New watering holes to drink beer, cocktails and wine at Orchard Road, Little India, Raffles Place and more
National Day celebrations are ’round the corner, and how do we celebrate? With a patriotism towards tipples, of course! This month, we have a cosmopolitan mix of watering holes to choose from. Be it downing rum in jolly fashion at Caribbean hangout, drinking margaritas with los hombres at a Mexican bar, or sipping sake from a fourth-gen family business, you’ll never go bored (or thirsty) with this month’s Hot New Bars.
Artemis Grill
Having been inducted into our Hot New Tables and best rooftop restaurants round-ups, our adulation towards Artemis is nothing new. But what’s new, however, is Artemis’ rooftop bar’s (have you checked its sensational panoramic view yet?) latest range of playful cocktails. The Friends With Benefits is a refreshing mix of bombay sapphire gin and fruits, and the Don’t Call Me Baby panders to those who like it a little heavy with its use of dark rum, blood orange, and a dash of lime and ginger. Otherwise, the Beast Of Burden is swell for Scotch whisky connoisseurs with its infusion of Laphroaig 10 YO, and the Get Your Kicks mixed with bourbon and brandy will serve a strong roundhouse to your palate. Talk about a way to get high, and we’re not just talking about the 40 levels above ground!
Artemis Grill, #40-01 CapitaGreen (Rooftop), 138 Market Street, Singapore 048946, p. 6635 8677
MAD Bistro & Whisky Lounge
If you’ve been guilty of going to an art gallery just for the tipples (shame!), this place might pique your interest. This exclusive gentlemen’s club is located within the art gallery of MAD museum, and indeed, we promise that you’ll go mad for their relaunched line of cocktails. Featuring classic mixes with a modern zest, try their passion fruit sake mojito which infuses Japanese sake into the minty brew, or a sweet, milky mix of white chocolate martini. If you’re hankering after something straightforward, then a glass of Auchentoshan Mule, served on the rocks with a stick of cinnamon, will definitely hit the spot.
MAD Bistro & Whisky Lounge, #01-01, 10 Tanglin Road Singapore 247908, p. 6734 5688
Bago at Lime House
Living here, you’re probably well accustomed to island life by now, but how cushy are you with Caribbean culture? Broaden your horizons (and your repertoire of tipple conquests) at this vibrant rum lounge at Keong Saik’s Lime House. Honouring the traditions of Tobago – hence, its name – Bago urges you to adopt the spirit of “liming”, the art of doing nothing but having a good time. Sign us up! The colonial-decor lounge appeases with an appetising side of fish goujans and a glass of Rum Old Fashioned, which is a dark mix made with white rum and lime angostura bitters. Or if fruity bubblies are more your thing, the Kingston gives a smooth hint of tangy orange but ends with a heady finish.
Bago at Lime House, Level 2, 2 Jiak Chuan Road, Singapore 089260, p. 6222 3130
Dassai Sake Bar
If you’re a sake connoisseur, then the renowned Dassai brand shouldn’t fly over your head. Fourth-generation owner, Kazuhiro Sakurai, proudly represents his family’s commitment to the sake, by running a pop-up Dassai-exclusive sake bar in the newly opened Japan Food Town at Wisma Atria. For the uninitiated, start off with their Dassai 50, which harbours a full-bodied fruity tone. But if you ask us, you definitely have to give the signature Dassai 23 a shot; brewed with rice milled down to 23% of its content, this rich sake emanates an aroma of peaches and goes down smoothly. Btw, this bar will only be here for six months, so chop chop!
Dassai Sake Bar, #04-52, Japan Food Town, Wisma Atria Level 4, 435 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238877, p. 66946535
Chimichanga
Flip your way to Dunlop Street like a thirsty luchador; there’s a new Mexican joint in town for your taco and tequila cravings. This dive bar serves up a delectable list of cocktails to sample; start with their eponymous Chimichanga cocktail, prepped with a tangy, spicy mix of lemon, Worcestershire, and tabasco. While the youthful Chica cocktail entices the drinker with a mix of gin and elderflower liqueur, giving it a bright, aromatic fragrance. Besides drinks, Chimichangas also offer Mexican comfort food such as their taco trios and quesadillas served with pork carnitas or spicy chicken.
Chimichanga, 36 Dunlop St, Singapore 209364, p. 6293 3314