raffles hotel bar
Sequinned silk column dress with matching slip, Mini Bow-cut patent leather shoulder bag, and glitter leather ankle-strap d’Orsays, Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci

This Raffles Hotel bar used to be a crowd favourite for its champagne brunches and European buffets, but its recent revamp ups this 119-year-old watering hole’s cool quotient with around 400 types of whisky, inventive cocktails (like an Old Fashioned smoked with oolong leaves), and upgraded interiors (The vintage charm and original billiard tables remain). 

Other unique drink offerings include the BBR 1896 – the bourbon used here is first washed in butter to give it a creamy feel – and the Miss H, a refreshing martini concoction with kiwi, Cointreau and lime.

raffles hotel bar
With quaint chandeliers and dark wood furnishings, it’s no wonder the bar is both a local and tourist favourite. Photo: Bar & Billiard Room Facebook

How it’s cementing its status as a hotspot for whisky connoisseurs: Resident whisky expert Christoph B. Nyfeler will host regular whisky appreciation masterclasses and dinners, and create exclusive whisky pairing menus for the so-inclined. Even desserts like chocolate whisky stones are not left untouched. But if these aren’t a big enough draw for you, the live jazz performances every Friday and Saturday will be.

Styling Imran Jalal Photography Elvina Farkas/Anue Management Art Direction Leyna Poh Photography Assistant Mich Tan & Lucas Milone Hair Peter Lee/Hairloom Makeup Melissa Yeo, using Nars Model Olesya R/Ave

An adapted version first appeared in Female’s December issue.

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