Looking for new watering holes to hang out at? Check out these stylish bars – including new openings and revamped establishments – that offer the most inventive, indulgent and Instagram-worthy cocktails in the +65.
The whisky and sumiyaki bar is located in an unassuming two-storey shophouse along the busy Tanjong Pagar Road, and its name takes after the 100-year-old brick walls that give the space added character. The 20-seater bar is situated on the first floor, while a more intimate lounge area (with a maximum capacity of 10) and a private room lies above.
The Wall’s aim: Make whisky-drinking more accessible. With over 300 types of whisky (prices start from $14 for a gentleman’s pour) available, the menu contains a tasting chart to guide you on the flavour profiles you’ll find palatable. The highlight here? Whisky flights ($49), which offer four types of whisky paired with different types of meat skewers (its price is borderline criminal, considering the variety of food and drink you’ll get to enjoy). The yakitori here – from chicken wings to minced chicken balls – are lightly grilled and seasoned with salt, making deliciously tasty accompaniments to an oaky Auchentoshan Three Wood and a smooth Yamazaki Distiller Reserve. Don’t miss out on other interesting nibbles such as miso-flavoured nachos ($8) and dehydrated fugu – yes, puffer fish – with a spicy mayonnaise dip ($25). 76 Tanjong Pagar Road
The Amoy Street establishment, founded and owned by former Operations Dagger mixologist Vijay Mudaliar, celebrates local and regional influences, from the cleverly crafted cocktails ($19-$23) to the bar interior. Plants such as betel, turmeric, curry leaves and starfruit are his star ingredients, while spirits are sourced from Sri Lanka and India. One of his most talked-about creations is the Antz cocktail, which uses actual ants as garnishes.
Design-wise, every element of Native celebrates local artisans’ handiwork. Ceramics come from local supplier Ummuramics, while scents for the bar was created by homegrown brand Candles Of Light. The graffiti work on its stairway wall was also created by Singapore artist Rajesh Kumar. 52A Amoy Street
Its co-founders are the team behind 28 Hong Kong Street, which made 14th place on the World’s 50 Best Bars list last year. The all-day drinking and dining spot emanates a congenial, laid-back air with large communal tables, hip music and fun artworks by Singapore-based artist Steve Lawler aka Mojoko.
Cocktails here are characterised as “fun drinks served fast”, and there’s even a slushy machine on hand to create drinks such as the Fro-Zay ($19), which contains frozen rose wine from Provence. Its menu covers breakfast, lunch and dinner, with stand-outs such as a bourbon-glazed pork collar chop ($24) and a locally-sourced barramundi fillet ($24). 43 Tanjong Pagar Road
The restaurant-bar might be difficult to find as there is no clear signage announcing its presence, but its cosy warmth and unpretentious decor more than makes up for it.
By day, it caters to the lunch crowd with affordable gourmet burgers and bowls. By night, it serves up classic cocktails and unique concoctions such as the Chamomilla, a blend of chamomile-infused gin and Tougarashi umeshu. #01-02 31 Hong Kong Street
Arguably one of the most anticipated openings of 2017, Atlas is slated to open at Parkview Square’s art deco-inspired lobby bar in March. Its head bartender Roman Foltan was recognised as one of Forbes’ 30 Most Talented People Under 30 in 2015), and was formerly from award-winning London joint Artesian at The Langham.
One of the coolest features here is its bespoke rose gold walk-in champagne room, which houses the bar’s exquisite collection of bubbly from the finest champagne houses in the world, as well as personal selections from the founders’ cellar. Parkview Square, 600 North Bridge Road
Zouk has unveiled its fourth concept at its new Clarke Quay home: Capital, an intimate and upscale setting that caters to working professionals and guests who prefer the finer experiences in life. At close to 6,900 sq ft, the second-floor space accommodates up to 540 guests and has four zones – an island bar, a whisky bar, a cigar room and a plush seating area – as well as its own dance floor. Conceptualised by design studio Charnley Stadworth, the space utilises stone, brass, gold-rimmed marble tables and dark finishes for a moodily luxurious atmosphere. The art here has been curated by Asian art consultancy The Artling, and features works by Japanese artist Tetsuya Toshima and Indonesian sculptor Abdi Setiawan.
Here, you’ll find an extensive list of over 48 types of whiskys, as well as a range of rare, collector’s and limited edition bottles (case in point: the $36,000 price tag on the Dalmore Constellation 1971 Cask 2). Also expect live performances by local DJs and musicians during post-work hours, and turns into a club with hip-hop and R&B mixes as the night wears on. The Cannery, 3C River Valley Road
Also part of the new Zouk at Clarke Quay enclave, the restaurant/bar focuses on contemporary Asian sharing plates and a selection of craft cocktails that celebrate four of the hottest nightlife districts across Asia: Hong Kong’s Lan Kwai Fong, Seoul’s Itaewon, Kuala Lumpur’s The Row and Bali’s Jalan Legian.
Signature concoctions include Uphill Ding Dong (left, $20), a gin-based creation whose name references the iconic “Ding Ding” trams in Hong Kong, and Wild Pearl (right, $18), a Soju and dry vermouth-based drink with homemade sesame syrup and sesame oil (it’s named after “perilla”, a Korean word for “wild sesame”). #01-04 3C River Valley Road
Re-opening in the Tanjong Pagar district, the space looks largely similar to its former home at Kallang (raw concrete furnishings are still a fixture). What’s new? It now has a larger capacity of almost 400 people (it could only hold 200 at its previous location), a bar that’s double the length of its former one, and a full Funktion One sound system (the British brand is renowned for being one of the best speaker manufacturers in the world).
Also new: the “underground” entrance located along a back alley in Chinatown, with graffiti art by local artist Samantha Lo splashed onto the walls. The lounge will function as a cocktail bar on most weekdays, and transform into a dance floor on Fridays and the weekend. Don’t miss its After Dark New Year’s Countdown party on Dec 31 (there’s free-flow booze, guys). 21 Tanjong Pagar Road
Its name may sound rude, but it’s a reference to the restaurant-bar’s liberal mish-mash of Asian flavours in its food and drink (akin to having a love child, if you will). Dishes like Japanese udon come with a tom yam consomme ($20), while drinks are inspired by childhood favourites.
There’s Simply Yeo’s ($18), which uses bird’s nest alongside sous vide gin, lemon peel and barley; Cheng Tng Gao ($18), which laces the dessert with brandy; and Miss Siam ($22), a gin-based cocktail infused with red and green chillies. Tip: The bar is reportedly housed within The Refinery above a “secret” stairwell. 115 King George’s Avenue
The secret bar has long been known – and favoured – for its cosy, intimate setting. Now, The Library has expanded to the space previously occupied by The Study, and has also debuted a revamped cocktail menu. Drinks are now categorised into the following profiles: Strong & Dangerous; Sexy & Tropical; and Crazy & Sophisticated.
But that’s not all: The bar is also collaborating with Eu Yan Sang, one of Singapore’s most established institutions in traditional chinese medicine, in its new pop-up concept. Besides re-making the facade of The Library into a modern version of a Chinese medicine shop, the bar has also incorporated these ingredients – such as rooibos tea, ginger rice shrub and ginseng – into five cocktails. Hipnotique (above), for example, comes with absinthe, rooibos tea, burlesque bitters and egg white, while others like Rice & Shine incorporate ginger rice shrub, ginseng and crysanthemum. 47-49 Keong Saik Road
This rooftop bar is not new to the scene, but its new menu launch deserves mention. Created in collaboration with local chef Bjorn Shen (the man behind Bird Bird and Artichoke), its new plates are an edible interpretation of “Dude-Sin” – aka Dude Singaporean – cuisine, and features Asian flavours with a twist, like bacon garnished with Vietnamese pho herbs ($16), chilli crab fries ($15) and a B.C.M. grilled cheese ($18), which comprises sourdough bread stuffed with pork mince and mushrooms.
Drinks also feature quintessentially local flavours like pandan, sour plum, jackfruit and Milo. Must-tries include Kaya Lumpur (above, $19), a refreshing mix of kaya, soda, house bitters and pineapple rum, and Kopi Cat ($19), which has coffee, condensed milk and salted caramel-infused vodka. There are also two new group-serve cocktails (best shared between two to three people) to try. One is called PAP – Pineapple Action Party ($36), which has cucumber-infused tequila, while the other’s called Great Singapore Sail ($38), made of light and dark rum, absinthe, banana and cold-drip coffee. Expect drinks to be presented in the most Instagram-worthy anner here too. #03-07 Odeon Towers Rooftop, 331 North Bridge Road
This story was first published on www.femalemag.com.sg on Dec 27, 2016.
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