The festive season is officially here. During this special time of year, there is nothing better than donning your festive best and gathering your loved ones for a feast of epic proportions or a jubilant night out. To that end, look to Vogue Singapore’s curated guide for the best spots in the city for a good time—from the hottest new restaurants in town to hidden gems known only to insiders.
Whether you’re looking for a high-octane night of bar-hopping, there is bound to be something for everyone on this list. In one of the buzziest new openings of the year, Le Pristine Singapore launches its first festive menu offered within the newly renovated Grand Hyatt Singapore. Offering more than just Michelin-starred food, the experience here brings a heady mix of music and eclectic design. If it’s classic festive fare you’re craving, head to one of the hippest new hotels in town, QT Singapore. There, you’ll find signature New York-style steakhouse Cygnet by Sean Connolly, where the acclaimed chef serves up an indulgent feast.
Make a trip to New Bahru, Singapore’s newest creative enclave, and two exciting new openings await. Chef Keirin Buck’s new cocktail bar emulates the vibe of a loungey house party with gorgeous interiors and a truly excellent music programme, elevated by the sound of vintage McIntosh amplifiers and custom Altec A5 speakers. Meanwhile, at chef Mirko Febbrile’s Somma Bar, creative concoctions meet delicious plates of pasta and Italian fare.
So, let the good times roll. Read on for our shortlist of the bars and restaurants in Singapore to hit up for the ultimate night out as the festive season officially kicks off.
1 / 6
Le Pristine Singapore
Enter Sergio Herman’s new restaurant in Singapore and you’ll realise that the Michelin-starred chef has built a universe that extends beyond food. With melted disco ball sculptures studding the walls, a cavernous wine tunnel that looks straight out of the future, and a curated playlist that diners can listen to all night, Le Pristine will transport you into a unique setting perfect for one of the biggest occasions of the year. Indulge in Herman’s interpretation of a holiday menu. Offering a combination of authentic Italian flavours with fresh produce from his native Zeeland, he brings his signature New Italian lens to festive dishes like venison served with pumpkin and the classic chou farci; and langoustine topped with truffle and a leek vinaigrette. The festive fun doesn’t need to stop there. If this is your first time stepping into Grand Hyatt Singapore since its reopening, we recommend taking your time to explore everything that the beautifully renovated hotel has to offer. Savour the season with exclusive themed menus at StraitsKitchen, Pete’s Place and Oasis, before you pop into the transformed Grand Living Room and pick up a gift or two from The Santa Shop, where you will find a curated selection of gourmet delights.
Le Pristine, Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Road, Singapore 228211
2 / 6
Bar Bon Funk
If you gravitate more towards a house party than a thrumming nightclub, look to Bar Bon Funk. Intimate and atmospheric, chef-owner Keirin Buck’s new cocktail bar nails the elevated dive bar vibe with timber-panelled walls, lush design and a deep colour palette. A mix of creative concoctions and reinvented classics, the stellar beverage programme is led by head bartender Josiah Chee of Jigger & Pony, 28 HongKong Street and Employees Only Singapore fame. But don’t expect the food menu to play second fiddle. Designed by Buck himself, the culinary offering at Bar Bon Funk spans addictive light bites (try the tangy Pickled Egg, English Mustard and Dill Pollen) to heartier plates suitable for sharing. Expect to spend the night grooving to an eclectic mix of tunes—the music-centric venue is enveloped in the sound of vintage McIntosh amplifiers and custom Altec A5 speakers, complemented by a turntable in the front bar as well as a cassette player.
Bar Bon Funk, 46 Kim Yam Road, #02-01 New Bahru, Singapore 23935
3 / 6
Cygnet by Sean Connolly
If you haven’t yet been to QT Singapore, there’s no time like the holiday season to make a trip down to one of the hippest new lifestyle hotels in town. At Cygnet, a luxurious Manhattan-style signature steakhouse helmed by award-winning chef and restaurateur Sean Connolly, a festive feast of epic proportions awaits. From decadent seafood towers to a luscious roast turkey served with all the fixings, guests can expect to indulge in the finest of what the season has to offer—all amid a stylish ambience that invites merriment and cheer. As with any good festive meal, capping off with a sweet treat is a must. Tuck into a stunning Bûche de Noël, adorned with a symphony of nougat glace, chocolate bark, meringue and Luxardo maraschino cherry before you head to Cygnet bar to keep the party going with an electric mix of music. Toast to the New Year with a unique line-up of cocktails inspired by iconic books and films based in New York—including The Devil Wears Prada, perfect for the fashionable crowd.
Cygnet by Sean Connolly, QT Singapore, 35 Robinson Road, Singapore 068898
4 / 6
The Clubroom
Step through The Clubroom’s unassuming midnight-blue door and you’ll be transported to a chic New York City speakeasy in the 1920s. This is one of those IYKYK destinations—The Clubroom might be known to some as an extension of its venerated sister restaurant, Luke’s Oyster Bar & Chop House, but it has plenty to offer on its own merit. On the menu, you’ll find beloved new-American classics from Luke’s, alongside some standout exclusive dishes such as Pasta Juliette, made with rock shrimp, zucchini and capellini. Don’t forget to ask about the specials from the wood-fired grill, including whole Maine lobsters and juicy, enormous Tomahawks. Across the board, expect stellar cooking and exceptional service. A repertoire of signature cocktails—including Luke’s famous Rock & Rye—helps the big portions go down easy. With its opulent Gatsby-like facade and intimate ambience, it really is the perfect venue to celebrate the last few days of the year in style.
The Clubroom, 115 Amoy Street
5 / 6
Somma Bar
At Somma, chef Mirko Febbrile brings his Italian heritage to the table. Located at New Bahru, the visually arresting space is segmented into an intimate restaurant serving a multi-course menu and Somma Bar, a casual enclave offering craft cocktails and smaller plates. Here, you’ll find some of the most original concoctions in town courtesy of award-winning bar manager Mel Chavez, who dips into intriguing flavours such as Bolognese Muse, made with blended Scotch whisky, beef consommé, tomato, carrot, onion and celery. You’ll also find novel takes on classics such as the spirit-forward Left Hand, which replaces vermouth with red wine reduced with apple cider for a dark fruit finish. On the food front, don’t expect the usual bar grub here. Febbrile doles out tasting portions of handcrafted pasta, such as the rich and briny Radiatori with river crab or the moreish Maltagliati doused in wild boar ragù, bursting with flavour with every bite.
Somma, 46 Kim Yam Road, #04-02A New Bahru, Singapore 239351
6 / 6
Nova
For the party animals, what better way to spend the festive season than dancing all night long at Singapore’s hottest new sky-high nightlife destination? Perched on top of a 63-storey skyscraper with a breathtaking panoramic view of our city’s concrete jungle, rooftop bar Nova boasts an industrial-futuristic aesthetic with its aluminium walls and neon light installation, setting the mood for an electrifying night. A DJ booth and state-of-the-art sound system ensures that exceptional music reverberates through the bar all night long, featuring an eclectic set following the evolution of music, from afro to world beats. Top-shelf premium liquor, a wide selection of craft cocktails and Asian-inspired culinary delights also await—for when you take a break from the dancing, that is.
Nova, 1 Raffles Place, Level 63, Singapore 048616
