RAISING THE BAR
Bars to start the New Year with
After leaving Smoke & Mirrors, Yugnes Susila has struck out on his own with Elephant Room, a bar atop Burnt Ends which pays homage to the Indian motherland. From coasters made of sari material, to touches of vermillion and gold, the narrative is one of cultural pride and experiences. A tightly curated list of seven cocktails enchant; there’s Moghul’s Sweets, a melding of Amrut whisky, salted cashew and roasted chickpea flavours, while Tekka’s spirit-forward Old Monk rum and spiced palm sugar with banana and yoghurt gel brings the smells of the market to your nose. Bites include Tamarind Curry Prawns ($24) and Butcher’s Lamb Broth ($18), a take on the beloved sup
kambing. All cocktails are priced at $22. 20A Teck Lim Road
MF Bar by Burger & Lobster at Raffles Hotel Singapore is a handsome standalone indoor al fresco space where 69 guests can opt to dine and drink away from the main dining hall. MF refers to Mayfair, the chain’s first location in London. Order the outlet-exclusive and supremely indulgent uni, caviar and lobster roll ($50), while perusing the range of house cocktails by Atlas Bar alumni, Alastair Tan. The Matcha Pandan Martini ($22) is pulled together charmingly with vodka and soy milk. Try the BBQ Whiskey Sour ($22), which is smoked with charred lapsang souchong for a convincingly stiff sour.
#01-25 Raffles Arcade, 328 North Bridge Road
Two talented bartenders, Juan Yi Jun (ex-operation Dagger) and Jessica Hutchinson – best known as Hutch (ex-28 Hong Kong Street), have joined forces to set up the “anti-hero” No Sleep Club. A nod to the tireless providers of hospitality, the all-day space is part bar, café, restaurant and chill-out creative space, serving locally roasted coffee and modern European plates throughout the day alongside cocktails.
Fill up on Burrata with Fermented Chilli ($17) or ‘crack-wiches’ like Marinated Pork Belly with Gojuchang Aioli ($16), while eyeing the list of sakes, craft brews, wines and cocktails. Go light with Black Plum & Pepper Spritz ($18), or experimental with Reverse Harvard ($24), kombu steeped Cognac, Kyoho grape worked through a Pacojet and winemaker’s vermouth.
20 Keong Saik Road. Tel: 8838 0188
The eagerly anticipated bar from Jigger & Pony Group, Live Twice is where lives intertwine – the 14 cocktails are conceptualised around two themes, The One Life For Yourself, and One For Your Dreams. The former celebrates your career self, and comprises refined classic cocktails such as the Vesper, here with a stronger gin to vodka ratio as well as more aggressive shaking to conjure crisp shards of ice.
The latter category has poetic names that allude to reaching your dreams and desires, bearing a modern and minimalist approach from principal bartender Yinying Leow. First Light and Quiet Inlet are as evocative as their names, the first with a wakeme-up caffeine call while the second confidently building on fruit and savoury elements. The izakaya-inspired menu is outstanding on its own, with perfectly honed sandos (beef katsu sando, $32) and smoky scallop kushiage ($13) to complement the drinks.
All cocktails $25.
20 Bukit Pasoh Road. Tel: 9011 8304
Barbary Coast by industry luminaries Michael Callahan and Celia Schoonraad wows with two different concepts on two levels (literally). The rustic ground floor, Deadfall, takes its cue from the ‘deadfall’ saloons of the 1900s California Gold Rush, a rough and ready place for easy, quick cocktails. There are five dispensed cocktails ($14-16) by colour and craft beers served high volume style at the corner bar that opens welcomingly to the street.
Upstairs, a different world in the Barbary Coast Ballroom awaits, this time based on a Gold Rush madame’s plush saloon for up to 78 connoisseurs. Luxurious yet exotic, the extravagantly wallpapered bar serves 15 expert cocktails with more style and character, not to mention a Champagne button to call forth bottles at whim.
16 North Canal Road
RAISE A BUBBLY. Following a successful activation at Rosewood London, Nyetimber brings its Secret Garden to the terrace of members’ club 1880 in Singapore. Don’t worry – you too can sip Nyetimber Classic Cuvee and Rosé by the glass, by making an appointment through a member for the elegantly decked out space, complete with lush foliage and a dedicated bar. Head chef Colin Buchan is pairing the British sparkling wine with a menu comprising crispy buttermilk chicken and Irish oysters, while 1880’s sommelier Sally Humble (last at Tippling Club) oversees the unique programming. Till 29 Feb at 1880, Level 3, 1 Nanson Road.