Live music joints, bars and restaurants are an eternal favourite, and a sure-fire success for a Friday night out in town — Singapore's biggest cover bands such as Shirlyn and The UnExpected and 53A have made a name for themselves by playing this circuit.
In no particular order, here's a guide to some of the cafes and bars in Singapore that play live local music.
Crazy Elephant
Address: 3E River Valley Rd, #01-03/04 Clarke Quay Block E, Singapore 179024
Opening Hours: Monday (5pm to 1am), Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday (5pm to 2am), Friday and Saturday (5pm to 3am).
Founded in 1993, Crazy Elephant is arguably one of the biggest and longest-standing music venues in Singapore, having seen the likes of the late Bobby Keys (Rolling Stones) play on its grounds. Performances at the rock 'n' roll and blues bar start from 10pm. In addition, Sunday nights at Crazy Elephant mark jam nights, where customers are free to take to the stage to perform.
Going Om
Address: 63 Haji Lane, Singapore 189256
Opening Hours: Sunday, Tuesday to Thursday (12pm to 12am), Friday and Saturday (12pm to 1am), Closed on Mondays.
Live performances by acoustic musicians take place outside the cafe; although performances aside, Going Om also offers alternative services such as card readings, holistic healing, yoga and meditation classes.
Hood Bar & Café
Address: 201 Victoria Street, Bugis+ #05-07, Singapore 188067
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday (5pm to 1am), Friday, Saturdays and Eve of Public Holiday (5pm to 3am)
Hood Bar & Café is one of the main go-to locations for live music, and rightfully so – the bar boasts a spectacular performing lineup with different resident bands playing every night — 吃喝玩乐EDM on Mondays, Yayabananas on Tuesdays, Solo Army on Wednesdays, Rush Hour on Thursdays, Puzzle Band on Fridays, and Hoodwinked on Saturdays.
Molly Roffey's Irish Pub
Address: 51 Bras Basah Road, #01-02A Manulife Centre, 189554
Opening Hours: 12pm - 2am, Mondays to Sundays
Music lovers who enjoy live music and a good ole' pint of Guinness Draught can pop by Molly Roffey's Irish Pub every midweek and end of the working week — garage rock outfit Inertia plays on Wednesdays, while acoustic group The Trella Trio play on Fridays.
Timbre Group
Addresses:
Timbre+ — 73A Ayer Rajah Crescent, JTC LaunchPad @ one-north, Singapore 139957
Timbre @ The Substation — 45 Armenian Street, Singapore 179936
Timbre @ Gilman — 9A Lock Road, Gillman Barracks, Singapore 108926
Timbre @ The Arts House — 1 Old Parliament Lane #01-04, Singapore 179429
Opening Hours:
Timbre+ — Monday to Thursday (6am to 12am), Friday & Saturday (6am to 1am)
Timbre @ The Substation — Monday to Thursday & Public Holidays (6pm to 1am), Friday, Saturday & eve of PH, (6pm to 2am)
Timbre @ Gilman — Monday to Saturday (4pm to 11pm), Sunday (12pm to 9pm)
Timbre @ The Arts House — Monday to Thursday (6pm to 1am), Friday & Saturday (6pm to 2am), Sunday (6pm to 12am)
The Timbre Group has been immensely dedicated in providing platforms for musicians to perform, with 4 venues actively holding live music performances – Timbre @ The Arts House, Gilman and Substation and Timbre
Check out Timbre's website here for the latest updates on gig times and schedules.
Wala Wala Café Bar
Address: 31 Lorong Mambong, Holland Village, Singapore 277689
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday (4pm to 1am), Friday (4pm to 2am), Saturday (3pm to 2am), Sunday (3pm to 1am).
Situated in the ever-bustling Holland Village, Wala Wala Café Bar is the resident live music venue of the West. Similar to Acid Bar, performances at Wala Wala begin earlier, starting from 7pm on weekdays and 9.30pm on weekends. Wala Wala frequently boasts a slew of great live bands but the biggest attractions are the two staple bands that play the joint — popular cover band Tabula, along with acoustic duo Jack and Rai.
&SONS
Where: 20 Cross Street, China Square Central #01-19 Singapore 048422
When: Monday to Friday (11.30am to 3.00pm, 5.30pm to 11.30pm), Saturday (6pm to 11:30pm), Closed on Sundays.
Though more known for its artisanal Italian menu, &SONS has been lauded for its restaurant’s ambience, and of course, the live performances enhancing patrons’ dining experience. Transport yourself to the streets of Venice in this trendy trattoria with performances by various live musical groups Monday through Friday.
Blu Jaz Cafe
Where: 11 Bali Lane, Historic Kampong Glam, Singapore 189848
When: Monday and Tuesday (12.00pm to 12.30am, 5), Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday (12.00pm to 1am) Friday and Saturday (12pm to 3.00am).
The venue, which besides being an F&B destination, has also been a torch-bearer for live music in Singapore as one of the premiere sites where live music is played. From regular genre-spanning band nights to legendary DJ-centric parties such as Good Times, Blu Jaz Cafe is one of the most beloved live music spots in Singapore.
