Smith Street Taps

Smith Street Taps is the bar that launched Singapore's craft beer revolution. Opened in 2014 by industry pioneers Meng Chao and Daniel Goh — two of the country's earliest craft beer advocates — it was the first establishment in Singapore to offer premium draft craft beer from a hawker stall, and remains one of the most respected beer destinations in the city more than a decade later. The setup is deliberately unpretentious: a counter stall on the second floor of Chinatown Complex Food Centre, with custom walnut-and-maple tap handles, a chalkboard lineup, and tables shared with the surrounding hawker centre. No bar, no air conditioning, no food of its own — just 20 taps of meticulously chosen beer. The list balances Singapore's best independent breweries (Alive Brewing, That Singapore Beer Project, Brewlander) with carefully selected international imports from Japan, Australia, the UK, and beyond, rotated constantly and often including collaboration beers brewed specifically with Smith Street Taps. The staff's knowledge of Singapore's craft beer scene is encyclopedic, and regulars note that the conversation is as much a draw as the beer. Tap takeovers and special releases are announced on social media. Packaged beer, sake, and cider are also available for takeaway from the stall. Getting there: Smith Street Taps is on the 2nd floor of Chinatown Complex Food Centre — take Exit A from Chinatown MRT and allow a few extra minutes to navigate the building. The stall is at #02-062, and the surrounding hawker centre has excellent food stalls for pairing.