In bustling Singapore, there is never a shortage of places to have whatever your choice of tipple. After all, there’s good reason why Singapore’s bar scene is considered one of the world’s best. In 2018’s World’s 50 Best Bars list, Singapore leads the rankings of bars from Asia with five bars in total on the list. So the question is, how do you choose where to go when you’re searching for joints to knock back and catch up with your pals?
We’ve done the homework for you. These six unique watering holes are sure to make your friends mighty impressed with you.
An extravagant interior greets guests the moment they set foot on its plush floors. Located within the compounds of boutique hotel The Vagabond Club, The Whiskey Library is beautifully decorated with ornate Art Deco designs curated by renowned designer Jacques Garcia. Artistic pieces such as a solid brass rhino and ginormous sculptures of elephants and a monkey are found all over the library, which resembles a charming old-school Parisian salon. It is here where you’d get over 1,000 whiskies on offer — some are rare and very exclusive bottlings — displayed behind vitrines designed and hand-crafted by a local woodsman. While sipping your beverage, you might be entertained by intimate theatre performances, musical showcases, book readings and more. A haven for whiskey connoisseurs.
If you’d want special perks, sign up for their membership programme (an annual membership costs $3,000). Benefits include special bottle pricing, privileged access to 80 lockers (each with it own tasselled key in which you can store up to 15 bottles of whiskey), 10-room nights at The Vagabond Club, access to the Vagabond Club gym and reserved seating at regular Whiskey Club events and experiences. Posh.
The Whiskey Library is at 39 Syed Alwi Road, Singapore 207630, tel: 6291 6677. Opens 5pm to 2am on Mondays to Sundays.
You’ve probably been to their rooftop sibling Mr Stork for a cheeky rooftop nightcap but the better spot to hang at for post-work drinks is on the 25th floor at Alley on 25. While the multi-cuisine, all-day dining venue boasts a decent view of the CBD, it’s really the free-flowing drinks and bar bites offer that’s a compelling draw. Held every Wednesday and Thursday, the Andaz Kitchen Party from 6-9pm for $50 nett per person gives access to a variety of tipples (Andaz Pale Ale, free-flowing red and white wine from NZ’s Karri Oak vineyard, beer, soft drinks) and an array of canapes like duck rillette, cheeses from The Cheese Artisans, bar bites like chicken wings and aioli and freshly-baked breads from Tiong Bahru Bakery.
Alley on 25 is at Andaz Singapore, 5 Fraser St, Level 25, Singapore 189354, tel: 6408 1288. Opens 6.30am-10pm daily.
Be prepared to be completely blown away by Atlas. It’s currently eighth on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2018 list, thanks to its carefully crafted cocktails and opulent interior that boasts art deco designs from the 1920s. The incredibly tall painted ceiling and 15-metre gin tower adds to the jaw-dropping factor. Housed in a gothic-style building everyone fondly describes as Singapore’s “Gotham Building”, the elegant interior is said to be inspired by the skyscrapers of Europe and New York, and is the spot to be.
For something more indulgent than the average tipple here, go for their Atlas Collections menu. It features 50,000 bottles of fine wine, over 10,000 bottles of whiskey, as well as two of the world’s most remarkable physical collections of gin and champagne. Prices start from $12 for a glass of Martini Rosso Vermouth to $190,700 for a bottle of 1907 Heidsieck & Co. Monopole ‘Gout Americain’ shipwreck champagne.
Atlas Bar is at Parkview Square, 600 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 188778, tel: 6396 4466. Opens 10am to 1am on Mondays to Thursdays, 10am to 2am on Fridays, 3pm to 2am on Saturdays, closed on Sundays.
Established in October 2012, its secretive location and dim-lighting is what makes The Horse’s Mouth a quaint speakeasy perfect for a rendezvous. How secret is it? Well it’s stowed away at the basement of Forum, accessible only through a dark stairway — and that’s only if you ask Uma Uma Ramen’s staff where it is. Inspired by contemporary Japanese zen designs with dark teak furniture, rattan seating and Shoji-inspired light fixtures, this Izakaya bar prides itself on treasuring the works of all-things-creative and treats every cocktail on their menu as a piece of art. If you want some light bites to go with your drink, their Japanese food menu includes sashimi ($25 to $98 for daily and premium upgrade respectively) and fried pork belly strips with nori ($8).
The Horse’s Mouth is at #B1-39 Forum the Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Road, Singapore 238884, tel: 8188 0900. Opens 6pm to 12am on Mondays to Thursdays, 6pm to 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, closed on Sundays.
Established by couple Tan Soo San and Sherin Ong, The Writing Club was launched because Soo San’s extensive collection of prized vintage whiskeys from distilleries and liquor stores around the world was overcrowding the couple’s apartment. Their solution: turning his hobby into a business, by giving everyone an opportunity to taste and indulge in his collection. This whiskey-focused bar boasts an interior of plush leather sofas, gold accents and woody furniture — just like an old world gentlemen’s club.
Their signature drinks, such as The Writing Club Old Fashioned and Signature Negroni (both priced at $28 each), come highly recommended by regulars. Of course, this being a whiskey-centric bar, you wouldn’t go wrong with any of its selection of 500 whiskeys. Whiskeys come in two types of pour, either half ($16 for 20ml) or full ($20 for 45ml). From bottles like Williamson 2005 and Cadenhead Linkwood 28 years to Speyside Region 1973, you’re in for a treat.
The Writing Club is at Palais Renaissance, #02-10, 390 Orchard Road, Singapore 238871, tel: 9362 8626. Opens 12pm to 12am on Tuesdays to Thursdays, 1pm to 12am on Fridays and Saturdays, 12pm to 10pm on Sundays and Mondays.
From their gold-accented interior to the antique ceiling, it’s all about an interesting blend of old-meets-new at Gibson Bar. Tucked away at the second floor of a shophouse at Bukit Pasoh Road, this cocktail haven’s old school setting is contrasted with its contemporary menu that’s bursting with Asian flavours. Their goal is to reflect Singapore’s cultural melting pot while being universally inclusive, so their concoctions comprise a mix of local and international ingredients discovered from their travels around Asia. An unpretentious spot, here’s where you can have some laid-back fun without worrying about appearances.
From classics (like The Gibson and Gibson Whiskey Sour) to Japanese-inspired drinks (a Sake-tini or Banana Ume, anyone?) to tipples with a touch of South-East Asia (Wild Nectar, Chestnut Blazer and Buddha’s Mule are a few of our faves), cocktails are priced at $23 per glass. If you’re going in a large group of eight to 12 people, go for their Punch Bowls ($170) that comes in four different flavours. Also, if you’re down for a snack, oyster happy hour starts from 6pm to 8pm daily, but head there on Tuesdays where it goes on all-night long (prices vary on day-to-day basis).
Gibson Bar is on the 2nd Floor, 20 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089834, tel: 9114 8385. Opens 6pm to 1am on Mondays to Thursdays, 6pm to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, closed on Sundays.
With its sleek gold furnishing and cool blue leathery seats, this retro den is the place to be for gin lovers, or if you simply want to soak in the refined, old school glamour here. Its name, Cin Cin, was derived from the sound of clinking made by glasses during festivities — so head on over there with your buddies and do some cheering of your own. Apart from its elegant setting, this bar offers up to 100 different labels of gin and a curated range of tonic, which means you have 500 ways to create your very own martinis and G&Ts. Impressive.
Don’t forget to give their customisable martinis a go, where you get to choose your favourite gin label as a base. The Hayman’s London Dry ($18) or Monkey 47 ($26) are our poisons of choice. Then pick one out of three types of vermouth, have them shaken or stirred by the bartender who will then top the drink off with optional bitters and a garnish. Too mediocre for you? Drink all you want with their three-hour long gin buffet ($68).
Cin Cin is on Level 1 of Oasia Hotel Downtown, 100 Peck Seah Street, Singapore 079333, tel: 6385 2604. Opens 5pm to 12am on Mondays to Wednesdays, 5pm to 1am on Thursdays to Saturdays, closed on Sundays.
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- bars
- cocktail bars
- drink
- lifestyle
- speakeasy