Alleybar welcomes you back with a revamped food and drinks menu. We’re talking about milk-clarified cocktails and tempting bites, all wrapped up in a beautifully restored shophouse.
Alleybar ranks high on our list of favourite cocktail bars in Singapore. Why, you ask? It ticks all the right boxes. Superb location? Check. Great grub? Check. Stellar dinks? Double-check. We let you in on all the reasons why we keep coming back to this mainstay at Emerald Hill.
The old meets the new at Alleybar
It’s no secret Emerald Hill is steeped in history. Did you know that the area was a nutmeg and fruit orchard in the 18th century and a thriving Peranakan community in the 19th century? Alleybar‘s interiors and facade are an extension of the heritage-rich locale. From the traditional Peranakan swing doors at the entrance and the hand-woven lanterns illuminating the space to the sleek 15-metre brass bartop and the gilt-framed mirror, it’s hard not to fall in love with its architecture. And if you need more convincing to hit this cocktail gem, we’ve got two words: new menus.
Graze on this
Nobody likes drinking on an empty stomach, and executive chef Chan Kar Meng of Alleybar shakes things up with a fresh menu. Having graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in Sydney and worked in the kitchens of Red Tail Bar by Zouk and one Michelin-starred restaurant Jag, he brings his years of experience and flair to the table. Tuck into bar bites like oysters topped with sherry mignonette, ginger flower ponzu and lemon, or burrata with beetroot, tomatoes, hazelnut and parma ham.
Feeling ravenous? Dive straight into the pita pockets that come in three flavours: massaman pork, ‘philli’ cheesesteak and soft shell crab. We’ve also got our eyes set on the luxurious lobster roll which features locally sourced lobster meat, cereal and curry.
Let your hair down and sip on clarified cocktails
The highlight of the drinks menu has to be, hands down, The Untold Edition which features a trio of milk-clarified cocktails. The origins of this intricate process date back to the 1600s, and we love how it’s now making a comeback. When you think of milk, chances are, the first thing that comes to mind is a thick glass of dairy. On the contrary, here you get a clear cocktail with an overlay of contrasting colour.
For instance, The Unseen Sour comes with a crimson red layer of merlot. As pretty as it looks, this cocktail packs a punch with its blend of fresh lemon juice, Bulleit bourbon and sugar syrup. The iconic national drink also gets the clarified treatment with The Invisible Sling. Ditching the classic flashy pink appearance, you’re served a transparent tipple with a tinge of romantic pink.
The Ghosted Colada is a fun take on the classic pina colada. It combines Plantation 3 Stars Rum, house-made pandan syrup, pineapple juice, fresh lime and coconut for a sweet, fun and purple-hued cocktail.
So the next time you’re at Orchard Road or in need of a good time with your pals, be sure to make your reservation at Alleybar for a helluva good time.
Alleybar, Peranakan Place, 2 Emerald Hill Road, Singapore 229287
This post is in partnership with Alleybar.