So you want to have a bougie house party? Say no more! We’ve got the lowdown on the high-class party of five you can host (plus restaurant alternatives).
With social distancing, entertainment restrictions and safety guidelines being the new norm in Phase 2, finding creative ways to gather with your best buddies is key to keeping boredom at bay. Especially when the weekend rolls around! Start scrolling down your invite list as we share our house party guide on how to plan the ultimate upscale evening in (or out) with tastings of all the good stuff. Psst: This will come in handy for all types of birthday celebrations and friendly gatherings.
How to throw a classy house party
Indulge in afternoon tea
Put your pinkies up for a pastime that’s as luxurious as it is fabulous. Afternoon teas are the ultimate day-time extravagance! Plus, who doesn’t love a good nibble on intricately plated savoury and sweet bites paired with aromatic brews?
Stay in: The Singaporean husband and wife team at Cheryl’s Scones offer these beautifully-made treats with unique flavour profiles (laksa scones, anyone?). For five party animals, we recommend three orders of the Afternoon Tea Set ($58 each) to complement your sophisticated gathering. You can also choose your own scone adventure by ordering individual varieties and pairing them with brews from local tea brands. Alternatively, look to InterContinental Singapore for its gorgeous Peranakan Afternoon Tea ($138 for two). You’ll be munching on traditional treats with a modern twist while sipping on Taittinger Champagne and loose-leaf tea – just add water and friends!
Go out: The grand, Art Deco-inspired Atlas knows a thing or two about indulgence. We can never get enough of its glitzy decor and glamorous vibes! With a beautiful backdrop and contemporary offerings, Atlas’ afternoon tea offerings (from $56) are made to order, paired with exquisite brews to up your tea game.
Perk alert! Use the code “Honey” for 10% off your Cheryl Scones order until 30 September 2020.
Celebrate all things cheese
The art of cheese appreciation allows you to enjoy all the sensory experiences that come with tasting different types of cheese and their flavour profiles. What better way to dive into this exciting world than with a mini party starring cheese as the guest of honour?
Stay in: The Cheese Ark is a wondrous, locally-owned place that works with small family farms and traditional cheesemakers. These folks also source and age their own cheese, showcasing different varieties when they’re at their best. You won’t find any commercial, supermarket brands here! Just step into the cheese cave and let the cheese fairies know what you’re craving – they’ll grant your wish for a taste before you buy. Before you know it, you’ll be home decorating your own platters with their amazing cheese and charcuterie choices.
Go out: LQV Singapore is a non-descript treasure at Boon Tat Street that has earned a stamp of approval from the French in Singapore. Besides offering more than 3,000 vino varieties to choose from, the wine bar plates up an impressive charcuterie and cheese platter that will easily delight your party of five.
Live the high life with caviar
What’s more posh than the delicate flavor of caviar? If that’s your kind of thing, we’ve got a variety of offerings in Singapore, including vegan caviar (say what?!). To take your soiree up a notch, enjoy these little sea bubbles on a plate.
Stay in: Live your champagne and caviar dreams by throwing a house party and cranking up the class factor with tins from Caviar Colony (starting from $138). The Singapore-founded brand is leading the charge with its own nod to this briny goodness. Psst: We suggest ordering a Mother of Pearl spoon for your guests as a memorable parting present. That way, you can end the night with an elegant goodbye gift.
Go out: Feeling up for a splurge? The over-the-top 28 Wilkie caviar experience at $1,400 is fancy AF and includes five types of caviar (50g each) from Caviar Colony. Throw in a bottle of Dom Perignon Brut (Vintage 2008) for another $1,680. It’s all about that ritzy experience!
Perk alert! Use the code “honeycombersSEPT” for a 10% discount when you purchase a minimum of two tins of caviar from Caviar Colony. Valid until 30 September 2020.
Dive into the world of chocolate
This sweet treat makes everything better – hands up if you agree! There’s just something about the rich decadence of chocolate that can perk up any day. Chocolate aficionados, look no further. We’ve got you covered.
Stay in: Anjali Chocolat is one of our go-tos for luxe handmade chocolates in unusual flavours (think kaya toast pandan and mango pudding). Just pay a visit to its workshop at Dempsey to see the folks in action! These sweet treats are made fresh daily using Belgian couverture, fresh cream, butter, whole spices and fruit puree. If you’re throwing a get-together for chocoholics, get the Artisanal Chocolate Platter ($185), a beautiful box of chocolate bonbons, truffles, lollipops and more. To enliven the party, go for the option of chocolates spiked with alcohol (and shake up your own cocktails to match!).
Go out: Ninethirty by Awfully Chocolate delights in all things chocolate, which means the options here are endless. Don’t miss ordering all your favourite truffles – in flavours like hazelnut, caramel brittle and champagne – to pair with a chocolate beverage of your choice. The menu features delish hot and iced chocolate, as well as dessert drinks like tiramisu. If you’ve still got space, the chocolate banana and flourless chocolate cakes are must-tries.
Have a beer-y good time
Sometimes, all you want at the end of a long week is an ice-cold mug of beer. Time to revel in all its hoppy greatness with brews made in Singapore!
Stay in: Add boozy bottles to your stay-home gatherings with locally-brewed craft beers from the likes of Trouble Brewing, Brewlander and Lion Brewery Co. No rules needed, just go wild and sample all the drinks that catch your eye.
Go out: Looking for drinks with a view? Level33 soars above all other brewhouses, quite literally. The world’s highest urban microbrewery with a majestic view of Marina Bay offers everything from blond lager and stout to wheat beer and American pale ale. You’ll be enjoying an elevated dining experience while floating above Singapore – what’s not to love?
Bonus: Neon Pigeon and Fat Prince
Throw a fuss-free house party with the folks from Neon Pigeon and Fat Prince, as the wildly popular restaurants deliver all the goodies to your doorstep with easy instructions. At $98 per person (for a group of five), you’ll have everything provided for you. That includes cutlery, candles and a funky playlist for background music. Oh, and you don’t even have to clean the dirty dishes – just drop ‘em in the boxes and they’ll be collected the next day.
Neon Pigeon may have flown away from its Keong Saik roost, but you can still enjoy Japanese-inspired bites and cocktails from its kitchen. We’re already dreaming of dishes like Tokyo hummus, chicken liver mousse, hamachi tartare and braised beef cheeks. Psst: The package comes with sake and cocktails, as well as a hangover cure for the next morning. Perfect!
As for Fat Prince, it’s giving your house party a Middle Eastern twist with plates of cashew hummus, duck pastilla and lentil shorba soup. Sip on cocktails as you dig into the food – did we mention this set comes with pillar candles, candelabra decorations and frankincense oil burners? Bonus points for setting the mood.
Perk alert! Use the code “HONEYPARTY” in your email when ordering to get a 10% discount. Valid until 31 October 2020.
Now that you’ve got the tools needed to live your best house party life, go ahead and plan a phenomenal night with your friends. Party on!
Words by Melissa Fitzgerald
Melissa loves the forever summer weather in Singapore as well as the spicy food and learning about new cultures. She has skydived, swam with sharks, repelled down waterfalls and moved to a city where she didn’t know anyone. But relocating to Singapore has been the most enriching experience yet. She also writes at Melissa Ann Fitzgerald.
