Whether it's shaken or stirred, these awesome bars in Singapore sure know how to make a mean martini cocktail
Martini is to ladies what scotch is to gentlemen. Ever since Sex in the City introduced us to the wonders of a great cosmopolitan, girls’ nights out meant a glass of martini and a whole lot of dancing. To commemorate World Martini Day today (19 June), we round up Singapore’s most divine martini bars to sip the classic cocktail. James Bond would be proud.
Mezza9 Martini Bar
Offering over 50 different signature martinis, this swanky bar never fails to give us a case of decidophobia whenever we’re there. For a refreshing tipple this summer, have their Botanical martini – a tantalising blend of Effen Vodka, Domaine de Canton Frence ginger liqueur, zesty lemon juice, fresh cucumber, and rosemary leaves.
Martini Bar, Mezza9, Mezzanine Level, Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Road, Singapore 228211, p. 6732 1234.
The Exchange
A popular hangout among bankers, this brassiere and bar usually gets pack by 7pm, thanks to their crazy happy hour that runs from 8.30am (oh my!) to 8pm. Ladies, pop by on Wednesday and enjoy free flow martinis, margaritas and Hoegaarden rose from 5pm-9pm.
The Exchange, Asia Square Tower 1, 8 Marina View, Singapore 018960, p. 6636 1200.
Copper
Martinis are made with predominately gin, so it’s no surprise that gin-focused Copper – the latest additions to Keong Saik’s hip little dining enclave – serves one of the best renditions in town. While it’s not stated on the menu, you can top up $4 to “martinise” your choice of gin.
Copper, 10 Jiak Chuan Road, Singapore 089264, p. 6222 5565.
Anti:Dote
As with all Anti:Dote’s recipes, the martinis here are handcrafted with premium spirits and market-fresh ingredients, including housemade bitters, liqueurs, and flavoured sodas, as well as herbs and flowers from the bar’s very own garden. Enjoy a stiff vesper martini? Ask lead bartender Tom Hogan for a Tuxedo No. 2 – a gin-based concoction that’s made with a dose of Absinthe.
Anti:Dote, Level 1 Fairmont Singapore, 80 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189560, p. 6431 5315.
Maison Ikkouku
Both a café and a cocktail bar, Maison Ikkouku is where you will find all the trendiest peeps. Owned by Ethan Leslie Leong – the creator of Asia’s most expensive cocktail “The Jewel of Pangaea” (it was $35k a glass!) – you can bet your bottom dollar your drink’s gonna be uh-mazing. Go loco for coco with their impressive chocolate flambé-tini that’s served with toasted marshmallow and cookie roll.
Maison Ikkouku, 20 Kandahar Street, Singapore 198885, p. 6294 0078.
Bar Stories
This hidden gem along Haji Lane rolls out a solid martini. One of the first bespoke cocktail bar to open in Singapore, there’s no menu here, and every drink is specially made for your palette. Bar Stories only uses fresh produce without any artificial flavours.
Bar Stories, 55/57A Haji Lane, Singapore, Singapore 189248, p. 6298 0838
Tanuki Raw
What goes well with martinis? Oysters – lots and lots of them. At Tanuki Raw, happy hour means $10 martinis and freshly shucked oysters at $2 apiece. Swing by here between 8pm to 9.45pm and get 50% off a speciality martini of the day.
Tanuki Raw, #02-03 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road, Singapore 238896, p. 6636 5949.
No. 5 Emerald Hill
Famous for their 1-for-1 martinis ($25 for their all-day long premium martini deal; $19 for the Marvellous Martini offer from 9pm to 1am) and delish prawn-paste chicken wings, No. 5 Emerald Hill is a great spot to unwind after a hard day’s work – or shopping! Bonus: littering is not an issue here. Patrons are encouraged to throw peanut shells anywhere.
No. 5 Emerald Hill Cocktail Bar, 5 Emerald Hill Road, Singapore 229289, p. 6732 0818.
Morton’s The Steakhouse Restaurant
Besides serving massive portions of mouth-watering steak, this steakhouse also serves one of the best chocolate martinis in town – the Chocolate Mortini. Drop by during martini time (5 to 7pm on weekdays) and enjoy a side of free steak sarnies, together with any martini of your choice for just $16.
Morton’s, Mandarin Oriental Singapore, Level 4, 5 Raffles Avenue, Marina Square, Singapore 039797, p. 6339 3740.
Orgo
Located on Esplanade’s spacious roof terrace overlooking the bay, Orgo brings drinking and dining to the next level. Led by renowned Japanese mixologist Tomoyuki Kitazoe, the creative bartender who only uses fresh ingredients (read: no liqueurs and syrups) still manages to come up with a list of adventurous martinis, including a wasabi salt chocolate martini and a dragon fruit and vanilla concoction.
Orgo, Roof Terrace, #04-01 Esplanade, 8 Raffles Ave, Singapore 039802, p. 6336 9366.
Loof
Other than their awesome “Beat the Clock” happy hour promotion, this trendy roof top bar also does awesome martinis that goes real well with Singapore’s summer heat. Bask in the sun with their refreshing Krispy Klean Cucumber Martini.
Loof, #03-07 Odeon Towers Extension Rooftop, 331 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188720, p. 9773 9304.