The best wine bars in Singapore

Ditching seaside shack high tables for a proper sit-down affair, Humpback has evolved into a vibey seafood restaurant with proper wines to boot. But first, ask anyone and you’re likely to hear rave reviews about the oysters. The shells from Hama Hama are flown in within 36 hours just for the restaurant. We recommend tingling your palate with the timeless pairing of L’Ecu 'Classic' Muscadet 2022 from Loire Valley which complements the balmy bivalves with crisp, floral and saline notes. Confident in your own pick? Peek into their extensive wine list from soft refreshing whites to bold juicy reds.

At Apéro, every hour is aperitivo hour. The 20-seater French wine bistro is set in a shophouse, offering a quiet haven amidst the bustle of Circular Road. Outside is an alfresco garden that offers a change of environment for those who enjoy people-watching with a glass in hand. Oenophiles can look forward to a curated wine list that features accessible pocket-friendly labels, organic wines from independent boutique wineries and even some of the finest French vintages to tickle your taste buds. And if you're hungry, there's more than just charcuterie and cheese boards at this wine bistro. Instead, tuck into the decadent slow-braised oxtail pappardelle ($34), best paired with a light-bodied glass of burgundy red.

Located in Duxton is Kumi Den, a fun and casual drinking den that is all about bringing forth low-intervention wines from artisanal small-batch producers around the world. And the brainchild behind this new venture is Joel Lim, one of Singapore’s best sommeliers who has clocked in time at wine institutions including Praelum Wine Bistro, Les Amis, and Park90. Here, the effervescent lad cherry-picks from a plethora of wine options including orange wines and pét-nats. And each month, the list expands and features exciting new additions of interesting labels – some even from wine motherland, Georgia. 

In an intimate 54-seater space, this wine bar places proud emphasis on vino from the Old World, with 32 European wines rotated every week alongside a Grands Crus selection – the highest level of vineyard classification in Burgundy, France. Owner Jean-Christophe Cadoret works closely with his team in France to select wines for import. You don't have to commit to a full glass either, there are tasting (25ml) and half-portions (75ml). If complex vino jargon puts you off the stuff, worry not, because wine is demystified here: reds are divided into categories such as ‘smooth’, ‘fruity’ and ‘spicy’, while whites are split into ‘dry’, ‘rich’ and so forth, complete with a colour-coding system.

This trendy new wine bar and retail store in Orchard is making wine culture more accessible for everyone. The highlight here is the automated wine dispenser featuring 24 different bottles at once. Wine lovers, be ready to be spoiled for choice as you get to choose wines from regions such as France, Italy, Australia and Spain served between three pour sizes (30ml, 90ml or 150ml). From pocket-friendly options (from $2.50 a glass) to higher-end vinos such as the Penfolds Grange Bin 95 ($44 for 30ml), there's something for wine lovers of every level.

As its name suggests, the modern wine bar is a decidedly unserious drinking space, and it encourages its patrons to have a laugh at themselves too. The wine menu – or rather, magazine – offers over 300 different types of wine, ranging from affordable classics to rarer and unique wines. Of course, part of the drinking experience is all about pairing the wines with food, and the menu reflects that with handy wine recommendations beside each menu item. If you’re unsure, you can opt for the snack tasting ($33) or Feed Me ($98), and let the staff choose the best dishes to go with the wines you’re having that day. 

As Singapore’s first wine and pasta bar, Bar Cicheti is tucked away in Keong Saik and has an impressive wine programme to boot. The newly revamped wine menu draws inspiration from iconic quotes from cinema classics like The Breakfast Club, Up, Oppenheimer, Star Wars, Braveheart, and more. Sticking with something familiar for the evening? Sip on wines native to Italy, or opt for their curation of tried and tested grape and wine regions. The bar also has a tailored list of natural wines including orange wines, to meet the growing taste for natural wines among oenophiles.

This homey bar along Duxton Hill is your best bet if you’re looking for a crash course on wine. Choose your bottle for the night – Praelum stocks about 350 labels from all across the world in its walk-in cellar. Enjoy your wine with their carefully curated menu, including a charcuterie plate with two cuts of meat ($32), farmhouse cheeses, housemade picks, and mustard. Spoilt for choice with the wine menu? Leave it to the experienced somm who can recommend wine flights starting from $58. You’ll learn more about the types of wine you’re drinking and their history.

Club Street Wine Room is yet another smashing concept by chef Andrew Walsh (also behind Butcher’s Boy, Catfish, and other international ventures). The minimally seductive 45-seater joint started in 2021 as a space for wine lovers to unwind over affordable labels from diverse regions. The by-the-glass selection has since expanded and are now subsumed under two sections 'Light and Fresh' or 'Bigger and Bolder'. Go for the classic pairing of tuna crudo with tomato and citrus ($32) with a glassy of zesty white wine or bubbly; or the grilled sea bass ($32) with a white wine beurre blanc.

Like a magic trick, café Common Man turns into a natural wine bar named Common Man Night Shift with the pulling of decorative roller blinds and flashy vintage cinema projections at the strike of 6 o'clock. Once a travelling wine bar – you may know it from its regular pop-ups around town – the organic wine outfit has ditched the nomadic lifestyle for permanent digs. Grab a bottle from the house selection of over 80 natural, organic, biodynamic, and sustainably farmed labels. Sourced straight from winemakers in France, Italy, Chile, and Spain, these delicious wines are hand-harvested, spontaneously fermented, and have no added sulfites.

Think of wine bars and what often first comes to mind first are chic, sexy lounges with towering fridges filled with labels from the Old World. But as more people beyond the debonair become interested in wines, wine bars too have to adapt. It's not just about making spaces less exclusive and more welcoming; it's also about bringing in labels that surprise and delight – regardless of price point. Rebel Rebel ticks all the right boxes. The cheery space is filled with portraits of winemakers smiling at you drape yourself over a leather couch or sink deeper into an oversized armchair. Feel free to ask the sommelier for recommendations from its 200-strong list. It offers a variety of bottles below $100, more mid-range options in the $200 bracket as well as 'unicorn' wines prized for their rarity.

This is hands down every hipster oenophile’s most beloved shrine to natural wines. And you know it’s legit because it’s always buzzing with industry folks. Wine-drinking is made a friendlier affair here, with the use of stemless glasses scrubbed of any pretentiousness, coupled with their laissez-faire approach to wine and food pairings. There’s no catalogue – the 150-or-so labels (from $58) are all on display and constantly changing. Try wine labels from all around the world – reds, whites, and occasionally a pét-nat or an orange. Keep your eyes peeled for the ‘Vigneron of the Week’ announcements on RVLT’s socials for the bar’s weekly curation, ranging anywhere from single vineyard Adelaide Hills wine to those from cooperative cellars in France.

This natural wine bar by The Lo & Behold Group sees chef-owner and Burnt Ends alumnus, Keirin Buck, team up with head sommelier Jos Kjer's ever-evolving wine list to bring ‘fine casual’ to the local bar scene. Bottles from boutique natural producers are paired with elegant yet approachable plates from a thoughtful menu that changes daily in tandem with the day’s best produce. Get these if you spot them on the menu: vegetable crudités with whipped roe, heritage chicken, and a stellar beef tongue sandwich.

With over 600 labels and 3,000 bottles of wine on offer in its leather-bound tome of a menu, Ma Cuisine has cemented itself as a gastro wine bar for serious connoisseurs. That's not to say that only the stuffy Bordeaux-sipping elite are welcomed here – the restaurant's young owners Anthony Charmetant and Mathieu Escoffier want to share their passion for wine with beginners and experts alike, all within a casual setting that also serves homey French food. 

A value-for-money wine bar in the heart of the CBD might seem like an impossible ask but the folks behind Hermitage Quality Wines have made it a reality. This intimate spot has none of the usual pretences of a wine bar and instead feels like a cosy bistro serving comfort food and affordably priced bottles – all with warm, genial service that makes this place feel like a second home. Peruse its menu of hearty mains like the beef rendang pie, Thai green curry, and beef stew. It's an eclectic mix but the focus here is on keeping you well-fed and happy.