Top 5 bars in… Singapore

Cocktail craft is spreading far and wide in Singapore, even beyond the inner city limits, as BarChick‘s top 5 bars in the country demonstrates.

Click through the following pages to discover BarChick’s top 5 bars in Singapore

For many years Singapore’s bar culture was at best predictable, centred around the identikit bars of Clarke Quay. With high taxation on spirits, strict regulations on licensing and competition from increasingly “cool” Asian cities like Bangkok and Hong Kong, Singapore was considered the least likely place to compete for South East Asia’s title of cocktail king.

But as the city’s economy began to boom, the landscape transformed, quite literally, with a huge amount of construction bringing in luxury condos and resorts. Next up, the restaurant scene took off, and being a connoisseur of global food trends became de rigueur. And then slowly, behind closed doors, sultry speakeasy style bars started to open, bartenders began seriously studying their craft, and punters found themselves wanting more than a Tiger beer. But suddenly, it is now safe to say, Singapore is in the midst of a cocktail revolution.

Its inception can be pinpointed to the 2011 low profile opening of 28 HongKong Street. Bartender Michael Callahan brought his international flavour to Singaporean shores and helped set up a bar entirely unlike anything previously seen in Singapore. Influenced by the speakeasy style of New York and London, they had no sign, no number, a mysterious website and let its popularity grow by word of mouth alone, based on the impeccable service and top class drinks. Soon it was packed every night, and now has a bulging cabinet of awards.

A glut of high quality bars followed, and there seems no sign of the flow abating. If anything there are more bars launching today than ever before. Recent hot openings have included: Parisian-styled L’Aiglon; “hidden” cocktail bar Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall; and local veteran Jeff Ho’s 30-seater Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, with its ironic in-house nail parlour.

After all, the time is right: Singapore has a healthy economy and is packed with young, educated people looking to live and spend well. And each industry success story spurs more people on. Hannah Waters, the South East Asia Diageo Reserve brand ambassador, explains: “The explosion of the craft cocktail scene is correlated with an increase in bar owners, managers and bartenders creating cocktail trends, pushing the boundaries of mixology, expanding their capabilities and skills, and seeking inspiration from other countries, ultimately leading the wider public to make more informed purchase decisions.” She adds: “Consumer motivation globally is shifting from one based around a show of status to one of discernment, as their beverage decisions are driven more by provenance, craft and heritage – it matters more now to know how, where and why a certain product, or cocktail, is made. It’s exciting to be a part of, and to observe how this passion driven movement is filtering out to the masses.”

Expectations are changing. Restaurants must now offer competitive bars, and hotel bars are undergoing a revival. One of the big openings of 2014 has been the Regent Singapore’s Manhattan Bar, which boasts the world’s first in-hotel rick house (a high tech whiskey barrel storage space).

The scene has developed so much that a London and NYC-style cocktail culture is now spreading beyond the city hotspots of China Town, CBD and Marina Bay and into more far flung suburbs with an increasing number of neighbourhood bars. “Good food and drinks are slowly hitting up even really local neighbourhoods outside of the city centre,” said Zdenek Kastanek, bartender in residence at 28 HongKong Street. “Holland Village, Robertson Quay, Buena Vista and a few more are all a 20-30 minute cab ride (which is a long way over here) yet they are filling up with bars, coffee shops (the barista community is strong), grocery stores and little gastro restaurants.”

For example, Robertson Quay is a popular community for singles and young couples, who want to be close to the CBD and enjoy the local nightlife, such as Fine Spirits by La Maison du Whisky, which stock more than 600 whiskies from around the world. Siglap on the east coast has a laidback village feel with a handful of neighbourhood bars, such as Next Door Café with a list of more than 100 craft beers.

Of course, this can be attributed to the unstoppable march of gentrification across the globe, but when it brings good drinks to our doorsteps we’re not complaining.

Flick through the next few pages to discover the best bars in Singapore.

For more global bar recommendations, visit BarChick.

28 HongKong Street

28 HongKong Street; 28hks.com

With an award-winning team of bar staff you could get star struck on the accolades. But it’s not about that. It’s about the highest level of service, peerless drinks and intimate atmosphere. Inspired by the speakeasy style bars of New York and London, general manager Michael Callahan can be thanked for turning the tide of cocktail culture in the city. Reserve a table or expect to queue.

Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall

60A Boat Quay; facebook.com/AhSamColdDrinkStall

Tucked away among the seafood restaurants of Boat Quay, the Drink Stall sign could be misleading. But persevere. Owner-bartender Sam Wong, of Jigger & Pony fame, brings strong Japanese techniques along with his local flair to the drinks that are balanced and refined. With chic, retro style, this is more of an alcove than a bar, but the small size assures the undivided attention of Sam himself.

Jigger & Pony

101 Amoy Street; facebook.com/JiggerandPony

Another pioneer of the cocktail renaissance, Jigger & Pony offers some of the most reliable and high quality drinks in the city. With award-winning bar manager Aki Eguchi bringing his brand of Japanese style to the fine spirits, the menu is always exciting. It’s homely yet slick in style and service, and they offer endless free chips, which are also a cut above the standard. Trust us.

Manhattan Bar

1 Cuscaden Rd; regenthotels.com

At the forefront of the city’s hotel bar revival is the Regent Singapore’s Manhattan Bar. It is home to the world’s first hotel rick house, boasting a solera system with over 90 oak barrels, an ingredient room stocking more than 200 herbs, fruits, sugars and salts, and a raised bar to show the exulted status of just what is going on here. San Francisco’s Ricky Paiva takes the helm with a list of around 20 cocktails from classics to forgotten. We like their signature Manhattans, prepared tableside on a custom-made cocktail trolley.

Tippling Club

38 Tanjong Pagar Road; tipplingclub.com

Recently relocated to Chinatown, the high standards haven’t budged an inch. Zachary de Git is one of the best bartenders in town with encyclopaedic drinks knowledge, and has a leading team behind him. The drinks are near theatrical delivered in an assortment of receptacles and styles, and the restaurant is just as accomplished, being one of the top tables in town.