming and peaceful. It's got major good vibes as a tranquil cafe and their scent retail space is just... the kind of place you go to just unwind and forget about, like, everything. But when evening falls, that’s when the showmanship begins. The space transforms into an intimate cocktail bar where the magic lies in botanical-infused cocktails -  where essential oils and botanical aromas are carefully integrated to enhance both flavor and scent. Each drink is designed to evoke emotions and tell a story, making for a truly immersive journey.

Beyond the unique drinks, Lunì also offers cocktail-making workshops, allowing guests to delve deeper into the art of scented mixology. It's a place for those seeking a tranquil escape, a unique date idea, or simply a novel way to experience cocktails.

Who’s behind it: Zack Lee, who also doubles as a mixologist

How to find it: Simply head up to the first floor of the unassuming shophouse located on Lavender Street.

Address: 161 Lavender St., #01-12, Singapore 338750

Contact: +6586298292

Website: https://luni.com.sg/

3. BAE'S COCKTAIL CLUB

When it opened:  July 2024

What to expect: Why just drink when you can dance too? The history behind Bae's is rooted in a desire to bridge the gap in Singapore's nightlife for the 20s and 30s crowd – a place where you can enjoy excellent cocktails and quality food that seamlessly transitions into a lively dance floor, all in one venue. Inspired by the energetic nightlife of Gangnam and the exclusive private parties of West Los Angeles, Bae's offers a unique "Korean flair" to its international menu of drinks and bites. Expect creative concoctions like the Kimchi Margarita and Pepero Martini, alongside Korean-inspired bar food. The atmosphere is designed to be electric and eclectic, with live DJs spinning hip-hop and R&B, ensuring the party continues into the wee hours.

Who's behind it: The industry’s bigwigs like the co-founder of Proper Concepts Collective, Leong Sheen Jet, Vijay Mudaliar (of Native and Analogue bars), Coolpotions’ Dharma Wang, Grimm & Company’s Benjamin Aryanto and Wild’s Tora Widjaja.

How to find it: Tucked in the Korean restaurant district, Tanjong Pagar, you can find the bar on the ground floor of 21 Tanjong Pagar.

Address: 21 Tg Pagar Rd, #01-04/05, Singapore 088444

Contact: +6590173087

Website: https://www.baescocktailclub.sg/

4. DIRTY SIPS

When it opened: July 2024

If you're looking for a chill spot that's low-key but still serving up some wild drinks, Dirty Sips in Tiong Bahru is def worth checking out. It's kinda hidden behind Dirty Supper, which is already a vibe, and they're all about that "zero waste" life, even in their cocktails.

Think super inventive drinks that literally use stuff from the kitchen, so you're getting some seriously unique flavors. We're talking fat-washed bourbon in a Dirty Boulevardier (IYKYK) and even pickled lemon brine in a martini – trust me, it slaps. They also have a "Make It Dirty" section if you're feeling adventurous, with stuff like shiitake XO-washed vodka. It's giving experimental, but in a good way. Plus, the whole vibe is kinda chill and intimate, perfect for catching up with your besties without having to scream over the music.

Who’s behind it: Chef-owner Peter Smit who also helms Dirty Supper.

How to find it: It’s tucked behind Dirty Supper, and has a long alleyway that can sit about 70 people.

Address: 78 Moh Guan Terrace, #01-19, Singapore 162078

Contact: +6564384567

Website: https://dirtysupper.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Dirty-Sips-cocktails-only-NF.pdf

5. ENCLAVE BAR

When it opened: April 2024

What to expect: You’d probably remember Enclave Bar when it first opened at the dingy Golden Mile Tower. With its reopening at 55A Neil Road last April 2024, Enclave Bar still offers its unique Thai-Singaporean bar experience. Founded by Ritz Ang, it evolved from his father's KTV pub, blending quality food, Thai heritage, and local culture. The bar features a cozy, art-filled interior, a stark contrast to its previous, more "dodgy" exterior at Golden Mile Complex.

Expect signature Thai-inspired bites like Jade Noodles (a Thai-style Bak Chor Mee) and Moo Ping, alongside creative cocktails such as the fiery "Thai Auntie" (chilli-infused bourbon) and refreshing "Thai Tea" (Thai tea-infused gin). Beyond food and drink, Enclave acts as a platform for Singapore's emerging arts scene, hosting themed nights with local musicians and performers. It's a spot where you can enjoy bespoke cocktails, friendly bartenders, and a vibrant, yet intimate atmosphere, perfect for those seeking a hidden gem with a strong sense of identity.

Who's behind it: Ritz Ang

How to find it: Previously at Golden Mile Complex, the bar found its home on the second floor of People's Park Complex on Neil Road.

Address: 55A Neil Rd, #2-00, Singapore 088892

Contact: +6591785781

Website: https://www.instagram.com/enclavebar.sg/?hl=en

6. CHA CHAAN TENG

When it opened: January 2024

What to expect: A contemporary fusion bar influenced by Hong Kong film and culture. Guests can relish renditions of Cantonese classic songs played over the neon-lit old-school furniture while sipping on cocktails like the Daahn Taat (Egg Tart), a spiced rum and custard concoction. For those with a penchant for savoury flavours, the Zyu Yuhk (Pork Old-Fashioned) offers a pork fat-washed Armagnac complemented by a hint of maltose and five-spice bitters. There's also the Sap Saam Mui (Claypot Rice Negroni), a savoury cocktail with notes of claypot wok hei and sweet lap cheong.

Who’s behind it: Goh Bai Kuan (BK) and Mirul Hyatt. Goh is a seasoned veteran from the bar scene who has worked at establishments like Sing Jazz Club, Le Binchotan, Burger & Lobster, Lime House, and Neon Pigeon. Hyatt has over 16 years of experience in hospitality and bartended at the esteemed Le Noir on Clarke Quay before delving into private bartending.

How to find it: One might pass by the bar even whilst looking for it, so pay attention to the colour of the walls. Tucked between two spas on Lavender Street, its unassuming jade green exterior and antique scissors gate are the indications you've arrived at this hidden spot.

Address: 284 Lavender Street

Contact:  9772-0752 

Website: linktr.ee/cct.sg 

7. THE BACKDROP

When it opened: November 2023

What you can expect: This theatrical hidden bar is a testament to the art of mixology, divided into 'Acts' and sections that highlight the various cocktail-making techniques discovered from the 1800s until the present day. The menu is divided into six acts – each a compilation of three cocktails using the same techniques like 'fat coating', 'milk punching', and 'smoking'. The bar will also feature masterclasses, workshops, and tasting events, providing enthusiasts and aspiring mixologists with an opportunity to delve deeper into the world of cocktail craftsmanship.

Who’s behind it: Bartender Dario Knox, who brings over 19 years of global expertise in cocktail-making and beverage consulting to this new project. Knox was previously the head bartender of The Other Room at Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel.

How to find it: Located on Orchard Road, on the main floor of Voco Singapore Hotel & Gallery. It’s behind an inconspicuous wooden door – book a table in advance and you’ll be sent a digital key to enter the door. Patrons can also walk-in, look for #01-15/16 or ask hotel staff for directions.

Address: #01-15/16, 581 Orchard Road

Contact: 9645-4780

Website: www.thebackdrop.sg

8. CHANDU

When it opened: October 2023

What you can expect: An intimate cocktail bar drawing inspiration from opium dens and clan associations. Chandu, which means opium in Malay and moon in Hindi, grants guests a peek into colonial-era Singapore when it was a flourishing entrepot. The beverage programme focuses on storied cocktails and market-to-glass specialties. Chandu’s double meaning of 'Moon' is used as a play on the menu, where some drinks are indicated with half-moon and hollow moon symbols, showcasing the Alcohol by Volume (ABV).

The bar’s market-to-glass bespoke concept allows guests to select one of the four cocktail styles available in the menu: Light and Clean, Casual and Easy Drinking, Bitter and Complex, and Strong and Classy. Upon selection, a cocktail is crafted and tailored to their preferences. Ingredients used are sourced daily from local street markets and urban farmers such as Edible Garden City and Victory Garden.

Who’s behind it: The Robertson House by The Crest Collection. Chef Nixon Low oversees the bar’s beverage programme, serving as director of culinary and beverage operations for The Robertson House.

How to find it: Chandu is situated at the rear of The Robertson House. Its nondescript facade is distinguished by a gold handle in the shape of a round moon, so locate that and venture through the black doors into the bar.

Address: 1 Unity Street

Contact: 8380-1694

Instagram: www.instagram.com/chandubarsg/

9. BAR SPECTRE

When it opened: September 2023

What you can expect: Bar Spectre is a vintage apothecary cocktail bar that draws inspiration from the old-world apothecaries of yore. You’ll find brass accents and a backdrop of shelves filled with jars of herbs, spices, and shop paraphernalia as a nod to the historical roots of medicinal elixirs and herbal concoctions. The bar’s cocktails feature a focus on mental wellness, incorporating adaptogens from TCM and natural mood boosters. For example, the Bonseki, a mezcal-based cocktail crafted with snake soup and Chinese herbs.

Who’s behind it: Co-founded by Andrew Pang, regional brand ambassador for Beam Suntory and veteran mixologist

How to find it: Bar Spectre is situated in the alleyways between Duxton and Craig Road, accessible only through a lift at the back. Keep an eye out for an inconspicuous sign by the entrance.

Address: #02-01, 120 Tanjong Pagar Road

Contact: 9673-0595

Website: barspectre.com

10. UME SAN 100

When it opened: May 2023 

What you can expect: This Japanese-style speakeasy is said to conceal the largest collection of umeshu in Singapore, sourcing only the finest from Wakayama, the birthplace of umeshu. Ninety-five percent of its umeshus, liqueurs, and ingredients are directly imported from Japan. Modern interpretations of umeshus can be found alongside experimental drinks, including tea umeshu, fruit, and dessert umeshu. Drinkers who prefer something stronger can also savour new additions of premium Japanese whisky and gin, such as Akashi Whisky, Kujira Whisky, and Masahiro Whisky. Drinks are served alongside classic izakaya bites.

Who’s behind it: Founder Jeffry Lautan, who also serves as the general manager of Aroma Food Enterprise. The bar also employs a team of mixologists led by head bartender Rif Michaels.

How to find it: This speakeasy is hidden behind a row of (non-operational) jidohanbaiki Japanese vending machines. Give a gentle push on the ‘condom’ vending machine right in the middle to reveal the bar space, which is fashioned after traditional izakayas in Japan.

Address: #02-07 Fortune Centre, 190 Middle Road

Contact: 8897-4575

Website: umesan100.com

11. CAT BITE CLUB

When it opened: June 2023 

What you can expect: Cat Bite Club highlights two well-loved alcohol categories deeply rooted in terroir (the natural environment in which liquor is produced): agave and rice spirits. The bar aims to create buzz around these unique products, showcasing their flavours through the cocktail programme.

Patrons can expect a signature serve for each category: the Cat Bite Margarita (Codigo 1530 Blanco Tequila, Siete Misterios Espadín Mezcal, Cointreau, Fresh Citrus Blend, Agave Nectar, and Sherry) for agave and the Soju Sprint (Tokki Soju, Peach, Honey, Mint, Fresh Citrus Blend, Sherry, Absinthe, and Soda) for rice. From there, guests can explore reinterpretations of classics through the lens of agave and rice. Each menu page features one classic drink accompanied by one agave variation and also one rice variation.

Who’s behind it: Gabriel Lowe and Jesse Vida, who began their bartending careers together in San Francisco in 2007. Discovering the beauty of agave spirits in the early 2000s, both founders saw similar potential in historical Asian spirits when they moved East in 2018 and 2019 respectively, and drew on their combined 30 years of hospitality experience to open Cat Bite Club.

How to find it: Keep an eye out for the sign of a grinning Cheshire cat outlined by red neon lights along Duxton Road. Once you spot it, head straight into Monument Coffee, with the bar located behind its curtains.

Address: 75 Duxton Road

Contact: 8190-6597

Website: catbiteclub.com

12. PUFFY BOIS

When it opened: May 2023

What you can expect: After popping up around town at takeovers from Caffe Fernet to Tippling Club and Meatsmith Little India, Puffy Bois has found a permanent home for its cocktails and pizzas at Bali Lane. While its entrance may be hard to find, the hidden dive bar is all about casual, fun, and non-exclusive vibes. The drinks selection spans from Grower Champagnes to Pabst Blue Ribbon, as well as classic and custom cocktails. Highlights include the refreshing Sour Crush Cooler with whiskey and sour mango, to the boozier Duck & Weave, a tequila old fashioned Puffy Bois-style.

Who’s behind it: Zul Zaba and Sam Ng. Ng began his journey in hospitality as a chef, worked at the Black Pearl Bar in Melbourne, and served as an ambassador for Four Pillars Gin and Monkey Shoulder Whisky. Zaba, a well-travelled former law student, crafts the pizzas.

How to find it: Locate the signage on the ground floor, and make your way up the conspicuously lit-up stairway leading to the second floor. You’ll spot a sign reading ‘Don't be a douchebag and be good to your mother’, indicating the entrance of the bar.

Address:  15 Duxton Road

Contact: instagram.com/puffyboispizzas/ 

Website: puffybois.com

13. SYNTHESIS BAR

When it opened: March 2023

What you can expect: A TCM-themed restaurant bar, with the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water incorporated into its design. The drinks menu showcases the TCM concept, with highlights like the cognac-infused and Jia Jia herbal tea concoction named Date With Jia Jia. There are also favourites like the ginseng spiced wine, with cognac, house red wine, and spices.

Who’s behind it: Sebastian Ang, who is also behind the restaurants Lou Shang and Mama Diam. Ang has previously organised events in the nightlife space.

How to find it: Located at Suntec City Tower 4, the bar is hidden behind an oak storefront resembling a TCM shop, with the entrance right next to a 7-11.

Address: #01-643, Suntec City Tower 4, 3 Temasek Boulevard

Contact: 9727-4649

Website: www.synthesis.sg