Bar Kap is housed in one of Singapore’s most historical buildings, and introduces you to the House of Tan Yeok Nee in its own unique way – through the cocktail menu.
Bar Kap is one of the new bars in Singapore that now holds a fond place in my heart. I didn’t know what to expect when I entered a bar within a historic monument like the House of Tan Yeok Nee. But I was pleasantly surprised by the elegant interiors, playful cocktail menu, and comforting dishes I would come back for on my next date night.
Bar Kap Singapore: Details at a glance
Must-tries: Lights Out; TCM Drawer No. 3; Mee Kapitan; Bar Kap Bao
Price: Drinks start from $25; food starts from $9
Opening hours: Daily, 5pm to 12am
Address: Bar Kap, House of Tan Yeok Nee, 101 Penang Road, Singapore 238466
Immaculately preserved for your pleasure
Bar Kap is housed within the House of Tan Yeok Nee, alongside fine-dining restaurant Loca Niru and teahouse Jing Studio. The house is the sole survivor of Singapore’s famous Four Grand Mansions, and serves as a living archive of its heritage. This is also the first time the house has been open to the public in its 140 years of existence – a milestone worth celebrating for all.
The house has lived many lives, starting as the home of Tan Yeok Nee, a businessman who made significant investments in gambier and pepper, and owned spirits and opium farms in Johor and Singapore. You can see how apt it was to include a bar in the space!
Following traditional Teochew architecture, each aspect of the house has been revived and preserved. From the wood carvings to the artwork made with qian ci (a Teochew art form using broken ceramics), the house retains much of its historical splendour with that stylish modern touch. I’d recommend arriving 30 minutes early to take a quick gander through the exhibition portion of the house.
Drinks to satisfy all palates
Bar Kap’s cocktail menu takes you through the House of Tan Yeok Nee’s various eras and lives – from the very beginnings as a residence, home to a British station master, its chapter as a school, and its time as a TCM clinic.
One of the drinks I wiped clean was Lights Out ($25), which the team described as a gimlet-inspired cocktail. I consider it a martini catfishing as a gimlet because it was strong in the best way. Presented in a beautifully frozen glass, it’s served tableside with drops of pandan oil. I wish the pandan played a more prominent role in the drink, but it was a fabulous tipple regardless.
The Pepper Peddler ($28) is a refreshing take on a gin soda, inspired by Tan Yeok Nee’s travels and trade. The blend of baijiu, gin, and makgeolli may suggest this is a strong drink, but it’s surprisingly refreshing with a warmth that blooms in the back of your throat. The baijiu comes off quite strongly in this drink, so if you’re a fan, go for it.
If you have a preference for zero-proof drinks, go for the TCM No. 3 ($18). Using soy milk, ginger, honeydew, and gula melaka, it’s a nostalgic dessert drink without being overly sweet. It also comes with a shot of coconut rum, so you could spike this tipple if you wanted. Personally, I’d highly recommend it for the added depth and nuance the rum gives the drink.
While Bar Kap’s cocktail menu doesn’t “wow” in an explosive way, it makes up for it in technique. Drinks may lean on the “safe” side, but will satisfy even the not-so-adventurous imbibers.
A food menu that doesn’t miss
Bar Kap’s food menu is kept tight with a small selection of food, ranging from appetisers and small bites to hearty noodle dishes meant to be shared.
I’m a certified tempeh hater, so when the spicy tempeh tots ($12) arrived at the table, I was skeptical. But thankfully, the sweet soy glaze and marinade take away any funky fermented flavour. I wish it was a little crispier, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Bar Kap Bao ($18) is also a hearty dish meant to be shared. It’s less of a bao and more of a curry puff to me, with a filling of delicious beef rendang. The side of pickled mango cuts through the oily feeling, adding balance.
A top pick for my dining companions and me? The Mee Kapitan ($20), a deconstructed dumpling with minced pork and sakura ebi. The dish has a delectable umami flavour with house-made noodles that have an addictive bouncy texture. There’s even a Green Kapitan ($15) available, which is meat-free for our vegetarians out there!
My only nitpick would be the surprising lack of Teochew-inspired dishes. Being greeted with a Chinese-Indonesian-esque menu was not on my Bingo card that night. That said, I enjoyed everything I sampled while I was there, and practically rolled out of the bar when I was done.
Is Bar Kap worth visiting?
I’m already planning my next visit to Bar Kap, if that’s an indication of how much I enjoyed myself! Rarely do you get to say you had drinks in a national monument that has never been open to the public, and the atmosphere is beautiful to boot. Despite some disconnects between the building’s heritage and the menu, everything I tried was well-executed and wiped clean.
At the time of writing, I’m told Bar Kap is already fully booked for August – a testament to its appeal considering it’s only been open for a month! If you want to give this bar a shot, make your reservations ASAP.
If on the lookout for other new bars in Singapore, here are the hot spots we’ve visited so far:
- Bar Middle: Precise Japanese craft meets American energy
- Bar Somma: Come for the Insta-worthy candles, stay for the elevated cocktails
- Braveheart Sake: A meet-cute with sake for enthusiasts and newbies
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bar Kap?
Bar Kap is a cocktail bar, housed within the history House of Tan Yeok Nee (Singapore's last Teochew grand mansion).
Do I need reservations?
I highly recommend trying to get reservations for Bar Kap because this bar is already becoming incredibly popular. If you plan to walk-in, I suggest going in a small group and be prepared to sit at the bar.
What are clay-aged cocktails?
Bar Kap is the first bar ever to revive the ancient practice of ageing drinks in traditional clay pots. Due to the porous material, the clay will change the flavour and texture of a drink over time, which differs from barrel ageing we normally see.
As of writing, the clay-aged cocktails are not yet available.
Do I need a ticket to get to the bar?
No, you don't! The House of Tan Yeok Nee is free to enter for members of the public, so you can easily access the bar and don't need a ticket to enter the premises.
Can I visit the bar without seeing the house?
The building is free-to-enter, and you don't have to roam the house if you just want to visit the bar or vice versa.
