Between the craft beer taprooms near Telok Ayer and the whisky-and-Guinness crowd on Orchard Road, the pubs in Singapore on this list have racked up 5,586 reviews between them, with ratings holding between 4.3 and 4.9 stars. That's a tight band for a category this varied, and it means the regulars are showing up night after night, not just once for a photo.
Short answer: Upward Taproom and Quaich Bar Wanderlust both post the top rating on this list at 4.9, built on 983 and 565 reviews respectively. For something closer to a traditional pub, Muddy Murphy's Irish Pub (4.4, 1,250 reviews) on Orchard Road is the pick, with live music and a proper Sunday roast.
#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days
Upward Taproom Craft Beer Bar, Club Street (Telok Ayer, Chinatown)
4.9★★★★★983 Google reviews
Upward Taproom is a small craft beer bar tucked into the Mercure ICON hotel on Club Street, near Telok Ayer and Chinatown, focused on rotating taps from Chinese breweries alongside cans and bottles. The selection changes often enough that regulars say it's worth returning within the same week to try something new, and the bar syncs its beer list with Untappd for anyone tracking what they've tried.
What people praise
- 4.9 average across 983 reviews, the highest volume-weighted rating on this list
- Beer selection changes frequently and skews toward unusual, well-executed styles
- Staff repeatedly praised by name for friendly, knowledgeable recommendations
- Relaxed, low-key atmosphere with alfresco seating
Worth knowing
- It's a small space attached to a hotel, so it's better suited to a quiet night out than a big group
Reputation scorecardrank in Singapore
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown93% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google
Our take: It tops this list on the strength of a genuinely rotating beer list and consistent service, exactly the kind of neighborhood find that doesn't need a big room to earn loyal regulars.
📍8 Club St, #01-06 Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre, Singapore 069472
#2🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews
Acid Bar & Restaurant
4.5★★★★★1,270 Google reviews
Acid Bar & Restaurant sits along Orchard Road, blending a bar, restaurant, and cafe with both alfresco and indoor seating. The venue leans on its happy hour deals and a food menu that reviewers rate as highly as the drinks, with dishes like braised Angus beef cheek and XO sauce king prawn capellini alongside the bar list.
What people praise
- 4.5 average across 1,270 reviews
- Food gets praised as strongly as the drinks, unusual for a bar-first venue
- Owner replies to reviews consistently, a sign the business is actively managing feedback
- Central Orchard Road location with both indoor and alfresco seating
Worth knowing
- A few reviewers mention slow service when the live band is playing and the room gets busy
Reputation scorecardrank in Singapore
Review volume1,270 · 86th
Info completenesssite · hours
Rating breakdown70% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google
Our take: It ranks well because the kitchen holds up its end, not just the bar, making it a stronger pick for a dinner-and-drinks night than a quick pint.
📍180 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238846
#3🕑 Open 7 days
No.5 Emerald Hill
4.3★★★★★1,518 Google reviews
No.5 Emerald Hill has operated since 1991 out of a 1910 Peranakan shophouse, widely cited as one of Singapore's pioneer cocktail bars. The interior keeps the building's original wall paint and carvings, and the bar built its reputation on a wide martini and cocktail list alongside a signature chicken wings dish that's won awards.
What people praise
- 4.3 average across 1,518 reviews, the highest review volume on this list
- The chicken wings are called out repeatedly as some of the best bar food in the city
- Atmosphere and heritage building draw consistent praise, reviewers describe it as cozy and distinctive
- Reliable pick for groups since drinks are served in pairs
Worth knowing
- Food is more hit-or-miss than the drinks and wings, one reviewer called a side dish lackluster
- A handful of reviewers found the space crowded and loud on busy nights
Reputation scorecardrank in Singapore
Review volume1,518 · 97th
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown60% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google
Our take: The highest review count on this list reflects over three decades in business, and it earns that longevity with a genuinely distinctive setting, even if a lower five-star share than its rivals pulls the rating down slightly.
📍5 Emerald Hill Rd, Singapore 229289
#4🕑 Open 7 days
Muddy Murphy's Irish Pub
4.4★★★★★1,250 Google reviews
Muddy Murphy's is an Irish pub at Claymore Connect off Orchard Road, running live bands, a full food menu, and pub staples like Guinness and a Sunday roast. It's the most conventional pub on this list in the classic sense, complete with the noise, the crowd, and the pint-and-a-plate format regulars expect.
What people praise
- 4.4 average across 1,250 reviews
- The Guinness gets called out specifically as a reliable draw
- Sunday roast and set-menu deals get repeat praise, including a $35 three-course set
- Live music most nights adds to the atmosphere for anyone wanting a proper pub night out
Worth knowing
- Live band nights can get loud enough to overwhelm conversation, worth requesting a table away from the stage
- A handful of reviewers describe uneven service on busy nights, particularly around dessert timing
Reputation scorecardrank in Singapore
Review volume1,250 · 81st
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown56% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google
Our take: It's the one genuine pub on this list in the traditional sense, and it earns its spot on volume and a loyal following, even though service consistency trails the smaller, more polished bars above it.
📍442 Orchard Road #01-02 to 05 Claymore Connect, 238879
#5🕑 Open 6 days/wk
Quaich Bar Wanderlust
4.9★★★★★565 Google reviews
Quaich Bar Wanderlust operates inside Frasers House (formerly the InterContinental Singapore) and is built entirely around whisky, from a deep bottle collection displayed on illuminated shelving to whisky-based cocktails paired with tapas. It's one of several Quaich Bar outlets in Singapore, and this Wanderlust location leans into a member's-club feel with staff who walk guests through pairings.
What people praise
- 4.9 average across 565 reviews, tied for the highest rating on this list
- Deep, thoughtfully assembled whisky selection, reviewers single out rare labels like Springbank
- Staff praised by name for genuine whisky knowledge and thoughtful recommendations
- Tapas menu holds its own alongside the drinks, particularly the salmon crisps and braised beef cheeks
Worth knowing
- Prices run higher than the other venues on this list, with reviewers citing $50 to over $100 per person
Reputation scorecardrank in Singapore
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown95% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google
Our take: It matches the top rating on this list with a genuinely specialized whisky program, the right pick when the night calls for something more considered than a round of beers.
📍80 Middle Road, a, Luxury Collection Hotel, Frasers House, 188966
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Claim this spot › How we rank Singapore’s pubs and bars
Rating is the live Google average for each venue. Review volume measures how many customers actually left a rating, benchmarked against every pub and bar we found in Singapore. Confidence weighs the rating against that volume, since 4.9 from under a thousand reviews carries different weight than 4.3 from over 1,500. Recency checks how recently people are still reviewing. No business can pay to change any of these numbers.
How much does a night out cost at a Singapore pub? (2026)
Prices swing widely depending on the venue: a casual beer at a taproom runs far less than a whisky flight or a full dinner-and-cocktails night. Reviewers on this list cited per-person spend from around $20 for beer and bar snacks up to over $100 at the whisky-focused venue, so the format of the night (quick pint versus tasting menu) matters more than the neighborhood.
| Job | Typical price |
|---|
| Beer / craft beer, per person | S$20-30 |
| Cocktails and bar bites, per person | S$30-60 |
| Whisky flight or premium spirits, per person | S$50-100+ |
Ranges compiled July 2026 from reviewer-reported price-per-person data in this list’s own Google reviews.
Serving all of Singapore’s nightlife districts
These five cluster around the city’s core nightlife strips: Club Street and Telok Ayer near Chinatown, Orchard Road, Emerald Hill, and the Beach Road-Bugis stretch near Frasers House. If you’re searching for a pub near me in Singapore, Orchard Road alone covers three of the five on this list, making it an easy base for a bar crawl.
What to ask before you go
- Do you take reservations, or is it walk-in only on weekends?
- Is there a happy hour, and what hours does it run?
- What’s the dress code, if any?
- Do you have live music, and if so, on which nights?
- Is there a minimum spend for groups or bar seating?
- What’s the kitchen’s last order time?
Frequently asked questions
Are these rankings paid?
No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.
How did you choose these pubs in Singapore?
We compared bars and pubs across Singapore using real, public Google ratings, review counts, and how recently customers were still reviewing, then ranked the strongest track records.
How often is this updated?
This page reflects data verified in July 2026. We revisit rankings periodically as ratings and review counts change.
Which of these is closest to a traditional pub?
Muddy Murphy’s Irish Pub is the most conventional pub on this list, with Guinness on tap, live music, and pub food like a Sunday roast.
Where should I go for craft beer specifically?
Upward Taproom is the dedicated craft beer venue on this list, with a rotating tap list from Chinese breweries.
Is any of these good for a special-occasion night out?
Quaich Bar Wanderlust, with its whisky pairings and tapas menu, and No.5 Emerald Hill, with its historic Peranakan setting, both suit a dressier night out better than a casual round of drinks.
The bottom line
For a reliable night out, Upward Taproom is the safe default: the top rating on this list, a genuinely rotating beer selection, and a low-key vibe that works for most groups. If you want the classic pub experience with a pint of Guinness, head to Muddy Murphy’s instead. Either way, book ahead on weekends, most of these fill up fast.
