Southbridge

A «Night in Bangkok» and a «Cuba» for the girls, a beer for the guy. We are surrounded by an expat crowd and we admire the round-​trip of the riverboats. That’s a perfect way to start the weekend !
I really enjoyed the place, and unlike some reviews I’ve read, the service was perfect.
It is definitely worth a visit !

So we figured that this would be the perfect location to view the fireworks for National Day, but it quickly turned into a nightmare. Southbridge finally started taking reservations for groups under 10 a we had a pleasant experience the past few times we had gone, so we made a reservation for the timing of the fireworks. The reservation form was specific, that each reservation was for a 2 hour block and there would be a S$ 200 minimum for the table. We thought that would be reasonable for the view so we reserved a table for 2 in the 8−10pm block.
We arrived 20 minutes early just to make sure we did not miss our block or the fireworks. When we went up the first thing that we were told was that there was no more space and we would have to leave. When we said we had reservations to 3 different people and were told to «Hold on» as they disappeared and another random server would come up to us 10 minutes later and ask us what we wanted. When someone finally looked at the reservations, they informed us that the only location they had available for our block was behind the building by the toilets where we could not see the river, the stadium, Marina Bay, the Fullerton or the fireworks. We were then granted the privilege of standing in a corner while other people with no reservations barged past the random servers that told them there was no room and set up at the bar or in the front with no intention to purchase anything. Not that it would have mattered because after we stood in our corner for almost 45 minutes we were finally granted the opportunity to buy one drink, but only after informing us they were out of several liquors and and we needed to put down a credit card since we had «chosen» not to occupy our table yet. The «block» reservations clearly were not enforced or even considered, since everyone at the front of the bar had either no reservations and just showed up and stayed in the front or had early reservations and no intention to leave after 2 hours.
During the hour and a half that we stood in our corner and waited for the fireworks, we were not even asked if we wanted another drink, which even by Singapore standards was the one with the least amount of alcohol yet. When we were able to get a table next to the bar, we had to bus it ourselves because the waitstaff couldn’t be pulled away from chatting with one another or with the table of women, then we had to physically stop a waiter to wipe off all the spilled drinks from the table. The same waiter then proceeded to spill a drink on our feet that he was clearing from the table next to us. And then we sat and waited yet again. It took 20 minutes for anyone to ask whether we had ordered, so we requested simple drinks that would be difficult to make incorrectly, take a long time or not make at all, a bourbon on the rocks and a glass of white wine. We ordered and watched as the four bartenders struggled to make any drink besides pulling a bottle out of the cooler (which surprisingly was also an issue when another customer had to borrow the cork screw to open their own bottle of wine). After 15 minutes and two other confused waiters stopped to stare at us before asking if we had ordered yet, we received our second beverages, this being 2 hours into the ordeal.
We were able to order some food, which I will not even bother getting into as the lobster rolls were just premixed and slathered on a roll, the chili crab was ragu on a cold piece of bread, and the tuna tataki was clearly not fully thawed out. When we finally met our S$ 200 minimum (which we were informed that we would be charged for regardless of even with everything we had dealt with), we could not run out of there fast enough. Luckily McDonald’s delivers late into the evening and we were able to find another bar to grab some reasonable drinks in.
Two emphatic thumbs down. I could not rate as 0 stars but that is what was deserved. I will never return, and I would encourage anyone who has any sense to avoid at all costs. There are much better oyster places with just as good of a view.

Bottomless bottles of Hendrick’s conjur a purple haze, all in my brain.
Cup of Goose; carafe of tonic; wedges of lime; chomping cigars; lately things they don’t seem the same.
Cramped elevators; jungle humidity; open air; sitting on walls; acting funny but I don’t know why.
I’ve been here twice and haven’t bought a drink yet. Without Unilocal’s «you checked in here whadidyathinkoftheplace» prompting, I wouldn’t have ever in my wildest dreams have thought it was called Southbridge. Mr McGoo’s Gin Remedy and Open-​Air Jungle Joint seems like more of a fit. Scuse me while I kiss the sky!

Dude… so the view is amazing (though is anyone concerned how close this place is to parliament… I could throw a baseball and break a window) ambiance is great, oysters were awesome… but service bro… Service was so slow… crowd was very expat, not good or bad just factual, but man service was slow, forgot our food order and even asking for the check was a huge ordeal and it was a Thursday… not too busy. I’ll come back though and give it another chance. Location is in close proximity to office and close enough to for me to stumble home. Hoping for a better time

Great roof top view of the river! Come early as it gets very very busy fast! Drinks are just as pricy as anywhere in Boat Quay, however this place has some killer bar food! Way better than the typical wings and fries offered at so many other bars in this area. Come for the view, leave with a happy tastebuds!

Great venue and space, but the only surprise was that for every cocktail you order (e.g. gin and tonic, vodka and cranberry, etc), they charge you for the mixer.
For example, a vodka cranberry would be $ 15, $ 10 for the vodka and $ 5 for the cranberry for every drink order, even if they use a quarter of a soda can + re-​use it for the next drink order.
First bar I’ve ever been to that’s done that.
Otherwise, would recommend.

Some low key marketing and what do you know. I only heard about this AMAZING rooftop bar yesterday when my wife and I were invited to a friend’s birthday parties. This place has been open since September 2014… What???
Although Southbridge has a Boat Quay address, the entrance is from South Bridge Road in the back alley. Take the elevator to the 5^th floor and you are seemingly whisked away above the low-​rise Shop houses on Boat Quay and Circular Rd. Once you get to the top floor, you are treated with some of the most breathtaking views of Singapore including Marina Bay Sands, Parliament House and the Raffles Place.
The top floor of this shop house was absolutely packed with some seriously good looking people. I almost felt like I didn’t belong, when I realized that I’m not that bad looking myself. Haha! Kidding…
There are two distinct seating/​standing areas situated on either side of the rooftop. Of course, the side with the bar was the most packed. The cocktails are solid, but like all cocktails in Singapore, the prices are north of $ 20. Michelle had a Southern Belle, for which she is one, and it tasted fruity and refreshing. Additionally, they serve some high class seafood eats: oysters, lobster knuckle rolls, to name a few. The Oysters looked great from a far, but given that I’m from Connecticut (arguably where the best Oysters in the world come from — New England), I didn’t think I was missing much.
Overall, easily a 5-​star establishment. Stunning views, beautiful people, and a perfect place to have any conversation. My only complaints are (i) the drink service can be a little slow, with only three folks manning the bar, and (ii) the music is not loud enough (an ode to Kinki’s rooftop). Nevertheless, a great addition to Singapore’s growing rooftop bar seen. If I were Madmen, I would seriously be worried.