No one’s stopping you from having a good time at your nearby kopitiam with a whole bunch of cheap beers. But you can also throw in a little atmosphere and, in some cases, some live entertainment as well and still enjoy your drinks without destroying your entire week’s salary:
1. Cuscaden Patio Cafe and Pub
Expected Damage: $12+ / Jug
Cuscaden was founded over 10 years ago by a husband and wife team. They are probably the only reason people still go to Ming Arcade along Orchard road. They are the most heartlander bar out of all the bars listed here, with a very loyal local following and homely vibe.
Apart from the usual alcoholic beverages, they are famous for their chicken wings. There is also a pool table for you to play at.
Fancy only paying $18 for a 1.5 litre jug of beer, $30 for 6 bottles of San Miguel Light and Stella Artois or $12 for 2 bottles of Hoegarden during Happy Hours?
It gets better. On Tuesdays a 1.5 litre jug goes for just $12.
Address: Ming Arcade, 21 Cuscaden Road, #B1-111, Singapore 249720
2. Standing Sushi Bar
Expected Damage: $5+ / glass
Founded by “Eye for a guy” Howard Lo, after the dating show Howard started his own mini Bar Empire. Today, Standing Sushi Bar is one of the 4 bars he owns. It has 2 outlets, one at Marina Bay Link Mall and the other at 8 Queen Street. They both run different promotions, the cheaper being the latter but I’ll list both just for you guys.
Marina Bay Link Mall: Happy Hours’ from 5pm- 8.45pm, where drinks are at $5 for large glasses of Sake and Asahi Beers, $10 for Martinis. Choose to fully immerse in the Izakaya experience and chomp down on their Japanese light bites and Salmon Sashimi at only $5!
8 Queen Street:
- Monday – $3 Salmon Sashimi, $2 Sake, $5 Beer, Wine, Hot Sake, and Umeshu
- Tuesday – 50% off Nigiri Sushi, Sashimi, and Alcohol (House-pour glass)
- Wednesday – 50% off Rolls, Handrolls, and Alcohol (House-pour glass)
- Thursday – $3 Salmon Sashimi, $2 Sake, $5 Beer, Wine, Hot Sake, and Umeshu
Address:
- #01-03, 8 Queen Street, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore 188535
- 8A Marina Boulevard, #B2-51, Marina Bay Link Mall, Singapore 018989
3. Five Izakaya Bar
Expected Damage: $5+ house pours
A Tachinomi Izakaya inspired bar selling all Red and White Wines, Asahi Draught, Sake, Shochu, Choya and all house pour spirits for only… wait for it… $5! Your ticket to cloud nine.
*Pulls a million poppers*
Address:
- Collyer Quay: 16 Collyer Quay, #01-05B, Singapore 049318 (the former Hitachi Towers)
- Changi City Point: 5 Changi Business Park, Central 1, Changi City Point, #01-66/67, Singapore 486038
- Five Tapas Bar @ Cuppage Terrace: 25 Cuppage Road, Cuppage Terrace, Singapore 229454
4. Alley Bar
Expected Damage: $6++ / house pours
Interestingly, this was once an alleyway, which was turned into a beautiful bar with iconic lanterns hanging from its lofty ceilings! Enjoy Happy Hour specials such as $9.90++ Martini, bottled beers at 3 for $22 and popular draft beers like Erdinger, Kilkenny and Guinness at only $10.90++ per pint. (Happy Hour from 5pm to 9pm daily)
There’s always Acid Bar right next door if you prefer a live band to go with heavenly pub grub such as their golden Truffle Fries or Hot Wings for a great night out!
Address: Alley bar, G/F Peranakan Place, 180 Orchard Road, Singapore 238846
5. TAB
Expected Damage: 1 for 1s; house-pours and draught beers
Happy hours are from 7pm-10.30pm, Mondays to Saturdays. Get 50% off all food, $50 Heineken buckets, 1 for 1 house-pour drinks and 1 for 1 champagne cocktail (if you dine at the Al Fresco)! Be enchanted by music played by local/international artists in this 250-seating music venue. A concert setting for a change!
Address: 442 Orchard Road, #02-29 Orchard Hotel, Singapore 238879
6. Cafe Siem Reap by Indochine
Expected Damage: 1-for-1s
Sells delightful Cambodian food and houses a full cocktail bar filled with a variety of beers. 1 for 1 on Draught/Bottle Beers and House-pour Wines.
All day, every day.
Address: 44 Lorong Mambong, Holland Village
7. Gusttimo Di Roma
Expected Damage: $6 House Pours + 1-for-1s
Look beyond their extensive range of Gelatos and you’ll find $6 House-pours during Happy Hours (6-9pm Daily) and 1 for 1 beers all night long.
Thumbs up for their ideal Happy Hours for it coincides with our off-work timings.
Address: Gusttimo Di Roma, #01-15, ION Orchard
8. Bar on 5 @ The Mandarin Orchard
Too expensive to drink at a classy hotel bar? Absolutely not. Enjoy people-watching along Orchard road 5 floors above ground at $4.99 on five selected Martinis and $8++ on all House-pours daily from 5pm – 9pm.
Address: Level 5, 333 Orchard Road, Mandarin Orchard Singapore, Singapore 238867
9. District 10 Bar & Restaurant
Expected Damage: $5+
Indulge in a delectable line-up of Pinchos and affordable drinks at $5 a Prosecco, half a pint of Beer or selected House-pour Wines Tuesday to Sunday, 5pm onwards.
Address:
- UE Square: 81 Clemenceau Avenue, #01-15/16/17, UE Square Shopping Mall, Singapore 239917
- The Star Vista: 1 Vista Exchange Green, The Star Vista, #01-42/K3, Singapore 138617
- Clarke Quay: 3D River Valley Road, #01-11, Clarke Quay, Singapore 179023
10. Insomnia Bar & Restaurant
Expected Damage: $20+
Many of you would’ve already heard of crazy Wednesday nights at Insomnia. From 9pm-11pm, you can drink up a reservoir of alcohol with just $20. Yes, for both the men and ladies; a rare occasion where gender equality exists when it comes to living up the night.
Note: Insomnia is extremely appealing to the young crowd scrambling to maximise their pocket money. So be prepared to be greeted by this hyper and over-enthusiastic bunch (unless you’re one of em’). Hahaha!
Address: #01-21/22/23, 30 Victoria Street, CHIJMES, Singapore 187996
Know a better place to get cheaper booze?
So there you have it, now you’ve got 10 perfect reasons to have a fabulous night out. And if you know of somewhere else to get cheaper booze, we want to know about it.
Let us know in the comments below!
The article “10 Unbelievable Singapore Bars with Drinks under 10 bucks” was written by Edlyn Seow and first appeared on The Smart Local, a content partner for MoneySmart.
Images:
William Cho (Banner image)