The hype and vibe: It’s the latest venture from Singapore-based hospitality whizz Gibran Baydoun, who is also behind popular pizza joints Lucali BYGB and Proper Slice.

Newly opened on September 6, the folks here describe Corduroy Palace as an unorthodox wine hall, and “as if a dive bar in the middle of America had a love child with a grand hotel ballroom”. Classy yet never taking itself too seriously, it’s certainly a place that patrons can call their regular watering hole.

While current Covid-19 regulations don’t allow for music, the venue will in future be playing a mix of genres such as hip hop, soul, R&B and rock. The eclectic playlist (think rock, rap, jazz, blues and soul) includes singers like Prince, Shirley Bassey, The Zombies, Kanye West and Al Green.

The booze: Corduroy’s wine programme is helmed by head sommelier and wine director Marcus Chen, formerly from Jaan nd a finalist of WGA’s Rising Sommelier of the Year Award.

Don’t expect a formulaic style where wines are organised by region and varietal and displayed in empty bottles. Guests get to pick directly by the bottle from 10 wine coolers flanking the wine hall, with Chen and other staff on hand to make recommendations. The diverse selection of over 300 bottles includes natural and biodynamic wines, classics, cult favourites and uncommon grapes, as well as a two-door cooler dedicated to bubbly.

RFID technology has been introduced for almost 70 wines in their collection. This gives you the wine’s description, tasting notes and even a photo you can post to your social media story.

The space: The inspiration is “midtown mid-century Manhattan dining room” with a maximalist aesthetic. Helming the design team is creative strategist and designer Jason Schlabach and architect Jin Seow.

The space is theatrically lit to create a cosy, dramatic atmosphere, down to the theatre booth downlights which illuminate each step through Corduroy Palace. As guests head down the hall of wine, the 10 cooler doors are lit as a nod to installations by mid-century artist Dan Flavin.

Above the bar are some of owner Baydoun’s favourite books that lend the place a personal, worldly element. Corduroy’s walls also feature an eclectic assembly of contemporary artwork. These include an original Picasso Grand Maternity and Ifrit (P8) by abstract artist Gerhard Richter.

The food: Helming the kitchen at Corduroy Palace is executive chef Ariana Flores, who has created the menu with wine pairings in mind. Signatures include fresh oysters from Normandy, as well as xiao long bao topped with caviar in collaboration with hawker stall You Peng.

You can also expect humble sandwiches like turkey, egg salad and chicken salad, and premium items like the 300g Prime Rib with baked potato.

Where: 110 Amoy Street, Gemmill Lane (entrance back off)

Opening hours: 3pm to 10:30pm daily. Closed Sunday.

Contact: DM @corduroy_palace on Instagram.

The hype and vibe: Opened since September 1 this year, the 45-seater Club Street Wine Room is helmed by chef Andrew Walsh − founder and chief executive of Cure Concepts. The F&B brand also manages establishments like Cure, Butcher Boy and Catfish.

“Club Street Wine Room will be our first wine bar concept, providing a laidback and unpretentious foray into the world of wines, accompanied by high-quality food,” says Walsh.

Acid jazz music sets the mood at this Club Street venue, combining elements of funk, soul, hip hop, jazz and disco. An inviting, open area creates a loungey and relaxed ambience, encouraging lingering, free-slow conversations and conviviality.

The booze: Club Street Wine Room boasts a wine programme curated by head sommelier and operations director Amir Solay. Its dynamic selection will appeal to traditionalists, fans of natural wines and adventurous tipplers.

Highlights include the Sea Soul No. 4, a sea-aged wine submerged underwater for months at a time to aid fermentation and enhance taste. Also, Chateau Kefraya Collection Amphora 2018, fermented, stored, and transported in vessels made of terracotta clay following an ancient practice of winemaking.

Club Street Wine Room is the first in Asia to offer wine served in this amphora-aged style, and also the first in Singapore to offer free-flowing Pet-Nat sparkling wines as part of its Sunday brunch menu.

The space: Club Street Wine Room’s interior may be defined as chic, casual and designed to facilitate conversation. The dining area includes a large skylight over a communal bar table area, which gives the shophouse a sense of airy openness during the day.

At night, the space features an intimate candlelit ambience, with cosy nooks and corners for guests looking for privacy and to lounge around.

The food: Head Chef Ho Jun Yip heads the culinary direction at Club Street Wine Room.

You’ll find mains designed for sharing like whole snapper and turbot. There’s also the Guinea Fowl Confit, basted in its own fat and crushed with sweet black pepper caramel. Steak-lovers can indulge in the Steak Au Poivre − a full kilogram of aged beef on the bone.

A variety of light snacks are also available between meals, with a small takeaway deli corner where guests can buy their favourite wines and gourmet snacks.

Where: 87 Club Street

Opening hours: Tuesday & Wednesday, 4pm to 10:30pm; Thursday & Friday, noon to 10:30pm; Saturday, 11am to 10:30pm; Sunday, 11am to 8:30pm. Closed Monday.

Contact: 6970-0190