Live Music in Singapore: the ultimate guide to music venues, bars & restaurants in Singapore

Live Music in Singapore: the ultimate guide to music venues, bars & restaurants in Singapore

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There may be an influx of concerts in Singapore, but the city is always abuzz with live music.

With establishments offering top-tier F&B and a live music programme that's worth coming back to regularly, here's an extensive rundown of the places you can visit every week to enjoy some delicious grub and astounding live music with friends.


Timbre Group

Where:

Timbre+ — 73A Ayer Rajah Crescent, JTC LaunchPad @ one-north, Singapore 139957
Barber Shop — 1 Old Parliament Lane #01-03, Singapore 179429
Switch — 73 Bras Basah Road #01-01/02, Singapore 189556
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

BANDWAGON TV

When:

Timbre+ — Monday to Thursday (6am to 12am), Friday & Saturday (6am to 1am)
Barber Shop — Wednesday and Thursday (6pm to 12am), Friday and Saturday (6pm to 1am)
Switch — Monday to Thursday (6pm to 1am), Friday & Saturday (6pm to 2am)
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)

Timbre Group has been immensely dedicated in providing platforms for musicians to perform, and with 6 live music venues to their name – Timbre @ The Arts House, Gilman and Substation, Barber Shop, Timbre+ and Switch – it’s no wonder venues under the Timbre Group are one of the most frequented and most booked for events, having played host to our recent Bandwagon Stages at Music Matters Live 2017 and VANS Musicians Wanted.


Hood Bar & Café

Where: 201 Victoria Street, Bugis+ #05-07, Singapore 188067
When: Sunday 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 has different (resident) bands playing every night; but resident bands aside, Hood Bar & Café has played host to other local and international artists, so do keep a look out for concert announcements to plan your week accordingly.


Blu Jaz Café

Where: 11 Bali Lane, Historic Kampong Glam, Singapore 189848
When: Monday and Tuesday (9am to 12.30am), Wednesday and Thursday (9am to 1am), Friday and Saturday (9am to 2.30am). Closed on Sundays.

Since its opening in 2004, Blu Jaz Café has had countless musicians grace their stage, particularly jazz musicians. Located in Singapore's "hipster" hangout – Haji Lane – Blu Jazz has steadily become a local haunt of Jazz lovers. What’s more, Blu Jaz boasts an all-in-one location, with a dining area, bar, lounge and dance floor all under one roof.


Acid Bar

Where: 180 Orchard Road, Peranakan Place, Singapore 238846
When: Sunday to Thursday (5pm to 2am), Friday to Saturday (5pm to 3am). Open on Eve of and Public Holidays.

Acid Bar, which has been around for 13 years, is located within the most unsuspecting of locations – a restored shophouse. What sets it apart from other venues is their menu, which consists of primarily Peranakan cuisine, rather than the run-of-the-mill tapas treats. In addition, daily live performances by different acts begin significantly earlier, starting from 7pm. What’s more, Acid Bar is open on public holidays as well – so in case you’re looking to spend your next public holiday differently, here’s a heads up.


Wala Wala Café Bar

Where: 31 Lorong Mambong, Holland Village, Singapore 277689 
When: 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, if not Singapore. Similar to Acid Bar, performances at Wala Wala begin earlier, starting from 7pm on weekdays and 9.30pm on weekends. Resident performers include Jack & Rai and Shirlyn & The UnXpected – with a line up this attractive, there’s no way you can miss out Wala Wala.


Artistry Café

Where: 17 Jalan Pinang, Singapore 199149
When: Tuesday to Saturday (10am to 11.30pm), Sunday (10am to 7pm), Closed on Mondays.

Artistry Café is known for celebrating art and creativity, with paintings and art pieces lining the walls of the quaint café. The café is known for featuring artists of all genres – jazz, electronic, indie and more; as well as staging talks and workshops.


Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Where: 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981

Esplanade has always been known to feature an array of live gigs, with free performances taking place nearly every weekend, irrespective of genre, or if conducted indoors or outdoors. Located in the heart of the CBD area, the Esplanade has become one of the prime location for major concerts and free gigs alike. With plenty of F&B outlets within the Esplanade grounds, it's perfect for a weekend night out.


Canvas Singapore

Where: 20 Upper Circular Road, #B1-01 The Riverwalk, Singapore 058416
When: Tuesday (7pm to 2am), Wednesday to Friday (7pm to 3am), Saturday (7pm to 4am). Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

The nightclub, formerly Home Club, reopened under the name Canvas Singapore, serving as an art gallery by day and a nightclub by night. The flexibility and versatility of Canvas Singapore has allowed them to house various events such as upcoming performances by Anoraak this October 21st.


Crazy Elephant

Where: 3E River Valley Rd, #01-03/04 Clarke Quay Block E, Singapore 179024
When: 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 Ministry of Sound and the late Bobby Keys (Rolling Stones) play on their grounds. Performances at the rock n roll, blues bar start from 10pm. In addition, Sunday nights at the Crazy Elephant mark jam nights, where customers are free to take to the stage to perform.


Mad Men Attic Bar

Where: 11 North Canal Road, #03-02 (Attic Level), Singapore 048824
When: Monday to Wednesday (5pm to 1am), Thursday (5pm to 2am), Friday and Saturday (5pm to 3am).

A rooftop bar and live performances – a match made in heaven, made reality at Mad Men Attic Bar. With performances running through the week and an alfresco dining experience, it’s hard to say no to Mad Men Attic Bar.


&SONS

Where: 20 Cross Street, China Square Central #01-19 Singapore 048422
When: Monday to Friday (11.30am to 3.30pm, 5.30pm to 11.30pm), Saturday (6pm to 11pm), Closed on Sundays.

Though more known for their artisanal Italian menu, &SONS has been lauded for their 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 live performances Monday through Friday.


Going Om

Where: 63 Haji Lane, Singapore 189256
When: Sunday, Tuesday to Thursday (12pm to 12am), Friday and Saturday (12pm to 1am), Closed on Mondays.

Going Om’s concept is geared towards patrons heading to Sanctuary to seek harmony, peace and bliss. Live performances aside, Going Om also offers alternative services such as card readings, holistic healing, yoga and meditation classes.


Stärker Music (Zhongshan Park)

Where: 1 Jalan Rajah #01-03, Singapore 329133
When: Monday to Thursday (11.30am to 12am), Friday, Saturday (11.30am to 2am), Sunday (11.30 to 1am); Every first Sunday of the month (11.30am to 3am)

With a fusion dining concept of traditional beer drinking with an avant-garde freshness, Starker primarily aims to be a platform that supports local emerging talents - their recent Stärker Music Carnival is testament to that. With venues across Singapore and bilingual performances taking place throughout the week, Starker is a prime spot for dining with live music.


Hard Rock Cafe

Where: 50 Cuscaden Road, #02-01 HPL House, 249724
When: Sunday to Thursday, Public Holiday (6pm to 2am), Friday, Saturday, Eve of Public Holiday (6pm to 3am)

Hard Rock has been in Singapore for 27 years now, and have established themselves as the go-to spot for live rock music since opening its doors in 1990. In spite of their recent revamp and removal of their iconic Cadillac fixture, Hard Rock Cafe remains true to the Rock & Roll spirit, consistently delivering quality performances in true Rock & Roll fashion. 


Privé Clarke Quay

Where: Blk 3C River Valley Road, #01-09A Clarke Quay, 179019
When: Monday, Tuesday & Public Holiday (5pm to 1am), Wednesday, Friday, Eve of Public Holiday (5pm to 3am), Thursday (5pm to 2am), Saturday (11.30am to 4am), Sunday (11.30am to 1am).

If you're looking for a place with live performances in the evening that start earlier, look no further: daily performances at Prive Clarke Quay start as early as 6.30pm.


The Lobby Lounge at Intercontinental Hotel

Where: 80 Middle Road, Singapore 188966
When: 8am to 12pm

The Lobby Lounge offers breakfast from 8am to 11am, afternoon tea from 2pm to 5pm, cocktails from 5pm to 12am and all-day dining from 11am to 10pm. Live performances are available during afternoon tea and in the evenings, which is perfect if you're up for a classy place to enjoy live music in the afternoon.