Is your new year resolution to visit as many cool bars as possible? Easy peasy! With the surplus openings of new drinking dens around the city, sticking to your drinking guns is going to be a breeze. Presenting our first hot new bars edition of 2020. Go forth and nurse a delish tipple or two!
Barbary Coast
Two vastly different experiences, one fab location. That’s exactly what you get at Barbary Coast, the latest foray by Michael Callahan (28 HongKong Street founding bartender) and Celia Schoonraad (co-founder of The Compound Collective). Looking for a casual, no-frills spot? Take a seat at Deadfall, a watering hole inspired by the 1800s San Franciscan district that acts as your friendly neighbourhood Spiderman. But who needs a superhero when you’ve got cocktails at a cool $14 per glass, $10 beers on tap and bar grub like nachos with bottomless queso and – wait for it – tatter tots waffles stuffed with beef pastrami? Can we can get a hallelujah? We stand by Michael’s words: “Every hour is Happy Hour over here”.
It’s a whole different ball game upstairs at the exclusive Barbary Coast Ballroom. Once you put your phone away after taking endless photos of the Victorian style decor, antique furniture, wallpaper and extravagant chandeliers, flit to the drinks. We love the attention to detail that goes into each cocktail. Try the Tommy Tomate ($22++) with tomato-infused mezcal vida, kaffir agave and lime. It’s almost like Bloody Mary’s atas (read: fancy) cousin sans the spicy kick. Meanwhile, the spirit-forward Three Graces ($22++) with sage pisco encanto, fernet hunter, a Madagascan vanilla acid blend and rhubarb bitters is not for the faint-hearted.
Barbary Coast, 16 North Canal Road, Singapore 048828
Coyote Ugly Saloon Singapore
This bar was so popular, they even made a Hollywood film about it (yes, the one with Piper Perabo and Tyra Banks). Coyote Ugly Saloon’s latest outpost in Singapore is a sprawling space that fits a whopping 700 people. So rally all your gal pals and their pals for a fab night. Brave souls can also show off their moves at the back of the bar top, specially designed for dancing by Coyotes and female patrons. Make the most of out the daily promotions and enjoy one-for-one drinks or even free shots. But first, a little trivia: Touted as the most famous bar on the planet, the US bar and restaurant chain has 26 locations worldwide including Russia, United Kingdom and Japan.
Coyote Ugly Saloon Singapore, #01-08, Blk B, 3B River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, Singapore 179021
Rumours Beach Club
The beach club at Siloso Beach is finally open after a short delay. Hedonists, make your way to Sentosa for endless jamborees ‘cos one of Bali’s hottest spots, Rumors Beach Club, is coming to town. It’s the only beach club in Singapore that has three swimming pools and even offers a VIP area with your own private pool. Sip on the exclusive cocktail Sea-Loso Affair, feast on Jimbaran-style seafood and party like it’s your birthday. You know where to find us!
Rumours Beach Club, 40 Siloso Beach Walk, Singapore 098996
Cin Cin’s Local Gin & Food Pairing series
Gin bar Cin Cin is back with the second edition of its Local Gin & Food Pairing series. The 90-minute dining experience will take you on a gin-filled discovery on how various tonics and mixes can influence the juniper juice. Try locally crafted gins like the Brass Lion Singapore Dry, Tanglin Orchard Gin and Tanglin Mandarin Chilli. The G&Ts will be served alongside a three-course menu filled with punchy flavours from Hainanese chicken rice, laksa and Peranakan otak-otak.
Cin Cin’s Local Gin & Food Pairing series, available from Mon-Wed and Sat, 5pm-6.30pm (by bookings only), #01-02, 100 Peck Seah Street, Singapore 079333
Sling by Maison Ikkoku
Something’s brewing at Maison Ikkoku and it’s strictly for Singapore Sling devotees. Christened as Sling, the new concept located at level one will champion the national drink with elevated twists. You’ll find five interesting variations of the tipple, including the Original Sling ($26). We were particularly drawn to Coco Sling ($28), an amped-up version with the addition of roasted coconut and young coconut foam, served in the husk; and the 1819 Sling ($25), a homage to the big guy, Sir Stamford Raffles. What’s in the poison? Giffard premium pineapple liqueur shaken with a hint of cinnamon. Though we found the drinks to be a tad sweet, they were balanced out with an outstanding menu of Mod-Peranakan dishes. Think turmeric chicken, babi hitam, ikan assam and lobster hae mee, just to name a few. Sling will be launching on 17 February, just in time for a romantic Valentine’s Day.
Sling by Maison Ikkoku, opens from 17 Feb, 20 Kandahar Street, Singapore 198885
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The post Hot New Bars & Tipples in January 2020: From an exclusive Victorian-style den to the most famous bar in the world appeared first on Singapore.