Photo Credits: MarinaBaySands
CÉ LA VI sits atop Marina Bay Sands with free entrance and drinks from around $20. LeVeL33, on the 33rd floor of Marina Bay Financial Centre, is recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s highest urban craft brewery. 1-Altitude, at One Raffles Place, offers 360-degree skyline views across three floors. Each suits a different kind of evening, from a quiet sunset drink to a full night out.
This guide breaks down which rooftop actually fits the evening you are planning.
CÉ LA VI sits 200 metres above ground on top of Marina Bay Sands, split into a restaurant, chill-out lounge and poolside terrace, each offering a different angle on the skyline, according to Hotels.com’s coverage of the venue. Entrance is free, and drinks start at around $20, which is notably cheaper than the SkyPark Observation Deck ticket required to view the same skyline from the adjacent public viewing area.
LeVeL33 takes a different approach entirely. Perched on the 33rd floor of Marina Bay Financial Centre at 149 metres up, it holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s highest urban craft brewery, brewing its beer on-site in tanks transported up by a specially fitted crane.
Here is a quick side-by-side for planning purposes.
Bar | Location | Height/Floor | Signature Feature | Entry |
CÉ LA VI | Marina Bay Sands | 200m, Level 57 | Poolside terrace, skyline views | Free (drinks from ~$20) |
LeVeL33 | Marina Bay Financial Centre | 149m, 33rd floor | World’s highest urban craft brewery | Free (minimum spend may apply) |
1-Altitude | One Raffles Place | 282m, 61st-63rd floors | 360-degree views, in-house DJ | Entrance fee applies |
1-Arden | CapitaSpring | Level 51 | World’s highest urban farm on-site | Free entry, F&B minimum may apply |
1-Arden, at CapitaSpring, adds a different draw beyond the view itself. It sources some of its food from what is described as the world’s highest urban farm, located within the same building, giving it a genuine farm-to-table angle that the other rooftops on this list do not have. The building itself is worth a mention too, since CapitaSpring’s design includes a green oasis at its base that visitors can walk through before heading up to the rooftop level.
Loof, tucked above the Odeon Towers near Raffles Hotel, holds the distinction of being Singapore’s first standalone rooftop bar, a title it earned well before the current wave of hotel-anchored rooftops became the norm. Its playful, distinctly local cocktail menu and quirky decor give it a different personality from the more polished, view-focused venues on this list.
If a rooftop crawl is part of a bigger night out, for Singapore lifestyle our guide to late-night exploration in Singapore covers what else stays open once the bars start filling up.
Here is the honest answer. CÉ LA VI’s free entry makes it the easiest starting point if you are unsure whether rooftop drinking is your scene, since you are not committing to an entrance fee before finding out. 1-Altitude, which does charge for entry, suits a bigger night out where you plan to stay for hours rather than a quick sunset drink.
One limitation worth naming plainly. Weather genuinely affects these venues more than a ground-level bar. Singapore’s sudden downpours can close outdoor terrace seating with little warning, and a rooftop bar with no sheltered backup plan can turn into a rushed retreat indoors. Check the forecast before committing to a specific rooftop for a special occasion.
For more of Singapore’s nightlife scene as new venues open, browse our Lifestyle section for ongoing coverage.
What time should I arrive at a rooftop bar to catch the sunset? Singapore’s sunset generally falls between 7pm and 7.15pm year-round given its location near the equator, so arriving around 6.30pm secures a seat before the crowd that specifically comes for sunset views fills the best spots.
Do rooftop bars in Singapore have a dress code? Most, including CÉ LA VI and 1-Altitude, enforce a smart casual dress code and may turn away guests in flip-flops, shorts, or sportswear, so checking the specific venue’s policy before heading out avoids being refused entry.
Is LeVeL33 suitable for people who don’t drink beer? Yes. While LeVeL33 is known for its on-site brewed beers, it also serves wine, cocktails and food, so non-beer drinkers still have plenty to order while enjoying the same panoramic view.
Are rooftop bars in Singapore family-friendly during the day? Some rooftop venues open earlier in the day and welcome families for lunch or an afternoon visit, but the atmosphere shifts considerably in the evening, so calling ahead to check the specific venue’s daytime policy is worth doing if bringing children.
Which rooftop bar is best for a marriage proposal or special occasion? CÉ LA VI’s poolside terrace and Lantern at Fullerton Bay Hotel are both commonly booked for proposals and special occasions, given their more intimate seating options and advance table reservation systems, though booking well ahead is essential for a guaranteed spot.
Can I visit a rooftop bar without making a reservation? Walk-ins are usually possible on weekday afternoons and early evenings, but weekend nights and any evening around sunset tend to fill up fast at the more popular spots, so calling ahead or booking online is the safer option if you have a specific time window in mind.
If there is a rooftop bar you think deserves a mention, email us at admin@dei.com.sg.