Junior the Pocket Bar

WESLEY GUNTER FOUND HE DOESN’T NEED TO TRAVEL TO JAPAN’S GOLDEN GAI TO GET THE FLAVOUR OF THE BAR SCENE AS A NEW OUTLET IN ANN SIANG HILL REPLICATES THE COCKTAILS AND HIGHBALLS YOU’D FIND THERE.

If you’re like me and missing the beautiful bars from the Land of the Rising Sun, in particular those from a seedy area in Shinjuku called ‘Golden Gai’, the next best option in Singapore is Junior The Pocket Bar located at Ann Siang Hill.

EXUDES THE VIBE

If you’ve never heard of ‘Golden Gai’ or more affectionately known as ‘Piss Alley’ amongst the locals watch the classic film Blade Runner where there’s a scene shot with Mr ‘Han Solo’ himself at the infamous location.

Unlike Golden Gai where there are like 200 bars packed side by side with some only able to squeeze five people inside (bye bye social distancing), Junior Pocket Bar is cozy yet not claustrophobic with high ceilings and heritage touches and aptly located in a shophouse which exudes that Golden Gai vibe.

FAR FLUNG FLAVOURS

Junior’s new menu, Washi, features a list of homebrew and highball options that look like they came straight out of a samurai steampunk anime flick. Far flung flavours include Thai Ginger

Beer with mixed ginger, curry spice and sour tamarind (can be spiked with dark rum), and Lacto Lime Soda with salt-cured citrus, lime leaf and soda (with the option to add tequila). For the teetotalers, there are non-alcoholic options as well.

The list of origami cocktails take on a life on their own with animal titles like Gorilla, Tree Frog, Koi and even a Unicorn. Expect the unexpected and take a walk on the wild side with cocktails like the Crane, made with kyoho grape, Sakura vermouth, cognac and lemon; the Rabbit with miso roast carrot aquavit, honey, lemon and Junmai sake; and the Panda with genmaicha vermouth, sparkling sake botanic vodka and pickled bamboo shoot.

EAT THE RICH

What I found interesting was the ‘Eat the Rich’ cocktail food pairings where each signature cocktail comes with a small bite such as the Deviled Egg Martini with Hendrick’s Orbium Gin, botanical infused white port, East India sherry, and grapefruit bitters, served with a Caviar Deviled Egg.

If you’re feeling peckish after all those fancy cocktails, there are some exotic bites to keep you going such as the Tako Wasabi marinated octopus calamansi, wasabi and the Roast Pumpkin Hummus with yellow miso, furikake vegetable crudites. However, if you want something that will fill you up, go for heartier options such as the Pork Katsu and the must try French Dip Bành MÍ – tender slow cooked beef shank with fresh herbs and beef jus with onion jam for that tinge of sweetness.

Remember not to blink or you’ll miss it!