New places to drink cocktails, whisky, and beer in the CBD, Sentosa, and Amoy Street
If your 2017 resolution is to drink less, then you’ll definitely want to make sure you’re drinking at only the best bars come the inevitable #cheatday. Kick off the year with a couple of tipples at these Hot New Bars that have just opened their doors.
Ola Beach Club
Get away from the urban gridlock and take in sun, sand, and a healthy dose of surf at Ola Beach Club. Taking over the premises of Azzura Beach Club, Ola’s owners aim to bring a slice of Hawaii living to Sentosa. And if cocktails by the beach conjures images of tropical drinks in delightfully kitschy tikki-themed glasses, you will not be disappointed. Fans of fruity concoctions should try the Siloso Firstlight, a mixture of tequila, orange juice, and pomegranate syrup, or the Uliuli Tiki with Blue Curacao liqueur, homemade vanilla passion fruit puree, and coconut froth. If you’re after something a little more traditional, try the Melemele Tiki, a Piña Colada distinguished by the addition of cinnamon banana puree.
Ola Beach Club, 46 Siloso Beach Walk, Singapore 099005. p. 6250 6978. Open weekdays 10am-1pm, weekends 9am-10pm.
Court Martial Bar, Media Bar, and Tonic at JW Marriott Singapore
South Beach Singapore, recently rebranded as JW Marriott, has just introduced three new bar concepts to its lineup. Media Bar styles itself after New York gastropubs and offers gourmet Western and Asian favourites, as well as a wide array of classic cocktails and local craft beers. The Court Martial Bar delivers a cocktail-focused affair showcasing skilfully prepared cocktails and an impressive selection of wines. Tonic, on the other hand, is a bar aimed at the discerning gin drinker. Here, you’ll sip on gin-based cocktails perfect for a nightcap after a long day’s work.
JW Marriott Singapore, 30 Beach Road, Singapore 189763.
NATIVE
Vijay Mudaliar is the audacious fellow behind NATIVE and its creations, all stemming from his focus on foraging from his surroundings. Vijay’s cocktails boast identities close to home – take the Geylang-inspired Red Light District that uses the Southeast Asian medicinal root, tongkat ali; or the Pineapple Arrack that’s derived from coconut flower sap aged in Sri Lankan wood. Oh, did we mention? There’s also a cocktail here with edible ants in it. How brave are you?
NATIVE, 52A Amoy Street, Singapore 069878, p. 8869 6520. Open Tue-Sun 6pm-12am.
Teepee Bar & Restaurant
If sussing out hidden bars makes the hipster in you do a little happy dance on the inside, you’ll want to check out this new bar-restaurant concept that’s just popped up on Hong Kong Street. Like 28 Hong Kong Street, this ‘guerilla diner’ likes to keep things on the down-low. On the main street, only a delightfully ‘rabak’ cardboard sign gives away the bar’s presence. Park yourself at the bar, take in the gentle pulse of reggaeton music, and grab a couple of cold Asahis – or your choice of classic signature cocktails. Also on the menu is a selection of original cocktails by Matthew Chan (Certified Sommelier of the Court of Master Sommeliers, and former Head Sommelier at Bacchanalia) like the Chamomilla – a piquant blend of chamomile infused gin, Tougarashi Umeshu and notes of jasmine and lemon.
Teepee Bar & Restaurant, Open Mon-Sat 8am-2am. Closed on Sun. p. 6225 0025.