Singapore, these are the new bars you should be heading to in 2021.
Boy has it been a rough year for the bar scene in Singapore. From the closure of bars, to stringent circuit breaker rules, the industry has been through a lot. Despite that, we’ve witnessed a steady heap of new bars popping up. It’s no different this month. The imbibing continues in 2021 as January sees a fine range of new concepts, unique fusion cocktails and homages to acclaimed creators.
Hot new bars in Singapore: Jan 2021
Set Of Six
Inspired by the novel Set of Six by Joseph Conrad, this hot new bar recreates the author’s experiences during his time in the British Merchant Navy. First things first, we have to talk about the decor. Two words: Absolutely stunning. You can’t ignore the lush tropical canopy with neon messages, flashing lights and even a disco ball. It’s certainly a journey here. As for the drinks, the cocktail program is curated from Conrad’s adventures across Italy, France, England, Chile and French Guiana.
Set of Six, #01-01, 20 Craig Road, Singapore 089692
Anouska Bar
Anouska pays homage to former Bond girl turned acclaimed interior designer, Anouska Hempel. What you get is a time capsule that takes you back to the 70s and 80s. Think disco era, but with nostalgic Eastern influences. Yup, the menu offers expertly crafted artisanal Chinese teas and cocktails ($22 each) that incorporate native Chinese herbs and botanicals.
Try the signature Escape to Kaifeng, a floral aperitif with house-made chrysanthemum cordial and dry gin. And what’s a Bond-approved tribute without the iconic martini? On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is a dry martini teased with yuzu and green tea bitters.
Anouska Bar, 83 Duxton Road, Singapore 089540
Jomo
The Jomo Group welcomes its first hybrid bar, restaurant and bottle shop in the buzzing Holland V neighbourhood. Step inside the quaint spot for bottled beers and craft beers on tap including Jomo’s super dry low-carb lager ($8 a pint). There’s also a range of wines, spirits and shots from $5. Bang for the buck, we must say. Btw, all prices are nett over here. Pair your tipples with bar bites like chicken salt fries, buffalo chicken wings and crispy pork belly bites. As for the bottle shop? Feast your eyes on over 250 wines and spirits at competitive prices, from $50 per bottle.
Jomo, 48 Lorong Mambong, Singapore 277699
Flnt
Located in the new rooftop establishment 1-Atico, Flnt (pronounced as flint), is touted to be Singapore’s only Nikkei-influenced sumiyaki bar and grill. The result? A progressive range of Japanese-meets-Peruvian cocktails that promises a burst of flavours. We’re excited to try the sprightly Kukishoku ($20) with pisco brandy, melon liqueur, yerba mate tea, citrus juice, miel syrup and yuzu foam. We’re also looking forward to Sumire ($20), crafted with pisco-infused corn, coconut liqueur, purple yam mix, citrus juice and vanilla foam. These drinks, plus the panoramic views of the city skyline, are guaranteed to raise your spirits.
Flnt, Level 55 & 56, Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
Sake Labo
Sucker for sake? Sake Labo might just be your newest hangout. Breathing life into Stanley Street, the bar serves up small-batch craft sake imported from Japanese breweries. Select from sakes based on Japanese regions or flavour profiles like bold, dry, sweet, floral, fruity and unpasteurised. Another unique concept we can’t ignore is Japas – Japanese-Spanish tapas. The cross between izakaya faves and tapas includes savoury bites like kushi-quettas (yes, a kushikatsu and croqueta hybrid) and “spider” karaage, a soft shell crab with Spanish aioli.
We’re also vibing hard on the terracotta-coloured interiors and wooden elements that transport us back to The Land of the Rising Sun. Since travel’s off the cards, this will do for now.
Sake Labo, 29 Stanley Street, Singapore 068738
Beats Bites & Cocktails (BBC)
No beating around the bush here. The moniker says it all. This new drinking den at the bustling Bukit Pasoh Road boasts an extensive spirits programme categorised into bitters, martinis, Old Fashioned, highballs and sours. Highlights include Purple Rain, a tribute to Prince with hibiscus and butterfly pea-infused Widges gin, Supasawa foam, elderflower liqueur and flower foam. Ready your phone for theatrics as a bubble filled with berry and citrus flavoured smoke sits on top of the cocktail.
The ambience plays a big part here too. In fact, music director DJ Shigeki Ito has a residency and churns out some dynamic beats we all miss from the clubs.
Beats Bites & Cocktails (BBC), 8 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089822
Now go forth and enjoy the start of 2021 at these hot new bars in Singapore!
