Whatever genre you’re interested in, Singapore has a huge range of music venues to catch live performances from your favourite bands, or stumble upon early gigs from the Next Best Thing. From jazz and classical to rock and indie, you’ll be sure to find a new favourite venue to enjoy the music you love.
Maduro
Jazz fans will love the line up at this Dempsey Hill hangout (in photo), a hidden floor of an unassuming house in Tanglin. The bar and listening lounge here is the well-curated child of Peter Ng, a former jazz pianist and real estate broker who has created one of the most exclusive spaces to catch live jazz in Singapore. The venue is split into two spaces; a cosy jazz parlour that showcases the best in local talent, and a private space accessible by invite only. The music here is best accompanied by some of the alcoholic offerings created here, from traditional cocktails to one of the many classic whiskies stocked onsite.
Singapore Botanic Gardens
One of Singapore’s most peaceful music venues is the leafy slopes surrounding Symphony Lake in Singapore Botanic Gardens. The public space transforms into an open air concert venue on balmy nights, where performances are held on the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, which is located on a floating island in the middle of the lake. Concerts here are free, and feature a wide variety of high quality musicians. Future scheduled performances here range from Korean jazz, João Gilberto-inspired bossa nova and classic opera. There’s no more magical setting to experience talented performers than under the stars in this UNESCO-protected site.
Timbre@The Substation
Tucked away in the historic maze of streets around Armenian Street and next to beautiful Fort Canning Park, Timbre@The Substation is a live music venue that alternative music fans should make a beeline to. Housed in a charming shophouse, the venue has a casual and laid back vibe, and hosts live performances every night of the week, all celebrating local Singaporean talent. House bands 53A and Goodfellas ensure quality performances every day, while the open air area and ample greenery create a relaxed atmosphere. Stop here for a drink and bite to eat too, you can snack on truffle fries and buffalo wings to stay well fuelled.
Wala Wala Cafe & Bar
If you’re looking for a casual night out with great live music, Wala Wala Cafe & Bar in leafy Holland Village is a great place to visit. The venue also does great bar food, from their signature chicken wings to calamari, and wide selection of refreshing drinks. Head to the restaurant on the ground floor for dinner first, and then move up to the second floor when you’re ready for some live entertainment from the city’s best bands. What makes Wala Wala so special is its longevity - the joint has been running for more than 20 years, and holds a special place in the hearts of many Singaporeans, who remember coming here as teenagers. Performances here begin at 7pm from Monday to Friday, and from 9.30pm on Saturday and Sunday. The venue is a short walk from Holland Village MRT station.
Hood Bar and Café
If you like to enjoy music with a side helping of art, Hood Bar and Cafe is a venue you’ll love. Located in the historic City Hall area, on the fifth floor of quirky shopping mall Bugis+, this bar is open from Monday till Saturday and prides itself on booking independent and highly talented local musicians to grace its stage. Genres here cover a huge variety, from bossa nova and jazz, to soft rock and metal, but you can be sure that what unites the line-up here is original tunes from local singer-songwriters. You’ll also love the decor here - the walls are splashed with street art from talented locals. If you’re peckish, the menu covers a great range of locally inspired bar food - like their customer favourites, the “har cheong” chicken wings - juicy fried chicken wings that have been dipped in tangy prawn paste.