New watering holes to drink beer, cocktails and wine at Ann Siang Hill, Robertson Quay, Amoy Street, The South Beach and more
Gourmet nosh aside, you know we’re always thirsty for a tipple. Beer, wine, Champagne or cocktails – any boozy bevvie does the trick as far as we’re concerned. So logically, we’re always on the hunt for new watering holes to get our drink on. We toast to these spots we’ve gathered from Ann Siang Hill, Robertson Quay, Amoy Street and more. Bottoms up!
Laugh
While some might lurch to bars to soak their sad spirits in…err, spirits, others just wanna have a ROFL-worthy good time. Laugh is a place for you if the latter is more your cup of tea (or booze, more like it), nestled on the ground floor of The South Beach hotel with its playful décor of wall squiggles, hypnotic tile-work and incongruent choice of chairs. Helping to fuel your laughter will be signature and classic cocktails, and an impressive hoard of whiskeys.
Laugh, 1 The South Beach, 30 Beach Road, Singapore 189763, p. 6818 1888. Open Sun-Thu 11am-12am, Fri-Sat 11am-1am.
Gemmills
We’ll take a fountain of booze over the fountain of youth anytime! Okay, so we’re distorting history a lil’ bit. Now the real story is that John Gemmill, a banker in the 1800s, erected Singapore’s first public drinking fountain near Amoy Street. Honouring this moment centuries later is Gemmills, a bar that, likewise, serves as a watering hole for the parched and weary. Opened by the folks behind Maggie Joan’s, here, you can find a staggering selection of 50 labels of red and white wines.
Gemmills, #01-02, 110 Amoy Street, Singapore 069930, p. 6221 5564.
Oxwell & Co
Yes yes, this name isn’t new for those of you who regard the Ann Siang district as your go-to habitat for drinks and dining. What’s fresh off the press, however, is Oxwell & Co’s freshly-unveiled fourth floor – behold, it’s now become a spiffy rooftop bar! Designed exclusively with Hendrick’s Gin, this breezy space features juniper-hued British phone booths and its very own herb garden; the latter used generously in exclusive cocktails like the Bathtime and Clover Club Street. Needless to say, the Oxwell & Co brand is certainly ascending!
Oxwell & Co, 5 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069688, p. 6438 3984. The rooftop bar is open Wed-Sat 7pm-12am.
Empress Bar
Instead of jasmine tea to quench your thirst after a hearty Chinese dinner, why not opt for something boozier instead? Adjacent to Empress Restaurant (launched by the Privé group) located at the Asian Civilisations Museum, this newly-opened bar will greet you with a panorama of the Singapore River along Boat Quay. Aside from classics like the Singapore Sling and Frozen Daiquiri, we suggest you try their signature Asian-inspired cocktails like the Beijing Bellini (dry Italian prosecco, lychee wine, lychee nut), Red Lotus (Absolut vodka, lychee liqueur, cranberry juice) or the Shandong Mary (kirin, Absolut vodka, tomato juice, chilli-garlic sauce, lemon) for a strong, spicy kick.
Empress Bar, #01-03 Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Place, Singapore 179555, p. 6238 8733. Open Sun-Thu 4pm-12am, Fri-Sat 4pm-1am.
Kult Kafe
It’s always fun to appreciate art with a tipple in hand, so it’s a natural progression to have this swiggin’ haunt sprout from the cultured crannies of Kult Gallery. Once you’re done taking in some street art, help yourself to bespoke cocktails mixed by ex-Tapow bartender, Zac Mirza – the Kult Julep featuring rum, lime and gula melaka is a must-try! Not to mention, Kult Kafe is now the new home for the popular party series, Sunday At The Training Shed.
Kult Kafe, 11 Upper Wilkie Road, Singapore 228120, p. 9190 1481. Open Wed-Fri 5pm-12am, Sat-Sun 12pm-12am.
The Quay Kitchen And Bar
If you fancy a cosy spot by the Singapore River that isn’t as rowdy as Clarke Quay, Robertson Quay is the place to be. Giving you yet another reason to plonk your bum down and sip a cider is this new f&b fixture. This new hangout takes pride in its assortment of craft beers, specially imported from Scotland, Australia, Belgium and Japan. And once you get the munchies (you will when you smell ’em tantalising aromas from the kitchen), we recommend the signature 86 Burger.
The Quay Kitchen And Bar, #01-02, 86 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238245, p. 6734 7241. Open Tue-Fri 5pm-11pm, Sat-Sun 8am-11pm.
Terra
Helmed by Limited Edition Concepts, the head honchos behind kyō and Refuge, Terra is a South American-influenced abode offering botanically inspired cocktails. It’s also a rooftop bar, perched mightily atop Suntec City’s vibrant Sky Garden, so you can enjoy a bevvie while taking in the view of the CBD. Terra opens at the end of January, so keep watching this space for more information.
Terra, #03-308 Suntec City Sky Garden, 3 Temasek Boulevard, , Singapore 038983, p. 6336 6009.