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Occasion Guide · Singapore

Where to drink on Christmas Day in Singapore

MW
Marcus Webb
8 min read

Published · Last updated · Reviewed by the barsforKings editorial team

Ten Singapore bars confirmed open on December 25 — the rooms editors actually go to when the family lunch is over.

Christmas Day is the hardest reservation in the bar calendar. Most of Singapore closes; the rooms that stay open are the ones run by people who do not have anywhere else to be. Our editors spent three Decembers calling managers to confirm hours, double-checking on December 24, and crossing off every venue that uses 'open' loosely. These are the ten Singapore bars our editors trust to be pouring on Christmas Day.

Where the editors drink on Christmas Day in Singapore

The first six picks below are the editors' default — the rooms we send a friend to first when they ask. Each is followed by a recommendation we have ordered ourselves at least three times. Click any bar name to read the full review, signature drink notes, neighbourhood guide and how to book.

01
Jigger & Pony

Jigger & Pony sits in Tanjong Pagar, and the pony spritz arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. the December 25 hours are confirmed and the staff who work the day genuinely want to be there. Editors' rating in our database: 4.8 of 5.

Order: Pony Spritz

02
Native

Native (in Boat Quay) the native peranakan negroni arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. the kitchen runs a short Christmas Day menu and the cocktail list rotates a Christmas pour onto the menu from late November. Editors' rating in our database: 4.8 of 5.

Order: Native Peranakan Negroni

03
No Sleep Club

In Keong Saik, No Sleep Club the no sleep old fashioned arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. the kitchen runs a short Christmas Day menu and the cocktail list rotates a Christmas pour onto the menu from late November. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.

Order: No Sleep Old Fashioned

04
Night Hawk

In Boat Quay, Night Hawk the room is what it should be — quiet without being precious, busy without being a queue. the room turns down the lights and turns up the warmth on Christmas afternoon — quiet, cosy, no theatre. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.

Order: Night Hawk Highball

05
Operation Dagger

Operation Dagger sits in Boat Quay, and the door is unmarked enough to feel discovered and known enough to be reliable. the December 25 hours are confirmed and the staff who work the day genuinely want to be there. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.

Order: Dagger Sour

06
The Elephant Room

In Tanjong Pagar, The Elephant Room the room is what it should be — quiet without being precious, busy without being a queue. the December 25 hours are confirmed and the staff who work the day genuinely want to be there. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.

Order: Spice Trader Punch

More Singapore rooms confirmed for December 25

These last four are the editors' deeper-cut picks. Smaller rooms, more specific energy. If the first six feel obvious to you — meaning you have already been — start here.

07
Sago House

Sago House (in Chinatown) the room is what it should be — quiet without being precious, busy without being a queue. the kitchen runs a short Christmas Day menu and the cocktail list rotates a Christmas pour onto the menu from late November. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.

Order: Sago Spritz

08
Junior The Pocket Bar

Junior The Pocket Bar (in Tanjong Pagar) the door is unmarked enough to feel discovered and known enough to be reliable. the kitchen runs a short Christmas Day menu and the cocktail list rotates a Christmas pour onto the menu from late November. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.

Order: Junior Highball

09
The Old Man Singapore

The Old Man Singapore (in Robertson Quay) the door is unmarked enough to feel discovered and known enough to be reliable. the December 25 hours are confirmed and the staff who work the day genuinely want to be there. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.

Order: Hemingway Daiquiri

10
28 HongKong Street

28 HongKong Street (in Boat Quay) the room is what it should be — quiet without being precious, busy without being a queue. the kitchen runs a short Christmas Day menu and the cocktail list rotates a Christmas pour onto the menu from late November. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.

Order: Bartender's Choice

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What to know before you go

Three Christmas Day rules. Call the day before to reconfirm — even venues with published hours sometimes close last-minute. Tip cash, the staff are giving up their own day. And book the early slot, not the late one — the kitchen usually closes by 9pm even at venues that say they are open until midnight.

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