New watering holes to drink beer, cocktails and wine at Hive by Wala Wala, Black Nut, The Providore and more
Give yourselves a pat on the back for making it this far in 2016, and reward yourselves with some swigs, shots, and slick vibes from these hot new bars in Singapore. This month, we’re featuring the biggest bar in town, a Singlish-inspired addition to Peranakan Place, a sake spot adopted from the Meiji Era and more. Chin chin!
Black Nut
Do you go gaga for Nyonya and Baba? If the Peranakan aficionado in you says yes, then we’re guessing you’re not a stranger to the rowdy Peranakan Place along Orchard Road. Housing popular hot-spots like Acid Bar and Alleybar, the two-storey shophouse has recently opened its doors to its newest tipsy tenant – Black Nut. Playful with a “raunchy and rojak” spirit, Black Nut will surprise your tastebuds with its Asian-inspired cocktails – such as the Steady Pom Pipi, Kilat Kilat, and Huat Ah – all infused with Malayan and Chinese spices like lemon grass, gula Melaka and even chilli padi. Feeling adventurous?
Black Nut, Peranakan Place, 2 Emerald Hill Road, Singapore 229287, p. 6738 8818. Open Sun-Thu 5pm-2am, Fri-Sat 5pm-3am.
510 Sake Bar
If there’s another Japanese export we’re addicted to as much as sushi, it’s probably sake. The sister outlet of Nickeldime Drafthouse – owned by the folks behind Hidden Door Concepts (Empire, Spathe Public House) – 510 Sake Bar is located just next door from the former, so you can wolf down a bacon-topped pizza and toast “Kanpai!” after. But aside from sparkling sake and nigori sake (the milkier and cloudier counterpart), 510 also dishes out cuisine inspired by Japan’s Meiji Era. Though we’re not entirely sure if the post-Shogun peeps dug into fare like ‘urban makis’ (think pulled pork, hot crab IPA, and blue cheese beef), it’s not something we’re gonna nit-pick about!
510 Sake Bar, Novena Gardens, 273 Thomson Road, Singapore 307644, p. 6256 0261. Open daily 11am-late.
The Providore @ Raffles Place
The best part about clocking off work? Dashing to the nearest waterhole to quench that boozy thirst of yours. And we reckon for many Raffles Place corporate folks, this one’s gonna be a hit. Rejoice if you’re a fan of The Providore franchise, ’cos this fresh fifth outlet in the heart of the CBD looks set to be the buzziest branch yet. While both a retail store and flagship café – expect nosh like bomba paella rice, lamb meatballs and lobster mac & cheese – this newest member of The Providore family will also offer craft beers and wine-on-tap ($38.50 for a carafe) to cater to both indoor and alfresco patrons. Drink up; that’s tipsy fuel for your next day at work!
The Providore, 7 Raffles Place, Singapore 048625. Open Mon-Sat 8am-11pm, Sun 9am-6pm.
Rocks Urban Grill + Bar
Perched on the second storey of The Sail at Marina Bay, the reopening of this spiffy spot has drawn diners a-many who crave a picturesque view of the skyline, fine dining options like scallop carpaccio and steak tartare, and – for the thirsty – a fizzy Champagne cocktail. Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz are available too, alongside dessert wines and ciders to suit all kinds of toasts. There are also three private dining rooms to accommodate larger parties, so you can let loose with your gals without worrying about other guests (perfect for your loud drinking friend).
Rocks Urban Grill + Bar, #02-01/02 The Sail @ Marina Bay, 2 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018987, p. 6438 4404. Open daily 11.30am-11.30pm.
Bistro French Quays
On one hand, scurrying all the way to Sentosa Cove seems like a bit of an expedition. But on the flipside, you know you’re guaranteed a cosy, cloistered chill-sesh that’s away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Taking the vacated residence of Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro, Bistro French Quays adds yet another reason to make the trip to Quayside Isle. Francophiles and foodies can feast on grub like jumbo mangalica pork chop and lobster thermidor, but booze buds will likely frequent this bistro’s bar area, serving a top-notch assortment of new world wines, specialty cocktails and craft beers. Did we also mention this place is run by the lads responsible for Bar Bar Black Sheep and Pint & Curries? Sold.
Bistro French Quays, #01-11 Quayside Isle, 31 Ocean Way, Singapore 098375, p. 6268 8633. Open Mon-Fri 12pm-11pm, Sat-Sun 11am-11pm.
Hive
Behold: the biggest bar-restaurant has opened in Singapore! Helmed by Stanley Yeo, proprietor of the exuberant Holland Village institution, Wala Wala, this new venture aims to make guests feel at home in a casual and convivial setting. Hive boasts a stunning 400-seat capacity shared between an indoor seating area and a large alfresco area. And what does Hive do with all that space? Four unique concept sections; a wine retail shop, bakery, cigar room and the bar restaurant itself. A hub for shopping, chilling like a gent, and boozing up with bites – what’s not to love?
Hive, 407 Havelock Road, Singapore 169634. p. 8876 1109.
The Flagship
No fancy-schmancy gimmicks, no flamboyant concept, no secret passwords for entry; this is one fuss-free dive bar simply to enjoy a drink with your gals and mates. Helmed by the trusty hands behind Jigger & Pony, Gibson and Humpback, The Flagship is all about rock & roll and whiskies. Stripped down to the basics – including its modest décor of bare-brick walls and concrete floors – The Flagship merely wants you to appreciate the art of drinking whisky. And with over a hundred whiskies in stock (yes, you read that right) from all over the world, you’ll definitely find plenty of whisky connoisseurs flocking here for a fix.
The Flagship, 20 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089834. Open Mon-Sat 5pm-late.