Solid bar menus are a thing – make your way down to The Bar at Waku Ghin for a five-star meal and cocktail
Those familiar with the local dining scene might recall that in a not-so-distant past, venues serving bespoke craft cocktails and progressive, restaurant-worthy plates were mostly mutually exclusive. These days, a well-stocked bar accompanies some of Marina Bay Sands’ celebrity chef restaurants. The Bar at Waku Ghin, a bespoke cocktail extension (of the much-lauded restaurant Waku Ghin by Tetsuya Wakuda), is one prime example, and diners should expect nothing less than a fine dining experience there.
We are especially excited about the lounge’s new bar menu and this revelation should come as no surprise. Fans of Chef Tetsuya will find the inclusion of sea urchin comforting – instead of the famed marinated botan shrimp with sea urchin and Oscietra caviar, there’s the sea urchin and salmon roe on rice. It’s a simpler take on his signature dish, but you’ll still taste the creaminess of Murasaki uni, set against the sweetness of salmon roe. If a healthier option is on your agenda, then order the seasonal vegetable salad with a warm anchovy dipping sauce; a simple and uncomplicated palate cleanser.
One unmistakable highlight has to be their vast selection of 85 Japanese-style cocktails, premium whiskies and sake, including the Waku Ghin Isojiman Junmai Daiginjo M label, produced exclusively for Chef Tetsuya. First-timers to the bar may be boggled by the sheer array of choices available, so don’t be afraid to lean on their team of experts for help.
On that note, we asked head bartender Kazuhiro Chii to weigh in on the highlights.
For first-timers to The Bar at Waku Ghin, what would you recommend from its list of 85 cocktails?
We feature classic cocktails, so guests still have the option of ordering their favourite drinks. One of the “star” items on the menu is the seasonal cocktail, made with fresh fruit such as Kyoho grapes and muskmelons from Japan.
What makes Japanese cocktails different?
The first prerequisite is cutting out unnecessary fluff. We dive into the heart of the matter – to clear the clutter and focus on the essence of the cocktail. To us, the Japanese bartending culture is not about adding. It’s about subtraction, to find the simplest and best way to create a drink. In place of fluff, there is precision.
What are some reliable food pairings?
Personally, I like the combination of a Japanese-style Whisky Highball and the WG Marinated Fried Chicken. It’s the best meal to have for after-work drinks.
Prices start from $6++ for oysters and $20++ for bar items. Cocktails are priced from $20++ onwards. The Bar at Waku Ghin opens daily from 5.30pm ‘til late (last order at 11pm.)
The Bar at Waku Ghin, Level 2 Dining, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956, p. 6688 8507.
This article is sponsored by Waku Ghin