10 places for craft beer in Singapore that go beyond your usual pints
Searching for a good place for craft beer in Singapore? Singapore has a growing number of bars and taprooms dedicated to the craft, for those exploring the beverage and for those keen to try something beyond their usual order.
With different malts, hops and brewing techniques at play, craft beer offers far more variety than a standard pint might suggest.
In fact, if you ask a craft beer enthusiast what they like about beer, you might get a different answer every time — some are drawn to the bitter, hoppy kick of an IPA, while others prefer the crisp finish of a lager or the fruity tang of a sour.
But regardless of whether you’re one who knows your pilsners from your pale ales or you’re still figuring out what you like, here are 10 reliable spots for craft beer in Singapore where you might just find your next favourite pour:
1. The Otherside
Located on the second storey of a shophouse on Erskine Road, The Otherside is a rooftop hideaway for drinkers who prefer their craft beer with a little fresh air. Its appeal lies in the combination of its rotating taps, a selection of canned beers and a laid-back atmosphere that feels more like an evening at a friend’s place than a night out at a conventional bar.
The tap list changes regularly, with around six beers available at any one time, priced anywhere from S$16 to S$30. Expect a mix of styles, from sours to hazy IPAs, alongside bottled brews for those looking to explore beyond the taps.
There’s also natural wine from S$19 and cocktails from S$15, so even those who don’t fancy beer are well catered for.
Food, however, is only available occasionally, during pop-ups and special events. You’re welcome to bring your own grub, or make a pit stop at the nearby Maxwell Food Centre before settling in for a drink.
2. Orh Gao Taproom
A familiar name among those seeking craft beer in Singapore, Orh Gao takes its name from the Hokkien term for “black dog”. Its Serene Centre outlet operates as Peh Gao coffeeshop by day, before transforming into Orh Gao Taproom in the evening. Its sister outlet at New Bahru also serves craft beer, but the food offerings differ slightly.
Here, there are 14 taps to work through, with rotating local and international craft beers priced from around S$14 to S$21 per pint. For the more devoted, it occasionally brings in special pours that are rare to find elsewhere in Singapore.
Still, the draw extends beyond what’s in the glass. Friendly service, a relaxed, third-place atmosphere and a steady procession of dogs around the outdoor seating make it an easy place to linger over a few pints with friends after a long week.
Food is no afterthought here, either. Orh Gao’s menu is worth exploring, with the har cheong chicken (S$15), featuring shrimp-paste-marinated mid-wings, and OG beef rendang (S$22), made with black Angus beef cheek, fried shallots and almond slivers, both worth ordering. Their bold flavours stand up well to a cold pint, making Orh Gao as good a choice for dinner as it is for drinks.
3. AfterJourney
Tucked away on the second floor of the Textile Centre at Jalan Sultan, AfterJourney can be a little tricky to find on your first visit. The effort you put in, though, is thoroughly rewarded once you step into its cosy, dimly lit space that feels a world away from the surrounding commercial building.
The bar has 16 taps pouring a mix of local and international craft beers, with a particular eye for Chinese breweries such as Paper Plane Brewing and No. 18 Brewing & Co.
Expect everything from easy-drinking lagers and hop-forward IPAs to fruitier, more experimental sours, including Ribena-inspired brews and beer slushies.
AfterJourney’s variety and its relatively wallet-friendly pricepoint, which hovers from S$12 to S$24 for a pint, makes it more likely for you to explore something new or ask for a recommendation, rather than default to a familiar style.
There’s no food menu here, but you’re welcome to bring your own. If you’d rather pick something up nearby, Golden Mile Food Centre offers plenty of options to round out an evening of drinks.
4. Smith Street Taps
Voluntarily drinking in the thick of Singapore’s hot, humid setting might sound like a nightmare to some, but for craft beer lovers, it’s a worthwhile sacrifice for a good, well-priced pint. You can get all of that at Smith Street Taps, located among the hawker stalls at Chinatown Complex Food Centre, is one of the OGs of craft beer in Singapore.
Founded by two enthusiasts keen to bring craft beer to a wider community, it has carved out a following without the trappings of a conventional bar.
Smith Street Taps offers about 12 beers on tap at any one time, with a line-up of both international brewers as well as local names such as Alive Brewing Co. The selection changes regularly with availability and the seasons, so there’s always a chance of finding something new with each visit.
With pints priced anywhere from S$13 to S$25, it’s an accessible choice for a casual catch-up with friends, paired with good old hawker fare from its surrounding stalls.
Here’s what you should order at Chinatown Complex Food Centre.
5. Gulp Riverside Taproom
The vibey Gulp Riverside Taproom is another popular destination for craft beer in Singapore, set along the Singapore River at Robertson Quay. This taproom and bottleshop combines an easygoing, pet-friendly setting with a substantial variety of craft beer to drink on the premises or take home.
Its outdoor seating lends itself to a leisurely session, while the bottleshop is worth browsing if you prefer to discover something new at your own pace.
For those looking for Irish and British beers, this is the place to be. Gulp stocks beers from British breweries such as Tatarus and Vault City, as well as Whiplash from Ireland. They are often seen on its list of eight rotating taps priced from S$16 to S$25. If the taps don’t offer quite what you’re after, there are more than 200 packaged craft beers to explore.
For the non-beer drinkers who might be there with craft beer lovers, fret not, you can also enjoy wine by the glass (S$16) or your choice of spritz (S$16) while there.
Besides its brews, Gulp’s handmade rough-puff pastry pies are also a particular draw. If it’s available, definitely get the steak & ale pie (S$22), served with creamy mash, achar pickle and beef gravy. Otherwise, the other pies are still worth sampling especially if you are peckish.
6. Pink Blossoms Brewing
Established in 2018, Pink Blossoms Brewing is a homegrown brewery born from its founder’s desire to share the flavours he discovered on his beer-seeking travels. Its Ubi tasting room brings that spirit of exploration closer to home in Singapore. The industrial-estate setting is functional and modest and allows what matters — the beer — to take centre stage.
Pink Blossoms’ core range is typically available on draft, including Lean On Me (S$15.90), a New England pale ale with refreshing citrus aromas; Hundred Years (S$15.50), a milk stout with espresso and chocolate notes; and Don’t Stop Believing (S$17.90), a New England IPA with a juicy, tropical profile.
The brewery also releases limited batches, collaborations and seasonal beers, including rice IPAs, pastry stouts and saisons.
The crowds tend to gather on the weekends, so consider bringing camping chairs if you’re planning to stay awhile. Do note that the brewery accepts cash and PayNow only.
7. Druggists
Druggists at Lavender brings together two things that Singapore does particularly well — the adaptive reuse of old buildings and delectable fusion food.
Set along Tyrwhitt Road, the restaurant-bar takes its name from its former traditional Chinese medicine occupant, the Singapore Chinese Druggists Association, with the building’s heritage providing a distinctive backdrop for an extensive craft beer programme. Inside, mosaic tiles, kopitiam-style chairs and marble-topped tables give the space an old-school feel.
With 23 rotating beers on tap and more in the fridge, Druggists is ideal for newcomers to explore different styles and discover what they like. The range moves between easy-drinking pale ales and hopped lagers and more assertive IPAs, imperial stouts and sour beers, with frequent changes to give you a reason to return.
A pint here costs anywhere from S$15 to S$22, and the indecisive can sample a trio of 30ml tasters for just S$2.50. It’s an easy way to try a few unfamiliar styles before committing to a full pour.
To share, get the wing sampler (S$12.30), which comes with four pieces each of prawn-paste and sweet-spicy chicken. If you’re looking for something more substantial, the bacon cheese angus beef burger (S$18.90), served with bacon jam, pickled onion and a side of fries, is a must-try.
8. Upward Taproom Craft Beer Bar
Located within the CBD, on Club Street, Upward Taproom offers office workers a welcome respite from the daily grind — a cold pint after a long day of meetings, emails and deadlines. Its central location and casual setting make it an easy choice for post-work drinks with colleagues, though there’s nothing stopping you from dropping by alone for a quiet drink before heading home.
The taproom has 16 beers on tap, leaning towards lighter, fruit-forward styles. Smoothie sours are a particular draw, offering thick, fruity pours for those who prefer their beer on the tangy side.
There’s also a strong focus on Chinese craft breweries, giving drinkers a chance to explore names beyond the usual local and international favourites. Prices range from S$12 to S$26 per pint, depending on the pour.
Not sure where to start? The staff are happy to talk you through the taps and suggest something based on your preferences, whether you’re after a crisp, easy-drinking beer or something more adventurous. There are no food options here, so fuel up at the many eateries along Club Street, such as Olive & Ember or Club Street Laundry, before you swing by.
9. Almost Famous Bar
Almost Famous takes a more design-conscious approach to craft beer in Singapore. The Korean-Mexican restaurant-bar is centrally located within Chijmes, right by City Hall MRT station, and pairs a warm, brutalist-inspired interior with a drinks list that goes beyond craft beer to include cocktails on tap and craft makgeolli.
There are typically more than 10 taps available, with pints ranging from $14 to $24, and its selection features breweries across the globe. You might find Magpie Brewing from South Korea and Young Master from Hong Kong, alongside brewers from the US, UK and Australia.
PS: It’s worth timing your visit for Happy Hour, which takes place from Saturday to Thursday till 7pm, where you can get a full pint for the price of a half pint.
The food menu draws on Korean flavours, with small plates that work well alongside a few rounds of drinks. You won’t go wrong with the mini jeon (S$14), a Korean-style pancake topped with clams and ikura, or the loaded kimchi fries (S$14), dressed with gochujang aioli, kimchi and mayo.
10. Elixir Code
Though it is situated beneath an HDB block, Elixir Code isn’t what you’d imagine when you think of a neighbourhood drinking haunt. Since opening in 2022, it has drawn a steady crowd of craft beer drinkers thanks to the bold IPAs, rich stouts, and fruit-forward sours it brings in.
There are 12 rotating taps, with pints priced between S$15 and S$29, alongside more packaged beers in the fridge. Elixir Code’s selection includes imports from Eastern Europe, with brews from countries such as Croatia and Georgia. If available, try a smoothie sour for a fruity, tangy pour.
It also has an extensive retail selection of packaged beers, wines and spirits to take home. Whether you’re a seasoned craft beer drinker or just starting to explore, Elixir Code is well worth a visit.
Do note that it does not serve food, but you’re welcome to bring your own to enjoy alongside your pint.
For more places to grab a drink, check out the all-new Choya Ginza Bar in town, or the Japanese-inspired Bar Middle at Clarke Quay.
Maegan loves giving her opinion on things. She’s glad to have turned her Google review addiction into a socially acceptable art form.
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