On the rooftop of the tallest building in Raffles Place, 1-Altitude isn’t just the highest bar in Singapore it’s the highest al fresco bar in the world. The bar is completely uncovered and there’s nothing but a five-foot glass wall to keep you from walking off the edge and plummeting 282 metres onto a banker.

Getting high in Singapore.

Needles to say, the views are phenomenal. The bar occupies the entire rooftop to create the perfect 360-degree platform. There’s something to look at in every direction — the Singapore River, Marina Bay, the harbour filled with cargo ships — and not a single obstruction.

So what does a view like this cost? The cover charge to 1-Altitude is S$18 per person which also includes one drink – a beer, glass of house wine, mixed drink, or fruit juice.  This amount is paid when you get off the elevator on the 62nd floor before you’ve even seen 1-Altitude, and the drink must be self-collected from the bar. Subsequent drinks are slightly cheaper (S$12 for a beer, S$14 for spirits) and served to your table, or you can pay more for something a little more exciting like a fresh fruit cocktail (S$16 and up) or a sampler of premium whiskeys (S$30 and up). These are actually quite reasonable drink prices by Singapore standards and, while 1-Altitude does not offer happy hour promotions, there are some smaller deals like a bucket of five beers for S$50.

The gin & tonic was average, but the view is unparalleled.

You won’t see any kitchen on the rooftop, but 1-Altitude does have a yummy food menu with gourmet pizzas (think pear and gorgonzola, S$20) and snack platters perfect for sharing. If you’re in the mood for a more formal meal, slip down one level to the partnered Stellar Restaurant on Level 62 for an oyster bar, sushi, and wood-fired steak. Stellar also shares a cocktail menu with 1-Altitude so you can continue drinking down here if it starts to rain.

1-Altitude opens at 18:00 and between the post-work crowd and tourists it can get quite busy.  If you’re coming with a group or want to enjoy the sunset from the comfort of a table, reservations are recommended. Though I did see a few families with kids on the rooftop at 18:00 on a Saturday, officially all customers must be 21 or older and a dress code applies: no shorts for the guys or flip-flops for anyone.

1-Altitude gets my vote as the best bar view in Singapore and is far less snooty than its main competition,  KU DE TA at Marina Bay Sands.

Downtown Singapore lit up for for Formula One (photographed from 1-Altitude).

1-Altitude
1 Raffles Place, 63rd floor
T: 6438 0410
Open Mon–Thurs 18:00–02:00; Fri–Sat 18:00–04:00; Sun 18:00–01:00.

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Tags: cocktails, nightclub, outdoor drinking, view