When I arrived in Singapore, I couldn’t wait to check off the first item on my bucket list – having a Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel.
The legendary Singapore Sling is considered by many as the national drink. So, off I went to the famous Long Bar at Raffles Hotel. But, how much does a Singapore Sling cost at Raffles Hotel? Do you need to make a reservation at the Long Bar? And is the experience worth it?
How to get to Raffles Hotel for your Singapore Sling at the Long Bar
The nearest Metro stop to Raffles is Esplanade. From here it’s about a five minute walk to Raffles.
There are various bus stops in the vicinity of Raffles Hotel too.
If you’re doing a Big Bus Hop On Hop Off tour of Singapore, there’s a stop right outside of Raffles.
The History of the Singapore Sling at the Long Bar, Raffles Hotel
The Singapore Sling dates to 1917, when it was created by Ngiam Tong Boon. He noticed that women had limited drinking options, and so created the Singapore Sling – a cocktail that looks like fruit juice with an aesthetic rose colour, and named it a fruit punch. The Singapore Sling became a huge instant success, and it’s still very popular to this day.
How do I find the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel, and do I need a reservation?
The Long Bar is clearly signposted as you arrive at Raffles. You do not need to be a guest at Raffles in order to access The Long Bar. The Long Bar walk in only and doesn’t accept reservations.
How long is the Queue at Raffles Hotel, and what time should I arrive?
As the Long Bar doesn’t accept reservations, the queue can be very long. I would recommend arriving as close to the opening time of midday as possible.
I arrived at 1pm on a weekday, and there was around 20 people ahead of me in the queue. I was queuing for 45 minutes before a table was available. The staff at the Long Bar went up and down the queue with refreshments.
Hotels in Singapore: Top hotels
| Hotel | Stars | Discount | Price before and discount | Select dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swissotel Merchant Court Singapore (SG Clean) | ★★★★★ | -17% | 191 159 | View hotel |
| JEN Singapore Orchardgateway by Shangri-La | ★★★★ | -19% | 210 170 | View hotel |
| Carlton Hotel Singapore | ★★★★★ | -17% | 183 151 | View hotel |
| Sofitel Singapore City Centre | ★★★★★ | -16% | 300 254 | View hotel |
| Royal Plaza on Scotts | ★★★★★ | -6% | 200 189 | View hotel |
How much does a Singapore Sling at Raffles cost, and what else is on the menu?
A Singapore Sling at Raffles costs 39 Singapore dollars in 2024, which is about £23. The Long Bar also charges a 10% service charge.
This is definitely the most expensive drink I’ve ever had in South East Asia, but you’re paying for the experience – and the Sling’s are absolutely delicious!
The Long Bar doesn’t just serve Singapore Slings, it has an array of other drinks on the menu including variations of the traditional Singapore Sling.
A complimentary sack of nuts is also situated on each table, and it is customary to discard the shells on the floor – a tradition originating with Ngiam Tong Boon that continues to this day.
