The local bar scene is really happening right now, with notable action in the neighbourhoods around our office. Happy coincidence or otherwise, we’ll drink to that! Here’s the low down.
Nutmeg & Clove
You’ve probably strolled down Ann Siang Road and pondered on the significance of the old-school signage ‘Ching Yoon Wooi Kwoon’. Nope, what lies beyond the dark wooden doors isn’t an old Chinese medicinal clinic; it’s actually the quaint cocktail bar Nutmeg & Clove. Oozing old world oriental glamour, the bar works at revitalising the traditional use of Asian herbs and spices, and introducing fresh flavour pairings to the discerning drinker. One of their most popular drinks, the Golden Dawn, is a Tanqueray gin-based cocktail with Chinese hawthorn and red jujube shrub.
Nutmeg & Clove, 17 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069697, p. 6423 9885. Open Tue-Sat 5pm- 12am.
Nutmeg & Clove
Operation Dagger
This underground ‘secret bar’ is the latest addition to Ann Siang’s buzzing night scene. After heading down the flight of stairs by Oxwell & Co, take a moment to soak in the beauty of Operation Dagger’s artistic interior – think clean, minimal furniture and an art installation-esque cloud structure arranged from thousands of overhanging bulbs. With Oxwell & Co’s Luke Whearty and Aki Nishikura on deck, you can expect cocktails here to be nothing short of experimental. Try ther omakase set (six customisable cocktails paired with bar bites) if you can’t make up your mind.
Operation Dagger, 7 Ann Siang, Singapore 069791, p. 92964704. Open Tue – Sat 6pm-12am.
Studio 1939
Considered ‘The Private Studio’ of Potato Head Folk, Studio 1939 is modeled after Australian artist David Bromley’s own working studio. Modern artworks curated by Bromley line the walls along with a peppering of Chinese heritage objects and antique furniture around the intimate reservation-only space. Feature cocktails, prepared with house made syrups and high-grade spirits, are personal favourites of Dres Masso and his team. Their wine list is another stand-out, with an impressive selection of specialty imports, limited collections, and private reserves.
Studio 1939, Potato Head Folk, 36 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089143, p. 6327 1939. Open daily 5pm– 1am.
Studio 1939
Bar Council
You may be familiar with molecular gastronomy but how about molecular cocktails? Bar Council is a new reservation-only bar targeted for folks seeking an intimate, multi-sensory drinking experience. It’s likely that you need to know somebody, who knows somebody that can get you into this inconspicuous, mysterious watering hole though! Helmed by Mark Tay, founder of beverage consultancy Barsmiths, the boozy beverages here are specially designed to suit each customer’s spirit and flavour preferences. Although there are no menus or prices indicated, it’s recommended that you tip at least $15 to $25 per drink.
Bar Council, 275A Outram Road, Singapore 169064. Open Tue-Sat 7-10pm, 10pm-1am.
Bar Naked
95 Club Street has seen the likes of acid jazz bar, Club 95, lounge bar, Toca Me, and open karaoke bar, HQ. Venue owner, Irene Ang, who is also the Founder and CEO of FLY Entertainment, has recently reinvented the space to house cheeky cocktail bar, Bar Naked. Conceptualised by Social Influence Marketing agency GOODSTUPH, Bar Naked rides on the pop-up phenomenon and invites brands to rent their bar space to exercise innovative plans for outdoor advertising and event marketing. Kicking off the bar’s launch is premium spirits company William Grant & Sons, who will be offering a special cocktail menu, showcasing Monkey Shoulder Whisky, Reyka Vodka, and Sailor Jerry Rum, and introducing a kaleidoscope of art, music, lifestyle, and fashion instalments in the space.
Bar Naked, 95 Club Street, Singapore 069463, p. 9620 6719. Open Mon-WEd 5pm-1am, Thu-Sat 5pm-3am.
Bar Council
Sugarhall
You may have read about this upbeat rum and grill house from our June edition of Hot New Tables, but this time it’s all about the tipples. Boasting over 50 types of cane spirits under one roof, here’s the place to go for your rum fix on the island. Opened by the good folk from Jigger and Pony (which is just next door), you know that your cocktails are in good hands. The team has cleverly categorized the rum-based cocktails into three sections—tropical cocktails, clear spirits and dark spirits— and rated on a scale of ‘hungry’ to ‘full’ so that you can make your pick based on how full you are.
Sugarhall, 102 Amoy Street, Singapore 069922, p. 6222 9102. Open Mon-Sat 6pm-12am.
Tess Bar & Kitchen
Diageo World Class Singapore’s top 10 finalist Steve Leong, who used to be part of the Bitters & Love team, has found a new home in Tess Bar & Kitchen. Located in a quaint shop house along Seah Street (opposite Raffles Hotel), here’s where you can savour Steve’s award-winning bak kut teh-inspired Tanqueray No. 10 cocktail along with other creative concoctions. The bar also aims to be a platform for its team of young Asian mixologists to experiment and hone their craft, so you can expect nothing short of a casual, welcoming, and highly interactive experience.
Tess Bar & Kitchen, 38 Seah Street, Singapore 188394, p. 6337 7335. Open Mon-Thu 1130-1am, Fri 1130-2am, Sat 430pm-2am.
Bar Naked
1925 Microbrewery & Restaurant
This new Jalan Besar gem made it into our July edition of Hot New Tables with its hearty, and highly carnivorous, mains like chicken kebabs and deep-fried skin, chargrilled beef burgers, and pork belly slices. But what really takes the cake in this family-run gastro-pub is their home-brewed pilsners, along with their wicked cocktails and old world wines. Grab a seat at the bar or head up to the second floor for a more intimate lounge experience!
1925 Microbrewery & Restaurant, 369 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208997, p. 6294 9215. Open Mon-Sat 10-12am, Sun 10am-10pm.
Squires & Scoundrels
With a name like that, and a motto that proclaims their love of food, drink, and debauchery, you can imagine what a wild night you’re in for when you step foot into this bar. The best part? The owners aren’t stingy with drink promotions, after all no one is leaving until they get buzzed right? Think bring-your-own-records nights, 7.5 minutes free-flow sessions, $8 glass of wines, 1 for 1 prosecco on ladies night, and $8 tanquerays for get tanq’d nights – we’re so there.
Squires & Scoundrels, 72 Duxton Road, Singapore 089531, p. 6635 6604. Open Mon-Fri 4pm-12am, Sat 5pm-12am.
The Shaven Cat
If you’re looking for some relief after a long day’s work, you’ll be glad to know that The Shaven Cat has got you covered. At this two-in-one nightlife concept along Tanjong Pagar road, you can grab a drink at the semi-alfresco bar (open till 3am) before hitting the dance floor in the club (open till 5am). Guest bands will take centre stage every night to perform live tunes, while you sip on their premium wines, spirits, or bubbly and munch on bites from their ever-evolving food menu.
The Shaven Cat, 21 Tanjong Pagar Road, #01-01 Singapore 088444. Open Mon-Sat 11am-3am (bar), 6pm-5am (club).
Top Image: Nutmeg & Clove