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Restaurants & nightlife

Singapore’s best jazz clubs

Grab a single malt, sit back, and soak in the vibe at Singapore’s best jazz clubs.

Words by Shamilee Vellu

24th July 2025

4-minute read

While it may not be internationally known for it, Singapore’s jazz scene can be sensationally good, if you know where to look. From moody speakeasies where improvisation reigns supreme to swanky venues where the cocktails are as elegant as the chords, the Lion City delivers. So, if you’ve only got 48 hours in Singapore, these are the five standout venues to know about – whether you’re a jazz purist or just dipping your toes into the scene.

Maduro

Best for: jazz and whisky purists.

A jazz haunt for those who take their music seriously, this listening lounge and bar is the brainchild of Peter Ng, a former pianist and real estate mogul who turned his deep love for jazz and cigars into one of Singapore’s foremost jazz bars. Now housed in the lower lobby of Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa (where it moved last year), Maduro offers a lineup of the island’s best jazz musicians alongside world-class visiting artists, with regular appearances from luminaries like ‘King of Swing’ Jeremy Monteiro and rising classical artists.

A grand piano sits in a dimly lit room with rich teal curtains. Sunlight filters through a large glass door, leading to a patio with greenery. The piano’s glossy surface reflects the vibrant blue hues of the drapes.

A room with a glossy black piano near tall wooden-framed glass doors. Blue curtains partially drawn back reveal a patio area outside with a bench and small table, surrounded by lush green foliage. Natural light filters in, creating a soothing ambiance.

2 Bukit Manis Rd, Singapore 099891

Weekends bring very well-curated live music acts, which might include everything from a fiery young violinist sawing away at his instrument to jazz, bossa nova, and soul performances – all enjoyed in the clubby, living room-esque interiors (think burnished Chesterfield sofas, jewel-toned velvet drapery, and a massive graffiti artwork by Cyril Kongo). The intriguing whisky selection features unique labels and independent bottlers, including Maduro exclusives like the Eidolon Port Ellen 1983, alongside a very good cigar menu and bar bites like satay and pizzas.

maduro.sg

The Whisper Room

Best for: diverse music and killer views.

Perched high atop Singapore’s central business district with sweeping views of Marina Bay, The Whisper Room is an intimate cocktail bar and jazz lounge tucked within COTU, the city’s latest multi-concept food and nightlife destination spanning 18,000 sq ft over the 38th and 39th floors of CapitaGreen. Inspired by New York’s jazz clubs, the space blends Art Deco elegance, skyline views, and a sultry, low-lit interior.

Stylish lounge with a luxurious interior featuring a navy blue sectional sofa, ornate chandelier, geometric wall patterns, a glass coffee table with a star-shaped gold base, and gold dog sculptures. Richly patterned rug covers the floor.

Stylish lounge with curved walls, a plush corner sofa adorned with navy and patterned pillows, and a glass table with a unique, star-shaped bronze base. Elegant lighting fixtures hang from the ceiling, enhancing the warm, inviting ambiance.

138 Market St, Singapore 048946

Daytimes bring refined, Japanese-inflected high-tea menus, while the mood shifts at nightfall with sunset jazz sessions on weekdays and late-night DJs spinning disco house. The food and bar programme hopscotches between New York and Tokyo – think Hot Chicken Sandos and Korokke Aged Beef Croquettes paired with Kakubin Highballs or an ume wine-spiked Gibson you can sip till 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.

cotu.co

Cool Cats

Best for: sophisticated sips in a speakeasy setting.

Housed within The NCO Club at the JW Marriott, Cool Cats is your quintessential jazz bar, combining a playful yet polished aesthetic with a moody, speakeasy-inspired vibe. The seating is strategically arranged around a central stage, which has hosted an impressive roster of local and international acts – from bluesy ballads to high-energy funk-infused sets. Expect contemporary jazz infused with electronic and R&B influences, with recent headliners including Australian vocalist Gregg Arthur, as well as homegrown singer-songwriters like Michelle SgP and Charmaine Pelaez.

A hand pours a drink into a glass on a small marble table, surrounded by a glowing candle, nuts, and another cocktail. The scene is bathed in pink and purple lights, creating a vibrant, lively atmosphere.

A man and woman dance energetically on a dimly lit stage with purple lighting. In the background, theres a band playing instruments, and a sign reads Cool Cats. The scene is lively and musical.

32 Beach Rd, Singapore 189764

The bar’s cocktail programme is just as compelling, featuring eight signature drinks inspired by the ragtime music era – standouts include the Harlem Revolution, a bourbon-forward, smoked cedarwood concoction. The spirits list is equally curated, featuring limited-edition Scottish and Japanese single malts, all sipped in the company of a cosmopolitan mix of music aficionados and in-the-know locals.

coolcats.sg

Simply Jazz by Tin Box

Best for: a casual yet lively night out.

Simply Jazz by Tin Box is one for the purists. Nestled within CHIJMES, it’s a no-frills, music-first venue curated by seasoned jazz figures Mario Serio and Tama Goh. The programming is refreshingly diverse, spanning straight-ahead jazz, Latin grooves, and bebop performed by veteran musicians and rising stars like Louis Soliano, Jens Bunge and James Flynn.

Dimly lit jazz club stage with a red curtain backdrop. Instruments, including a piano, drums, and microphones, are set up for a performance. Tables with lit candles are visible in the foreground, creating an intimate atmosphere.

A dimly lit jazz club stage with a grand piano, drum set, and conga drums. Red curtains hang in the background, and microphones are set up for a performance. Tables with dim lamps are visible in the foreground.

30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996

Drinks and bites are simple but satisfying, with a compact menu of classic cocktails (like Sidecars and French Martinis) and spirits complementing a shareable, Asian-leaning food menu. It’s an intimate, unpretentious space where the music always comes first.

simplyjazz.tinboxgroup.sg

The Whiskey Library & Jazz Club

Best for: a gilded, clubby atmosphere with a mighty whisky list.

Tucked inside The Vagabond Club, this gilded, velvet-draped boîte – designed by Jacques Garcia of Hotel Costes fame – feels distinctly Left Bank Parisian salon. It’s theatrically opulent with a touch of eccentricity (check out the towering golden tree with leaves fanning out across the ceiling) – a plush backdrop for an assertive jazz programme that veers from dusky standards to the occasional bold, brassy experiment. The vibe is more supper club than scenester haunt, with a crowd that appreciates a smoky ballad as much as a 21-year Highland malt.

A stylish bar with shelves full of illuminated liquor bottles behind two round tables, each surrounded by plush, purple-cushioned chairs on a patterned carpet, creating a luxurious and inviting atmosphere.

Luxurious bar lounge with four round tables, plush purple chairs, and walls lined with illuminated shelves displaying a vast collection of bottles. Warm lighting and elegant decor create a sophisticated atmosphere.

39 Syed Alwi Rd, Singapore 207630

Complementing the venue’s varied Mediterranean and Indian menus are over 1,000 whiskies behind the bar, from cult Japanese bottlings to obscure single-cask Scotch – many of which are available by the dram, if you know how to ask. Membership gets you a private locker and access to tastings, but the real draw here is the atmosphere: rarified, clubby, and delightfully analogue.

whiskeylibraryandjazzclub.sg

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