1 Altitude Bar in Singapore

The bar occupies 2 floors at the top of One Raffles Place building. You enter via a private lift on the ground floor, clearly signposted in front of the main entrance. It’s less than 5 minutes’ walk from Raffles Place MRT, but it can be a challenge to navigate amongst all the skyscrapers. Reserving a table is recommended, and it’s best to come early before sunset.

The first level of 1 Altitude is where you’ll find the bar, the band, and the dance floor. The décor is minimal but striking – at first glance, it feels strange to see real trees growing amongst the glass and slate, especially somewhere this high. The top floor of the bar is all about vistas – triangular and offering unparalleled views of Singapore from 282 metres above.

The floor glows neon beneath your feet and there are clusters of low seating, designed so that nothing distracts you from the cityscape. Wherever you stand there’s a Singapore icon on the horizon: Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Flyer, the river, Singapore’s CBD and views far into the hills beyond the city.

The staff members are friendly and more than willing to take a few snaps for you, and the atmosphere is more casual than other sky bars in Singapore. Early evenings, a live band usually sings covers, but as the night goes on a DJ would usually take over, turning the sky-scraping lounge into a funky dancefloor.

The entrance fee includes one drink from a short selection of beers, cocktails, and spirits, but the menu is far more extensive and inventive once you get upstairs. 1 Altitude’s signature cocktail is Zen Breeze, a heady combination of vodka, green tea, lemongrass and mint – refreshing and won’t send your head spinning.

If you’re feeling peckish, there’s also a selection of bar food, gourmet pizzas, and charcuterie plates that are perfect for sharing. If you fancy a decent meal, then you can head one floor down to Stellar, a restaurant where you can enjoy the view from your table as well as some fine modern dining pleasures.