As any anal-retentive, perfection-demanding event organizer knows, finding the perfect space to host your event is like hitting that proverbial needle in a haystack. The options are needlessly endless, time is of the essence, requirements are many; and budgets are, sadly, limited.
So if you have absolutely no clue which venue best suits your event, don’t despair. We have come up with a selection of the best restaurants and bars that you can hold your event in (formal AGMs, crazy let-loose sessions, themed parties and even ultra chi chi affairs).

Leafy Locales: Perfect for large guest numbers, informal events and loads of interaction

Oosh (22 Dempsey Rd., 22 Dempsey Rd., 6475-0002)
Why here: One of the earlier tenants of Dempsey when the area first became the buzzword in cool, Oosh has largely retained its hip factor.
These guys are armed with multiple venues within the space that come with intriguing names like The Bar, The Garden, The Lookout, The Roof and Trellis. Not just a restaurant and bar, Oosh also has a man-made waterfall, cigar and wine cellar lounge, and a lookout and roof cocktail deck (among others).
Floor space: A whopping 110,000 sq. ft.—with eight different venues.
The food/drinks: It’s international chow here with a European/Western slant. There are also Asian specialties, barbeque items and bar snacks.
The cost: The food and drinks are charged per person—and can range
from about $50 to more than $160 per person for a buffet with free
flow of beverages.
Special touches: These guys can also help with the decor, and produce personalized invites, personalized cocktails with corporate colors; and even menus customized to the theme of the event.
Booking lead-time: Two weeks. More straightforward events require only one week of advanced booking before the event.

Tippling Club (8D Dempsey Rd., 6475-2217)
Why here: The award-winning Tippling Club is the brainchild of two good friends—head chef Ryan Clift and mixologist Matthew Bax. Think top food and drinks in a hip, counter-dining environment that overlooks verdant greenery. The fact that you can personally witness all the action transpiring at the kitchen and bar stations if you opt for counter seating is certainly an entertaining concept for events.
Floor space: 3,000 sq. ft. The Tippling Terrace, a new open-air terrace annex, will be ready by August 15—and will add 1,000 sq. ft. of space. 
The food/drinks: Modern European cuisine is served here; with cocktails ranging from the more pedestrian to more avant-garde.
The cost: Lunch events from about $45 per person and dinner events from $75 per person (with a required minimum number of guests). 
Special touches: The twin talents of Clift and Bax mean that they can add super creative interpretations to your theme. Just think:
the bites and drinks are made on the spot. The unique bar layout also allows them to design original food and spirits masterclasses for your guests.
Booking lead-time: A minimum of a week’s advance booking is needed. Last-minute events are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Ecectic Cool: Brilliant for themed events and more casual networking opportunities

Breeze (4/F, The Scarlet, 33 Erskine Rd., 6511-3333)
Why here: This alfresco rooftop bar located within the sexy, ultra sophisticated boutique hotel The Scarlet scores high on ambiance. It even doubles up as a grill, which is perfect when you consider the open-air nature; and the alluring wind-down-and-relax vibe of the place. Its location at the hip Ann Siang area is a big plus if you’re organizing a corporate event.
Floor space: About 2,690 sq. ft. The maximum capacity is 70 people for sit-down events and 100 people if you have a mixed ratio of both sitting and standing guests. 
The food/drinks: Assorted canapés, seafood and cocktails are the mainstays here.
The cost: About $60 per person for the set menu, while the price for a canapés event is $60-80 per person or $24 per dozen pieces. The price of a buffet is about $60 per person. If you need them to close off half of the space, a rental charge of about $1,500 will be applicable if the minimum revenue of $3,500 is not met. For full closure, a rental charge of $2,500 will be applicable if the minimum revenue of $7,000 is not met.
Booking lead-time: At least seven working days in advance.

Insomnia Bar & Restaurant (#01-21/22/23 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St., 6338-6883)
Why here: Built to look like a Gothic European manor house with marble sculptures and wrought iron fittings; the ever-hip Insomnia has an outdoor courtyard with lawn and greenery. 
Floor space: 2,700 sq. ft.—good for about 300 people. There are three different areas: a main indoor area; an indoor main entrance bar; and an alfresco dining and smoking area. 
The food/drinks: Get Asian and Western grub here; plus beers, spirits, fine wines and international cocktails.
The cost:The finger food menus start from $14 per person, the buffet dinner menus start from $35 per person and a free flow bar service priced per hour/per person costs about $18. Specially tailored packages can also be arranged.
Special touches: Live music is the specialty here—these guys can provide anything from acoustic music to six-member rock bands.
Booking lead-time: At least two weeks in advance.

Garden Charm: Splendid for outdoor/indoor options and informal events with a back-to-nature appeal

La Villa (341 River Valley Rd., 6836-5286)
Why here: The newest addition to Senso Group’s list of successful restaurants, La Villa is located rather randomly, but cleverly, where the old River Valley Primary School used to be. The key word here is space—lots of it in a sunny, garden-like setting.
Floor space: 2,500 sq. ft. indoors and 4,000 sq. ft. outdoors.
The food/drinks: European fare—think fancy canapés, hearty Italian pastas and pizzas to quality European-style grills. There are three basic arrangements—cocktail, buffet and sit down. There’s even Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine) for a touch of class. 
The cost: From $40-80 per person, depending on the requirements (such as alcohol consumption, or type of menu).
Special touches: Traditional European dishes prepared by executive chef Roberto Carani; customized menus including fancy cocktails; and an outdoor barbeque space. The vast outdoor space allows for much creativity and innovation.
Booking lead-time: At least one month in advance. For last-minute events, about one to two weeks prior to event date.

Villa Halia (Ginger Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Rd., 6476-6711)
Why here: Nestled deep in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Halia affords the privacy and romanticism that most venues are sadly lacking. Villa Halia is a new extension of Halia and houses different spaces. With a gorgeous location and a wonderful garden ambience, Villa Halia is perfect for a super-exclusive event.
Floor space: The place is approx 4,500 sq. ft. (can fit 250 people) and is divided into three sections—the Wine Bar, The Courtyard and The Gallery. 
The food/drinks:  The cuisine here is European with an Asian influence.
The cost: $80-200 per person.
Special touches: Personalized invites and menus, floral arrangement and gift bags and favors (in the form of food or premiums), corporate team-building sessions and corporate retreats like bartending competitions.
Booking lead-time: At least three months in advance. Large group bookings of above 80 people need to be booked at least a month in advance. For smaller parties, two to three weeks is sufficient.

The White Rabbit (39C Harding Rd., 6473-9965)
Why here: Opened by the folks behind Loof and OverEasy, The White Rabbit not only has a cute name coined from Alice in Wonderland; but architecturally,  is also a charmer. Located in the restored Ebenezer Chapel with stained glass windows, a high ceiling, and an old-world feel, it is nonetheless, undeniably hip. It’s spacious, but not vacuous; chic but not pretentious. A lush garden also makes the perfect setting for a garden themed party.  
Floor space: The chapel building itself is 5,000 sq. ft. The seating capacity in the main dining hall (including the Sunday Room) is 150 people. The alfresco Rabbit Hole can take up to 400 plus standing people (fab for canapés and cocktails). Tents can be pitched in the garden, so for large events, it allows for great flexibility with creative use of the space. 
The food/drinks: All their menus are customized, so once these guys know what the client wants, they will speak to their chefs and come up with a menu that fits the client’s needs and budget. 
The cost: About $90 per person for a canapés and cocktails event; and $120
per person for a five-course set meal.
Special touches: DJs or customized playlists can be provided.
Booking lead-time: Three months ahead for exclusive events (booking the whole restaurant, the entire indoor dining hall or outdoor bar) and a month for non-exclusive events that take up only a section of the restaurant.

Sleek Sophistication: Good for formal business networking, corporate functions and office rapport-building

KPO (1 Killiney Rd., 6733-3648)
Why here: Short for Killiney Post Office, KPO is the latest project by the Imaginings group (Wala Wala and Balacalva). This deceptively small space is a lot sleeker than it looks (and sounds) and a lot bigger than its simple façade would have you believe. Interior-wise, it’s all minimalistic cool here, with an enviable and very smart use of space.
Floor space: The second floor comprises a 150 sq. ft. outdoor area furnished with square tables and ample seating in the event area. If the weather is bad, the event can also move indoors (120 guests) around the bar area.
The food/drinks: Premium finger food specially prepared by the head chef is served here. Items include mini burgers (beef and chicken) and profiteroles. Food items are designed to complement the alcohol selection. Beverages would include a range of house pours which appeal to everyone.
The cost: An event of 30 guests for two hours would range between $3,500-5,000, depending on requirements.
Special touches: These guys charge $250 for the design layout of personalized invites (excluding printing).
Booking lead-time: Two weeks in advance. A 50 percent deposit has to be paid to secure the dates.

B. at the Bellini Grande / The Bellini Grande (#01-01 Blk. B Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6336-7676/6270-7676)
Why here: The newest addition to the St. James group, The Bellini Grande has a winning combination of both a restaurant, B. at the Bellini Grande; and a modern super club. The glam, opulent-looking restaurant is replete with ultra sleek yet unintimidating dimly-lit, intimate interiors lined with soft seats, glitzy mirrors, a shiny piano, lush velvety furnishings and soft chairs—while the modern look of the club is every club-goer’s dream. 
Floor space: The lounge is about 1,638 sq. ft. while the restaurant is about 1,407 sq. ft. 
The cost: The menu ranges from $68-128 and can serve nicely for anything from 10-70 people for a sit-down dinner (a buffet dinner can seat 120 people). A cocktail canapés function menu costs about $25-45 per person.
Special touches: Invites, customized menus (Asian menus included) and wine pairings.
Booking lead-time: Preferably about two days to three days. Larger functions require at least one week’s advance notice.

Yantra (#01-28/33 Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Rd., 6836-3088)
Why here: Posh, smart and very contemporary, Yantra is accented by dark interiors, classy leather-bound high-back chairs and warm lighting. The food is excellent too—with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available; and yummy dishes like chicken briyani and malai kofta (vegetable balls in sauce). It’s also located in a rather central, but not overly crowded part of town.  
Floor space: About 11,000 sq. ft.—the indoor space is 7,000 sq. ft. and the alfresco area is 4,000 sq. ft. 
The food/drinks: Various packages are available—from finger food, or soft drinks or house pour spirits with an option of finger food.
The cost: Dinner packages start at about $55 and can go up to $250 with premium drinks. Anything from an intimate dinner at their private dining room for up to eight people, to a sit-down dinner in the restaurant for up to 120 people is possible. Cocktail receptions that extend to their bar and alfresco area can also accommodate up to 300 people.
Special touches: Personalized invites and menus, flower arrangements, live cooking, and more.
Booking lead-time: Depending on availability and the nature of the event, they can take bookings up to a week in advance.

Offbeat Outings: Fabulous for exclusivity, coziness and a refreshing surprise element

Mietta’s/Hugo’s Bar (126 Arab St., 6396-5493)
Why here: The baby of chef Angelo Sanelli, his wife Jayanthi Sanelli and former Zambuca chef Dennis Sim, this restaurant dishes out French-Italian food, and even has a cool bar upstairs called Hugo’s Bar that’s decked out with quirky paintings.
Floor space: About 2,000 sq. ft. for Mietta’s and 2,000 sq. ft. for Hugo’s Bar. The space can be divided into two different levels and three different sections per level.
The food/drinks: Different types of cuisine can be provided—from local to Asian to international; for events as varied as standing cocktail and canapés, themed buffets, special set lunches or dinners, even live cooking demonstrations.
The cost: The ballpark figure is about $40 per person for about 200 guests. 
Special touches: Personalized invites, themed decor according to clients’ requirements, live entertainment and even different types of cuisine.
Booking lead-time: Usually at least one month is needed.

Mimolette Restaurant & Bar (55 Fairways Dr., 6467-7748)
Why here: Imbued with a pastoral feel and a relaxing vibe, Mimolette has both indoor and alfresco areas, which give room for many options. The restaurant is small but intimate (great for mingling). 
Floor space: There are five areas here, and you’re basically free to choose all of them or just a few. Areas include an indoor dining hall (3,000 sq. ft.; seats 70 people), alfresco dining area (1,000 sq. ft.; seats 40 people), an indoor bar with a lounge setting (seats 50 standing/seating people); an outdoor bar (seats 100 standing/seating people); and a private dining room (1,000 sq. ft.; seats 30 people). 
The food/drinks: Modern American cuisine with a French influence.
The cost: For dinner, a three-course set dinner with drinks costs $80 per person for 50 people and above, while a function with canapés with drinks costs about $40 per person for 30 people and above.
Special touches: Invites, posters and any peripherals can also be arranged and factored into the costs (the added extras will be charged at cost with no further mark up).
Booking lead-time: About one to two weeks in advance.

Sprawling Spaces: Awesome for activity-based events, a large guestlist and events that require a lot of customization

House@ Dempsey (8D Dempsey Rd., 6476-6050)
Why here: Consisting of House, Barracks and Camp, this huge space is where you can just hang out, have a spa session or massage, and chow down. These guys handle launches, hen nights, weddings, engagement parties, corporate retreats, team building, events, D&Ds, theme parties, and more.
Floor space: 17,000 sq. ft.—with five different private dining rooms with cool decorations. The full capacity of these rooms ranges from a cozy six to 24 people in the stunning Greenhouse. The spacious Wassily Room can be partitioned into 3 different rooms and can take up to 120 standing people.
The food/drinks: Expect a wide variety of international comfort food.
The cost: On average, prices are around $50-60 per person.
Booking lead-time: Two weeks.

Social House (#01-30 Liang Court, 177 River Valley Rd., 6333-1166)
Why here: The gargantuan Social House is a “premiere integrated entertainment hub.” There’s a Japanese restaurant Umami; Social House; whose main bar boasts an impressive 1,500 sq. ft.of entertainment space; and Bubble Bubble, a private area with its very own bar, where you can host private functions. 
Floor space: 16,000 sq. ft. of floor area.
The food/drinks:  Expect a wide selection of wine, beers, spirits, soft drinks and ocha. The food is best termed nouvelle Japanese cuisine. 
The cost: Booking of Bubble Bubble for the whole night (till 5am) requires a minimum spending of $10,000. Packages range from $60 per person onwards (minimum 30 people), and include food, a free flow of soft drinks and beer.
Special touches: Events can be tailored on a case-by-case basis. Collaterals such as invites can also be done.
Booking lead-time: Two weeks.