Canning Bar and Lounge
📍 Fort Canning Park, 2 Canning Rise, Singapore 179868
🗓 Opened: April 2026
🌐 Website | 🗺 Google Maps

Singapore's Botanical Bar Scene Gets a Serious New Contender

Opened in April 2026 at the METT Singapore hotel within the storied grounds of Fort Canning Park, Canning Bar and Lounge is the city's most talked-about new hotel bar this season. Positioned as a day-to-night destination, the space draws directly from its extraordinary surroundings — one of Singapore's most historically significant green corridors — translating the park's lush, layered botanicals into an interior and drinks programme that feels genuinely considered rather than decoratively convenient. For a city that has seen no shortage of hotel bars launch in recent years, Canning stands out by leaning hard into place and purpose rather than chasing trend.

The venue sits inside METT Singapore, a boutique lifestyle hotel that itself only recently made its mark on the local hospitality scene. The property occupies a sensitively restored colonial-era building on Canning Rise, and the bar inherits that architectural DNA — high ceilings, warm stone textures, and generous natural light that shifts dramatically from afternoon gold to evening amber. The result is a room that earns the word atmospheric without trying too hard.

What the Drinks Programme Looks Like

The cocktail menu at Canning Bar and Lounge is built around botanical ingredients sourced from and inspired by Fort Canning Park itself. Bartenders work with infusions, shrubs, and garden-forward spirits to construct drinks that reference Singapore's colonial past and its tropical present simultaneously. Expect to find signatures that incorporate local herbs, edible flowers, and regional spirits alongside a well- of natural wines and non-alcoholic alternatives — a nod to the increasingly sober-curious crowd that now drives premium bar culture across Southeast Asia.

• Signature cocktail: Garden-foraged botanical spritz with local herbs and sparkling wine
• Must-try non-alcoholic option: House shrub with hibiscus, lemongrass, and soda
• Light bites: Seasonal small plates designed to complement the drinks menu
• Price range: Approximately SGD 22–32 per cocktail

The bar transitions seamlessly from a sunlit afternoon lounge — popular for weekend high teas and post-walk refreshments from the park — into a more atmospheric evening setting as the light drops and the canopy outside darkens. This dual personality is deliberate and well-executed, making Canning genuinely useful across different parts of the day rather than a venue that only comes alive after dark.

Why Fort Canning Park Is the Right Address

Fort Canning Park carries significant weight in Singapore's cultural memory — it was the site of the British command centre during World War II and has served as a landmark public green space for generations of residents. Opening a botanical bar here is not a neutral act; it carries the expectation that the venue will honour the location rather than simply exploit it for aesthetic value. By most early accounts, Canning Bar and Lounge clears that bar. The design team has avoided the trap of superficial tropical theming, opting instead for a restrained palette that lets the park's own greenery do the visual heavy lifting through floor-to-ceiling windows and open-air terrace seating.

The terrace is arguably the bar's strongest asset. Overlooking the park's canopy with the Singapore skyline visible in the middle distance, it offers a vantage point that few hotel bars in the city can match. Reservations for terrace tables are already proving competitive on weekends, which is a reliable early indicator that the market has noticed something worth noticing.

The Verdict

Canning Bar and Lounge earns its place on the shortlist of Singapore's best new hotel bars not through spectacle but through specificity — a drinks programme rooted in its botanical surroundings, a setting that rewards both afternoon and evening visits, and a location that carries genuine prestige. If you have been looking for a bar that justifies the hotel detour, this is it. Book the terrace, arrive before sunset, and order whatever the bartender is most excited about that week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Canning Bar and Lounge located?

Canning Bar and Lounge is located within METT Singapore hotel at 2 Canning Rise, inside Fort Canning Park, Singapore 179868. The bar is accessible via the park's main pathways and is a short walk from the Fort Canning MRT station on the Downtown Line.

Is Canning Bar and Lounge open to non-hotel guests?

Yes, the bar is open to the public and is not restricted to hotel guests. Walk-ins are welcome, though reservations are recommended for terrace seating, particularly on weekend evenings when demand is high.

What kind of drinks does Canning Bar and Lounge serve?

The bar specialises in botanical-inspired cocktails that draw on ingredients and themes connected to Fort Canning Park. The menu also includes natural wines, curated spirits, and a selection of non-alcoholic drinks for those seeking alcohol-free options.

What are the opening hours for Canning Bar and Lounge?

The bar operates as a day-to-night venue, opening in the afternoon and running through to late evening. Exact hours should be confirmed directly with METT Singapore, as they may vary by day of the week or season.

Does the bar serve food?

Yes, Canning Bar and Lounge offers a selection of light bites and small plates designed to complement the drinks menu. The food offering is curated rather than extensive, positioning the venue primarily as a bar with thoughtful snacking options rather than a full dining destination.