It's possible to buy a small glass of beer in most bars and pubs for around S$5, but prices can be double or treble that, especially in the Orchard Road district. During Happy Hour in the early evening, bars offer local beers and house wine either at half price, or "one for one" - you get two of whatever you order, but one is held back for later. Most places close around midnight (a bit later on Friday and Saturday nights).
Anywhere , 04-08/09 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Rd, near Orchard Rd. Tania, Singapore's most famous covers band, plays nightly to a boozy roomful of expats that's at its rowdiest on Friday nights. Happy Hour Mon-Fri 6-8pm; open Mon-Sat 6pm-2am.
Bernie Goes to Town , 82a/b Boat Quay (tel 536 3533). Reggae, blues and R&B are the preferred sounds at this laid-back, roadhouse-style joint. Mon-Thurs & Sun 11am-1am, Fri & Sat 3pm-3am.
Bar and Billiards Room , Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach Rd. A Singapore Sling (S$17), in the colonial elegance of the hotel where it was invented in 1915, is required drinking on a visit to Singapore. Daily 11.30am-midnight.
Crazy Elephant , 01-07 Trader's Market, Clarke Quay. Clarke Quay's best bar, playing decent rock music on the turntable between live sessions by the house band. Try to nab a table out by the water's edge. Mon-Thur & Sun 5pm-1am, Fri & Sat 5pm-2am.
Compass Rose Bar , 70th Floor, Westin Stamford Hotel, 2 Stamford Rd. Tasteful bar from whose floor-to-ceiling windows you can see as far as southern Malaysia. Happy Hour 5.30-8.30pm; minimum charge S$15 after 8.30pm. Daily 11am-12.30am.
Excalibur Pub , B1-06 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Rd, near Orchard Rd. Wonderfully cluttered and cramped British-style pub that's full of weatherbeaten expats. Daily 11am-10.30pm.
Harry's Quayside , 28 Boat Quay (tel 5383029). Live jazz Wednesday to Saturday, and a blues jam on Sunday evening.
Ice Cold Beer , 9 Emerald Hill, off Orchard Road. Noisy, hectic and happening place; the lamentable upstairs den is best avoided; Happy Hour daily 5-9pm, and there are regular promotions. Daily 5pm-midnight.
Lot, Stock and Barrel Pub , 29 Seah St, Colonial District. Frequented by an early office crowd and a late backpacker crowd (Beach Road's homestays are just around the corner), who come for the rock classics on the jukebox. Happy Hour 4-8pm; open 4pm-midnight.
Saxophone , 23 Cuppage Rd, near Orchard Road. The coollest address in town, and a magnet for the beautiful people, who relax on the terrace to the sounds of the house jazz band. Expensive. Happy Hour (6-8pm). Daily 6pm-2am.
The Yard , 294 River Valley Rd. Busy English pub with bar snacks available with a 3-8pm Happy Hour. Daily 3pm-midnight.