Singapore National Day is coming up on the 9th of August and we can’t wait to get in on the birthday bash action, especially the National Day fireworks extravaganza. The fireworks are set to go off around 8pm from the floating platform at Marina Bay, so you’ll want to be somewhere close by to catch the show. In the past we’ve hit up the usual vantage points like Merlion Park, the Esplanade, and the Promontory. But to be honest, while the views from those spots are great, the lack of elbow room leaves something to be desired. This year we’ve decided to watch the National Day Parade fireworks in style, so we’ve put together a bucket list of super vibey spots where the ambiance, food, and booze are right on par with the spectacular views.
Perched high above the bay on the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands, CÉ LA VI offers lofty front row seats to the NDP firework display, not to mention a slew of National Day activities taking place all day and night. The Mujalah! National Day Fiesta will include BBQ bites, face painting and nostalgic games with Afro-Latin, house and nu-disco tunes in the Club Lounge. You can also indulge in a seven-course feast in the restaurant and try curated drink specials in SkyBar. Table bookings are essential for seats with the best view of the fireworks.
CÉ LA VI, 1 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay Sands Tower 3, Singapore 018971. p. +65 6508 2188. The event runs from 12pm – 10pm
With funky urban vibes and sick views over Marina Bay and the CBD skyline, Kinki is a great spot to get down with Asian-inspired drinks and bites while soaking up the dazzling fireworks display. We love that even though this edgy rooftop bar is a popular hotspot, the offerings from the bar and kitchen are very reasonably priced. And you can bet they’ll be having some sweet National Day specials and beats going on too, so keep your eye on their FB page for updates.
Kinki, 70 Collyer Quay #02-02, Customs House, Singapore 049323. p. +65 6533 3471. Open Mon – Sat 12pm – 2:15pm, 6pm – 10:15pm (restaurant), Mon – Thurs 5pm – 12am, Fri, Sat & PH 5pm – 2am (rooftop bar)
LAVO
LAVO offers 180-degree vistas of the city from the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands, plus damn good Italian-American cuisine, craft cocktails, and party vibes after dark. Book a table next to the window for fab views of the fireworks and delish dishes like the famous LAVO meatball made with imperial wagyu beef, Italian sausage, and ricotta cheese. Stay on after dinner for soulful rhythms and signature drinks at the lounge and open-air bar on the terrace.
LAVO, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay Sands Hotel Tower 1, Singapore 018956. p. +65 6688 8591. Open daily 5pm – 2am
Planning a date on the evening of National Day? Lantern is a seductive rooftop spot to watch the fireworks and create a few of your own. Settle in on one of the soft sofas and indulge in a few glasses of bubbly accompanied by gourmet tapas like the cod sliders with dill-yuzu mayo and 5-spice roasted crispy pork belly with mustard and hot bean sauce. Seats are already filling up fast for National Day, so reservations are highly recommended.
Lantern, 80 Collyer Quay, The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore 049326. p. +65 6333 8388. Open Sun – Thurs 8am – 1am, Fri, Sat & eves of PH 8am – 2am
LeVel 33
Besides offering ridiculously good beer, the world’s highest urban craft brewery also offers jaw-dropping views of Marina Bay. Gather your mates and snag a spot on LeVel 33’s patio overlooking the bay if you can or inside next to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Then sit back and enjoy the show with a few pints of blonde lager, stout, or wheat beer. They also have great pub grub to go with the beers like the halloumi sizzler and buttermilk chicken sliders.
LeVel 33, 8 Marina Boulevard #33-01, Marina Bay Financial Tower 1, Singapore 018981. p. +65 6834 3133. Open Mon – Thurs 11:30am – 12am, Fri – Sat 11:30am – 2am, Sun 12pm – 12am
MO Bar
If sipping stylish cocktails in air-conditioned comfort is your idea of the perfect way to watch the fireworks, then MO Bar is just the spot with its sleek bar and sweeping views of Marina Bay. Pop in any Saturday leading up to National Day and on National Day itself between 6pm and 10pm, and you can try the special Singapore-inspired Roaring City cocktail with pineapple tepache, vermouth jelly and curry leaves for just $20++. To sweeten the deal, they’ll also set you up with a complimentary lobster roll.
MO Bar, 5 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039797. p. +65 6885 3500. Open Sun – Thurs 11am – 1am, Fri, Sat & eve of PH 11am – 2am
Another elegant MBS offering, Spago is one of our favourite spots for sundowners against a stunning backdrop of the city skyline. The ambiance is chic yet casual with comfy sofas and plenty of lush greenery, and the drinks and food are spot on. If you don’t mind splashing out a bit, then Spago makes for a trendy spot to catch the fireworks. Be sure to try one (or three) of their handcrafted cocktails made with fresh fruits, bitters, and herbs.
Spago, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Sands SkyPark, Tower 2, Level 57, Singapore 018956. p. +65 6688 8888. Open Mon – Fri 6pm – 10pm, Sun 6pm – 11pm
Smoke & Mirrors
What better place to celebrate the nation than at one of Singapore’s iconic landmarks? Smoke & Mirrors sits atop the National Gallery and offers panoramic views of the skyline and the bay. Indulge in cocktails specially prepared with Singaporean flavours like the Rojak Milk Punch cocktail made with Rojak Gin, spiced pechuga, milk, ciitrics, ginger torch aroma and peanuts or the cheeky Robbery At The Museum with gin, maraschino liqueur, house-made cherry bitters, local herbs, fermented pineapple and a fizzy foam of aquafaba and soda water.
Smoke & Mirrors, 1 St. Andrew’s Road, National Gallery Singapore #06-01, Singapore 178957. p. +65 9380 6313. Open Mon – Thurs 3pm – 1am, Fri 3pm – 2am, Sat & eve of PH 12pm – 2am, Sun 3pm – 1am
Swissotel The Stamford
National Day is a great excuse for a Singapore staycation, and if you want to stay close to all the action, Swissotel The Stamford is the perfect spot. The Harbour View rooms feature huge windows looking out to the bay, so you can witness the pyrotechnics while relaxing in luxury. However, if you can drag yourself away from your luxe bolthole, you can also catch the fireworks from Michelin-starred JAAN and SKAI grill and bar on the 70th floor or swanky Bar Rouge on the 71st floor.
Swissotel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Road, Singapore 178882. p. +65 6338 8585
