Wine bars are having a moment. For connoisseurs, the appeal is clear—these dedicated venues celebrate the art of wine by bringing in novel varietals from new regions, pairing them creatively with dishes catered to our local palate. An eclectic ambience, too, contributes to an oenophile’s wine drinking experience. But the underlying reason for this phenomenon? According to sommelier Davis Tan, global wineries have begun to strive for an extended presence in Asia, relying on the refined tastes of wine enthusiasts in Singapore and Hong Kong as discerning clientele.
Opportunities to deepen one’s appreciation of a growing spectrum of wines are now abundant—for casual drinkers and devoted aficionados alike. With its sophisticated ambience and innovative menus of seasonal produce served alongside, it’s clear that wine bars have become the hotspot for jubilant times and intimate gatherings.
And there’s one for every mood. Juice opens its doors much like a dear friend does, inviting you to a cosy atmosphere where glasses are filled and chatter fills the room. For a tantalising Sunday brunch, Le Clos does the job. Take your pick from its temperature-controlled cellars and comforting French food classics while lounging at their al fresco terrasse.
With a throng of wine bars painting the town red, how better to begin your exploration than with Vogue Singapore’s shortlist of the best wine bars in town?
1 / 8
Juice
The Wine Room by Juice was established with a clear purpose–a gathering place reminiscent of a friend’s apartment filled with quality wine and cheese. And they’ve accomplished it, with a curated selection of French cheeses and vibrant list of wines. A line-up of social get-togethers rotate each month, from Sip Sessions in collaboration with wine partners to an all-female book club. With a gripping tale in one hand and an evening glass in the other, what’s not to love?
Juice, 86B Circular Road, Singapore 049438
2 / 8
Big Wine Freaks
Step into Big Wine Freaks and a different atmosphere takes over. The chef’s counter sits in the centre, giving the counter seats a full view of the open-fire grill roasting seasonal catch, while rare champagnes and burgundies are on full display in the cellars on the side. A lounge area accompanies the dining space for those who simply pop by for a glass. Monthly wine dinners spotlight rising winemakers, and guest chefs collaborate for an explosive seasonal menu. The many moving parts of Big Wine Freaks are connected by a thread of community–no boundaries lie between the kitchen, dining space and lounge. All come to gather as one, as conversations meld together with the downtempo groove that hums throughout the evening.
Big Wine Freaks, 44 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089857
3 / 8
Le Clos Wine House and Restaurant
Nestled within the New Bahru enclave sits Le Clos, where fine wine and French comfort food come together. An extensive selection of more than 2000 labels awaits in its cellar, spanning well-balanced bottles for a casual tipple to unique, limited-production wines. Pair your glass with sharing plates of elevated French classics. For small bites or a sweet treat, their in-house deli serves artisanal cheeses and freshly baked pastries. A sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere surrounds Le Clos, where you’ll easily waste your hours away.
Le Clos Wine House & Restaurant, 46 Kim Yam Road, #01-18 New Bahru, Singapore 239351
4 / 8
Club Street Wine Room
Run by the team behind Cure, Butcher Boy and Catfish, Club Street Wine Room is an elegant, tastefully-furnished wine bar boasting an impressive list of both conventional and unorthodox labels. Sommelier Amir Solay is a whiz and finding bottles that intrigue both in flavour and provenance, with offerings running the gamut from sea-aged wines such as Sea Soul No. 4, amphorae-aged wines like Chateau Kefraya Collection Amphora 2018, and locally-made Sachi soy wines. The establishment’s extensive dining menu decidedly does not play second fiddle, standing out with hearty yet elevated takes on comfort food—think oysters topped with caramelised bacon jam or crispy fried chicken. Topped off with friendly service, the bar promises an evening (or afternoon, if you’re lucky) of pure respite.
Club Street Wine Room, 87 Club Street, Singapore 069455
5 / 8
67 Pall Mall
For a truly exclusive wine bar experience and unprecedented access to the most diverse wine list in Southeast Asia—the six-metre floor-to-ceiling wine tower speaks for itself—consider a membership with 67 Pall Mall. The London-born Club’s first Asian outpost is located in a spectacular penthouse and allows private members to enjoy the finest wines at sensible prices. Be prepared for sheer sensorial rhapsody as you sip on quality wine in a hand-blown Zalto glass, with its dainty design accentuating aromas and nuances down to every last drop. Pair that with fine-dining-inspired plates such as pan-fried foie gras and veal sweetbread to complete the experience.
67 Pall Mall, 1 Scotts Rd, #27-00 Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208
6 / 8
Le Bon Funk
A mainstay in Singapore’s wine bar scene is the creative yet unpretentious Le Bon Funk, offering an array of dynamic and unfiltered natural wines such as Cos, Gauby, Ochota Barrels and Le Grappin. Its ever-expanding wine list emphasises unique terroirs and unfamiliar vinification methods, enough to take your tastebuds on a joyride around the world. Within the sleek confines of the bar’s contemporary interiors, the open kitchen takes centre stage, where European influences and Asian ingredients amalgamate to burst wildly with flavour. Clink your glasses over delicious sharing plates—from cedar jelly foie gras toast to burrata and pumpkin seed gremolata—as Le Bon Funk shows you and your company a good time.
Le Bon Funk, 29 Club Street, Singapore 069414
7 / 8
Praelum Wine Bistro
With their very own 1000 bottle-strong walk-in cellar, Praelum is a wine aficionado’s sacred haven. Here, you are truly spoilt for choice. We recommend customising your own wine flights (opt for themed selections like ‘Cabernet The Bastard King’), but you may also choose to savour your favourite label by the glass, richly preserved via the latest Coravin technology. As you sip, it’s hard to avoid the tantalising plates served by the bistro. Despite deceptively simple menu descriptions, these dishes accrued from the sommeliers’ travels are global in flavour and executed with French techniques—with an added dose of fun adding to the Duxton Hill venue’s convivial ambience.
Praelum Wine Bistro, 4 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089590
8 / 8
Park90
Rest assured that only the most elite wines make it to Park90’s menu. Each and every bottle in the opulent wine lounge share one thing in common—making the minimum cut of 90 points in the esteemed Robert Parker Wine Advocate review list, a testament to their unparalleled calibre, complexity and character. Much to the delight of the avid oenophile, wines are served by the glass and monthly flight themes explore both exceptional and alternative varietals. For more privileges, consider committing to a membership to taste limited-release wines not available on the market. One might also be tempted to indulge in Western and Asian dishes offered on the menu, including delights from the Michelin one-starred restaurant Summer Palace.
Park90, Conrad Singapore Orchard, Lobby, 1 Cuscaden Road, Singapore 249715
